Page 46 of The Clause in Christmas
“Really?”
“His best friend in the navy, truth be told. Dennis Flanders. They were both home on leave, and they picked up my girlfriend Sally and I for ice skating. Sally was supposed to be Arthur’s date, but he spent the entire evening skating with me.”
“I bet Dennis loved that,” Luke interjected with a laugh.
“Poor Dennis gave up pretty quickly, switching his attention to Sally. Which suited Arthur and I just fine.” For a moment, her gaze fluttered past Luke, and he could almost see the memories dance across her shimmering blue eyes. “At the end of the night, Arthur marched right up to me and said as soon as he returned home from the war, he was going to marry me.”
Luke slapped his palm against the table, rattling the china dishes. “You’re kidding! What did you say tothat?”
“I said he’d better try his darndest to stay alive, then. ’Cause no girl wanted to lose her fiancé overseas.”
Luke leaned back against the chair, shaking his head in amazement. “How did you two know so quickly?”
“It’s different for everyone, of course. Arthur said he fell in love when he saw me fall on the ice fifty times and get right back up to try again.” She laughed at herself. “I’d never been ice skating before, but Arthur wasn’t the only determined one.”
“And you?”
“I knew any man who’d be that bold on my behalf was a man worth keeping.” Dolores met his gaze with warmth and affection. “You’re a lot like my Arthur, you know.” Placing a hand over her heart, she tapped her fingers. “Here. Where it counts.”
Luke swallowed, feeling tears prick his own eyes.
That’s the kind of story he wanted with Cassie, except their own unique version. But he knew it would never happen if he didn’t follow Arthur’s lead.
Tonight, he would have to be bold.
Chapter 16
Cassie didn’t wait for Luke to say hello before grabbing his hand and tugging him through the doorway. “Youhaveto try this!” She pulled him into the kitchen, bubbling with excitement.
“Hello to you, too,” Luke chuckled.
“I know we’re meeting Eliza and Ben at the ice rink, but you have to taste this first.” Rocking back and forth on her tiptoes, Cassie held out a mug brimming with freshly brewed coffee, nearly sloshing it over the rim in her eagerness.
“Don’t tell me you raided more of Frank’s coffee supply,” Luke teased, bringing the mug to his lips.
Cassie placed one hand on her hip, rolling her eyes playfully. “Once again, I didn’ttechnicallysteal it. And this time he gave it to me.”
“When?” Steam wafted toward Luke’s face, carrying a rich, heady aroma that seemed to instantly catch his attention. “Wow, this smells good!”
“Doesn’t it?” Cassie couldn’t contain her delight, grinning like an overly enthusiastic elf. “I took him a jar of Eliza’s fudge yesterday, and he invited me inside.”
Her revelation caught Luke off guard, causing him to sputter in surprise as hot liquid shot up his nose.
“Are you okay?” Cassie asked.
“Fine, thanks. Just singed my sinuses.” Luke swiped at the coffee dribble on his chin. “Cantankerous and reclusiveFrank Barrieinvited you inside? What did he want?”
“He wanted my opinion on one of his blends. Well,two, actually. I tried one at Frank’s. And he sent me home with the one you’re drinking right now.”
“That’s strange.” Luke tried a second sip. And if his expression was any indication, the sultry flavors lingered on his tongue long after he’d swallowed. “This tastes incredible! Even better than the first cup I tried the night of Pajama Christmas.”
“I know!” Cassie beamed, pleased he had a similar reaction to her own. “I’ve been thinking about this all day. You know how I mentioned Frank’s writing a second edition of his book?”
Luke nodded, taking another sip.
“What if…” Cassie drew in a breath, wondering if her thought would sound crazy when she finally said it out loud. “What if Frank is working on new blends for his book? And he wantsmyhelp?”
“That would be great…” Luke trailed off, his brow knit together. “But why do you think he’d ask for your help?”
