Page 17 of A Tiny House Christmas

This moment, locked in Joey’s arms, was the best Christmas gift of all.

Karlene, still giddy from their kiss, whisked the eggs, sugar, vanilla and milk together in Joey’s kitchen. “Okay, add the cinnamon.”

Joey carefully sprinkled in the teaspoon of spice and she mixed it in. She handed him the bowl. “Now poor it over the bread and raisins.”

“It can’t be this easy.” He stared at the filled casserole dish a moment before putting it in the oven.

“Bread pudding isn’t difficult.”

“I could sit and eat this whole thing when it’s done.”

“Just another reason why my brother chose you as his best friend.”

“Another reason, huh?” Joey was standing close, a part of him always brushing against her, but she sensed a tensing in his shoulders.

“Yes, and you’re the bestest friend anyone could ever ask for.” She took a step toward him, leaning forward, leaving herself open for a kiss.

He gave a curt nod, sliding to the right as though he’d been in her way.

“Joey?” She squeezed between him and the counter.

“Yeah?” He stepped back, but she grabbed his shirt, pulling him close.

“I’m very lucky he found you.” She leaned in, giving him a quick kiss that relaxed his shoulders. He returned her kiss with a firmness that had her wrapping her arms around him and wishing he’d let go and lift her onto the counter and kiss her with whatever they had pent up between them.

He broke the kiss, whispering, “I should check on the chicken.”

Joey had a chicken on the grill’s rotisserie, part of their Christmas dinner.

Trying not to act disappointed that Joey didn’t want to assault her mouth with more kisses, she handed him the foil wrapped pack of buttered and spiced potatoes. “You want to add the potatoes?”

He took them to the grill while Karlene wiped down the counter, studiously fighting her urge to go jump into Joey’s arms and kiss him until New Year’s Day. She admired that he was taking it slow when she wanted to do nothing more than hit the accelerator, but a part of her feared that he was holding back out of secret doubts. And there were likely a few such as the agegap and her being his best friend’s sister. There was also the small fact that she was supposed to be on her honeymoon with someone else…

Karlene shook out her hands, trying to cool her thoughts as she checked the clock. Her extended family would soon be gathering around the dining room table to celebrate Christmas.

She sucked in a breath and looked for a chore to take care of and turned abruptly, almost bumping into Joey.

“Try this.” He’d come inside, unnoticed, and had a fork extended to her.

She opened her mouth, and he gave her a morsel of chicken. Her eyes widened as she chewed. “So good!”

“Right?” He smiled with pride and tossed the fork in the dishwasher. He began running hot water for the pots they’d dirtied and she grabbed the tea towel, falling into the cleanup routine, glad for something to do.

The radio played in the background, a mix of country and western Christmas songs keeping them company.

“Either or,” she said, announcing an old game they’d play out under the stars as teenagers. “Bread pudding or Christmas cake.”

Joey’s face scrunched in disgust. “Bread pudding all the way. Turkey or ham?”

“Turkey. Gravy or cranberries?”

“On the turkey?”

“Yes.”

She opened the package of chocolate-covered raisins he always seemed to keep in the cupboard by his fridge. She popped a few into her mouth.

Joey was still considering his answer, and he leaned her way, mouth open. She dropped a few treats into his mouth as well. “Gravy,” he said, crunching on the chocolate. “No. Cranberries. No, gravy.”

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