“You know already?” Benny asked on a sputter.
“It’s Park City, honey. News travels fast.” She came out with a few rolls left on a tray, leaning over to give him a kiss on the head that he didn’t want but also didn’t mind—not if it came with cinnamon rolls.
“Grandpa was amazing,” Benny said proudly. “He only fell once.”
“Idid notfall,” Red said with a scowl. “I executed a controlled descent.”
“Uh-huh,” Mom said, nodding for them to take a table. “Cinnamon rolls will make you both feel better. Tea for you, Grandpa? Benny, some milk?”
“Yes to everything,” they said in weird and comical unison.
They sat at a corner table, quiet for a while, sharing the rolls and drinks until his mother joined them after taking care of a customer.
“Will you be done soon, Mom?”
“Yes, but I have to stay in town after we close, so you and Red can eat at the lodge.”
“Do you have a cake to bake or something?” he asked, taking a sip of milk.
“Actually…” She gave him a funny look. “Eleanor Locke has called a quick Mistletoe on Main planning meeting.” She cleared her throat. “Marshall and I are going to meet there to get approval on our gingerbread house idea.”
Benny sat up a little straighter. “Wait. What? You’re doing that…with him?”
Her cheeks got a little pinker. Well, Mom was basically an Olympic-level blusher, and it told Benny alot.
“I’m not happy that you interfered, but I’m not quitting.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “It’s good marketing. And the combo structure is really cute and might actually win the award for best gingerbread house.”
“There’s an award?” Benny blinked.
“A plaque, not money, but we both agree it will be good attention for our shops.” She gave him a warning look. “It’sbusiness, Benny. And I still am telling you to please stay out of adult affairs.”
He sighed, slumping. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.” He fiddled with his milk glass. “I am sorry, Mom.”
She angled her head with a kind of sad look in her eyes. “I’m sorry you want a father so much you pulled a stunt like that.”
“’Specially when you have a great-grandfather,” Red said. “I mean, the wordsgreatandgrandare in my title. What else do you need?”
Benny smiled. “Nothin’, Grandpa.”
“Oh, look, there’s Olivia walking her dog,” Mom said, gesturing toward the window. “Might be a good time to deliver the same ‘do not meddle’ message to her.”
Benny nodded, finished his cinnamon roll, and downed the milk. “I’ll be back in a minute, Grandpa.”
“Take your time, Benny-bean. I need my rest from all those triple axels.”
Snow crunchedunder Benny’s boots as he crossed the street toward the girl in the bright purple parka being dragged by a blur of fur.
Kat, Olivia’s border collie, spotted him and bounded forward, nearly yanking Olivia off her feet.
“Benny!” Olivia cried, laughing. “Hey! You survived skating with Santa! I heard you’re in the show!”
“Yeah.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Listen, we gotta talk.”
Olivia’s eyes widened. “What happened? Is Red okay? Didn’t fall, did he?”
