“Yes, but I know he regrets how things ended.” He finished drying the other pan and stacked it on top of the first one. He picked up a bowl from the basket and dried it.
If Nick regretted it, he shouldn’t have ghosted her.
“It was a long time ago.” She really couldn’t think of anything else to say.
Obviously, Nick had told his family about her, but he’d never introduced her to them. In fact, it seemed that he’d gone out of his way to make sure they never met. He’d met her mom. Then again, her mom had been the one who’d made sure to drop in unannounced and meet Nick.
“Why don’t we stick to the crisis at hand.” She wasn’t ready to discuss Nick, especially not with a member of his family. She hadn’t even known he had a brother. Was there a reason he couldn’t talk about his family? Oh no. Had something bad happened to his family and they’d had to move suddenly?
She watched Chris for any signs of … well, she wasn’t sure what signs to look for. An actual sign hanging around his neck with something like “my dad is a mobster who testified against his boss” would be helpful, but the only thing around his neck was the collar of his green sweater.
“You’re staring at me. It’s weird.” Christ looked around like maybe he could pull a reason for her staring out of thin air.
“You’re not in witness relocation, are you?” Would he actually tell her if he was? Probably not.
“Not that I’m aware of.” Understanding dawned on his face. “Nick didn’t tell you, did he?”
So, they were hiding out. Who was chasing them? “Tell me what?”
“Our father is—”
“You’re needed in the dining room.” Chris’s mother cut him off. “Your father’s out there charming those upset women, but he could use some backup.”
Talk about terrible timing.
Chris put away the plate he was drying. “Duty calls.” He walked out the swinging door.
She wanted to ask Nell about what deep dark secret Chris was about to reveal about his father, but what if Chris wasn’t supposed to tell her.
They couldn’t be on the run from the law because Nick was the law. Surely the Christmas, Texas police department did background checks. For that matter, during the background check wouldn’t their lack of a past have raised some red flags? Or did witness protection give them a complete fake background?
“You look like you’re trying to work out some complicated math problem in your head.” Nell patted Lana’s arm. “I thought we agreed that a little mystery is always a good thing. Our family isn’t in trouble, we’re not in witness protection, but our family is a little different. Nick will explain it when he’s ready.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?” Mystery was only exciting when it worked in her favor. Oh no, what if Nick has some sort of horrible disease.
“You have a very expressive face.” Nell patted her arm again. “And no, he’s not sick.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?” Where they a family of psychics? That particular gift must have skipped Nick because then he would have known how much he’d hurt her. Or, he didn’t care how much he’d hurt her.
“Every family has its eccentricities. I’m sorry Chris gave it more drama than it’s worth.” She dropped her hand and smiled. “Let’s get those chocolate chip cookies into the oven so we can start on the Christmas cookies.”
“How many sugar cookies do we need to make?” If the whole town came out to decorate cookies, they would need hundreds. Surely the town had hundreds of people.
“We need a hundred dozen.” Nell waved it away like it was no big deal.
“That’s twelve hundred cookies.” It seemed like a whole lot to her.
“With the two of us working, it won’t be too bad. We can take turns rolling out the dough and using the cookie cutters.” Nell looked back and forth like she was making sure no one was watching us.
Lana looked around. There was no one but them in the kitchen.
Nell slipped two fingers into her décolletage and pulled out a folded, worn recipe card. “This is my secret Christmas cookie recipe.”
Lana took the card and skimmed it. “Pumpkin pie spice?” Slowly she turned her head to look at Nell. “That’s genius. I bet most people either think its cinnamon or nutmeg.”
“Sometimes, I throw in a little lemon or almond extract just to keep them guessing.” Nell smiled the evil smile of a cartoon villain.
“I can’t wait to get started.” Lana put her apron back on, wrapped the ties around her waist, and tied it in front. She put the chocolate chip cookies in the oven and set the timer. “How many times the recipe do you think we need to make?”
“The recipe makes two dozen, so I always times it by fifty. We always have leftovers so with the extra we should be able to cover the stranded tourists.” Nell smiled at Lana.
“Nick told me that none of us will be leaving anytime soon.” Up till now, Lana had only thought about how that would affect her. They had lots of mouths to feed. It looked like she’d be doing a lot of cooking. The thought made her smile.
“Yes, it doesn’t flood here often, but when it does, it’s usually pretty bad.” Nell headed towards the refrigerator. “I’ll get the wet ingredients.”
Lana glanced down at the recipe and did some math in her head. “I’ll gather the dry ingredients for the sugar cookies.”
Lana grabbed what they needed from the pantry.
While she was stuck here, at least, she would keep busy doing something that she loved. It might be hard to avoid Nick, but she would do her best.
Chapter 6
Nick eased through the swinging door and was careful to not let it bang.
Lana laughed at something his mother had said and then using his mother’s huge old rolling pin, rolled out the Christmas cookie dough.
His mother sat on a stool across from her with cookie cutters all lined up like soldiers ready to shape the dough into whatever shape she wanted.
He wasn’t spying on Lana per se, he just wanted to watch her without her knowing. And, he had the added benefit of letting himself drink her in so his brain could catch up to his heart. He couldn’t help the staring. He wanted to memorize her face. If he couldn’t convince her to stay, memories were all he would have.
Lana laughed again and then pointed to the cookie cutters. “Those look antique.”
He’d forgotten about her love of all things old. She appreciated the craftsmanship and care that used to go into every product made.
“They are. These have been in my family for … well, forever.” His mother touched the cookie cutter lovingly. He couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t used them.
Lana eyed the cookie cutters. “Okay, I get the angel, the holly leaf, and the reindeer, but what’s that one supposed to be.” She pointed to a cookie cutter.
“It’s a dove.” His mother slid the cutter across the table to Lana. “The symbol of peace at Christmas.”
Lana put down the rolling pin and picked up the cookie cutter. She analyzed it. “Yeah, I don’t see it. It looks like a dinosaur with a really big head.”
This mother smiled as she took the cookie cutter back. She held it up and looked it over. “It does look like a dinosaur with a really big head. No wonder the boys seem to always pick this shape.”
“Is it the right thickness?” Lana leaned down and checked the dough thickness.
“Perfect.” His mother used the dove-turned-dinosaur in her hand and cut out several cookies.
Lana picked up the six-inch-tall angel and cut out several. “I like that these sugar cookies are big and substantial. There’s nothing like trying to decorate a puny cookie.”
“I’m with you.” His mother cut out more cookies. “Are you going to stand there and eavesdrop all evening or are you going to come in here and help?”
His mother hadn’t even looked up. How had she known he was there?
“What?” Lana looked up, and her eyes found him. “Oh.”
Lana took some sort of spatula-knife combo thingy and gently scrapped the cut-out cookies onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. “I’ve never chilled the dough, rolled and cut the cookies, and then put them back in the fridge before. I can’t wait to see how it works.”
“This method allows them to keep their shape and not spread out too much. You can really pack them in on the cookie sheet.” His mother picked up a different shape and glanced at him over her glasses. “Get to work.”
“Sure.” He picked up a reindeer and started cutting cookies.
“Are these for tomorrow?” Of course, they were for tomorrow. It seemed that he hadn’t had enough eavesdropping-time to let his brain function normally.
“We have another thousand or so cookies to go.” Lana smiled. She was really enjoying herself. How had she ended up in advertising when she clearly loved baking so much?
The swinging door swung open, and Janis marched into the kitchen. She looked harried and working towards hysteria. She walked toward Lana. “I have another big favor to ask.” She looked around taking in all of the cookies. “And I hate to do so considering all you’ve already done…”
“I’m happy to help out in any way that I can.” Lana continued to cut out angels.
“I’m short one room.” Janis’s face screwed up like she knew she was asking way too much. “Would you mind if I moved you into the caretaker’s cottage with me? You can take the bed, and I’ll sleep on the sofa. I’d put Mr. Hobart up there with me, but the bedroom’s on the second floor, and there’s no elevator. Since he’s in a wheelchair, he can’t take the stairs.”
“Of course.” Lana put the cookie cutter down and wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m happy to sleep anywhere. I’m just grateful, I don’t have to sleep in my car. I haven’t unpacked much. Let me go move my things.”
“She staying with me.” Nick hadn’t meant it to sound like a command, but it did.
Three sets of female eyes bore down on him.
“I mean she’s welcome to stay with me. I have plenty of room.” Ordering people around only worked in the military, or prison, or the movies.
“What about the attic room?” His mother grinned at him. “Personally, I think it has the best view.”
He shot her a what-the-heck look. Was she purposefully trying to block him? Clearly, she liked Lana. Did she have a problem with him rekindling the old relationship?
“No, she can’t stay in the attic. It’s a mess.” Janis shook her head.
“Molly and I cleaned it day-before-yesterday. It’s pretty and polished and ready to go.” His mother was always one step ahead of everyone. In fact, if he didn’t know better, he would say that she’d planned Lana’s coming to town.
Everyone turned to Lana.
“The attic sounds perfect.” She glanced at Nick. “Thanks for the offer, but it will be easier to stay here so that I can make breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
He couldn’t help but feel rejected, but she was right. It would be easier for her to stay here.
“Thank you so much for taking over the cooking. I can get you some help, but it might be difficult. This is SC Industries busiest time of the year.” Janis headed toward the swinging door. “I’ll take care of your bags. Thanks again.”
“No worries.” Lana picked up her cookie cutter and went back to work.
“I’ll help out. I might be able to talk a couple of others into giving us a hand between shifts at the plant, but this time of year is busy.” His mom picked up a full baking sheet and carried it to the walk-in fridge.
He raised his hand. “I’m happy to help.”
His father would need him for the final preparations for Christmas Eve, but he would help when he could.
“What’s SC Industries?” Lana scooped up the dough remnants into a pile.
His mother came back with two more large rectangles of chilled dough. “It’s my husband’s company. We make toys.”
Lana unrolled the plastic wrap from the dough, added the scraps from the previous batch, sprinkled flour onto the stainless-steel countertop and then on the dough. “You told me that your parents were in manufacturing. Why didn’t you mention it was toys?”
“I’m sure I did.” He avoided his mother’s gaze.
“Maybe you did.” She shrugged. “I guess I don’t remember.” She picked up the heavy wooden rolling pin and rolled out the dough. She glanced at Nick. “I didn’t know there was a toy company in the Hill Country.”
“We only have a small market share in the United States.” Nick waited for her to ask him what SC stood for, but she just kept rolling.
“If there’s time, I’d love to tour the factory. I’ve never been to a toy factory before.” She rolled the dough out to the right thickness.
“I’m sure Nick would be happy to show you around.” His mother winked at him. Yeah, now she wanted for him to spend time with Lana, but she didn’t want Lana to stay with him? This was the twenty-first century. Unmarried, couples often slept under the same roof. Sometimes, he was convinced that his parents were stuck back in the old country where courtship was negotiated by the couple’s parents often involving the transfer of livestock and money.
“I’m sure he’s too busy to play tour guide.” Lana picked up the holly cookie cutter and mashed it into the dough.
“I’ll make time.” He wasn’t sure when, but any excuse for alone time worked for him. “Tomorrow late morning work for you?”
“Well, I’m not sure. I need to see how long breakfast cleanup takes. I don’t want to get behind on food prep for lunch.” Lana glanced at the pantry. “Speaking of that, I guess we need to inventory all of the food and come up with some recipes so we don’t run out.”
“The pantry is well stocked, but you’re probably right, we need to make sure we don’t run out of food.” This mother cutout more dove-dinosaurs.
She knew perfectly well that they never ran out of anything because the pantry along with the whole town was infused with Christmas magic. It was kind of like Hogwart’s Room of Requirement only it was real, and the whole town. That’s how Santa was able to manufacture all of those toys. The plant still did make some toys and wrapped all of the gifts, but most of the toys appeared in Santa’s Christmas Closet when needed.
Lana yawned and stretched.
“You must be exhausted.” His mother glanced up at Lana. “You should go to bed. We can finish cutting out the cookies. We’ll bake them tomorrow.”
Lana yawned again. “Are you sure?”
He could tell she really wanted to go to bed but didn’t want to make extra work for anyone. She was the same old Lana.
“I’m positive.” His mother smiled. “You go get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“What time do you think I need to start making breakfast?” Lana glanced at the clock on the oven.
“Is six-thirty too early?” His mom kept cutting out cookies.
“No, that’s fine.” Lana yawned and stretched again and then took off her apron. She looked around. “Is there a washing machine or a place to put dirty laundry?”
“Just leave it on the counter. I’ll take care of it.” Nick came around the counter and put his hand on the small of her back. “I’ll show you the attic room.”
“How do you know so much about this place?” She didn’t seem to notice his hand, or at least she didn’t protest.
“It’s a small town, I know a lot about most of the places here.” He’d help build this place along with his father, mother, brother, and all of the townspeople.
He led her out of the kitchen.
“I like your mom.” She yawned again.
“She likes you too.” He knew they’d get along. He led her to the ancient elevator, opened the door, waited for her to step inside, and then closed the door.
She smelled like gardenias and Christmas cookies. He’d never smelled anything better.
Four lines dented her forehead. “Did you just sniff me?”
Had he been that obvious? “Um … yes. You still smell like gardenias.”
“Stop it. You gave up your right to sniff me when you left without so much as a hey, I’m outta here.” She didn’t sound mad only exhausted.
He was about to argue that this was the United States and it was his right to sniff whomever he pleased, but that probably was a step in the wrong direction.
Their past swirled around them and pressed down on him like the weight of the world. How exactly was he supposed to make it up to her? Even if he could, would she pick him and living in this world? He couldn’t leave it, and if she chose to stay she had to stay for good.
The elevator finally made it to the second floor. He pushed the metal folding door aside and waited for her to walk out.
“We have to take the stairs from here.” He pointed to the door across the hall.
He opened the door, reached around until he found the light switch, flicked it on, and stepped back waiting for her to go first.
“So, this set of stairs only go to the third floor?” She looked around. “Where are the stairs to get to the second floor?”
“They’re on the door to the left.” He nodded toward the other door.
“Why aren’t they connected?” Lana traced the carved wood detail work on the handle rail.
“We … um … I mean, the people who built the Christmas Tree Inn used this as their living quarters. This was before the caretaker’s cottage was built. They wanted a private entrance.” His whole family had lived up here when they’d moved everything from the North Pole to here while his father’s employees took the Inn’s rooms.
“Wow. That’s a lot of decorations.” Lana stood on the top step and took it all in. “I guess Janis built that fire for me.” She walked over to it and warmed her hands.
“Yes, there’s no central heating up here. The fire should keep you warm all night.” He wished that he could keep her warm all night, but that wasn’t going to happen.
Welcome to Christmas, Texas: A Christmas Network Novel Page 5