a friend with you?’
Her audible amazement sent warmth flooding through Jade. She felt outrageously pleased that a woman with Alvaro was an obvious rarity.
‘Ellen, this is—’ Alvaro shot Jade a quick query.
‘PJ,’ Jade swiftly stepped in.
But she didn’t want to lie to this woman. She’d discovered how much she hated lying. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ellen.’
Warmth—and avid curiosity—swirled from the slightly stooped figure. Ellen was older than Jade had expected, but she guessed the lines on her face were hewn not just from hard work, but from smiles too. Because it also took only a split second for Jade to see that Ellen absolutely adored Alvaro.
Of course, she did.
‘Come in.’ The elder woman hustled them. ‘It’s too cold to loiter out here.’
Jade glanced at Alvaro’s bent head and saw the crooked smile he gave Ellen even though she’d already turned to lead them into her lounge.
Inside Jade didn’t know where to look first. There were shelves stacked with books and board games—not ancient battered editions, but new ones covering every genre, and a wide variety of non-fiction. There were puzzles too. The place had a literal warmth to it, with a cosy fire heating the large room and thick coverings on the floor. She caught Alvaro’s eye and saw his quick wink, heard his low murmur. ‘And the décor says...?’
That Ellen liked to welcome a wide range of people to her home. Jade had expected to like her—this was the woman who’d somehow ‘saved’ Alvaro—but seeing this, meeting her? She liked her all the more.
Jade held out the box of pastries to her. ‘We’ve brought a few—’
‘Alvaro,’ Ellen turned and scolded him. ‘You know that’s not necessary. You’ve given me far too much already.’
‘Don’t look at me.’ Alvaro spread his hands in mock innocence. ‘These are from PJ.’
Ellen swivelled towards Jade. ‘You’ll forgive me, but finding places to put all the things he’s sent me is impossible.’
This was clearly a source of ongoing banter between them, but Jade could play along.
‘These are miniature cakes, Ellen,’ Jade answered gently. ‘They are most necessary.’
Ellen stared at her for a second, then laughed. ‘Alvaro, you’ve found an ally.’
He just grinned. ‘What do you need me to do, Ellen?’
‘You couldn’t just sit down and talk to me?’
‘No.’ He’d already pushed up his sleeves. ‘Is that firewood delivery properly stacked?’
‘Oh.’ Ellen laughed again. ‘Go on, then, I know you have to see it with your own eyes.’
He glanced at Jade. ‘Want to come see—’
‘Of course, she doesn’t,’ Ellen swiftly answered before Jade could. ‘We’ll find a place to put these pastries.’
‘I didn’t bring her here to be subjected to an inquisition, Ellen.’ Alvaro looked to Jade. ‘You don’t have to answer any questions, there’s no penalty, just so you know.’
Jade felt absurdly shy but followed Ellen through to a large kitchen. She met people all the time in the course of her duties, but this sharp-eyed woman was important to Alvaro, even if he was reticent to admit how much. And that made her nervous.
‘You’ve known Alvaro long?’ Ellen asked.
‘I met him through work,’ Jade replied, smiling as the inquisition instantly began. ‘He’s been a good friend to me.’
Ellen’s gaze sharpened. ‘Has he?’
Jade maintained her smile and went for immediate diversion. ‘Where would you like me to put these? I don’t think they need refrigerating or anything, so I could just tuck them on that shelf over there?’
There was the smallest space because the shelves, like those in Alvaro’s own kitchen, were incredibly well stocked.
‘You see what I mean?’ Ellen laughed.
‘The wood store looks good.’ Alvaro reappeared sooner than Jade expected.
‘They’re good lads.’ Ellen nodded. ‘They did it in record time.’
Alvaro washed his hands before checking the contents of the pantry and giving a satisfied nod. ‘I’ll get under way.’
‘He comes every year to help with the preparations.’ Ellen sighed to Jade, but pride was evident in her voice. ‘He makes the Christmas butter.’
‘The Christmas butter?’ Jade laughed as she glanced across the table at him. ‘Alvaro?’
He shrugged as he reached for an apron. ‘It’s the best and, no, I won’t share the recipe. I have my own secret blend of nuts and spices.’
‘It is the best.’ Ellen nodded. ‘I’ll give him that.’
Of course, it was. Because Alvaro was the world’s most competitive person in everything he attempted.
‘It doesn’t take long,’ he said gruffly.
But Jade didn’t want Ellen thinking she was making him cut this visit short.
‘Can I help? Please let me help.’ She rubbed her hands together nervously. ‘Anything that doesn’t require