“You wouldn’t be. All the things I had planned for tomorrow were centered around you doing things for yourself, and I can’t think of anything more Eliana that finally getting to write the book she’s been thinking of with her favorite author. I’ll just hit the slopes with Ollie.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. So long as you promise that I’ll get to be the first person to read your book when it’s done.”
“Deal.”
“Deal.” He smiles, lacing our fingers together as he orders drinks for us. I lean my head against his shoulder, and for the first time in long time instead of worrying about all the things in my life, I find myself hopeful for what’s to come.
Chapter 43
Jake
“Are you sure we’re allowed to be in here?” Eliana’s eyes are wide as saucers as she takes in the commercial kitchen.
“Positive. This is their spare kitchen they have in case of big events. My dad used to bake cookies down here all the time when we were kids. He had a special understanding with the chef and hotel owner. I would say we helped with the baking, but really the one time we tried I ended up covered head to toe in flour. Sienna slipped and dropped all the eggs and Charlotte nearly had a panic attack over the mess we made.”
“And your mom?”
“Laughing in the background the whole time and taking pictures of the chaos. One of them became our Christmas card the following year.” I roll my eyes thinking back fondly to the countless number of holidays we spent here.
“Cute. Josie and I make those Pillsbury sugar cookies that have festive designs on them.” Eliana smiles.
“Oof sounds like I’m up against tough competition.Hopefully I can pull off this recipe with some of the finesse my dad had.”
“As long as I don’t end up covered in batter or with food poisoning, I’ll consider it a win.”
I pull out the tattered recipe card from my pocket and set it on the countertop in front of me. “Four generations of Keeley’s used this this little thing. Hasn’t steered me wrong yet.”
“Well put me to work.” Eliana smiles, tying her hair up.
I grab one of the loose curls between my fingers and tuck it behind her ear before handing her an apron.
“Spices are on that shelf right there.” I point to her left. “Can you hand me cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and salt? I’ll get the flour, sugar, and bowls.”
“Yes, chef.” She winks.
“Ellie, only you can make a simple word sound so dirty.”
“It’s not my fault you have such a perverted mind.” She laughs as I reach over and smack her ass. “See.I’mnot the problem here.”
“We’ll agree to disagree.” I start to lay out the various ingredients and cookware. We breeze through the rest of the preparation. Eliana helps me by making the gingerbread cookie dough with the precision and determination of a surgeon. I reach out and rub my thumb on the crease between her eyebrows that always forms when she’s deep in concentration.
She relaxes into my touch before taking the tray of cookie dough and placing it inside the freezer to firm up. “I can’t believe we’re actually making a gingerbread house.”
“We still have to shape the dough, cook it, and stick it all together, so maybe hold off on the celebration.” I’d try my best to pull this off, but I didn’t want to over-promise either. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if our house ended up being more of a lopsided tent situation.
“Well, still. I appreciate you helping me cross something off my bucket list.”
“Of course. So no regrets doing this over skiing?” I check, already knowing the answer. Eliana had immediately turned green when I told her what my family had planned for today.
“Definitely not. I manage to hurt myself walking on flat surfaces. The last thing I need is to get on a mountain with gear I have no idea how to use. Recipe for disaster.”
“I guess I don’t have to ask who the daredevil is between you and your sister.”
“Definitely Josie. Wouldn’t be surprised if she’s out there crushing the adults on some super scary slopes. I was also the more anxious and practical one. Such is the burden of the eldest daughter.”
Her tone is light, but I know the truth behind her words. I’ve seen it first-hand with how she’s had to step in as a second parent for Josie, and also pick up as many odd jobs as she can to help support her family. I hoped this week could show her that it’s okay to take time for herself. That doing things that made her happy didn’t make her selfish.
