The Holiday Swap

by Maggie Knox

  “Oh, before I go. One question.” Sasha leaned toward Cass. “What happened to Austin’s cake that last day?”

  Cass shrugged. “He forgot to add the baking soda. That’s all I know.”

  Sasha chuckled at that, then went off to get her skates on. A few minutes later Charlie and Jake were back, ready to relieve Cass and Miguel from their shift at the stall.

  “How are you doing?” Charlie asked her sister, looking to where Cass’s stitches were, even though they were hidden by her hat.

  “Stop fussing. Dad and Mom have already checked in a half-dozen times, and Miguel keeps making me sit down.”

  From beside her Miguel chimed in, “That’s what you get for falling for a physician assistant.”

  “Well, we’re here and ready to take over.” Charlie and Jake were holding hands, and it thrilled Cass that her twin was so obviously smitten and happy. Especially with a guy like Jake. Faye, who had joined the couple, appeared as delighted as Cass felt to see Charlie and Jake together.

  “Put me to work, Cassie,” Faye said, setting down her cup of cider. “I am more than capable of selling some cookies.” Then she added, “But I am keeping most of those lemon squares for myself. And for Bonnie, because that fool dog of his has great taste, and it’s Christmas.”

  They all laughed, and then Cass and Miguel handed over their elf hats, branded with the Woodburn Breads logo, and Jake, Charlie, and Faye busied themselves getting the white-and-green-striped costume hats to stay put over their warm winter ones. The bakery’s booth had seen a constant stream of customers as the town enjoyed the Starlight Eve activities, and there was a significant dent in the confections and the loaves were nearly gone.

  “Miguel, would you mind grabbing another dozen loaves from the car? I just need to take care of something.” Cass had seen a break in the line in front of Sharon’s stall, and she wanted to go and say hello.

  “Sure thing. Want to meet up at the chili place?”

  “You read my mind,” Cass said, kissing Miguel before he headed off to get the bread.

  Once Cass made her way over to Sharon’s stall—stopping here and there to say hello to a few people as she did—she realized Sharon wasn’t alone behind the counter. Brett was there, a Top Dogs apron on over his parka.

  “Hey, Sharon. Hi, Brett,” Cass said, initially surprised to see Brett helping Sharon out. But she didn’t feel even a whiff of jealousy. Things were turning out just as they should, for everyone it seemed.

  “Thanks again for the starter, Sharon. You are a lifesaver.”

  “I am so glad it was helpful, Cass. And thanks for the chat yesterday.” Sharon gave Brett a shy look, and Cass saw her cheeks had reddened more than could be explained by the chill in the air.

  “You bet,” Cass said. “I wanted to pick up some biscuits for Bonnie. Any suggestions?”

  “Well, Jake’s had Bonnie on a diet so he usually gets her these.” Sharon pointed to the low-calorie biscuits, which Charlie had told Cass that Bonnie hated. “But you know what? It’s Christmastime! So I would suggest these sourdough turkey stuffing biscuits. All-natural, and they are my dogs’ favorites.”

  “Sold,” Cass said.

  As Sharon happily packed up a bag of treats, Brett turned to Cass. “I’m glad you’re okay, Cass. Scary stuff what happened on the trail,” he said.

  Cass touched her fingers to her temple. “Thanks. Me, too.”

  “And, uh, I’m also glad we had a chance to talk.” He cast a quick glance to Sharon, who was busy tying multiple pieces of ribbon around the top of the cellophane bag.

  Cass raised her eyebrows, glancing at Brett and then Sharon in a questioning way. He grinned and nodded, and then shrugged, as if to say, I wasn’t expecting this, either.

  Sharon handed Cass her change and the biscuits, and then she looked at Brett. “Should I tell her? Or do you want to?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “Okay, I’ll do it.” Sharon was practically bursting with excitement. “You and your family don’t have to worry about Makewell’s, Cass.”

  “What? Why?”

  Brett looked about as pleased as Sharon but let her deliver the news. “I bought the building! For a Top Dogs bakery and shop!” She clapped her hands together and let out a squeal. “Isn’t that the best news?”

  Cass was quiet for a moment, trying to process what Sharon had told her. “But . . . how? I mean, why?”

  “Well, I am ready to do what we talked about. To become part of this town again. And you’ve inspired me, Cass. Why shouldn’t I try to give this business thing a go? I have money from my divorce, and I want to use it to build something real for my future. Know what I mean?”

  “I do, Sharon,” Cass said, a lump in her throat. “I really do.”

  “So, with Brett’s help we told that poser Sarah Rosen that she could take her ‘Fakery’—get it? That’s what I’ve been calling her bakery, because it’s nothing like Woodburn Breads, and we don’t want anyone in Starlight Peak who isn’t the real deal, Cass. Anyway, we told her the building was no longer for sale and she should move on. That she and Makewell’s were not welcome here. Merry Christmas, Cass!”

  Cass’s head was spinning. It was a 180-degree turn—in the best possible direction—and she was thrilled for Sharon to start her business but also incredibly grateful to her for removing one of the greatest challenges her family, and the bakery, had ever faced. “I don’t even know what to say. This is amazing news.”

  “We agree,” Brett said, and he and Sharon exchanged a warm look.

  “Again, thank you, Sharon. And if you need anything while you get set up, I am happy to help. I do know a thing or two about baking.”

  Sharon came around the booth to give her a hug, which Cass returned gratefully. They exchanged goodbyes and then Cass, still reeling from the news, floated over to the bench at the Peak Pub’s stall, where Miguel was waiting for her.

  She sat down heavily, trying to take it all in.

  “Hey, are you not feeling well?” Miguel asked, turning so he could properly look at her.

  “I’m okay,” she murmured. “I’m better than okay, actually.” Cass grabbed his hand and then started walking away from the stalls and the rink, pulling him with her.

  “Where are we going? Cass . . . CASS, stop.” He stilled, and she did, too.

  Then she smiled at him. “Trust me, okay?”

  Miguel sighed, clearly worried about her, but he allowed Cass to lead him to whatever destination she had in mind. A minute later they were climbing the few steps of the town square’s gazebo. It was decorated with so many twinkle lights the structure appeared to be made entirely of stars. There were a couple of teenagers snuggled in against the far side, but they quickly disappeared down the other set of stairs when they saw Cass and Miguel step into the glowing dome. The familiar bars of “Silver Bells” drifted from the speakers spaced out around the skating rink, but otherwise, all Cass could hear was the sound of Miguel’s breath, his face so close to hers.

  “Miguel Rodriguez, how did I get so lucky to have met you?” She said it softly, going up on her toes so they were nearly face-to-face, only inches apart.

  “I could ask the same about you.” He smiled, his dimples illuminated in the twinkle lights. Cass felt her knees go weak. Miguel felt it, too, and he held her tighter, then suggested they sit on one of the gazebo benches. But Cass shook her head, because she had something different in mind.

  She shrugged out of his arms, then tugged him by the hand to the gazebo’s center. Then she looked up to the ceiling. Miguel, taking her back in his arms, glanced up, too. He grinned, then threw back his head and laughed. “How long have you been planning this?”

  Cass shrugged, demurely, and said, “I have my ways.”

  “Cass Goodwin, I have never met anyone like you.” Miguel’s eyes went from the ceiling—where
a string of mistletoe hung directly over their heads—back to Cass’s face, which he took in his hands. “I hope you never stop surprising me.”

  “You can count on it,” she murmured, before reaching up to kiss him, her past and present and future colliding in one perfect moment she would never forget.

  25

  One year later . . .

  December 25, Christmas Day

  Starlight Peak

  Cass and Miguel stood on the front porch of the big yellow Victorian house on snow-covered Ridge Street, arms laden with food and gifts. Cass was about to ring the doorbell when Miguel stopped her, pointing silently up to the top of the front door’s frame as he smiled. A sprig of mistletoe hung there. Cass laughed, then gave Miguel a teasing look. “Is this your doing?”

  Miguel shrugged, then set the bag of gifts he was holding down on the porch and gave her a long kiss.

  “Maybe we should just stay out here for a while longer?” Cass murmured, smiling as Miguel leaned in to kiss her again. Just then a horn honked, and Cass and Miguel turned to see two large SUVs pull up to the curb. Miguel’s mom, Essie, already had her arm out the window and was waving furiously at them as his dad, Javier, continued to honk.

  “Are you ready for this?” he asked, chuckling as Cass watched his entire family stream out of the vans. “This is your first Rodriguez Christmas,” Miguel said. “And as you’ve learned from our baking competitions, we don’t do anything halfway.”

  Cass kissed Miguel again. “I can’t think of anything I want more than to have your entire family here with us this Christmas.”

  Just then the Rodriguez family piled onto the front porch, exchanging hugs and kisses while everyone juggled gifts and tinfoil-wrapped food dishes.

  “This is the loveliest town, Cass,” Miguel’s sister, Jacintha, said. “And our rooms at the inn are beautiful! Plus, all this snow. What a treat.”

  “We put the snow order in just for you,” Cass said, winking at Miguel’s twin nieces.

  Miguel reached out and rang the doorbell and the first bars of “Let It Snow” reverberated inside. Moments later, Charlie flung open the door. She was wearing a red apron, and there was flour on her nose.

  “Hello, everyone! Welcome to Starlight Peak! And, Cass, you don’t have to ring the doorbell. Just walk right in. My house is your house.” Charlie kissed her sister on the cheek, then paused for a second, giving her a sly look. “Or was your house.”

  It was a joke Charlie had used more than once during the past six months, since she and Jake had bought the house from Brett and moved in the late spring.

  “Ha-ha, always the funny one.” Cass swatted her sister’s arm. Then she leaned in and whispered in Charlie’s ear, “Everything ready?”

  “We’re all set,” Charlie whispered back. The twins exchanged a knowing smile before Charlie ushered the whole crew inside the warm house.

  Cass put down her basket of gifts on a bench and pulled off her boots, then looked around at the mudroom she had once been told was perfect for her. It was now filled with dog leashes and hiking boots; Charlie’s stylish jackets were nestled next to Jake’s thick flannels. There were skis and snowshoes, and a bucket of tennis balls for Bonnie. She smiled. This place really was perfect for her sister and Jake.

  Charlie led Cass, Miguel, and his parents into the kitchen while the rest of the Rodriguez clan made themselves at home, inside and out, where a snowman building competition had begun. At the stove Jake was stirring gravy in an apron that matched Charlie’s. Helen Goodwin stood beside Jake, calling out directions.

  “Mom always likes to make the traditional Woodburn holiday gravy herself,” Cass murmured to Miguel. “No one—and I mean no one—better touch that wooden spoon.” Then to her sister she whispered, “She must really like Jake.”

  Just then Helen turned and seeing them, her face lit up. “Miguel! Essie! Javier!”

  “I think it’s a tie, Cass,” Charlie whispered back, gesturing her head toward Miguel. “She’s pretty crazy about that one, too.” Helen crossed the room, pulling Miguel in for a long hug first before doing the same with his parents.

  “Um, hello, Mom? I’m right here,” Cass said. Helen kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Yes, but I just saw you this morning.” She laughed and turned back to Essie and Javier. “That’s a lot of driving, you all must be exhausted.”

  “It was nothing,” Essie said. “Worth it to see the kids enjoying the snow. And we wouldn’t dream of missing the Goodwin holiday dinner!”

  “Speaking of which,” Helen said, casting a concerned glance toward Jake and the stove. “I should really get back to the gravy. Jake! Keep stirring, this is the crucial moment . . .”

  “Maybe next year we can do an L.A. Christmas,” Cass had once suggested, but now that she had taken over the bakery Miguel knew she couldn’t be away from Starlight Peak on Christmas Eve until the day she retired. He had officially moved in with Cass the month before, after finally getting the job he had been hoping for at the nearby hospital. Cass said she hoped by next year they would have found the perfect house, too, with room to host both of their families.

  As Cass, Miguel and his parents settled in the living room with their ciders, Charlie brought a platter over for her dad to arrange the Woodburn Bakery desserts on. “Let me help you with those, Dad,” Charlie said.

  “Thank you, my dear,” Thomas replied. “These sweet and salty bars are selling like crazy, Cass told me. And she’s added a cupcake this season that she said she created for your show last year . . . Something boozy, but I can’t quite—”

  “Aperol Spritz cupcakes,” Charlie said, smiling with pride. “She’s on fire, I’m telling you.”

  “A new era for the bakery,” Thomas said. “Exciting times ahead.”

  They turned at the sound of a cane tapping against the floor, and then, “I believe that platter is missing one important element,” said a familiar voice.

  “Faye! You know Cass would never let you down.” Charlie lifted a small box and opened the lid, revealing rows of lemon squares. Faye’s eyes twinkled as she lifted one out, took a bite, then whistled softly. Bonnie sprinted into the room and nearly knocked her over.

  “Fool dog,” Faye said, fondly. Then, she whispered, “Don’t tell anyone.” Faye dropped her hand and allowed Bonnie to nibble the half-eaten square from her fingertips. Then, she took another square for herself. “Life is too short to wait for dessert,” she declared. “Now all that needs to happen is someone has to give me a great-grandchild who doesn’t have four legs—and then, my life will be complete.”

  Thomas laughed heartily. “All in good time, I’m sure.”

  “Well, I’ve been tasked with playing Santa this year,” Faye said. “So I best go take my position by the tree so we’re ready once all the guests arrive.”

  As if on cue, the doorbell rang. “Come in, it’s open,” Charlie called out. Sasha and her son, Declan, entered the foyer, arms full with gifts and snow in their hair. “It’s really starting to come down out there,” Sasha said. Declan, who was ten, stared into the living room at the massive Christmas tree and the piles of gifts surrounding it. “Wow,” he breathed.

  “I happen to know quite a few of those are for you, Declan,” Charlie said.

  Declan ran into the living room, without even taking his coat off first.

  “Thank you, Charlie,” Sasha said, and for a moment Charlie thought her no-nonsense co-executive producer of the wildly popular baking show Sugar Twins might cry. For weeks, she had been worrying aloud to Charlie about the holidays. “It’s my year, but it’s just me . . . I’m not exactly sure how to pull off a warm and fuzzy Christmas all on my own.”

  That was when Charlie had suggested they come to Starlight Peak, a place Sasha had become very familiar with over the past year, especially during the three-month shoot of Sugar Twins.

  “This really is
a special place.” Charlie and Sasha smiled as they watched Declan continue to oooh and aaah over the gift pile. Sasha handed her son the presents they’d brought and he added them under the tree.

  “I was thinking,” Sasha started. “I know most production companies have their headquarters in L.A., but we always said we wanted to be different. Maybe this is where our office belongs. What do you think? Let’s move Hollywood north, and enjoy a little work/life balance? Plus”—her eyes sparkled with the fun and mischievous side of her that Charlie was still getting to know—“we could finally settle on a name for the company: Twin Peaks? Isn’t that perfect?”

  “Are you two talking work?” Jake said, taking off his apron as he entered the room. “I let Javier take over,” he murmured to Charlie. “Your mom seems relieved.”

  “You’re a good man,” Charlie said, before giving him a kiss.

  “I promise, not too much work talk. We’ll save that for the twenty-sixth,” Sasha deadpanned. Then Declan called out, “Mom, look at this!” and she joined her son at the twinkling Christmas tree.

  “That reminds me, I have a surprise gift for you,” Jake said to Charlie. “I’ve been hiding it upstairs so you wouldn’t find it.”

  “Find it? Me?”

  “Admit it, you’re such a snoop, Charlie!” Cass had joined them now in the living room, exchanging a warm hug with Sasha before she and Declan went to get some cider. “She’s always been like that,” she said to Jake. “When we were little she used to unwrap and rewrap half her presents while our parents were working because she couldn’t stand not knowing what was under the tree for her!”

  “I’ll be back,” Jake said, and then the two sisters were on their own.