Our gingersnaps emerge perfectly golden and fragrant, sparkling with sugar crystals. As we arrange them on the display tray, Mayor Nishimura passes by, sampling from each station.
After trying one of ours, she declares, “These are excellent.Perfect texture—crisp edge, chewy center. You two are the perfect couple.”
“Thank you,” we say in unison, then exchange surprised glances.
“The Turleys are like the perfect Christmas package,” I add, not entirely sure why I’m doubling down on our fake marriage because all too soon the truth is sure to emerge.
As she moves on, Bree busies herself with the cleanup, but I catch the small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
“We do work well together,” I observe.
“It’s just cookies,” she deflects.
“No, it’s more than that.” I take a breath, gathering courage. “Bree, I’ve been thinking?—”
Whit hollers, “All stations finished? Time to bring your cookies to the table so we can begin to box them up!”
Bree grabs our tray. “We should go.”
I sigh, the opportunity to suggest that maybe we see where this goes, slipping away once again.
However, as we present our cookies, Bree’s shoulder makes contact with mine and she doesn’t pull away. I let myself believe that maybe this could work. Maybe what started as pretend could become something real and lasting.
I just need to find the perfect moment to tell her before our thirty days are up.
COBBITON DAILY CALLER
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CORNER
Two weeks and counting until Christmas. Have you made your list? Checked it twice?
We’ve noticed there are a couple of people who’ve been naughty and nice, but will they last without a holiday hat trick?
Sightings have been made from the Christmas Market to the theater where the children’s choir has been practicing for the Christmas pageant, as two members of our community were spotted rocking around the Christmas tree. We just hope they don’t let it dry out. You know how flammable pine can be.
As the big day gets closer, will this marriage made in Hockey Town wind up in the penalty box like last year’s poinsettias?
THE CORN HUSKER
[PRIVATE GROUP]
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[Post: Thursday 2:49 p.m.]
Ella Bouchelle
Okay, I’m piping up because this is getting to be too much. I’ve been checking the Christmas Countdown Corner in the Cobbiton Daily Caller every day because last year they shared about the Advent scavenger hunt, surprise pop-up events, and giveaways. My dad loved it. But the nonsense they’ve been printing this holiday season is ridiculous.
What gives?
They’re sowing doubt and discord among the residents because someone, for sure, knows who the magic couple is.
Is their editor unhinged, or were they engaged in a hostile takeover, and there’s a rogue journalist in our midst?
Sounds like they’re narrating reality television, but I’m not entertained and I imagine the couple in question isn’t either.
But who is behind this? I want the postings about the Christmas activities back!
