Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Humming under her breath, she transferred fresh baked cookies from the pan to a serving bowl. Each sweet treat bore one of five shapes, with frosting to match. There was a gingerbread man, a Christmas tree, a wreath, a star and a holly leaf. Any moment, her guests would begin arriving at the Garden. Her inner circle.
With such a beloved group of friends, she’d thought, Why not revive a Ladling tradition? Something else she’d let slip after her grandmother’s death. She’d even selected a special dress for the occasion–a red and black tartan print, asymmetrically gathered at the waist with a sprig of holly at the collar.
Rolex watched her from the table, curled up inside his favorite spot, the centerpiece bowl.
“I’m gonna have to double up on ab days, but your cooking is worth it,” Conrad said, stepping up behind her. His delectable warmth enveloped her.
Being his girlfriend again came with amazing perks. “Don’t be silly. These are maple cookies. Maple. Maple syrup comes from trees, which means these cookies are plant based.”
Chuckling, he nuzzled his cheek against hers. “In that case…” He pilfered two cookies before dancing out of reach, already biting into one, ensuring she couldn’t snatch it back. His golden irises glittered before his lids briefly slid shut. “How do you bring Heaven to Earth with flour, eggs and sugar?”
With his attention diverted, she gave him the I’m-the-girlfriend-so-I-get-to head-to-toe examination. Dang, he looked good in jeans, boots and a smile aimed right at her. And double dang, she wanted to answer his question with the word love. The secret ingredient Grandma Lily used. But nope. Not going there. “I only tell my recipes to good boys who don’t steal cookies meant for guests.”
Unrepentant, he finished off said cookies. “Exactly what is this tradition we’re doing tonight?”
“I’ll explain after our guests arrive.”
Something she’d said must have thrilled him because he grinned with pure mischievousness before nodding. “Deal. Now how about another cookie?”
The sound of scrambling paws reached her ears, and she laughed. Cheddar zoomed into the kitchen with his tail wagging, as if expecting a cookie of his own.
Rolex reached out an arm, stretching and baring his claws. Specks of blue glitter sparkled between two paw pads. Obviously, the darling boy had been playing with the Christmas tree ornaments again.
“Mommy and Da—her boyfriend have friends arriving shortly, baby. You be good, and I’ll give you extra treats.” Flushing with mortification from head to toe at her slip, she blew the furry love of her life a kiss. Had she really almost referred to Conrad as the cat’s father?
The feline blinked at her, and she thought the gesture might mean how dare you attempt to withhold my due.
Jane collected the bowl of cookies. With Conrad and Cheddar, she made her way to the living room. As expected, the others arrived, everyone hugging everyone else. Fiona and the sheriff. Beau. Trick, Holden and Isaac.
Trick swiped a cookie and popped it into his mouth. A groan left him as he chewed. “I swear your cooking makes my IQ drop,” he told her as soon as he swallowed. “One bite, and I can think of nothing but getting more. Good thing I’m okay with just being pretty.” He swiped two other treats.
“Save some for the rest of us.” Isaac, with his dark skin and glorious eyes, elbowed Trick aside to snag three cookies. Holden, who had always reminded Jane of a Viking, simply took the entire bowl.
When Sheriff Moore reached for a sweet, Fiona slapped his hand away. “Your doctor said no desserts.”
He grumbled under his breath, and the dear woman rolled her eyes.
“All right, everyone,” Jane announced. “Now that you’ve warmed your bellies with cookies, it’s time to head outside.”
“Okay to bring Cheddar?” Conrad asked.
“Of course.”
After he’d leashed up the sweetheart, they headed to the reflection center, where a circle of stone benches waited. In the spring and summer, this area was ablaze with color from the gorgeous green of the wisteria to the white, pink and blue gardenias that bloomed to perfection and filled the air with the sweetest scent. But tonight, stars twinkled overhead in a pitch sky. Moonlight glistened from tree limbs, making each appear glazed with silvery snow.
Eight hand-woven wicker baskets filled with metal candles with LED bulbs waited on each of the stone benches. A ninth basket contained eight candles made of wax. Cold yet somehow toasty warm and fuzzy, Jane swept her gaze over the small crowd. Everyone dressed to the nines, wearing their winter best. They were smiling. Happy to be together. A family. Team Truth.
A soft blanket of satisfaction spread over her. When her gaze lingered on Conrad, the sensation heightened.
The end comes…
The thought drifted through her mind, igniting a flame of dread. Nope. Not going there. Fear wouldn’t ruin this moment.
“You okay?” Beau asked her softly, approaching her side.