Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy - Janice Lynn Page 0,34
next to the tower, cleaning the truck, and knew who he was most likely to see when he turned around.
Which explained why his heart had zoomed into overdrive.
“Again?” Ben echoed Cole’s thought as his friend glanced up from where he was rubbing the truck down with a cleaning cloth.
“Maybe there’s another cat stuck in a tree,” Andrew suggested when he spotted Sophie. “Nope, looks like she brought you something again, though. If you don’t want these, I do.”
“Hi, guys,” Sophie greeted, brandishing a smile at each of them, but pausing as her gaze connected to Cole’s. “I’ve finished the Santa suit alterations and thought I’d deliver it. I brought these for you, too.”
Her tone was upbeat, friendly, but her eyes held questions. Questions Cole had asked himself over the past couple of days. He always came to the same conclusion.
He needed to stay away from Sophie. For both their sakes.
His gaze dropped to the plastic container she held. “What are they?”
“Cookies.”
“Cookies?” His gaze lifted to hers. She had that about-to-bubble-over-with-excitement look shining on her face, and he guessed what she’d done.
Her smile had enough wattage to power the whole town’s supply of Christmas lights as she nodded. “I baked them this morning.”
Cole popped the lid and was met by a heavenly scent. First wiping his hand over his pants leg, he lifted a perfectly decorated sugar cookie Christmas tree from the container and took a bite. It tasted even better than it smelled.
“Pass ’em around,” Ben demanded.
Cole grabbed a second cookie, a reindeer face, just in case the container came back empty, then handed it off to Ben, who walked away with it to share the wealth. Andrew followed close behind, snagging a couple of cookies.
Which left Cole standing alone with Sophie.
“I hope they’re okay.” Her smile was still in place, but he’d swear she just bit into her lower lip.
“I like them,” he assured. Oh, Sophie, what are you doing here?
“Oh, good.” She smiled again. “They’re a thank you for rescuing me.”
“No thank you was necessary for just doing our job. Besides, you’ve already thanked us.”
She shrugged. “Words didn’t seem enough.”
“These,” he held up what was left of the reindeer, then finished it off, “are enough. They’re amazing. I haven’t had any fresh-baked cookies in years.”
“Does your mom not make them anymore?”
She probably did. Cole just hadn’t been home to eat them. How could he when his family treated him as a hero and he knew that was the last thing he deserved?
“Not sure. I haven’t seen her at Christmastime for a few years.”
Sophie raised her eyebrows. “What? You don’t go home for Christmas?”
“Uncle Sam doesn’t make assignments based upon where mothers live.”
She studied him, wanting to ask more, he was sure, but rather than point out that he no longer worked for the government, she sighed. “I shouldn’t have pried. Sorry.”
Popping the rest of the cookie into his mouth and hoping the sugary sweetness abated the remorse Sophie’s expression filled him with, Cole shrugged. “You brought cookies. You’re forgiven.”
Her smile returned. “Is that all it takes to get your forgiveness? Cookies?”
“Can’t say, really. First time it’s happened,” he admitted.
“Then I’ll be thankful it happened with me.”
Sophie’s pleased expression making him uneasy, Cole turned to see where the cookie container was. Every firefighter on duty had made their way to the table where Ben set the dish. “I’d best go grab another or they’ll all be gone. Thanks for fixing my Santa suit.”
“Oh, yes, well, you’re welcome. I should be going, too. I still have a lot to do before opening the shop.”
“Doggie bandanas to make?”
Her eyes twinkled. “Amongst other things.”
“Do you ever do something just for you, Sophie? Something that’s not volunteering for a project or sewing something for other people?”
She looked indignant. “Sewing is for me just as much as it’s for the person who’ll end up with the finished product. Creating works of art that are useful makes me happy; knowing that what I’ve made will bring joy to someone else makes me happy, too.”
Because Sophie was a giving person.
She’d made him and the guys Cole’s favorite kind of cookies. Not since his mother had someone done something kind just for him. It was a bit humbling. Everything about Sophie humbled him.
“I truly appreciate you rescuing me, Cole. As silly as it sounds, I can’t recall being so terrified as when I glanced down and realized how far away the ground was.”
Sophie stuck in the tree had scared him, too. Fortunately, everything had turned out okay,