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I followed her as she practically skipped to the kitchen. She carried so many adult burdens on her shoulders that it was easy to forget she was still so young. The innocence in her managed to shine through in unexpected moments. It wasn’t an immaturity. It stemmed from not being exposed to experiences in her life. She had been sheltered here for most of it.

She was given the responsibility of this house and all that came with it, but no one had prepared her for what that entailed. I believed her grandmother tried to help her by leaving her the property, but she had inadvertently set Ivy up to fail.

After putting the flowers in the vase, she placed it on the center of the kitchen table and rearranged them until they were to her liking. “Why are you staring at me?” she asked.

“Because you don’t have any idea how I can change your life.”

“What makes you think you haven’t already?” She motioned toward the kettle on the stove. “Can I make you a cup of tea?”

“How about a glass of water?”

“You’re an easy customer.”

When she opened the refrigerator to grab a filtered pitcher of water, I couldn’t help but notice how empty the shelves were.

“Do you order a lot of take-out?”

“Not really?” She shut the door. “Why?”

“You refrigerator looks light on food.”

“You’re awfully observant.” She poured me a glass of water.

“I have to be.”

“That’s why you’re so successful.” When she handed me the water, her soft fingers brushed against my hand, “You don’t miss much.”

“You have a pitcher of water, a few condiment bottles, and some string cheese. What do you eat?”

“I have to go grocery shopping.” She shrugged. “I get a paycheck today from the diner I no longer work at.” She arched a brow at me. “I should have gone shopping the other day, but I donated most of my last check to a shelter at the church because they needed to start preparing for their holiday meals.”

“That was generous of you.”

“My grandparents always donated a portion of the inn’s profits to the shelter during this season.” She leaned against the counter. “That was when they were thriving, but I kept up the tradition because people are still hungry and they deserve a holiday meal.”

“At your expense?”

“I don’t see it that way.” She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, drawing my attention to her exposed stomach. “You donate to lots of charities.”

“I can afford to. It’s my responsibility to give back.” I set the glass on the table and came toward her.

“Then we have that philosophy in common.” She draped her arms over my shoulders. “It’s my Christmas wish to give back.”

“I have a Christmas wish too.” I swept my lips along her jaw. “It involves giving, but I’ll also be doing some taking.”

“That doesn’t sound very charitable.”

“Don’t you want to hear what I want?” I ran my hands up her sides and under her sweatshirt. “What I need?”

“Tell me.” She threaded her fingers through my hair as she drew my lips to hers and kissed me.

“I want to lower all of your inhibitions.”

“You have a gift for that.” She nipped at my bottom lip. “You make me do things I didn’t know I wanted until you.”

“Good.” I lifted her on the table. “I’m going to deplete you of any moral compass when it comes to sex.”

“You want to corrupt me?”