Page 12 of The Christmas Lodge
Lacy glanced at Derek, arrested again by his good looks and the tug she felt to learn more about him. Dogsledding didn’t seem like a particularly important job, certainly not a ‘real’ job like hers, but she had to admit there was something intriguing about a man with such a unique career. Realizing she was staring at him again, she took a hasty sip of her mocha.
“That business is all thanks to your grandfather, actually,” Derek said to Lacy. “He helped me get the business loan I needed to open Winter Run Racing, and it changed my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his help.”
All the good humor drained out of Lacy at the mention of her grandfather again. Like Sarah, Derek had nothing but good things to say about the man. Nothing they said gelled with what she had believed all her life about her father and grandfather, and she knew if she thought about it too long she might disappear down a rabbit hole of confusion and emotion. Suddenly, the upheaval of the past week settled over her, and she began to feel a little queasy.
“Well, it was nice to meet you, Sarah, and thanks for the scone,” Lacy said, taking her cardboard cup of coffee with her. “I’m sure I’ll see both of you later.”
She turned, hurrying to the door and pulling it open.
“Lacy,” Derek called.
Just the sound of her name from his lips sent a twinge of something that felt suspiciously like butterflies erupting in her stomach, but she tried to ignore the feeling. Turning, she made eye contact with him and raised an eyebrow in question.
“If you want to come by my shop, I’ll take you out for a ride with the team. You know, since you rejected my offer last night.”
Lacy’s eyebrow arched even higher and a smile twitched at her lips. “Unlikely.”
“Come on, if you give sledding a try, you’ll fall in love with it, and maybe you’ll forgive me for almost running you over.”
Lacy couldn’t hold back a real smile by then. “Like I said, unlikely,” she replied with a smirk. “But thank you anyway.”
With that, Lacy left the bakery, steadfastly refusing to acknowledge the butterflies that had moved from a twinge in her stomach to full-on flight.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Colette inhaled appreciatively, steam wafting into her face from the bubbling marinara sauce on the stove. Emma had taught Colette the recipe years ago—the same recipe that had been handed down from her own mother’s mother. It was a favorite of hers, and she made a big batch of it at least once a month, parceling it out for use in various recipes. Tonight she would layer it in a homemade lasagna, another favorite recipe Emma had taught her a long time ago. The doorbell rang and Colette heard Emma shifting in the living room, struggling to rise from her armchair.
“I’ll get it,” Colette called. “You just stay comfortable.”
Hurrying to the front door, Colette pulled it open and waved Derek inside. “Derek! Emma will be so glad to see you.”
“Is that my sweet boy at the door?” Emma called from the living room, making Colette and Derek both grin.
“Yes, ma’am,” Derek replied, pulling off his snow boots before padding into the living room in his stocking feet to drop a kiss on Emma’s fluffy white hair.
Emma reached out and grasped his hand, urging him to sit in the armchair beside hers. “Tell me how you’ve been doing. You know I don’t get out much during the winter.”
“Staying busy with work as always. I’ve got a new student, a little guy only seven years old. He’s the cutest little kid, and the dogs all love him.”
“He’s lucky to have you, dear. I imagine he looks cute as a button on those baby sleds you use for the littler children.”
“He really does.” Derek laughed. “He’s taken to sledding right away, and I think he’ll be a fine dogsledder one day.” He patted Emma’s hand and nodded with his head to the knitting on her lap that she’d abandoned when he had come in. “What have you got there?”
“Oh, just another blanket. I’m knitting as many as I can before Christmas. I’m sure you remember that the Holy Grace Church takes donations for the less fortunate, and I’d like to do my bit, little as it is.”
“It’s not ‘little’ at all,” Colette chimed in, giving Emma a fond look. “She’s already knitted ten blankets.”
Derek gave a low whistle and Emma blushed a little. “You’re a rare gem, Miss Emma. They’re lucky to have folks like you.”
“Oh, you.” Emma fluttered her hands vaguely, waving away the compliments, but Colette could see from the happy color in her cheeks that Emma was pleased. “I spend so much time in this armchair anyway, I might as well do some good while I’m at it!” She picked up her knitting needles again. “You’ll stay for dinner, won’t you? Colette said she’s making lasagna.”
“Why do you think I stopped by for a visit around dinner time?” Derek asked, giving Emma a wink.
“You’re a rogue and a scoundrel, my boy,” Emma teased.
“Guilty.” Derek’s grin was entirely unrepentant as he rose to his feet. “That being said, I do try to earn my keep! Colette, let me help you finish putting dinner together.”
Colette smiled her thanks and followed her cousin into the kitchen where her casserole dish was waiting for the lasagna to be assembled. She took up her station at the counter and laid down a layer of red sauce while Derek washed his hands at the sink, then laid down a layer of cooked lasagna noodles, followed by the ricotta and herb mixture.
