Page 11 of Savoring Christmas (Sugarville Grove #8)

For the second time that night, Mia fought tears. She’d offered this class hoping to find community, although not fully believing it would provide so much more. She’d been wrong.

It was then she noticed movement at the cafeteria door—three small faces, just like Tuesday night. Mia leapt to her feet, gesturing for them to come in. “There you are. We were wondering when you’d all get here.”

As soon as they stepped into the kitchen, Cannoli trotted forward, tail wagging in wide sweeps.

Daisy’s eyes went wide. “You have a dog!” she exclaimed, dropping to her knees to pet her. Benji and Molly joined in, crouching to scratch Cannoli’s ears. The little dog basked in the attention, leaning into their hands with a happy sigh.

“She’s so cute,” Molly whispered.

“Her name’s Cannoli,” Mia said, smiling at the instant connection. “She’s very spoiled.”

Logan and Harold got up to add more chairs to the table, while Abby and Thelma helped the kids wash their hands.

Soon, all three children were at the table with huge portions of pasta.

They’d just started digging in when their mother appeared, holding a broom.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know they’d come in here. ”

“We were waiting for them,” Logan said. “And you too, Patty. Come sit and eat with us. We all made fresh pasta for the very first time. And there’s loads of it.”

“Yes, and it doesn’t make good leftovers,” Mia said.

“I guess so. If you really do have extra,” Patty said.

“C’mon, Mom, it’s so good,” Benji said.

Harold poured the adults wine while Thelma got water for the children and Mia dished up another plate for Patty.

The table buzzed with chatter and the scrape of forks.

Benji was deep in conversation with Harold about baseball.

Molly attentively absorbing every word Abby said about dogs.

Daisy had been staring at Kris for several minutes, her fork paused halfway to her mouth.

Finally, she leaned closer across the table, her small voice cutting through the conversation.

“You look like Santa.”

The table fell quiet for a beat, then erupted into laughter. Cannoli perked up at the burst of noise, her tail thumping against the floor.

Kris’s eyebrows shot up in mock offense before his eyes twinkled. “Do I, now?”

Daisy nodded solemnly. “Uh-huh. The real one. That comes to the store every year.”

“Well, that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all week,” Kris said, his grin wide as he tapped the side of his nose. “But I can’t possibly be Santa. I’m a postman.”

Daisy giggled. “That’s what Santa would say if he was trying to hide. He probably delivers mail in the summer when he’s not making toys.”

The adults exchanged delighted glances over her head. Kris leaned back in his chair, stroking his white beard thoughtfully. “You know what, Daisy? You might be onto something there. I do know an awful lot about getting packages to the right houses.”

Logan caught Mia’s eye from across the table, sending her a shy smile. She sent him one back.

After dinner wound down, Mia’s students all pitched in to help tidy the kitchen, and soon everyone was gone except for her and Logan. Cannoli padded quietly to the door, tail wagging as if she sensed it was time to head home.

“Can I walk you out again tonight?” Logan asked.

“Sure. Thank you.” Mia gathered her bag and clipped Cannoli’s leash on, the little dog trotting obediently beside her. They headed out together. The air hinted snow might arrive soon.

“Tonight was fun,” Logan said as she locked the door behind them.

Mia glanced up at him. “It was. I didn’t know if this was a good idea but I’m having a great time, and it seems like everyone else is too.”

He chuckled. “I confess I had the same thought.”

“Why did your brothers want you to take my class?”

The question seemed to surprise him, as he hesitated before answering. “Everyone in my family gives me a bad time about my ineptitude in the kitchen. So I guess they thought it would be funny.”

“That’s the only reason?”

She looked ahead, not making eye contact for fear she’d give herself away.

What she really wanted to know was if it had anything to do with her.

She’d gotten the feeling over the last few days that Logan might be interested in her, even though the concept felt foreign and difficult to even contemplate.

She’d been single all of her adult life.

It wasn’t that she’d shunned romance, it was simply that her career was the only partner she’d truly welcomed into her life.

“What other reason could there be?” Logan asked. “Other than they love to torture me. But the joke’s on them. I’m enjoying myself immensely.”

“I’m glad.” She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. What had she expected though? He was just going to confess an interest in her?

They reached her car, light from the streetlamp painting pale arcs across the hood. Cannoli sniffed at a patch of snow near the curb, her tiny paw prints dotting the sidewalk.

Logan touched the sleeve of her coat as she unlocked her car. “Did I say something wrong?” Logan asked.

Her throat felt unexpectedly tight. “No, not at all. Why?”

“You got quiet on me.”

“Oh, well, I’m tired, that’s all.” In fact, she was not tired. At all. She felt more alive and awake than she had in years.

“I’ll let you get home then.” He stepped back slightly so she could open her door.

Her feet seemed to be glued to the cement.

In the distance she heard the hoot of an owl.

Cannoli sat patiently by her feet, leash loose in Mia’s hand.

She gripped the top of her car door with one hand, watching him.

She didn’t want to leave him to go home to her empty, cold house.

She stalled for another moment. “The class seems to be more than just learning to cook. Do you know what I mean?”

Logan nodded. “Absolutely. We have two lonesome folks adjusting to life after losing a spouse. Reese clearly is dealing with some really hard stuff. Abby wants to be a better cook for her family. Kris is doing it for love.”

“And what about you?” Mia asked softly. “You didn’t have to honor your bet, did you?”

“Well, first of all, yes. If I hadn’t, my brothers would have never let it go. Plus, one must always honor commitments and promises.” He tilted his head, looking at her in a way that made her stomach flutter. “Anyway, it was a good excuse to get to know you better.”

“It was?” Why did her voice sound suddenly squeaky?

“I’ve wanted to for a while now.”

“To spend time with me?” Still squeaky.

“That’s right.” He smiled and ran a hand through his hair. “I should probably stop talking before I embarrass myself.”

“No, keep talking.” She returned his smile. “I want to get to know you better too.”

Relief flooded his handsome features. “Would you want to do something with me sometime? I could take you out for dinner. I mean, if that was something you’d enjoy.”

“Like a date?”

“A date, yes.”

“I’d like that,” Mia said. “The restaurant’s open the next few nights, but maybe Monday?”

“Great. I’ll text you. We can decide where to go.”

She nodded and pushed the door open a little wider to slide into the seat. Cannoli hopped lightly into the passenger side, curling in her little blanket and waiting patiently. Logan placed a hand on the door.

“There was another reason my brothers kind of bullied me into your class,” Logan said.

“Yeah?” She held her breath.

“I’ve kind of had a crush on you. From afar, obviously.”

Her knees felt a little wobbly. “I hoped that might be true.”

“And you don’t mind?”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t mind.”

“You’re very beautiful,” Logan said. “And sweet and smart too. How could I not have a crush on you? I bet every single man in this town does.”

“I doubt that.” She practically buzzed from the compliment.

“I’ve wanted to ask you out since last Christmas when we worked on the food drive together, but I never had the feeling you’d be interested.”

How honest should she be? No one in Sugarville Grove knew about her past, how her life had been truly in shambles when she’d moved into her grandmother’s old cabin.

Or that her best friend, Sharon, in New York had loaned her the money she’d needed to turn it into a restaurant.

It was really more of a gift, if she were being honest with herself.

Fortunately, Sharon was from a wealthy family.

She’d said at the time that she didn’t need any of it back any time soon.

Regardless, every month Mia sent her money.

Whatever she could afford and still keep the restaurant running.

“It’s not anything to do with you,” Mia said. “I probably seem distant and a little cold, but it’s that I’m actually really shy. Plus, when I came here, I had a lot to work through. This is the first holiday season I’ve felt even close to being myself.”

“If you ever want to talk about it, I’m a good listener.”

Before she could stop herself, she reached up to touch a stray lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. “I can see that you are.”

He covered her hand with his, holding it against his cheek, staring down at her. He was really quite tall. Perhaps ten whole inches taller than her five foot two stature.

Next thing she knew, he was leaning closer and closer, until finally he kissed her. Not a peck, but a full-on deliciously romantic kiss. It only lasted a few seconds but it was enough to shake her to her core and awaken every nerve ending in her body.

He withdrew, looking into her eyes. “I hope that was okay?”

“More than okay, yes.”

“All right then, in you go before you develop frostbite.” He stepped back and she slipped into the seat, looking up at him, marveling at this turn of events.

“Night, Logan.” She turned on the engine, music blasting the moment she did so. Hastily, she turned the knob for the volume. “Sorry about that.”

He merely grinned, closing her door and stepping back, remaining as she backed out of the parking lot.

As she drove away, she couldn’t help noticing in the rearview mirror that he was still there as she turned onto the street. Cannoli shifted in her blanket and rested her head on Mia’s knee.

“You’re a good girl,” Mia said. “And he’s way too cute.”