Page 25 of Christmas Wishes
The scent of pine filled the interior of the cabin as Rand and Bernie worked on getting the tree into the stand.
He was dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt, looking for all the world as though he belonged there in a way he never had at the North Pole. She didn’t quite understand that being he wasn’t from the woods, but from one of the most magical and faraway places on Earth.
Did a couple of days outside the North Pole really change him that much? Or was this the real Rand and no one ever realized it?
He was still beautiful to her, but now there was a rugged element to him, a shadow of growth around his jaw and his hair was disheveled. He blended in with his surroundings and she likely stood out like a sore thumb in her bright red and sparkles.
Nothing for it at the moment, so focused on something else that she could do something about. The kitchen. Or, at least what was left of it.
She surveyed the damage and spied the basket she’d filled with cookies for him. It was empty. She’d put two dozen triple magic Christmas cookies in it and they were all gone. Was that…? It couldn’t be. Could it?
She started gathering the pots and measuring cups and set them in the sink, then wiped the counters down as best she could. There was cocoa mix everywhere. He must’ve used the entire jar that had been in the basket. There’d even been instructions. What had he done?
She poured some milk in a pot she’d dug out of the back of the cabinet, then put the milk back in the refrigerator.
“You don’t have to do that.” Rand spoke from where he leaned against the edge of the counter.
“I know, but how else are you going to get hot chocolate?”
“I meant cleaning.”
“I can’t work in a messy kitchen.” She measured out cocoa, sugar, and added a pinch of salt, whisked them together, then into the pot of steaming milk. It was a very basic recipe because all she had were basic ingredients “Where’s Bernie?”
“He left.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I hope he didn’t think me rude.”
“I’m sure he didn’t. You know, I don’t think we’ve ever been alone like this.”
“No, I don’t believe we ever have. Did you eat all the cookies at once?” He blushed and ducked his head.
“No. About four when I returned from the walk into and back from town. Worked up an appetite.” He grinned. “Why?”
“Because I think that’s why I’m here.” She poured the cocoa into a blue speckled ceramic mug and handed it over to Rand. “You need marshmallows. Or at the very least some cream so I can make whipped cream. A candy cane would be good though, to stir and add a little extra flavor.”
“It’s perfect the way it is. What does my eating the cookies have to do with you showing up out of nowhere? Was I not supposed to eat them?”
“Of course you were.” It was now or never. “I tripled the magic in the recipe. I didn’t know what it would do to you. I mean, I hoped it would help you find your way again, be happy, see the good in people, and see the good in the world. I hoped it would make you believe again, that it would erase your doubts, and see the miracle that the season really is.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I didn’t want this to happen.” She waved her hand around to encompass the cabin and him. “I didn’t want you to end up here.”
He sipped his cocoa slowly, keeping his eyes on her over the rim of the cup. She wanted to fidget. She wanted to move around, to slip away from that intense, liquid gaze, but she stayed planted right where she was. “Any particular reason?”
“I…” What was she supposed to say? Did she say she wanted him? That she loved him? That she believed he wasthe one? What? What was she supposed to say? “What’s Christmas without Santa’s reindeer?”
“Good try. There are plenty of other reindeer.”
“But you’re his son.”
“Still… Try again.” The twinkle in his eyes was working overtime. “Try the truth.”
“I…”
“In your bakery, when you fell into my arms, did you want to kiss me?”
“Yes.” She had nothing left but to give him what he asked for: the truth.
