Chapter 25
Sky
Kjell takes the baking sheet with the first batch ofPepparkakorout of the oven and examines them carefully. "Do you think they're done?"
With the cozy scent of cookies and fireplace in the air, and the soft Christmas music playing in the background, I lean over our first batch of homemade ginger cookies. "Looks good."
"Okay, let's let them cool," he says.
He looks incredibly cute with flour remnants on his cheek and his hair sticking out wildly.
So cute that I've probably been grinning at him like an idiot all evening.
"Now, for the jam for theSyltkakor," he mumbles, turning to the stove where it's warming in a pot.
I'd love to stand next to him, and who knows, maybe he'd put his arm around me. And then we could...
No. Stop.
For distraction, I reach for my phone. I want to at least wish Aurora a Merry Christmas since I have to keep her at a distance otherwise.
"You could also help me, you know?" I hear Kjell playfully complaining.
"Of course," I quickly reply, put my phone aside, and look around. We decorated the hip-highJulgrantogether this afternoon. The string lights twinkle festively next to the open fireplace. Everything seems ready for our modestJulfest.
It's unbelievable that I'm spending Christmas with Kjell. Unbelievably... beautiful.
"Taste this," Kjell's words snap me out of my thoughts. It's only now that I notice he's holding up a spoon with jam.
Without taking my eyes off him, I take the spoon into my mouth. The sweet taste of raspberries spreads on my tongue. "Mmm, delicious."
"This needs to be taste tested too." He slides his index finger into the raw Kringla dough. He looks at me with a strange mix of anticipation and tenderness.
I hesitantly let my gaze wander between him and the sample on his fingertip.
"Um... so... don't you like it?" he stammers.
With an innocent flutter of my eyelashes, I look at him. "Oh yes..." I murmur and taste the dough.
Wow. He can bake, too.
"A dream," I breathe blissfully, not entirely sure if I mean the dough or the man who made it. It's quite possible that my gaze lingers on him for too long.
A proud expression crosses his face. His hand twitches as if he wants to reach out to me.
He clears his throat hastily. "All that's left is the mulled wine, and our Jul celebration will be perfect."
Just as I turn to the hanging cupboard to take out the Merlot, the doorbell rings.
Instinctively, I freeze. I hate being so fearful, but it's a part of me that I can't shake off. Every time I check the newspapers.Every time we meet someone on the island. And especially when unexpected things happen. Like a doorbell ringing on Christmas even though no one is supposed to be here.
"Who could that be?" Kjell furrows his brow.
I gaze thoughtfully toward the hallway. "Probably just Lil." She's the only one who knows I'm here, and she promised to keep it to herself. Maybe she's come to reconcile with me. It's Christmas, after all...
No. She's probably celebrating with her family.
The doorbell rings again.
