Page 44 of Wishing for Love

“I bet your family has a really big celebration. You talked about your eight cousins, but you never said where they lived. When you were a kid, did you see them?”

“Not often,” he said. “My uncle was in the service so they traveled a lot. When he died, they were in North Carolina, so it’s not like we could just hop in a car for a quick trip.”

“I understand that,” she said. “I don’t fly often. Too expensive and driving is too far for me at times. I’m good at coming up with those excuses too.”

She saw the grin on his face. “I know what you’re trying to do.”

“What is that?” she asked. She fixed her coffee and leaned on the island across from him with it in her hands.

He’d waited to answer until she was in position. “Act like nothing happened last night.”

“Oh,” she said. “Something happened. We both know it. Not sure you’ll admit something happened after you left, but I’ll say I slept like a baby.”

His face turned pink. She enjoyed doing that to him.

“I slept fairly well,” he said.

“Good,” she said, standing up straight and sipping her coffee. “Don’t overthink this. I’m good at separating things if you haven’t noticed.”

“Guess I should learn that from you.”

Which told her maybe more could come of this. “We could teach each other.”

“We could,” he said.

“Are you working all day today?” she asked, switching it back to business mode.

“I’m going to try to get out a little after lunch. I know everything is set for the tree. Thank you again.”

“I love wrapping,” she said. “It was fun.”

He bought a lot for Elsie but not everything on the little girl’s list. He’d said he didn’t want her to think she could get it all. There were some things he couldn’t find and wasn’t going to try. Life wasn’t about getting everything you want.

She’d asked if he wanted her to try to do it. She had a credit card and turned in all receipts or had them emailed to him if she ordered online.

But he’d told her no.

“Glad you like it. I’m not so great at it,” he said. “You’re welcome to have dinner with us tonight, but I don’t expect you to cook it. I can cook. I’ll be home.”

“I think I’ll let you cook too,” she said. “But I’m doing it tomorrow. Elsie told me about the Christmas morning breakfast she wanted. I made sure I had everything.”

“You didn’t say anything about that,” he said.

“We didn’t talk much yesterday when you got home. Elsie and I went to the store to get it all. Last night didn’t seem to be the time.”

“No,” he said. “It might have cooled us down though.”

“Maybe I didn’t want us to cool down,” she said.

Crystal was having fun going back and forth between these conversations.

“What is on the menu?” he asked.

“Blueberry pancakes, bacon, hash browns and cinnamon buns.”

He laughed. “Maryn was addicted to those canned cinnamon buns.”

“Maybe it’s a good memory for you both. I know it’s going to be hard. I understand if you don’t want me around for the day.”