For now.
“Thanks.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “They haven’t hired anyone yet, but I never imagined they would consider adding staff.”
“This calls for a big celebration. Where do you want to go?”
“Home.”
“Not out?”
He straightened, and she missed the contact with him. “I want to celebrate with you and Higgins by streaming a few Christmas episodes ofThe Office.”
That gave her an idea. “We can pretend to be Pam and Jim.”
“Do you want to be Pam or Jim?” he teased.
She laughed. “Youarein a good mood.”
Elias nodded. “Watching you skate was the buttercream frosting on the cupcake.”
She hadn’t heard that saying before. “Not a cherry on top?”
He laughed. “When you live in Berry Lake, it’s always about cupcakes.”
“Well, there are worse things than cupcakes.”
“There’s also something better.” He kissed her forehead. “You.”
Her heart thudded. Tasha had known falling for Elias would be easy. But until tonight, she didn’t know how hard it would benotto fall in love with him.
What was she going to do?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
What am I doing here? A few days later, Tasha stood in Mrs. Carpenter’s kitchen on the opposite side of the table Elias. Higgins ran all over the house exploring.
“I hope you enjoy baking, Tasha.” Elias’s grandmother wore a Christmas apron. “Each year, Berry Lake sponsors a giving tree, so people buy gifts for the families who are in need. A few of us prepare food baskets for them. These cookies will go in those.”
Tasha didn’t know Mrs. Carpenter well, but the woman was friendly and doted on both Elias and Higgins. “What a lovely tradition.”
“It is.” Mrs. Carpenter placed a cooling rack on the counter. “We’re making the kind of cookies we can freeze. That way, I make them all month long, one type at a time, so there’s a variety in the basket.”
“Grammy’s an expert cookie maker.” The affection in his eyes for the woman was clear and touched Tasha’s heart.”
Mrs. Carpenter winked. “My grandson is an expert cookie eater.”
Tasha nodded. “I’ve seen that skill of his.”
“Tasha bakes also,” Elias added.
Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled. She filled two bowls with ingredients and handed one to each of them to stir. “That’s wonderful.”
The baking continued with lots of laughter and some off-key singing of Christmas carols. Tasha couldn’t remember the last time she’d bake with anyone. It must have been more than eight years ago at Kristen’s house.
Elias stared at Tasha. “You have flour on your cheek.”
Her hands were a mess. “Which one.”
“I’ll get it.” He wiped her face with the side of her hand. “All gone.”
