Seducing Santa (Holiday Series Book One)

Chapter Four~Christmas Tree Farm

Following the map that Mr. Green-eyes had made for her, Holly found the place with no problems at all. It was a quick ten-minute drive, just as he had said before, and she saw a sign that read “O’ Christmas Tree Farm Bed & Breakfast”, instructing her to take the next turn.

“Christmas Tree Farm?” Holly whispered to herself as she turned down the road.

On one side was just more forest, but on the other side was a large field with evenly placed Christmas trees of varying shapes and sizes. It went on for another good mile before she saw lights up ahead, pulling into a gravel parking lot. The lights came from the windows of what looked to be an old farmhouse with a full wrap-around porch, white siding, and forest green trim. A wooden sign hung by the door, indicating again that this was the Bed and Breakfast, and she was in the right place.

She had just parked her car and turned off the engine when a short, grey-haired woman came out the front door and waved at her. Holly opened her door, and the woman came down the steps, seeming not to have any trouble at her age as she came rushing over.

“You must be the one Grayson called me about! I have already picked out a nice room for you and lit the fireplace, so it should be nice and warm once you get upstairs!” The woman informed her.

Grayson? Was that Mr. Green-eyes’ name? She introduced herself and thanked the woman while she went to the back of her car to open the door to pull out her suitcase.

“Oh, let me get that for you!” The woman insisted, reaching over.

“Oh no, it's fine! “ Holly said, grabbing it and closing the back of her car quickly, moving slightly in front of her, so the woman could not reach it.

She wondered if the woman ran the Bed and Breakfast all by herself. She seemed to be around her seventies, but not slowing down anytime soon. She ushered Holly inside, where a small desk was located in the main hall, and a staircase led upstairs just behind it. To her left, through a set of double glass doors, appeared to be a large kitchen and dining room, and to her right, through another set of doors, was a sitting area with a large fireplace, a couple sitting on two comfy armchairs, looking to be in their fifties, just enjoying the ambiance of the cozy room. The place really felt homey and well taken care of.

“My name is Maggie May, but you can just call me Maggie. If you need anything, there is a bell system throughout the house. You can find the pull string next to the door in your room. Just give it a tug, and I will come running! Now, breakfast is served between seven and nine. Tomorrow we will be having pancakes, eggs, and bacon! The eggs are from my very own chickens so they are very fresh! All the breakfast food is labeled, but any other food you find is fair game. I try to keep the place stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a few little treats every now and then. I just got done baking a nice pumpkin pie and brewing some apple cider, if you would like some!” She explained, as she headed behind the desk and jotted something down in a large book, before opening a drawer and pulling out a key.

“That sounds wonderful, I might take you up on that,” Holly replied.

“Oh, good! If you want me to take it to your room rather than coming downstairs again just ring that bell!” Maggie informed her while handing over an old-fashioned skeleton key with a red ribbon tied at the end.

“You will be staying in the Santa Room! I hope you don’t mind the color red!” she said cheerfully as she came around the desk and then motioned for Holly to go up the stairs.

“You can go up to your room and settle in first, and the next time I see you, I will get you to sign a few things for me, just for my records, but for now, enjoy!” Maggie told her as Holly made her way upstairs.

“Thank you so much!” she called back, amazed at how friendly everyone in this town seemed to be.

She headed up the stairs that led into just one long hallway, each door having a label, and all the rooms appeared to be named after the reindeer, except Rudolph. Her room was at the very end of the hall, and she put in the key and turned the lock, opening the door with her free hand and almost letting out a scream at the sight that greeted her on the other side.

In the far corner of the room was a full-size Santa, a jolly smile on his face and both his hands on his round stomach. That was going to make things a bit difficult when it came to falling asleep. Mannequins and life-like dolls tended to give her the creeps. She rolled in her suitcase and closed the door before she gave the room another good look. It was as if she were truly in Santa’s bedroom, with a chestnut sleigh bed covered in a red and green patchwork quilt, images of reindeer and Christmas trees hidden within the fabric.

There was a small iron fireplace keeping the room nice and cozy, and the floor was hardwood but covered in carpet that went along with the whole theme of the room. An antique dresser with a mirror stood beside her, next to the door, and under the window was a small desk and chair. A wooden sign on the wall next to it read “Check’n it Twice!” and on the side tables next to the bed were very rustic style lamps, looking like they were made from reindeer antlers with a red lampshade at the top.

Above the bed was a painting of a cabin in the woods with a lit Christmas tree beside it in the snow, the walls making you feel as if you were inside that cabin rather than in an old farmhouse.

Holly rolled her suitcase by the dresser and walked over to the window to look out, her view looking directly over the tree farm. She noticed a door next to the fireplace and opened it, relieved to find she had her own bathroom. It was snow-themed inside, featuring all-white tile, a polar bear shower curtain, and a snowflake soap dispenser. She really wanted that shower now, having been too busy to take one yet. She hoped the water pressure was good and that the water would remain warm long enough for her to wash her hair properly. It was an old farmhouse, so who knew how good the plumbing was?

She went back to her suitcase and put it on the bed, opening it up and about to grab her comfy pajamas when the image of Mr. Green-eyes suddenly came to her. She bit her lip and reached inside the pocket of her coat, pulling out the red invitation.

Should she go? She truly had planned to see the town today, but everything had gotten in her way. Perhaps this was a good way to meet some of the locals and get a feel for them. Getting the mayor’s approval was one thing, but what you truly needed was for the whole town to be excited about the idea of a potential theme park, to know that you would not encounter any resistance. He said most of the town would be there, so what better place to see what they were like? She placed down the invitation and rummaged through her things, having thrown things blindly in there the night before, and was not sure if she had anything suitable.

“Ah-ha!” she exclaimed, pulling out her long-sleeved red sweater dress.

She just needed to add a little belt and some jewelry and this could work! She pulled out her jewelry bag and was glad she also brought along a few of her belts. Holly was a bit of a fashionista and was always prepared for anything when she traveled. Luckily, a lot of the items she owned could be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Having the basics was a woman’s best friend in her wardrobe!

She found some golden sleigh bell earrings and a matching reindeer necklace, hoping it would be festive enough. She laid out what she picked and then packed up the suitcase again before placing it back by the dresser, heading into the bathroom to take that shower.

The water pressure was wonderful, and the temperature stayed warm until she was done. She got out and brushed her teeth and hair, noticing there was a blow dryer but never daring to use it on her frizzy, curly tresses. She patted her hair down with a towel and got it as dry as she could before adding in some hair mousse to keep the texture of her curls intact. She did a quick make-up look with a smoky eye and a red lip before heading into the room to put on the dress and jewelry. She added some semi-opaque black leggings and strappy high heels to complete the ensemble, shoving her make-up, in case she needed a touch-up, into her black designer purse.

She threw on her black parka and did a once-over in the mirror attached to the dresser, blowing herself a kiss before heading out the door. She put the skeleton key in her purse as well, making sure to lock the door behind her first before making her way downstairs. Maggie was coming out of the sitting room, and her eyes widened slightly when she saw how Holly’s appearance had done a full one-eighty compared to when she first came in.

“Are you going somewhere nice?” Maggie asked, a small smile brightening her face.

“I’m going to the charity event at the Inn! Can I sign those things you need later? Holly asked, recalling her words from earlier.

“No worries, Dear! Go have fun!” She reassured her as she waved Holly out the door.

Holly smiled at her and headed back to her car, unable to shake the feeling that something magical was about to happen.