The tree actually had him feeling a little anxious. What would it be like seeing the tree every day, a constant reminder of what had almost happened at the Christmas tree farm before her friend had interrupted?

What was he thinking? Nothing had happened at the Christmas tree farm. They had picked out a tree that a salesperson had helped load into his truck. They’d had soup and fudge at Mrs. Harvey’s kitchen, followed by some chatting with her friends, and then they’d come back home. End of story.

Not that Hamilton House was home. Or that he thought of Pine Hill as home. He didn’t.

What he did think was that he needed to get back to work.

While Sarah was seeing Robert out, Bodie made sure the tree was secure. He couldn’t have it toppling over on her. Once he was certain it was steady, he straightened, annoyed at the pain that shot to his hip. Without thought—and quite stupidly, since Sarah could walk back in at any moment—he rubbed the area.

“Did you hurt yourself?”

Bodie turned towards the door and saw Harry and Sarah standing there. “Robert gone?”

“He is.” Her eyes were full of concern. “You didn’t answer my question. Did you hurt yourself carrying in the tree?”

Great. He couldn’t have her worried that she’d caused him pain. He shook his head. “It’s nothing more than an old injury.”

“From your time in the service?”

Although he’d rather not go there, he wasn’t going to lie to her, so he nodded.

“How old?”

This was what he got for giving in to the pain, for rubbing the area that was hurting. He should have known better.

“Is your injury why you’re not in the military anymore?”

Her voice was so gentle, so full of empathy, that he couldn’t stand it. He didn’t deserve her empathy and he sure didn’t want her pity.

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

She sighed, but rather than push, she put her hands on her hips. “Okay, fine. We won’t talk about your hip injury. Or your time in the military. Or anything else you don’t want to talk about.”

“Good.”

Her expression said she didn’t agree. Shifting her gaze, she looked at the tree and her eyes took on some of their usual light.

“It really is a beautiful tree.”

As it got her to change the subject, Bodie was happy to agree. “Best tree ever.”

Surprised by his comment, she turned, smiled, then took on that eager-for-life, full-of-energy expression she usually had. The expression of a dreamer. “It’s going to look even better when we get through decorating.”

We? There was no “we” decorating her tree.

“I should get back to the bathrooms now. Those vanities aren’t going to install themselves.”

Frustration shone on her face. “You don’t want to decorate the tree?”

“Not particularly.”

“Okay. Back to the vanities.” She sighed. “If that’s what you want.”

Hating that he’d yet again dimmed that dreamer light in her eyes, Bodie headed toward the bathroom.