“You made me dinner. I’m not going to leave you with a sink filled with dishes. What kind of date would that make me?”
So, itwasa date. The confirming hint wedged sneakily into her sentence made Holden’s heart do a little skip. He’d wanted it to be one, but a looming apprehension wouldn’t let his heart fully settle into that hope.
“How about we do them together?” He met her halfway.
Washing dishes with a woman had never been on his list of first date ideas, but there was something satisfying about the way they worked as a team. She scrubbed while he dried, and now and then their hands would meet beneath the water. Her fingers happened to graze his more than necessary, and one time when he dipped his hand beneath the soapy suds, he grabbed ahold of hers completely.
She gave a little startle, then threaded her fingers between his.
It was a brief exchange, but it had Holden’s pulse tapping against his neck double-time.
Once they’d cleaned up the kitchen, they moved to the tree. It didn’t look bare, but didn’t appear to be completed either. There were gaps in the decorations and areas where the tinsel needed to be separated and spread out more evenly. Holden had one box of decorations left. He removed the lid and pulled out an ornament resting gently on top.
It was a set of skis that crossed in the middle like an X. His mother had gotten it for him the year he put on that botched skiing competition. He hesitated to hang it on the tree and instead let it dangle from his finger by the hook, the memory stalling his movements.
“Is that one meaningful?” Rachel asked, noticing his deliberate pause.
“In a way. It’s from the year I planned that downhill ski race.”
“The one I didn’t make it home for.” Something resembling an apology crowded her gaze. “I’m so sorry about that, Holden. I had no idea it meant so much.”
He shook his head and stowed the ornament away. Lance had forgiven him years ago, and now, even Rachel seemed to ask for forgiveness, although she had no blame in the matter.
Maybe it was finally time for Holden to forgive himself.
“I think we’re good on ornaments.” He returned the lid to the box. “You know what this tree needs? Popcorn.”
“Popcorn?”
“Popcorn garland,” he elaborated, marching toward the kitchen to gather the jar of kernels, tinfoil, and a pan. “You know how to make it?”
“DoIknow how to make popcorn garland? Holden, I’ll have you know you’re looking at the Joy Family Popcorn Garland Queen. I once strung twenty feet in under an hour.”
Of course she had. A bemused grin lifted his lips. “I had no idea I was in the presence of royalty. So what do you say? Are you up for one more Christmas contest challenge, Mittens?”
“That’s Your Majesty, Queen Mittens to you.”
CHAPTER31
Her thumb felt like a pincushion, but that didn’t slow her. Rachel punctured the piece of popcorn with the tip of the needle and threaded it onto the fishing line. She had coiled her strand next to her like a snake about to strike. And that’s how she felt. She couldn’t wait for the timer to ring out at the one-hour mark, making her the victor. And for once, it would all be in good fun.
Holden cozied next to her on the couch, working so furiously sweat formed along his brow. He’d dropped more pieces of popcorn into the couch cushions and onto the floor than he’d secured on the strand, but sloppiness aside, his garland was impressive. It would be close.
They bumped hands as they reached into the shared bowl.
He pretended to cut her off, jamming his hand directly in front of hers.
“Interference!” she yelped. She pointed the tip of the needle at him.
“Someone’s a little feisty.”
“Are you at all surprised?” Her fingers swatted his and dove into the bowl for another handful.
Holden tossed a single piece of popcorn into his open mouth, looking cooler than ever. “Not one little bit.”
Rachel crammed another dozen pieces onto her garland before she glanced up again. “How much time do we have left?” They must be getting close.
He peered toward the phone. “Three…two…”
