Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
My voice sounded odd, almost as if I had just issued a proclamation. She bit her lip and lifted my plate, placing a large square on it.
The aroma hit me full force, and I had to hold myself back from grabbing the plate and devouring whatever it was. I waited until she had served herself before I picked up my fork and cut into the dense offering. I chewed and swallowed, my eyes drifting shut in appreciation.
“What is this?”
“Mexican chicken lasagna. It has tortillas instead of noodles.”
“I think it’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.”
She laughed softly. “Or you’re starving.”
“Both, I think.”
She lifted the wine. “Would you like any?”
“One glass.”
She poured, and I lifted my glass to hers. “To the greatest treasure I found tonight.”
She looked at the table, flustered, the color in her cheeks deepening again. I wasn’t sure the last time I had seen a woman blush. Where I lived, and in my line of work, it was pretty rare. I found it highly attractive—at least on her.
I smiled and returned my attention to the food on my plate.
CALLIE
He wasn’t lying when he said he loved the casserole. He ate three huge pieces, then devoured a half dozen more cookies with a cup of coffee.
We never stopped talking during dinner. He asked question after question, finally laughing when I told him it was my turn.
“What do you do for a living, Shane?”
“I’m a doctor. A pediatric specialist.”
“Really?”
“I love kids. I work in Calgary, and I’ve drawn the short straw the last three years and haven’t been with my family during the holidays. With other people’s commitments, it’s been five years since we were all together.”
“That’s why the gifts were so important.”
“My mom always made Christmas so special, and I know how sad she’s been every year when one or more of us isn’t there. I wanted this year to be great for her.” He traced the edge of the table with his thumb, looking sad. “We had a scare with her this year and almost lost her.” He looked up, his eyes serious. “But she’s okay, and I did everything I could to get here this Christmas. We all did.”
I covered his hand with mine. “You’ll get there. I heard the storm is going to lessen overnight, and it’s only a short drive. You’ll make it.”
He flipped his hand, encasing mine. Once again, I felt that strange surge of warmth. “Thank you, Callie. For the meal, your company, your help—everything.”
The air around us grew heavier. Warmer. His eyes darkened, and my breathing picked up. He leaned forward slightly, and I stood quickly. “We should get those gifts wrapped. We can bring them back here where there is more room.”
He blinked and cleared his throat. “Right. Good idea.”
I hurried down the hall, Shane behind me. At the counter, I grabbed his bill to hand to him, then widened my eyes. “Um, Shane?”
“Yes?” He glanced at me from the pile of boxes he had in his hands.
“Your credit card was declined.”
His face blanched. “What?”
I bit my lip and giggled. “Ho-ho-ho.”
“Not nice, Callie. I think that just put you on the naughty list.”
He was laughing as he went down the hall again, and my goal was accomplished. We were back on easy terms.
As for the naughty list? I was sure I was already on it as I watched his ass move in those tight jeans.
He was good with corners. Meticulous, even. It was strange how easy it was to be with him. He teased and tossed ribbons at me. Critiqued my corners compared to his. Tsked over my lack of proper usage of enough tape. In turn, I called him anal, which made him laugh, informed him the amount of tape he used made the gifts Fort Knox-worthy, and told him his ribbon-curling skills sucked. He picked up gifts, comparing them, then agreed and announced that, between us, we were awesome partners. Slowly, the pile of presents disappeared as the time passed, and I sorted them into bags, adding in the baskets, cookies, and candy. I made sure the earrings for the women, plus the bracelet he purchased were in a separate bag and slipped it inside one of the larger ones, showing Shane where they were.
I glanced at the clock, shocked to see it was eleven. My usual lonely evening had not only flown by, it had been the nicest one I’d had in a long time.
“How long have you been here?”
“Most of my life.”
“You lived here? At the store?”
“Not this store. Another one.”
Shane stood and stretched. “What’s upstairs?”
“My studio.”
He held out his hand. “Will you show me?”
I led him upstairs, and he walked around, looking at the different areas. He hummed over some stained-glass pieces I was working on, sniffed some new bath lotions I was mixing up, then paused at my newest workstation. “You make jewelry?”