Well, it’s obvious,his bear said.
It is?Daniel asked.
Yeah, you are positively glowing,his bear said.
I am?Daniel rubbed his hand over his face.
Oh, you are,his bear said happily.
The bell above the door jingled again as Carl shuffled in, shaking snow from his boots. The lanky college student worked part-time between classes, and his perpetually sleepy expression suggested he’d rather still be in bed.
“Morning,” Carl mumbled, then perked up slightly at the sight of Holly. “Oh, hey. New person.”
“Carl, this is Holly,” Daniel said. “She’s staying with us for a bit.”
Carl offered a friendly nod. “Cool. Nice to meet you.”
Daniel noticed the tiny shift in Holly’s posture as both staff members looked at her with open curiosity. She stood a little straighter, her smile more confident than it had been when she’d first arrived at his home in a sodden wedding dress. Gone were his oversized shirts and sweatpants she’d been swimming in. The jeans and sweater they’d grabbed on their rushed shopping trip fit her perfectly.
So perfectly.
Stop staring,his bear roared.
“All right, let’s get to work,” Daniel said, clapping his hands together. “Mina, how are we doing with the bakes? Carl, make sure the counters are ready, and we have plenty of cake boxes ready. It’s going to be a busy day today after the snow.”
“I’m just waiting for the last of the bread to bake. Howard left half an hour ago after the last of the cakes came out of the ovens.” Mina nodded. “We’re ready.”
“Great. I’ll go and do an inventory check while you and Carl move everything through to the front of the store.” Daniel glanced at Holly.
“You go ahead. Don’t worry about me,” Holly said from where she stood by the door.
Oh, but he did worry. Worry that she might be gone when he came back from the storeroom. But he knew she wouldn’t just leave like that. It wasn’t who Holly was.
As his staff moved to their stations, Daniel headed for the storeroom, grateful for the familiar routine. His bear remained unusually alert, aware of Holly’s presence in a way that made focusing difficult.
When he returned, Holly was helping Mina and Carl with the morning prep. He took a moment to marvel at how seamlessly she’d integrated herself. She was arranging pastries in thedisplay case with careful attention, taking directions from Mina as if they’d worked together for years.
“Those go in the front,” Mina was saying. “People always grab them first. And the bear claws go on the second shelf.”
Holly nodded, placing each pastry with precise care. Her dark hair was pulled back in a loose bun, with a few strands escaping to frame her face. The sight of her, so at home in his bakery, made Daniel’s chest tighten with longing.
This was what he wanted.
And maybe it’s time to tell her,his bear said.
But before Daniel had time to give it more thought, the first customers trickled in. And then the trickle became a steady stream that barely gave them a moment to breathe, let alone talk.
However, once the morning rush subsided, Daniel made his way to the espresso station. “Break time,” he announced. “Holly, what can I make you?”
“Surprise me,” she said, wiping her hands on a towel.
Daniel considered for a moment, then began gathering ingredients. “One gingerbread latte coming up.”
He worked methodically, warming the mug first, then pulling a perfect shot of espresso. The spiced syrup went in next, followed by steamed milk that he poured with practiced care, creating a small pine tree in the foam. For himself, he made a peppermint mocha, another holiday favorite.
“Here you go,” he said, setting her mug on the staff table in the corner. “Careful, it’s hot.”
Holly joined him, her eyes widening at the design. “You made a tree!” She laughed softly, the sound warming him more than any coffee could. “That’s amazing.”
