Page 10 of A South Hill Christmas Keepsake
“Needs people, music, and hot cocoa in a cup the size of a mop bucket.”
“Of course.”Her hands came together, curling as though around a mug of something warm.“Bringleton’s. It was always the best.”
“Still is. You know what…hold that thought. I’ll be right back.” He dashed out to his truck. Her laugh stayed with him all the way back to his truck, soft as sawdust and twice as impossible to shake.
For a half-second, he considered driving to Bringleton’s, but with it only a quarter mile away, he’d probably spend more time parking, so he broke into a jog toward the coffee shop.
It didn’t take long to grab what he’d gone for. When he stepped back inside, the warmth of the room hit him, and so did the dorkiness creeping up on him for how much effort he’d just spent on cocoa.
Hannah Leigh glanced up from the garland she was untangling, a puzzled smile on her face. “Where did you run off to?”
Nate lifted the box in his hands. Two massive thirty-two-ounce tubs of hot cocoa sloshed inside. “Emergency supply run. Figured we’d earn it before the day’s through.”
He handed her one.
“This is crazy. It’s the size you’d get enough potato salad for the whole family.” Steam curled from holes punched in the lids.“Smells good though.” She sipped, closing her eyes as the sweetness hit her. “Is this much hot cocoa in one sitting even legal?”
“This is South Hill. We measure caffeine and sugar by the quart these days.” He shrugged. “Let’s sit outside. It’s nice.”
She followed him outside to enjoy the mid-morning sun washing over the town. “Thanks for the cocoa and your help.”
He admitted they hadn’t given him a choice. “I don’t mind.”
“Me neither.” Her smile came easily, but silence fell between them as they sat on the bench. “I swear I might overdose on this much chocolate.”
He nodded. “The whole town might become diabetic if this trend lasts past the holidays,” he admitted.
“The mayor might have to create a new violation for that.”
“Don’t tempt him,” Nate warned.
She leaned forward, resting her forearms on her knees. “I forgot how quiet it is here. You can hear yourself think. It’s nice.” She seemed to catch herself. “For a visit.”
Nate smiled, tucking his hands into his jacket pockets. “Careful. This town reels folks in before they know what hit ’em.”
She glanced over, one brow lifting. “How’s that?”
“Starts with a visit,” he said, eyes on the horizon. “Next thing you know, you don’t want to leave.”
“This hasn’t been home for a long time.” Hannah Leigh looked away, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “Don’t worry. I’m just passing through, not settling in.”
“Guess we’ll see.” He couldn’t resist. “Who knows, maybe now you’re where you’re supposed to be.”
She didn’t answer, but her doubtful expression told him everything he needed to know.
“I have an idea,” he said. “How about we do something spontaneous? Something that didn’t make the clipboard?”
Her mouth opened, and he braced himself for rejection. “I’m not afraid to do something on a whim. Besides, everything on this morning’s list is complete. What’s on your mind?”
“Roll up your sleeves, Hannah Leigh, because we are going to make our own rules.”
The color drained from her face, but she recovered quickly. “Fine. Let’s do this.”
He’d thought he’d finished that chapter with Hannah Leigh, but perhaps it wasn’t over after all.
CHAPTER SEVEN
By the dogwood, Hannah Leigh’s sweater snaggedon a long strand of pine roping on the handrail, causing her to nearly trip over a box of Christmas lights that looked like they’d wrestled with a squirrel and lost. “Lordy goodness.”She stumbled, arms windmilling to stay upright. She placed one hand against the tree trunk.
