Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 145731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
“Black, to keep me up.” She smiles. “How am I doing at not talking about medical stuff now?”
“Awesome,” I say, then we order and take our black coffees to a black table, sitting down in uncomfortable orange plastic chairs.
She sets down two phones on the table. “I’m on a break, but if someone comes in with an eggnog allergy, they’ll be calling me.”
“Is that a thing?” See. Another question.
“Yes, some people are allergic to eggs or alcohol.”
“And they get a reaction from drinking eggnog?”
“Or doing other things with eggnog,” she says, nonchalant as she takes a sip. “Using it in other ways. Dipping body parts in it. And putting it in places.”
I’m dying to ask what places but that might not help her cause. Also I think I know which places and parts. Best to move on. Ask a question. I’m about to inquire how long she’s been living in San Francisco when one of her phones rattles. In a flash, she answers it. “Doctor McGee.”
There’s a ten-second pause. “Be right there.”
She ends the call with a tiny frown. “I’m sorry. Let’s do this again. I have to get back to work. Stat. You wouldn’t believe where some people put candy canes. And gingerbread men. I’m not even going to tell you about the frozen fruitcake.”
She pushes back, and fuck that. She can’t leave me hanging. “Tell me about the frozen fruitcake!”
She’s heading off already, but she smacks a palm against her butt.
Holy shit.
I knew I didn’t like fruitcake for a reason.
20
BAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT
ISLA
The air is crisper here as I near Evergreen Falls. The trees are taller, rising high into the blue winter sky as I cruise along the highway on Friday morning after a few hours of early driving. I pass a red wooden sign with the words Welcome to Evergreen Falls painted in white. A red-and-green garland illustration curls around the border of the sign, and it feels like a hug. A familiar, cozy warmth envelops me.
Home.
This is where I grew up. This is where I fell in love with Christmas and everything it means—family, love, joy.
I flick on my blinker and exit, leaving the city far behind me. The last few days there have been busy, with Friendsmas, and then with wrapping up other business I needed to tend to in person. I met with Emily to talk about next steps with the restaurant owner, since their date was, in her words, magic.
Exactly what I hope my clients will say. I connected with other clients, too, and oversaw a fun wine-and-sip speed dating–style event that led to some second dates.
My fingers are crossed. I even chatted with Doctor Katie this morning. She said she might need a little more practice and there wasn’t any chemistry for her with Rowan.
I’ll stay in touch with them from Evergreen Falls, but mostly I can focus on my biggest, most ornery project while I’m here, nestled in the snow-capped mountains, with the endless rows of evergreen trees calling me home for the holidays.
Getting Rowan ready for the dates I’m scheduling for him in Evergreen Falls is a top priority. But I’m hopeful. Like I told him, there’s no shortage of people who want to date pro athletes. The key is finding matches who are in it for the right reason. But that’s what I do. And now I just need to iron out the details for the dates I’ll be setting up for him.
Like maybe a date at the Christmas market one afternoon, or possibly an evening of mulled wine at the North Pole Nook and Tavern.
My shoulders tense like they did that night at the cookie swap. But I try to shake off these annoying feelings. I can handle setting him up no problem. Especially here. Since there’s nothing like a drive through downtown Evergreen Falls to get you in the holiday mood.
I turn onto Main Street, where the evidence of snowfall earlier this week is sprinkled along the sidewalks and in the small park I pass. Just enough snowpack for a snowman or a snowball fight.
I pass the Candy Cane Diner, its door painted to match the striped treat. Ah, yes! Another great spot for a date. Next is A Likely Story, one of my favorite bookshops anywhere, and I can’t wait to see how it’s decorated for the holidays. That would be a good place for matchmaking magic—maybe a blind date with a book? Yes, that could work. The stationery shop is over-the-top festive with cards, notes, and notebooks in all the colors of the Christmas rainbow. There’s the Sugar Plum Bakery, too, its window boasting drawings of snowflakes and a decal, I presume, saying Baking Spirits Bright in a festive, scripty font.
So many date-worthy spots. I’m looking forward to practice-dating Rowan here.
I mean, I’m looking forward to prepping him for matchmaking and his dates.