Falling for Finn (Maplewood Falls #1)

Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

FINN

ONE MONTH LATER

When Oakley told me she had a lot of art supplies in storage, I thought she was joking until it all showed up on a shipping truck. What she’d sent for her project was only a small fraction of what she had. Never knew a person could own so many easels in different sizes, colors, or materials. Large, small, cherry wood, or metal—the options seem unlimited.

Since Oakley has been super busy and has several online orders to fulfill, my grandmother is allowing her to use the cottage. It’s become her own personal art oasis, and it’s working out perfectly to give her space to work and store all her stuff.

Since she’s such a fast painter, she’s been taking and finishing small jobs every few days. When she’s bored or needs a change of scenery, she helps at the inn and bakery. My mother and aunt adore her. Hell, the whole family does.

Not one of them was shocked when she returned.

I think I was the only one.

Her being here with me has been a dream come true. I’ve never slept better in my life than when I have her in my bed next to me. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Not positive what I did in a past life to deserve someone so kind and caring who still tries to be a pain in my ass, but I’m thankful for how things turned out.

“Almost ready?” I ask as Oakley slides a beanie over her head and then puts on some gloves. Although she’s dressed in double layers, she’s still convinced it won’t be enough to keep her warm.

Moving closer, I lean in and steal a kiss. “You’re adorable.”

“It’s negative degrees out there right now,” she explains, pointing at the window. “It’s nothing but white.”

“Would be easy to paint, though.”

Now she’s laughing. “Might have to test out that theory.”

I walk over to a blank canvas and point at it. “See, I created this yesterday.”

She playfully rolls her eyes and comes closer. “Wow, the shading and detail. I should put this online and sell it.”

“How much do you think I could make?”

She snorts. “About twelve bucks.”

“Is that how much this size canvas cost?”

Oakley nods and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me close to her. “Sometimes you’re goofy as hell.” She slides her tongue between my lips, and I’m tempted to take her upstairs and say fuck it. Although Levi would probably be pissed since we’ve been promising to visit the Christmas tree farm since Oakley moved here.

“Might have to unwrap you like a present if you keep that up,” I mutter, pressing a soft kiss on her nose.

“Not happening, Country Boy. Do you know how hard it was to pull my jeans over my thermals, then to put ski pants on top of that?”

“Your pussy is gonna be on fire later, babe. The ski pants are enough.”

She chuckles. “Just warming up your snack.”

“Mm, tempting. But we should get going so we can hurry up and come back home before more snow falls.”

Oakley walks to the window and watches the flurries fall. “You’re sure it’s safe to drive in this?”

“Yeah, it’s nothing. I have chains on the tires anyway. Trust me?”

“Of course, but you better go start the truck so it’s warm and toasty for me when I get in.”

“It’s already waiting for ya,” I tell her with a wink, and her smile widens.

“And this is why I love you.”

I lead the way to the truck and open Oakley’s door. She rushes in, coughing from the cold.

“My lungs don’t know how to handle this air. I think California weather ruined me.”

“You’ll acclimate, and before it’s all over, I’m determined to have you love a true New England winter.”

“We’ll see about that,” she murmurs as we slowly drive down the old country road toward Levi’s place.

We’ve been so busy that we haven’t had a chance to put up a tree yet, and since I had a day off, I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity. It’s our first Christmas as a couple, and I want it to be extra special. Plus, Oakley’s been dying to visit his farm.

“Prepare to be amazed,” I say as we turn toward Levi’s. This is the busiest time of the year for him and his family, and it might be the only time I’ll get to see him until after the holidays. Christmas is only two weeks away, so the place is jam-packed.

When we arrive at the parking lot, there are no free spaces, and the overflow is a long walk. So I improvise by driving onto the curb and hope no one says anything. I glance over at Oakley, and she’s shaking her head.

“We could’ve walked.”

“Being a rebel is more fun, though.”

Before I can say anything else, there’s a knock on my window. I smile wide when I see Levi.

“Sir, this isn’t a parking spot. It’s a sidewalk.”

I chuckle. “I’d like to order a double cheeseburger and fries. Want anything, babe?”

“This isn’t a Wendy’s either.” He rolls his eyes at me but then smiles at Oakley. “Hey, Oakley. How’ve you been? Enjoying our weather?”

I give him a look. “Back with the twenty questions again?”

He laughs, and Oakley speaks up. “I’m better now that I’m back in Vermont! Let’s not talk about the snow. There aren’t enough layers I can wear to stay warm.”

“Eh. You’ll get used to it,” he confirms. “Finn treating you okay? Or do you need a real man?”

I smack his arm. “Dude, I’m right here.”

Oakley cracks up. “Don’t worry. He treats me like a queen and even worships the ground I walk on.”

“He better,” Levi playfully warns. “Anyway, can you park in the field up front? The sleigh ride will be back from the tour in about five minutes and can pick you two up then.”

“I guess,” I tell him.

“Great, I’ll chat with ya when you return.” He taps the top of the truck, shoots Oakley a wink, then we head to the overflow area.

“How is he still single?” Oakley asks as we wait.

“He hasn’t met the right woman,” I tell her. “Have any friends for him?”

She shakes her head. “Nope and my only sister is married to the love of her life.”

I look out the windshield, searching for the horse-drawn carriage.

“That’s too bad. Maybe some annoying-ass woman will show up at his property, and she’ll sneak into his bed.”

Oakley lifts a brow. “Wouldn’t he be so lucky?”

I flash her a wink. “He’d be the luckiest man alive.”

We unbuckle, and I see our ride in the distance. Oakley’s eyes light up when she sees the Clydesdale horses.

“They’re gigantic,” she says, eager to get out of the truck. We wait for the sleigh to come to a stop and the people to unload, and then we step on. It’s big enough to fit eight people, but we’re the only ones waiting for it now. The midmorning rush is coming, though, especially now that the main lot is full.

“So is Levi Santa?” she whispers in my ear, and I let out a hearty laugh.

“If he is, he knows you’ve been very naughty.”

Once we take off, the bells on the horses jingle as they trot. The driver gives us a quick hello, and we make our way to the main area.

“This is a real wood sleigh. Been in Levi’s family for decades. I think his great-grandpa built it.”

“Seriously? Wow,” she says, enjoying the sweeping views of the snow-covered hills as the sun greets us up above. We take a small trail that runs perpendicular with the road, and I think Oakley’s disappointed when it comes to a stop by the gift shop because she was enjoying the ride.

I tip the driver, and when we step off, Levi greets us.

“So where do you keep the reindeer?” Oakley asks him, and he gives her his best belly laugh. He’s way too good at that, and of course, she eats it up.

“Ready to pick your tree?” he asks her, then hands me the axe.

“Wait! We’re cutting it down on our own like the freaking Griswolds?”

“That’s right, City Girl.” I swing the axe over my shoulder.

“Lead us to the best ones,” I tell Levi, and he takes off.

I hold Oakley’s gloved hand and glance at her with a grin. She waggles her brows, and Levi shakes his head.

“I knew I’d be third-wheeling it.”

Soon we’re in an area full of beautiful evergreens. “You can pick,” I tell Oakley. “Any size you want.”

“This is incredible. I almost feel bad chopping one down. But then I feel bad for the ones that don’t get picked.”

She walks by different ones, holding her hand out to brush it across the needles. Oakley’s like a kid in a candy store and keeps up her pace as Levi and I trail her.

“I forgot to tell you what happened with Aspen,” he says, lowering his voice.

“Oh yeah.” I totally forgot that he and Jessa hauled her ass away the day Oakley came back to me.

“She kept talking shit to Jessa. So you know what your cousin did?”

I shake my head. “I can only imagine.”

“There was duct tape on the back seat of the truck, and she literally took a strip and slapped it over Aspen’s mouth. Then she told her if she dared to rip it off, she would make me pull over and leave her on the side of the road in the snow or she’d stuff her dirty sock in her mouth.”

“Fuck,” I whisper-hiss. “Jessa never told me any of this.”

“She made me swear I’d keep it to myself.” He chuckles. “ Whoops. But also pretend you don’t know because she’s scary.”

I laugh. “Apparently.”

“Anyway, Jessa forced me to drop Aspen off at her parents’ house in her bra and panties, and her mother lost her shit. Jessa politely explained Aspen broke into your house and refused to leave.”

My eyes go wide, knowing how strict her parents are, even at her age. “Yikes.”

“Don’t think you’ll be hearing from her ever again. Not after that. I felt sorry for her, and that’s saying a fuck ton.”

I don’t even know what to say. Aspen’s parents were always very religious, and their daughter lied a lot to appease them. Can’t imagine that went over well at all.

“This is the one,” Oakley announces, looking up at a tree that towers over Levi.

My mouth falls open as I realize how tall it is.

“What?” Oakley places a hand on her hip.

“Nothing, babe. If this is the one…”

“It is. Size matters,” she purrs. “Even when it comes to Christmas trees.”

“Please don’t talk about my best friend’s dick with me right here.”

Oakley snorts at Levi, and I walk over with the axe and get to work. Teenagers on four-wheelers drive around to tag the cut trees. They also pick them up and take them up front.

“Timber,” I say as it falls over with a thud. Oakley interlocks her fingers with mine as one of the teenagers who works on the farm loads it.

“Bennett, right?” he asks me, putting it on a candy-cane-striped tag and plopping it on the back rack of his ride.

I nod. “That’s right.”

“That one’s on me,” Levi tells him, and the kid nods before driving away.

“Ya didn’t have to do that.” I smack his shoulder.

“You’re family,” he explains. “Your money’s no good here.”

“What are they doing with it?” Oakley asks.

“We wrap them for travel and send you away with care instructions,” Levi explains.

“Wow, that’s fancy,” she says. “You know, the scenery has me itching to go to my art oasis and paint,” she tells Levi and me on the way back.

“My offer still stands. The gift shop could use your magical artwork. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you go in there. The wall behind the front counter is bland and has a big spot waiting for it,” he says.

“I’ll do it on one condition,” Oakley offers, and Levi waits for her to continue. “I need a sleigh ride that lasts longer than ten minutes.”

“Shit, that’s easy. Consider it done.”

Oakley beams wide, and I wrap my arm around her as we squeeze through the crowd. We go to the pickup area, and once our tree is loaded, Levi thanks us for coming.

“Sorry, it’s hectic.” His walkie-talkie keeps going off because they’re so damn busy.

“Your farm is beautiful,” Oakley explains, giving Levi a big hug. “It was good seeing you, and thanks so much for the tree. We’re gonna decorate the hell out of it.”

He chuckles. “Hope you have a lot of decorations.”

“If not, we’ll make some.” She turns to me. “Art project style.”

“Yay!” I say sarcastically. “As long as no glitter is involved.”

“There will be piles of it,” she mocks.

Levi tells us goodbye and excuses himself before we make our way into the gift shop.

Christmas music plays as soon as we enter, and I immediately smell gingerbread cookies. It’s as hectic inside as it is outside. I keep a tight hold on Oakley for no reason other than I like her close, and we grab two cups of hot cocoa.

“We should get this,” she says, holding up a turtle dove ornament that says our first Christmas.

“Our first Christmas and first ornament. Lots of firsts together.” I smile. “I love it.”

“Me too,” she tells me as we finish our cocoa and make our way to the counter. As we wait in line, Oakley stands on her tiptoes to get a look at the wall behind the counter, and she gasps.

“They wrapped the wall in Christmas paper. No wonder he wants something there. It’s horrendous.”

I laugh. “His mom did it, and I think the only way she’d remove it is for one of your paintings. He’s begged her for years to tear it down. She’s refused.”

Her face squishes. “I better start on it tomorrow, then.”

After we pay for our ornament, we stand in the flurries, waiting for the sleigh ride to return. After we hop on, I press a kiss on her warm lips.

“Thank you for taking me here. I loved every minute of it.”

“Even in the cold?”

She chuckles. “I’m pretty sure my ass is sweating.”

“Told you!” I say with a laugh as she leans into my side and takes in her surroundings.

“So after we decorate this tree, we’re watching Elf from beginning to end, right?” She lifts her brow, and I laugh because she remembered.

“Does it include hard apple cider?”

“Not a chance. You’re not getting out of finishing it like you did with Halloweentown .”

“Alright, deal.” I kiss her cold cheek and inhale the sweet smell of her shampoo.

I can’t remember a time I was ever this happy and am so damn grateful to call Oakley my girlfriend, but one day, I plan to make her my wife.