Page 44 of Playing for Keeps
Spending any amount of time away from Caroline was unbearable. Operation Christmas Romance was in full swing. He smiled, knowing his old teammates would think him ridiculous and obsessive. But he wanted to soak up every second of her now that she was back in his life.
That was how Justin ended up walking toward The Cakery at seven in the morning on his day off. Nothing else mattered now that Caroline had given him a second chance. He was determined to be available and helpful in any way he could to convince her to trust him.
The downtown streets and sidewalks were barein the cold Colorado morning. A thick fog settled just above the brick buildings, making the dawn sunlight a hazy orange.
Justin tucked his hands in his coat pockets as he turned onto the street The Cakery was on and came to a stop. A small crowd was slowly filing into the bakery.
Picking up the pace, he slid into the store behind two women holding hands with young, excited boys. In fact, the whole place was full of parents with children huddled around them.
Caroline was in the thick of the mass, waving her hands in the air as she spoke to the adults. She was smiling, but he’d never seen such a strain through her professional mask.
Kathy Dennison, a local photographer, stood to the side taking photos of kids with their arms wrapped around each other’s necks and eating what looked to be cinnamon rolls.
Skye darted from behind the counter and grabbed Justin’s arm. “Thank the good Lord. I was about to ask Caroline to call you.”
“What’s wrong?” Justin allowed Skye to lead him to the back room.
Once the door closed behind him, Skye rounded on him, clasping her hands in front of her chest. “Santa is missing.”
Justin blinked a few times. “That sounds like aserious problem. I’m not sure I can help. My reindeer are on vacation.”
“Mr. Burrows was supposed to be here dressed as Santa Claus, but he’s sick! Now, we have a bakery filled with hopeful kids and disgruntled parents.”
“Ah. I’m caught up now.” Justin puffed out his stomach, smiling. “Where can I get a costume?”
Skye plopped onto a nearby chair like a limp noodle. “Thank you. This is huge.”
“Skye!” Caroline called.
Skye shot to her feet. “Stay here. I don’t want the kids to recognize you when you show up as Santa.” She darted to the door and waved Caroline in.
Caroline slipped into the room, panting. “Mrs. Burrows says she has a costume, but we still need a?—”
Skye waved her hands toward Justin as if introducing him at a talent show. “Santa Claus!”
Caroline’s eyes widened, and she gasped when she noticed him. “Justin! What are you doing here?”
“I came to help out, and it sounds like I already have a job.”
A second later, Caroline launched herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on for dear life. “Thank you!” she wailed against his ear.
This was it. He could die a happy man. Having Caroline running to him was better than he’dimagined. He tightened his hold on her instinctually and breathed in the warm, sweet smell of her hair.
“I’m going to offer more goodies while they wait,” Skye said as she disappeared into the bakery.
Caroline released him and brushed her hair from her face. “I owe you big time for this.”
Justin reached for her hand, clasping it tightly in his. “You never owe me. I’m glad I got here when I did.”
“I was going to call and ask you to help, but I haven’t even had a chance to turn around without a parent asking me questions.”
Justin tilted his chin toward the door. “Go take care of your bakery. Just tell Mrs. Burrows to knock on the back door, and I’ll let her in.”
Caroline’s eyes grew hazy with tears. “Thank you.”
He nudged her toward the door. “Go. I’ll get dressed and text you when I’m ready. Do I come in the front entrance?”
She backed toward the door. “That would be great.”
