Christmas at Fireside Cabins - Jenny Hale Page 0,28
to help her, and if I can’t find someone, then I’ll find a way to pay for it myself. I’ll pick up extra shifts at my restaurant if I have to.”
Interest flickered across his face. “You own a restaurant?”
“I’m a waitress.” She lifted her chin proudly.
He finished placing the pastries in the display case and closed the sliding door at the back, the whole time looking thoughtful. Grabbing a rag, he walked around the bar to wipe off the glass. Lila put her hand on his bicep, ignoring the electric current that shot through her when he stopped in response.
“Please help her,” she begged.
His jaw clenched as he peered down at her. Then, surrendering, he said, “I’ve worked with Judd before and he’s taught me quite a bit. We replumbed this entire shop. I’ll lock up this afternoon and take a look at it, and either fix it myself or call Judd for you.”
Lila squealed, and in pure joy at being able to help Eleanor, she threw her arms around him. In all the movement, his hands found her waist and he broke out into a reluctant smile that took her breath away. Together, they stopped still as if they both had to get their bearings. The smile that had emerged lingered on his lips as he looked down at her, and in that moment, she felt like she was finally able to see him for who he was behind that wall he’d worked so hard to build.
Lila gazed deeply into his eyes.
He let go of her and turned away, and she considered whether his reaction was some sort of defense mechanism or something else. “Theo,” she said, with no idea of what she planned to say but not wanting the moment to end.
His gaze shifted over his shoulder and he turned around.
“Thank you for helping Eleanor.”
He nodded, not saying anything else.
“Oh, look!” Piper said to Edie and Lila. She grabbed their arms and skipped down the frosty path, past rows of decorated Christmas trees, up to the glittering carousel in front of the confectionery shop. Tinkling music sailed through the air as kids and their parents climbed aboard the giant horses, or piled into the curling-edged sleighs of the carousel.
“I can hardly keep up,” Eleanor called to them, slowing them down.
“Oh, sorry,” Lila said. “Being with Piper is like having a child,” she teased. “I suppose we’ll have to ride the carousel for her.”
“I’m young at heart.” Piper reached out and took Eleanor’s arm, giving her a squeeze. They’d convinced Eleanor to come out with them after telling her that Theo was coming over to fix the leak and they’d all chip in money for her ticket. It had been about an hour’s drive out of town down the snow-filled winding country roads, but Eleanor had assured them that it was worth it.
“This would be a wonderful place to bring a child,” Eleanor said, waving at a little boy who was giggling atop one of the horses. She took in a long, wistful breath. “I always wanted someone to buy their famous Sugarplum Christmas Bomb for, even though it’s heart-stoppingly huge.”
“I read about that,” Edie said. “What is it?”
Eleanor tipped her head back in amusement. “Ah, well I won’t spoil the surprise. You’ll have to get one for yourself to see.”
“The suspense is killing me,” Piper said. “Let’s get one right now.”
“Well, dear, if you can be distracted from the carousel this easily, wait until you see what’s inside.”
They went up to a pair of enormous cherry-red double doors with men dressed as nutcracker soldiers on either side. With gloved hands and pristine uniforms in red and gold, they opened the doors in unison.
“Oh my goodness,” Lila said, stunned.
The floor was made of clear glass, covering thousands of different kinds of candies. A path of chocolates wrapped in a rainbow of cellophane snaked along the center of the room, twisting and turning, leading to different areas of the confectionery. To their right, a row of workers in bright white chef’s suits, and tall hats with holly pinned to them, stirred gleaming silver pots of melted chocolate in various shades, and beside each of them were displays of skewers with different treats on the ends for dipping—marshmallows, peppermints, white chocolate squares, coconut-covered nougat, toffee—all of them arranged in the shapes of Christmas trees. Behind the chefs was a waterfall of chocolate, the smell of buttery, creamy fudge filling the air.