Grabbing a coat, Jared headed out the back door. Kenzie was nowhere in sight. Maybe she’d gone to the woods. Izzy had told him she often went to the woods if she was upset. Maybe she still did.
As he hurried down the trail, his shoes slipped a little on the frozen surface. There hadn’t been any recent snow, and he couldn’t make out any recent boot marks. Maybe he was mistaken. And why would Kenzie come out here anyway?
Because he’d opened his big fat mouth—that’s why. How many times had he walked these woods with Izzy? His childhood had been an unsettled one, and his friendship with Izzy had been one of the few bright spots. Jared had always treasured their friendship. How could he have spoken of it so disparagingly? The only thing he could come up with was temporary insanity—brought about by the presence of a beautiful, vibrant woman. He hadn’t wanted a memory of a childhood relationship to detract from what had been happening right then—the miracle of a new relationship.
He went round a bend and, turning off the main path, headed for the pond. A few minutes later, Jared caught his breath. A still figure stood there, staring out over the frozen pond. As he came closer, his shoes made a crunching sound, and Kenzie whipped around.
“What are you doing out here?” she asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Looking for you.”
Her eyes were bright, and Jared could see tracks of tears on her cheeks. Kenzie turned back to face the pond. Her stillness made him a little uneasy. In a small voice, Kenzie said, “I needed some time alone.”
Reaching into his pocket, Jared pulled out the reindeer.
Kenzie’s lips parted in a faint gasp.
“You kept it all these years,” he said softly.
“You know how kids are—they keep things that don’t mean anything.”
Jared’s gaze was long and searching. “You were Izzy.”
She nodded.
“And you’re also Izabelle.”
“It’s my middle name. Mom liked the different spelling.”
“Why did you buy my house?”
“Oh, you know how impulsive I am.” As Kenzie gazed at him, her tone became serious. “Telling you I was sorry wasn’t enough. I had to show you.”
“But you wanted Tom’s house—badly.”
“You did too.” Her chin lifted. “And I can make a home anywhere.” Kenzie peered at him. “How did you go from Tyrone to Jared?”
“Jared’s my middle name.”
“Ah.” Her eyes crinkled, and the corners of her mouth curved up. “What about your last name?”
“My mother remarried after we left Lake Forest. My stepfather adopted me and wanted me to take his name. He was the only father I’d ever had, so I was fine with it.” Jared looked over the frozen pond. Frosty crystals coated the branches of nearby skeletal trees, and the current of night air iced his face. “Remember how we used to go skating in the winter?”
Kenzie’s face softened. “It was magical.”
Reaching out, Jared clasped her hands in his. He counted it a victory that she didn’t pull away. “Your hands are cold.”
“Are they?” She sounded flustered, but her eyes were shining, and this time not from tears.
He drew closer until their foggy breath mingled in the chill air. “Tonight is magical too.”
Kenzie’s eyes flashed. “I thought our friendship was magical, but you said it was nothing.”
Moving even closer, Jared murmured just before their lips met, “I lied.”
Chapter Forty
The following weeks after Christmas and New Year’s Day were busy ones. Kenzie moved to Lake Forest and started her new job, while Tom, Mandy, and Jared moved into their new homes. Kenzie considered moving into Jared’s old home but decided to rent it out. Her mother was delirious with joy when Kenzie accepted her parents’ offer to live with them temporarily. Sara adored her grandparents and adjusted easily to a new school. Although Kenzie found her new position at Reliance Software stimulating, it was also demanding and kept her busy.
Scheduling playtime was difficult, but Kenzie and Jared made plans for a big family ice skating party on the last Saturday in January. The kids excitedly counted down the days, and they all met in the wintry woods on a frosty Saturday afternoon.
After skating madly around the pond during a game of tag with Tom’s children, Kenzie stopped to catch her breath. There was a light, misty fog, and the bare oak branches shimmered with crystal-like frost as she went to sit in a vacant chair next to Mandy, who had a thick red-and-black blanket over her bulging stomach. Allen had brought a portable fire pit, and Kenzie took off her gloves, stretching out her hands to the dancing flames. She smiled as her parents skated past, looking like twins in their matching parkas and knit caps. Tom, wearing outlandish striped earmuffs, skated alongside them.
She told Mandy, “When I told Sara she couldn’t skate today, she said I was the meanest mother in the world.”
“Sorry, that title is taken,” her sister-in-law told her. “My kids tell me I’m the meanest mother in the world.”
“Sara’s reminded me a hundred times that it’s been five weeks since she sprained her ankle, and the doctor said it would take four to six to heal. But still—ice skating? On a recently sprained ankle? I called the doctor to see if I was being overprotective, and he voted against it too.”
“My doctor did too,” Mandy said, patting her stomach. “Besides, I didn’t want to take any chances with this little guy.”
Kenzie chuckled as she nodded toward the pond. “Sara was sure the doctor and I were plotting against her, but look at her now. She’s the belle of the ball.”
Jared had drilled two holes in the upturned edge of a snow saucer and attached a rope. Sara sat on the saucer cross-legged, skimming over the ice as Brian pulled her, skating for all he was worth.
“Look at that smile—she’s having the time of her life,” Mandy said. “Corey and my kids keep fighting about whose turn it is to pull her. Say, that was a cute idea you had to put green laces in Jared’s ice skates.”
“Who said I did that?” Kenzie asked innocently.
“The chances of Jared doing it are about a billion to one.”
Just then, Jared skated to the edge of the pond, swishing to a stop in front of them. “Come on Kenzie!”
How could she resist such a handsome man? Kenzie pulled on her gloves and stepped to the ice. With swift, sure strokes, they glided along, passing her parents, who skated along more decorously. Then, still holding hands, Kenzie turned and skated backward—both of them in perfect rhythm. Their eyes rarely left each other’s as they moved gracefully around the pond. They went around twice, then Kenzie let go of Jared’s left hand, turning smoothly until she was side by side with him.
Corey took a turn pulling Sara while Tom played tag, skating madly as he tried to catch Brian, Adam, or Hillary. As Brian struggled to get away, he spun around and fell. One of the rules was no tagging downed skaters, so Tom went after the other two. When Corey wanted to join in, Sara went to sit with Mandy. Then, breathless, Tom asked Jared to take his spot so he could take a break.
He came to skate alongside Kenzie. “So have you made up your mind on any of the houses I’ve showed you?”
“Tom Dahlquist, you know there’s only one house I’ve ever been interested in.”
“I could talk to the current owner, but I don’t think he’s interested in selling.”
When Tom grinned at her, Kenzie smiled back. He knew very well why she was holding back on buying a home. In fact, everyone knew. But Kenzie was content to take things slow, although neither she nor Jared doubted what the future held for them.
When Tom skated over to Mandy, Kenzie went with him. “How are you doing?” he asked. “Are you cold?”
“I’m fine. But I think Sara’s ready for some action.”
Tom eyed Sara, whose eyes lit up. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Hop on.” He grabbed the rope as Sara scrambled onto the saucer. Off they went.
Kenzie
poured some hot chocolate and asked Mandy if she wanted some.
“If I drink any more, I’m going to have to go find a bush.” As Kenzie settled into a chair, Mandy asked, “So how is Jared doing on the remodeling? It’s sure nice of him to ask your opinion on his house.” She winked. “I’ve been dying to ask if you’re going to let him build a workshop in the basement.”
“After extended negotiations, we finally decided Jared can do whatever he wants with the basement, and I can do whatever I want on the main level.”
“Still think it’s a dumb idea to have a workshop in the basement?”
“Not as much as I did, but it helped when Jared explained he has a dust collection system so there will be very little sawdust flying around.” Kenzie sipped her drink contentedly, enjoying the crackling fire. “But I did tell him that if he gets a workshop, I get a new kitchen.”
“Ah, blackmail.”
“Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer ‘extortion.’”
Mandy laughed. “So have you set the date?”
“Slow down! Jared hasn’t even popped the question yet. We want to take our time. Besides, you’re always telling me not to act impulsively.” And truly, there was no need to act quickly. She and Jared shared a deep, always-and-forever kind of love that had its roots in those magical, childhood summers.
“I still can’t believe you two got together when you always seemed to be at each other’s throats over the house. It’s a miracle.”
“True, but ‘love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Kenzie waved at her parents as they skated by. “Ah, isn’t that sweet? Still holding hands after all these years.”
“Because they’re afraid of falling.” Mandy giggled.
“So are you loving your new home?”
“It’s heaven! Bedrooms for everyone, including this little bambino when he makes his arrival.” Mandy patted her stomach contentedly.
Just then, Jared zoomed over and did a hockey stop, spraying them lightly. Kenzie and Mandy squealed and brushed off ice shavings. Kenzie took her cup over to Jared.
“Want some? It’s nice and cold now that someone sprayed ice in it.”
He drank what was left, then took her hand. They swung onto the ice, and once they’d reached the far side, Kenzie said, “Watch this!” She carved a figure eight into the ice.
“Wow, that’s cool.” Jared studied the design with interest. “What is it?”
“Whaddaya mean, what is it? It’s a perfect figure eight!”
“It may be a figure eight, but I’m not sure how perfect it is. Let me try.” He moved a few feet away and began. As he bowed his legs, he hit an uneven spot in the ice and slipped.
Laughing, Kenzie watched as Jared lay on his back with his legs spread apart, then raised his arms and spread them apart as if doing the Y in YMCA.
“That looks interesting,” she said. “What are you doing?”
“Visualize, Kenzie, visualize. You did an eight; I’m doing a ten.”
“Sorry. I can’t see it.”
He wiggled his arms and legs. “Hey, I’m making a perfect X!”
“I thought we were doing numbers.”
“I am.”
When he grinned up at her, Kenzie finally got it. “Roman numerals don’t count.”
She reached down to help him up, but Jared yanked her down. Laughing, they tickled each other and rolled over the ice. Finally they sat up.
“What are you thinking?” Jared asked. “Your eyes are twinkling.”
“I was thinking about what I wrote on your skate. It’s true—best friends are forever.”
“I totally agree.” Jared leaned over and kissed her.
Brian zoomed past, pulling Sara, who squealed with delight. Kenzie snuggled closer to Jared. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Mandy told me that you and your wife were converts. What made you decide to get baptized? As I recall, when we were kids, you and your mom were Protestants.”
“Remember those Primary activities you invited me to? I had a lot of fun. And whenever you told me something about the Church, I’d go home and talk with my mom about it.” Jared smiled. “I never said anything, but you and your church made a big impression on me. So when some missionaries knocked on my door one day, I invited them in. The rest is history.”
A snowflake lazily drifted through the air and was soon joined by more spindrift flakes. Holding hands, Kenzie and Jared gazed over the fairytale scene. Mandy sat by the glowing fire with Adam, both of them sipping hot chocolate. Corey, Elaine, and Allen glided along in a trio while Tom held hands with Hillary, teaching her how to skate backward. The sky overhead was sharkskin gray, and the misty fog softened the outlines of the pines and oaks that surrounded the pond.
“It’s like a winter wonderland,” Kenzie said, watching the skaters go round in the lazily drifting snow.
A snowflake lit on her cheek, and Jared kissed it away. “Now you need one on your lips,” he told her.
“It might take a little magic for that to happen, and Christmas is over.”
“If you believe, there can be magic all year long.”
Kenzie tilted her head back and waited. It only took a few moments before a snowflake settled on her lips.
“Now this is magic,” Jared whispered. Then he leaned close for a long, lingering kiss.
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
1¼ cups brown sugar
½ cup butter or butter-flavored shortening
¾ cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
1 egg
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
¾ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
1 ¾ cups flour
½ cup white sugar for decoration
Bag of chocolate candy Kisses, unwrapped
Directions
Cream sugar, shortening, and peanut butter.
Mix in egg, milk, and vanilla.
Add salt, soda, and flour.
Form dough into balls, roll into white sugar, and flatten slightly with fork.
Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10–12 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately press chocolate Kiss into the middle.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
1 cup (two sticks) butter, softened
2½ cups flour, sifted
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp. salt
2 tsps. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
Milk as needed
Directions
Beat butter, flour, sugar, salt, extracts, and nuts.
Add slight amount of milk if needed, just enough so the dough sticks together.
Form dough into 1” balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until top is pale gold.
Cool for four minutes, then roll each cookie in powdered sugar. Store in airtight containers, sifting powdered sugar on bottom, in between layers of cookies, and on top.
Gingersnap Cookies
¾ cup butter or butter-flavored shortening
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup molasses
2¼ cups flour
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. cloves
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
White sugar for dipping
Directions
Cream shortening and sugar, then add eggs and molasses, and mix well.
Add flour, salt, soda, and spices, and mix well.
Shape into small balls, dip the tops in white sugar, and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes. Do not overbake.
Apple Cider Cookies
1¼ cups apple cider
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. cream of tartar
½ tsp. bakin
g soda
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup white sugar
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
Optional: ⅓ cup grated apple
Dipping Mixture:
3 Tbsp. white sugar
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Directions
Heat the cider in a pan until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat, and cook until syrupy and reduced to about 2 tablespoons, about 10–15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Beat together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
Beat the butter with white and brown sugar in a separate bowl for 2–3 minutes or until fluffy.
Beat in the reduced cider, egg, and grated apple if desired. (The mixture may look slightly curdled.)
Stir in the flour mixture.
To make the dipping mixture, stir together sugar and pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl.
Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls (flour hands lightly if dough is too sticky), and coat in the dipping mixture.
Place balls on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are set but centers are still soft.
Thumbprint Cookies
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup shortening, butter flavor
3 eggs, separated
¼ cup water
1½ tsps. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt
2 cups flour
2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup jam
Directions
Beat sugar and shortening.
Add egg yolks, water, vanilla, and salt. Then add flour.
Beat egg whites until foamy.
Divide dough into 48 pieces, dip each in egg white, then roll in pecans.
Place on greased cookie sheet, and make a deep indentation with your thumb.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven, put small amount of jam in indentation, then bake 5–7 minutes longer.
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