“I don’t know how you accomplishtodo eso.”Ana tilted her head, gesturing at the stunning display.
“Oh, I hardly lifted a finger, truly.Mrs.Thompson was delighted to use her creativity to decorate without the holiday evergreens.It is bad luck, you know.And Elena helped by gathering the candles.Said it would give a nice religious touch.Or perhaps she said romantic.”He winked, chuckling as he brushed a kiss on her forehead.“Best of all, Cook has prepared a special Twelfth Night cake for you.”
“Ah,qué delicioso!Sheknows how I love cake so much!”
“Yes, but this cake is particularly special.It is a fruit cake, as is tradition for the holiday season, but it has a dried bean baked into it.Whoever happens to find the slice of cake with the dried bean inside will be proclaimed the king or queen of the Twelfth Night celebrations and will be able to dictate how we celebrate for the evening, be it in the form of games or dance or song or whatever pleases them.”
“Qué buenísimo!I love this tradition!”
“So, shall we start our evening of celebrations by enjoying a slice of this cake?”
“Por supuesto!But of course!”
Peter helped Ana into her chair and then pushed it, moving her closer to the table.The warmth of vanilla and sugar mingled in the air as she leaned in close to the cake.
“It is so beautiful, this cake.Can we really cut it?”
“We must.How else will we discover who will be the king or queen for the evening?”
“Es verdad.I would very much like to bela reina.”
Peter cut a thin piece for Ana, who quickly spooned through the soft bake in search of the bean, but it was not there.“Nothing here.”
He then proceeded to cut up the entire cake until, with a knowing grin, he handed her the last, large piece.Sure enough, the bean was embedded in the side of the slice, right near the bottom.
“I found it!I win!”Ana laughed, the freeing sound rippling through her.
“Andso do I.It will be delightful to watch you rule,” he said with a wink.
“Ay quépower to be queen.Does this mean I rule you too,Pedro?”
“You already do, Your Highness.You are the queen of my heart.”Peter slapped a hand against his heart and saluted in an exaggerated, humorous motion, but something about the brightness of his eyes told Ana that he wasn’t entirely joking.And that caused her breath to catch in her throat, caused tears to spring to her eyes, caused her legs to tremble.
Why was it so terrifying to imagine being loved?
Ana needed something to distract herself, and fast.She sprang from her chair, sticking a finger in the air and tipping her chin up in a self-important pose.
“Asla reina, I declare that we begin thenochewith a game.”
“And what game would you wish to play, Your Highness?”
Ana tapped her chin.She hadn’t thought that far.“What you think, my king?”
“Well, Your Majesty, what say you of a rousing game of hide and seek to begin our evening of festivities?”
“Hide and seek?”
“Indeed, where the designated individual hides themselves and then the rest ‘seek’ out the individual who is hiding.If one is lucky enough to find the hider, they can join them in their hiding position.”
“I thinkestá bien.”
“Splendid.And who would you like to be the first hider?”
“Yo.”
“Are you certain?I know all the best hiding spots this old house has to offer.”
“Sí, I believe I can find a spot that will be not so easy for you to find.And a spot to fit us both, for when you find me, no?”Peter stepped up to her, close enough that their noses brushed.
