A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Holly?” Daniel whispered. “Elaine thought you might like to try this too.”
She opened the door a crack. Daniel stood there holding a coat in a deep Christmas red, the kind of rich, vibrant shade that seemed to capture the essence of the holiday season.
“It’s beautiful,” she said honestly, reaching out to touch the soft wool.
“Try it on,” he encouraged.
Holly slipped the coat over her shoulders, the weight of it settling comfortably around her. It fit perfectly, nipping in slightly at the waist before flaring gently over her hips. She turned to the mirror, startled by her reflection. The color brought warmth to her face, making her eyes seem brighter.
“What do you think?” Daniel asked from the doorway. His expression was impossible to read.
“It’s perfect,” she admitted. “But probably too expensive…”
“It’s Christmas,” he said simply, as if that explained everything. “And it looks like it was made for you.”
There was something in his voice—a roughness, a catch—that made her turn to look at him more closely. The way he was looking at her made her chest feel tight, her breath coming quicker.
“Thank you,” she said, the words inadequate for the feeling growing inside her.
They selected boots next—practical brown leather that would handle Bear Creek’s snowy sidewalks—and a soft scarf in cream and gold that Elaine insisted brought out the highlights in Holly’s hair. Each item felt like a piece of armor being assembled, preparing her to face the world as someone who belonged here.
When they finally approached the register, Holly expected to feel uncomfortable as Daniel paid. Instead, there was a strange intimacy to the moment. He was providing for her needs without making her feel like a charity case.
“I’ll pay you back,” she promised as they left the store, bags in hand.
“I know you will.” He smiled at her in a way that made her feel that she already had. And not with cash.
Chapter Eleven – Daniel
The key slid into the lock with a familiar click, and Daniel pushed open the front door to Brooks Bakery. The scent welcomed him first—yeast and sugar, cinnamon and vanilla—the perfume of his life’s work.
“Here we are,” he said, stepping aside to let Holly enter first.
She stepped over the threshold, and Daniel watched as the tension visibly melted from her shoulders. Her eyes widened, taking in the amber lights that cast a honeyed glow over the polished counters and Christmas garlands he’d hung with the help of Maisie and Teddy. The display cases stood empty, waiting for the day’s offerings, but even without pastries, the space radiated warmth.
“Daniel, it’s beautiful,” Holly breathed, turning in a slow circle.
Pride swelled in his chest, stronger than he’d expected. Brooks Bakery was his heart made visible, every corner designed by his hands, every recipe perfected through countless early mornings. Having Holly here, seeing her respond to it so genuinely, did something to him he couldn’t quite name.
His bear rumbled with satisfaction.She likes our den.
The back door swung open as Mina bustled in, her silver-streaked hair already tucked under her trademark red bandana. She spotted Daniel and broke into a wide smile before her eyes landed on Holly with undisguised curiosity.
“Morning, boss!” Mina called. “I didn’t expect to see you so early. I thought you’d still be snowed in.”
“No, as usual, James had the snowplows out early, and most of the roads cleared,” Daniel replied, hanging his coat on the rack by the door. “Mina, this is Holly. She’s a friend staying with us for a few days.”
Holly stepped forward with a small wave. “Nice to meet you.”
Mina’s eyes crinkled warmly as she appraised Holly. “Any friend of Daniel is a friend of ours. Though he rarely brings friends to the bakery this early in the morning.”
Daniel felt heat creep up his neck. “Holly helped me drop the kids off at school. And I said I’d show her where the magic happens.”
“Mmhmm,” Mina hummed, her knowing smile making Daniel wish he’d thought this through a little more.
First Sarah, now Mina seemed to have figured out the truth. That Holly was his mate.
