Evergreens and Angels by Mary Manners Page A

swiping the sticky sap from his fingers onto the thigh of his jeans as he went.
    “If I only had a few more inches…”
    “No problem. I’ve got it.” Warmth from blowers Reese had recently installed embraced Dillon as he stepped into the greenhouse. He reached over his mother’s shoulder to straighten the display. “There.”
    “That’s perfect, son. Thank you.” She smiled up at him and patted his cheek in a gesture that was so familiar. Even on her tiptoes, she barely came to his chin—she hadn’t since his growth spurt the latter part of his freshman year at Clover Cove High. Her diminutive height held no bearing, though; all the Cutler siblings knew their mom was the real boss around here. Dark hair sprinkled with salt-gray swept her forehead as she studied the scruff of stubble along Dillon’s jaw. “Did you get something to eat on your break?”
    “I grabbed a few slices of pepperoni over at Pappy’s Pizzeria, and Mr. Moretto insisted I sample a piece of his homemade pecan pie, although I’m still working to digest that Thanksgiving spread you prepared last week.” Dillon thumped a palm against his midsection. “That turkey you roasted was huge enough to feed an army, and all those sides, good grief. The local buffet has nothing on you, Mom. Those leftovers lasted an entire week.”
    “Well, Anthony’s pecan pie is to die for.” Mom’s eyes, bright as a pair of dark chocolate-covered cherries, shone with laughter. “And, last I checked the Cutler crew is growing huge as an army.”
    “I suppose you’re right. So much has changed around here. Wyatt and Kami sure have two firecrackers in those mischievous little twins of theirs. Nate and Nancy are into everything now that they’re walking. And who would have thought Reese and Peyton would get started growing their family so quickly? They’ve barely been married a year and here comes Lissa all swaddled in pink. I suppose Maddie will be next in the baby department, now that she and Gunnar have tied the knot.”
    “Don’t get ahead of yourself, son. Keep up that line of thinking, and you’ll be married, too, before the first snow of the season drifts in.”
    “Me?” Dillon pressed a hand to his chest as he tilted his head toward the breeze. If his internal radar was working up to speed, that snow might very well swirl in tonight. “Bite your tongue. I’m not even dating anyone, Mom, since Jacqueline headed back to the city.”
    “She wasn’t the one meant for you to share your life with, Dillon. That was obvious from the start.”
    “I’m glad you could see it. Me…well, it took a little longer for the light bulb to fire.” He shook his head as he ran his tongue along the wall of his cheek. “She really left a bad taste in my mouth, the way she took off without so much as a glance back.”
    “Sometimes it’s hard when you’re smack-dab in the middle of things to see the whole, true picture. Don’t let your bruised heart close the door to what God has in store for you.”
    “My heart’s not bruised…it’s more my ego that’s smarting.”
    “Well, that should tell you all you need to know. If the heart’s not fully invested…”
    “I thought it was, but in retrospect I suppose you’re right. I guess I’m just a little confused.”
    “Happens to the best of us.”
    “That aside, I have no intention of racing to the altar anytime soon.”
    “That’s exactly what your brothers said, and Maddie, too.” She winked and flashed him that Mom-knows-all smile. “Christmas is a magical time, though. You never know what those tidings of good cheer might tote along for the ride.”
    “Maybe that good cheer is targeting you, Mom. I’ve seen the way Anthony Moretto drops everything and heads your way whenever you walk into the pizzeria. He turns to a pile of mush. That man is smitten if I’ve ever seen it.”
    “Now, don’t you go starting rumors, son.” Mom waggled a finger at him. “You just tuck those good tidings we