Page 52 of Say It Isn't Snow
Hazel
Finally! I was worried I’d have to make your famous butter tarts and it wouldn’t turn out as good.
Holly
Don’t say that, yours tastes just as good! Hopefully I’ll still have time to make them before we all drive back to Candlewood for Christmas.
Leo
What time exactly do you think you’ll be back? I have a paper I need to send to my professor. I’ve been too tired to finish it by the time we close the bakery.
Blowing out a breath, I tap out a reply that when I hit city limits, I’d let him know. I want to scold my little brother for mismanaging his time, but I can’t. They’ve both been covering the shop for me while I’ve been stuck here.
Stress creeps in at the edges of my mind. There are so many things I need to do when I get home, including making sure Leo’s grades aren’t slipping by having to work overtime for me and baking my annual dessert contribution to our family Christmas dinner.
Sighing, I pet Greta one last time. “You have it so much easier than me. I wish I could wander through a charming woodland looking for tasty berries.”
The goose nibbles at the hem of my coat, mistaking the floral pattern for a treat. Chuckling, I head to the driveway.
I stop in my tracks when I come around to the front of the cabin. My car is warming up for me and it’s pulled out of the spot I parked in, turned out for an easy exit. I won’t have to make a million point turn to maneuver it because it’s already seen to.
Caleb finishes locking up the cabin and storing the key in the security box. He catches me standing there in stunned silence and smiles.
“You’re all set. I took care of your car for you. Also checked everything over to make sure it’s safe for you to drive. Your oil was a little low, so I topped it off.”
An overwhelming rush of emotions swell in my chest—gratitude, surprise, affection.
I turn away with a breathless laugh, blinking away the wetness clinging to my lashes. This is unbelievable. I can’t believe I’m going to cry over all the little things he does for me. They’re such simple gestures, yet they touch me.
He’s the only person who always thinks of me first.
God, I love him. How have I gone so long without him in my life?
“Holly?” He spins me back to him, concern crossing his face.
“Sorry, the wind got in my eye.” It’s a better excuse than admitting to him I’m getting emotional because he got my car ready for me.
“Let me look.” He cradles my face, tilting it with rapt concentration. “Ah, I see the problem.”
He kisses me. I melt against him with a smile. His laid-back charisma makes me feel lighter.
Brushing my fringe out of my face when we part, he sighs ruefully. “I know we have to get out of here, but letting you out of my sight is the last thing I want to do.”
I nudge him. “You have to. You have a longer drive than I do to get to the city.”
He’s heading down to New York for a meeting tomorrow with his agent and the new hockey franchise establishing itself in New England.
“I know. Still…” He rests his forehead against mine. “This hasn’t been nearly enough time to make up for how long I’ve missed you.”
“Go,” I urge with a pleased laugh. “Good luck at your meeting. Will you tell me how it goes?”
He grins. “I’ve got a good feeling about it from what Trevon’s told me. No matter what, it keeps me here. I’m definitely taking the offer, so if you let me take you out to dinner when I’m back from New York I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Dinner?”
“A date,” he clarifies with a hopeful expression that pierces my heart.
I tilt my head. “Caleb Adler, are you asking me out?”
