“All right!” Jillian clapped for attention then launched into a cheerful explanation of candle wax temperatures, fragrance ratios, and wick sizing. The aunts were already two steps ahead, sniffing every fragrance bottle on the table.
“This one smells like a handsome cowboy.” Aunt Liz rolled her eyes and one shoulder.
Elbowing her sister, Vicki sniffed at a fragrance. “Ooh, this one smells like a handsome cowboy after a shower.”
“Okay, ladies,” hiding a giggle of her own, Jillian gently removed a bottle from Aunt Liz’s hand, “let’s stay family friendly.”
The two women continued to tease and banter over different fragrances, looking for something that resembledbling.
Katie bit back a grin and focused on stirring their melting wax. The heat from the burner warmed her face, or maybe that was just the proximity to Josh. He’d rolled up his sleeves, revealing forearms that were—well, distracting.
“Okay!” Jillian’s voice rang out again. “While your wax is melting, it’s time to pick your fragrance. I’ve got about twenty options here. You can mix and match, but I’d recommend starting simple.”
Katie moved to the fragrance station, studying the labels. Vanilla. Lavender. Pine. Cinnamon.
Josh appeared beside her, close enough that their arms brushed. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged, keeping her eyes on the fragrances. What was it about having this man close that had her forgetting her own name? “What do you like?”
“I’m not picky.”
“That’s not helpful.” She chuckled.
Smiling at her, he picked up a bottle labeled “Fresh Linen” sniffed, winced and shaking his head, muttered, “Definitely not that.”
She laughed, reaching for another option. “How about this? Cedar and sage.”
He leaned in to smell it, close enough that she could feel his breath on her hand. “Yeah. That’s good.”
Heat once again rose to her cheeks. She was going to have to stop doing that before people started to think she had caught something like scarlet fever.
They returned to their station with the fragrance oil, and Jillian demonstrated how to test the wax temperature with a thermometer. Katie held the thermometer while Josh stirred, their heads bent close together over the pot.
“You’re doing great,” he murmured.
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
“You picked a good scent. That counts.”
She glanced up at him, finding his eyes already on her. The moment stretched, and for just a second she wondered what it might be like to live in a place like Honeysuckle with street fairs, friendly neighbors, goofy aunts, and men like Josh.
Across the table, the aunts discovered Jillian’s glitter.
“Oh dear Lord,” Jillian gasped. “Glitter doesn’t melt into wax.”
“Then why do you have it?” Aunt Vicki glared at her niece.
“For decorating, not pouring.” Jill tried to retrieve the glitter from the two older women, but it was a lost cause. Glitter swirled through their melted wax like a snow globe.
Rachel cackled. “I think y’all are going to be the proud parents of the first West Texas disco-ball candle.”
Biting back a grin, Josh leaned into her and murmured, “I kind of want one.”
Katie giggled. She kind of wanted one too. This whole little adventure was proving to be more entertaining than she’d expected. And the company was pretty nice too. She actually wished it were a real date. Then she’d have something to look forward to when the candle making was over.
Just then, the door opened, the wind chimes jingled, and Katie glanced up in time to see two women standing transfixed at the sight of glitter-covered aunts, endless laughter, men in aprons, and slap happy adults holding mason jars like they were trophies.
“Oh wow,” one woman uttered. “This looks really… fun.”
