In the hot, dry heat, Peppermint Farm was less than festive. It had been an unusually warm summer so far. Jean dragged a small Christmas tree from the back of her old ute towards the house and propped it against the wall.
"I think this will do."
In the background, chickens clucked contentedly, scratching at the dirt. The door opened and an older woman with dark hair and a pinched nose came out.
"Let me help you with that."
"Thanks Evelyn."
The two ladies wrestled the tree into the house and set it up. They went about adding tinsel and hanging little peppermint sticks, chatting as they worked. The wooden floorboards, scrubbed bare from generations of hard working families, creaked as they moved around.
"So, it's just you this year."
Jean sighed, wiping her hands on her work slacks.
"Yes. Christopher Junior is on duty this week, but I suspect that's just an excuse. His wife doesn't like to travel. Jack is, well I don't really know. I know it seems silly with my husband gone and the family scattered to decorate at all. But I try to keep the spirit of Christmas in my heart and my home."
There was a long pause. Jean seemed lost in thought, staring down at a candy cane in her hand. Evelyn squeezed her shoulder.
"Come to my house for Christmas lunch. Some of the ladies from the sewing circle will be there, and of course Father Morton. I don't want you here alone."
"I don't want to be an imposition."
"My dear you never are. I want you to promise me you'll come. I don't want you sitting here alone on Christmas."
Jean managed a weak smile.
"Alright, I promise."
When the decorations were finished, Jean waved Evelyn off with more promises to see her at Christmas. Her car kicked up dust as it turned onto the main road and Jean turned her attention to her chores. Christmas or not, there were animals that needed to be fed, crops to weed, and a broken fence at the end of the the road.