Evan (Angel Institute #6)

Chapter 3

Three

EVAN

T he sun's dipping behind the trees when I hear the crunch of tires on gravel. It’s been a long day on the farm, getting everything ready for the Christmas rush, but my mind's been wandering. I can't shake the thought of Molly and Chad and hoping they'd really show up.

I look up and see Molly getting out of her car, Chad bouncing around like a puppy beside her. They're all bundled up, their cheeks pink from the cold. Molly's hair is escaping from her hat in little wisps, and it makes my heart do a funny little flip.

"Evan!" Chad yells, running over to me with a big grin. "We're here!"

I find myself grinning back. The kid's excitement is contagious. "Hey, buddy! You ready to learn all about Christmas trees?"

"Yeah!" he shouts, practically vibrating with energy. "Mom said you were gonna show us around the farm and teach us everything!"

I glance at Molly, who's watching us with a kind smile. "I hope that's okay," she says, sounding a little unsure. "I know you're probably busy, but Chad hasn't stopped talking about the farm since last night. He couldn't wait to see it."

"Of course it's okay," I tell her, feeling a warmth spreading through my chest. "I'm happy to show you both around."

Molly's smile gets bigger, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, lead the way then, Mr. Christmas Tree Expert."

I laugh, waving for them to follow me as I head towards the rows of trees. "All right, first lesson: not all Christmas trees are the same. You've got your firs, your pines, your spruces, and they've all got their own special qualities."

As we walk, I point out the different kinds of trees, showing them how to tell them apart by their needles and shape. Chad's hanging on every word, his eyes wide with wonder. Molly's asking questions, really interested and engaged, and before I know it, I'm lost in the conversation, just enjoying sharing something I’ve grown up doing with people who care.

We wander deeper into the farm, the rows of trees stretching out before us like a green maze. The air is cool and clean, filled with the sharp, fresh scent of pine. It's one of my favorite smells in the world, but lately, it's been tainted by the weight of responsibility, the burden of keeping this place running when all I want to do is escape.

But with Chad by my side, his small hand in mine, I start to see the farm through his eyes. The way the sunlight filters through the branches, casting patterns on the snow. The way the icicles glitter like diamonds, the way the wind whispers through the needles like a secret song.

"Wow," Chad breathes, his head craned back as he stares up at a towering Douglas fir. "That one's gotta be a million feet tall!"

I chuckle, ruffling his hair. "Not quite a million, buddy. But it is a beauty, isn't it?"

"It's the most beautiful tree I've ever seen," Chad declares, his voice filled with awe. "Can we take it home, Mom? Please?"

Molly laughs, the sound like music to my ears. "I think it might be a little too big for our living room, sweetie. But maybe Evan can help us find one that's just the right size."

I nod, feeling a sudden lump in my throat. "I'd be happy to. That's what I'm here for, after all."

But even as I say the words, I feel a pang of guilt. Because I'm not here for this. Not really. I'm here because it's what's expected of me. It’s what my family needs me to do. My brother is in the military and my parents are off enjoying their overdue retirement. I'm here because I'm trapped, stuck in a life I never wanted, in a town I've always longed to leave behind.

But standing here, with Molly and Chad looking at me like I'm something special, I feel a flicker of something I haven't felt in a long time. A sense of purpose, of belonging. Like maybe, just maybe, this isn’t the worst place to end up.

We keep walking, Chad darting ahead to examine every tree, every pinecone, every footprint in the snow. His excitement is a tangible thing, a bright, bubbling energy that fills the air around us.

"Hey Evan," he calls out, his nose pressed against the trunk of a blue spruce. "What's this sticky stuff on the tree?"

"That's sap," I explain, crouching down beside him. "It's like the tree's blood. It flows through the trunk and branches, keeping the tree healthy and strong."

"Whoa," Chad breathes, his eyes wide. "That's so cool."

"You know what else is cool?" I ask, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. "If you touch the sap and make a wish, it might just come true. It's like Christmas magic."

Chad's face lights up, and he eagerly presses his hand against the sticky patch, closing his eyes tight. "I wish for the best Christmas ever," he whispers, his breath puffing out in a cloud of fog.

I feel my throat tighten, my eyes stinging with sudden tears. Because isn't that what we all want, in the end? A perfect Christmas, filled with laughter and love and joy? A moment of magic in a world that so often feels cold and dark and lonely?

I glance at Molly, seeing the emotion shimmering in her own eyes. And I know, without a doubt, that she feels it too. The longing, the hope, the desperate wish for something more.

We keep walking, the moment passing as quickly as it came. But something has shifted between us, a subtle change in the air. Like a door has cracked open, just a sliver, letting in a hint of light.

As we round a corner, Chad lets out a gasp, his hand flying to his mouth. "Look!" he cries, pointing to a small clearing ahead. "It's a snowman!"

Sure enough, nestled among the trees is a perfect snowman, complete with a carrot nose and a jaunty top hat. His coal eyes sparkle in the fading light, his twig arms outstretched as if in welcome.

"I don't remember him being here," I murmur, frowning slightly. Neither Paul nor Seth, my part-time employees, mentioned anything about a snowman, and I doubt they would’ve taken the time. "I wonder who..."

But before I can finish the thought, Chad is off and running, his boots kicking up sprays of snow as he races towards the snowman. "Hi, Mr. Snowman!" he calls out, his voice ringing through the trees. "I'm Chad, and this is my mom, and this is Evan! We're here to find the perfect Christmas tree."

I shake my head, a laugh bubbling up in my chest. Leave it to a kid to make friends with a pile of snow.

But as I watch Chad chatter away to his new pal, I feel a sudden surge of emotion. For his innocence, his enthusiasm, his unshakable belief in the world's goodness.

I glance at Molly, seeing the same feelings reflected in her eyes.

An hour flies by, and we've covered nearly half the farm. Chad's starting to get tired, the cold more than likely seeping into his bones, but he insists on helping me carry some branches back to the barn for wreath-making.

"You're a natural, buddy," I tell him, messing up his hair as he carefully lays out the branches on the workbench. "Maybe you should come work for me when you're older."

Chad beams up at me, his face glowing with pride. "Really? You think I could be a Christmas tree farmer like you?"

"Absolutely," I say, my heart swelling with affection for this little kid I barely even know. "You're a natural."

Chad's smile nearly splits his face in two. "Awesome."

Molly's watching us, her eyes misty. "We should probably get going, sweetie. It's getting late, and I need to get some food in you before you turn into a hangry little monster."

"Aw, Mom!" Chad whines, sticking out his bottom lip. "Can't we stay a little longer?"

"Nope, sorry kiddo. These growling tummies wait for no man."

Chad sighs dramatically before turning to me with hopeful eyes. "Hey Evan, do you wanna come eat dinner with us? Mom makes the best spaghetti and meatballs in the whole world."

I glance at Molly, not wanting to impose, but she's smiling at me, her head tilted in invitation. "You're more than welcome to join us, Evan. It's the least we can do after you've been so kind to us today."

I feel a grin spreading across my face, a giddy sort of excitement bubbling up inside me. "I'd love to," I say, trying to play it cool. "As long as you're sure it's no trouble."

"No trouble at all," Molly assures me, her eyes warm. "Can you come in about 30 minutes?"

“Thirty minutes is perfect," I say nodding, mentally calculating how long it'll take me to clean up and look presentable. "Can I get your address?"

I hand Molly my phone. She removes her gloves, quickly types, then hands back the device.

"Thanks." I put the phone in my pocket. "I'll see you then."

"Yay!" Chad cheers, pumping his fist in the air. "Spaghetti night with Evan."

Molly laughs, herding Chad towards the car. "Come on, you little goofball. Let's let Evan finish up his work so he can come eat with us."

They wave goodbye as they drive off, Chad's face pressed against the window, his breath fogging up the glass. I wave back, feeling lighter than I have in years.

As I head back to the barn to tidy up, I can't wipe the smile off my face.

I've got a dinner date with a beautiful woman and a great kid. Okay, so maybe not a dinner date, but it's the closest thing to a romantic outing I've been on in a while.

And I can't wait to see where it leads.