Page 18 of The Clause in Christmas
This time Luke didn’t hold back his groan and paired it with a blatant eye roll. “You sound ridiculous. You know that, right?”
Jack ignored him. “Please approach the bench, counselor. And state your case.”
Luke sighed. Loudly.“For one, she doesn’t even live here.”
Jack waved his hand dismissively, still spinning the pen. “Minor details. Is she taken?”
Heat spread across Luke’s body as he recalled Cassie’s words from the previous night.I don’t have a boyfriend, by the way.
“Aha!” Jack slammed the pen on the desk, startling Luke out of his reverie. “She’s single! I knew it.”
Luke opened his mouth to ask how he could tell, but Jack beat him to it.
“You got this goofy grin on your face.” Jack chuckled, then resumed his pen twirling. “Carry on, counselor.”
Luke cleared his throat again, gathering his thoughts. “Truthfully, I don’t have time to date right now.”
The pen slipped from Jack’s fingers, clattering to the pinewood floor. “I should have you dragged away in contempt of court. That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard.”
“Just so you know,” Luke told him, “you’re not using any of the legalese correctly.”
“Whatever,” Jack quipped. “Stop avoiding the subject. You may be busy, but that’s not a good reason to be a coward. If you like her, ask her out. You can figure the rest out later.”
Luke opened his mouth to protest, but Jack stood abruptly, the legs of the chair scraping against the floor. “I’m your last client of the day. So, when I call your office from the diner in a few minutes, I’d better hear from Dolores that you’re on your way to a certain white cottage.”
Rising to stand opposite his friend, Luke couldn’t help a grin. “Maybeyoushould have been a lawyer. You’re bullheaded enough.”
“The world’s got enough lawyers,” Jack said, returning the pen to the desk. “But good barbecue… Now,there’sa serious shortage. But thanks for admitting I’m right.”
Luke shook his head, chuckling under his breath as Jack strode out of his office. He had to hand it to his friend… he presented a strong case.
Maybe heshouldput his concerns aside and see what happens.
Chapter 7
Cassie’s palm rested on the open page of December 3 on the Christmas Calendar, but her thoughts were far from the day’s activity. How could she concentrate on decorating the Christmas tree when she could still smell the intoxicating aroma of freshly roasted coffee from earlier that morning?
She craved a cup of the velvety beans she’d watched tumble from the roasting machine, knowing they would taste like heaven itself. What did Frank Barrie do with all of that coffee if he didn’t sell it somewhere in town?
Cassie’s thoughts were interrupted by a jarring knock on the front door. Her eyelashes fluttered as she took a few moments to settle back into reality. Who would be visiting at… she glanced at the time on her phone… seven o’clock in the evening? Her heart undulated as Luke’s magnetic smile sprang to mind.
Quickly running her fingers through her loose curls, she headed for the source of the impatient hammering.
A smile already formed on her lips, Cassie swung open the front door, ready to welcome her guest. But her greeting fell short in her surprise, stalling on the tip of her tongue.
Ben beamed at her, both fists poised midair.
“Sorry,” Eliza said sheepishly from directly behind her son. “I asked Ben to knock since my hands are full.”
Cassie’s focus drifted past Ben’s boyish grin to Eliza, who gripped a wooden crate filled with baking supplies.
“We’re here to bake cookies!” Ben chirped brightly.
“And help decorate the tree. If you haven’t already.” Luke bounded up the front steps, stopping beside Eliza. His sapphire-blue sweater brought out the subtle jeweled-undertones in his eyes and for a moment, Cassie was too distracted to speak.
“Can we come inside before our shoes freeze to your front porch?” Eliza teased, shifting the heavy crate in her arms.
“Of course!” Cassie stepped to the side, avoiding Luke’s gaze as he brushed past her, flooding her senses with a heady scent of cedar and cloves.
