Spring in Snow Valley

by Cindy Roland Anderson

  This time when he walked away, Ivy didn’t stop him. Once he was gone she shut down the computer and tidied up for the volunteer on Friday. Aunt Tillie’s volunteer days were Monday and Wednesday. On Friday she had another physical therapy appointment. Of course if she wasn’t over her cold she might not feel up to going.

  Planning to stop by the grocery store before heading home, Ivy grabbed her notebook and tore out her grocery list and stuck it in her pocket. Before closing her notebook, she read over the kissing wish list and felt even more stupid for making it in the first place.

  Deciding she needed to forget about romance and romantic kisses, she carefully ripped it out too. Her eyes scanned over it once last time before she folded it in half and dropped the list inside her purse.

  Slipping the strap of her purse over one shoulder, she shut off the lights and locked the door. On the way to the grocery store she passed by the Rodeo Drive Boutique and debated about whether or not to stop by the store Kellen’s pregnant-non-sister-in-law owned.

  Aunt Tillie wanted to take Ivy shopping there to buy her a cute pair of cowgirl boots with a coordinating handbag designed by Caytie. The only boots Ivy had ever owned could pass for her brother’s hand-me-downs. But Ivy knew what a handmade pair of boots cost, and she didn’t want her aunt to spend that kind of money on her.

  Doves, the local grocery store, looked fairly busy, but Ivy easily found a parking space. Not wanting to forget any of the items on her list, she quickly ripped out the list and put it in her purse.

  The sun disappeared behind a cloud, and Ivy shivered, wishing she’d brought a jacket with her. She hurried into the store and grabbed a shopping cart. To ensure she didn’t forget anything, she pulled the grocery list from her pocket.

  She noticed the store had a little bit of everything as she made her way toward the baking section aisle. After dinner she planned on making a big batch of chocolate chip cookies. The recipe had been her grandmother’s and Ivy always felt comforted whenever she baked the delicious cookies.

  One of the key ingredients to her grandmother’s recipe was using milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. The other key was to soften the butter, but not let it melt. After selecting two bags of milk chocolate chips, Ivy added a bottle of pure vanilla. Aunt Tillie only had the imitation stuff and it wasn’t the same.

  Next she made her way toward the dairy products to get butter. The only butter-like substance in Aunt Tillie’s kitchen was some kind of low-fat spread made to look like softened butter. It didn’t taste like butter, and she couldn’t imagine ruining her cookies by baking with it.

  A woman with several young children in tow stood in front of the cooler. Ivy glanced over her list while she waited for them to leave. She needed to find frozen egg noodles, and hoped Doves carried them otherwise she’d be making homemade noodles as well.

  The little family cleared the way, but as Ivy pushed her cart forward, a man turned and met her gaze.

  Her knees felt as weak as the egg noodles she’d be using in the homemade soup when Kellen smiled at her and said, “Ivy Baker, are you following me?”

  Chapter 6

  Kellen hadn’t expected to see Ivy again so soon. Judging by the pink coloring her cheeks and the shocked expression on her lovely face she hadn’t been counting on running into him either.

  “Of course I’m not following you.”

  “I’m kidding.” He leaned in close enough to catch the flowery perfume he’d noticed earlier today. “What with you being practically engaged and all we’re just two friends meeting at the grocery store.”

  She gazed up at him, her pretty brown eyes looking like a pool of melted chocolate. “Right… we’re friends.”

  The way she said it made him believe she was trying to convince herself that was true. Even though she’d mentioned her not-quite-yet fiancé Corbin Spencer, he got the feeling the guy wasn’t much of a boyfriend either.

  “So,” he said, glancing down at her shopping cart. “It looks like we have the same thing in mind for dinner tonight.”

  “As much as I’d enjoy eating cookies for dinner, these will be dessert.” She slanted forward to peer inside the small shopping basket he carried. “But my cookies are going to be way better than yours.”

  “Hey, you’ve never tasted my cookies before.”

  “I don’t need to taste them.” She looked up at him through her long lashes and smiled. “You’ve got the wrong chocolate.”

  Kellen reached in her cart and pulled out a bag of chocolate chips. They had the same brand, but hers were milk chocolate. His grandma never baked with milk chocolate.

  “No way.” He returned the bag of chips and stuck out his hand. “How about a little bet about which cookies are better?”

  Her eyes dipped down to his hand and then back up. “If I say yes, who’s going to be the judge?”

  Kellen wasn’t quite ready to take her home to meet his family. They’d have them engaged with a marriage date set for the next month before the night was over. “How about your aunt?”

  Ivy captured her bottom lip with her teeth, her eyes slightly troubled. He wasn’t an expert when it came to women, but he could tell she wanted to say yes. He said the only thing he could think of that might push over the edge. “Unless you’re chicken?”

  He could tell right away he’d won this round.

  “You’re on.” She placed her palm against his, sending a jolt of electricity through him. It was a good guess she felt the same thing as a new emotion flickered in her eyes.

  Ivy Baker was attracted to him.

  As if realizing this herself, she withdrew her hand and let out a shaky breath. “I hope tonight is okay with you for the bake-off because I’m making cookies with or without you.”

  Kellen had his evening chores left to do, plus helping Jace with George’s work. But if he hurried he could be done and showered by six. “How about six-thirty?”

  “Hmm.” She glanced down at her grocery list. “I guess that all depends on whether or not Doves has frozen egg noodles.”

  “And if they don’t?”

  “Then I’ll be making them from scratch, so dinner might not be done by six-thirty.”

  Kellen stole a peek at the girly paper she held in her hand. “What else do you need?”

  “Chicken bullion and a fresh onion.”

  “I’m assuming frozen egg noodles are in the freezer section?” Kellen said, placing his basket in her shopping cart.

  “Yes.” She narrowed her eyes as he came around and nudged her over, commandeering her cart. “What are you doing?”

  “Helping you find the rest of your list.”

  “Oh.”

  She didn’t protest further and walked beside him. Kellen was acutely aware of her, and felt like a kid on a sugar high every time her arm brushed against his as they made their way through the store. Each touch sent a rush of adrenaline through his veins.

  When they came to the freezer section, she told him where she typically found the egg noodles. They spotted them at the same time and both went for the freezer door.

  “How many?” Kellen said, having beat her to the task.

  “Two should be good, thank you.”

  “Sure.” He put them in the basket and was pleased when she allowed him to continuing steering her shopping cart. It didn’t take long to get the rest of the things on her list so they made their way toward the front of the store.

  There were two cashiers working, and Kellen guided the cart into the line with Natalie Lawson. She was always so nice to him, and had made him feel normal during that time after his accident. Her son, Ryan, was a couple of years younger, but had been one of Kellen’s friends in high school and he’d always loved hanging out at the Lawson’s house. Kellen couldn’t remember much about his mom, but he believed she would’ve been a lot like Mrs. Lawson. Beautiful and kind.

  Kellen started to unload Ivy’s things onto the conveyer belt, but had to stop when his phone started buzzing inside his pocket.
He glanced at the screen and saw it was his grandma calling.

  “Excuse me,” he said to Ivy. “I better see what my grandma wants.”

  “Kellen?” Grandma said, as he accepted the call.

  “Hey, Grandma.” He stepped out of the line so he could hear without the beeping sound of the scanner. “What’s up?”

  “Are you still in town?”

  “Yeah, just finishing up at Doves.”

  “Oh, good. Doc Taggart called in a new antibiotic for George’s hand, and it should be ready to pick up at the pharmacy in about ten minutes. Do you think you can pick it up?”

  “Sure. Anything else?”

  “Nope. You remembered to get chocolate chips so I can bake Caytie some cookies, right?”

  “Yeah, but don’t worry about baking the cookies. I’ve got that covered so you can have a Dancing With the Stars marathon tonight.”

  “Thank you! I haven’t had time to watch the last two episodes so I’m dying to see who got eliminated.”

  Kellen was glad she hadn’t questioned his sudden desire to do the baking. Having grown up alongside his grandmother in the Holbrook kitchen, Kellen had become quite adept with cooking and baking. Occasionally he’d feel sorry for Jace and make something for them since Caytie still couldn’t make anything very palatable no matter how hard she tried.

  Shoving his phone into his pocket, he got back in line coming up behind Ivy. Natalie was finishing with the customer in front of them. She acknowledged Ivy, and then did a double take when she saw Kellen standing next to her.

  “Hey, Mrs. Lawson.”

  “Kellen,” she said, flashing him a smile. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “You too.” While he’d always thought Mrs. Lawson was pretty, she looked different today. Younger somehow. “How’s Eli’s business going?”

  Her face brightened as she began scanning the items on the conveyer belt. “It’s slow, but he’s happy and determined to make it work.” Her gaze flickered to Ivy. “Hello, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Natalie Lawson.”

  “Hi, I’m Ivy Baker. Tillie Cooper is my aunt, and I’m staying with her for a few weeks while she recovers from her knee surgery.”

  “I’m so glad you’re here to help her. Tillie is… was one my aunt Sophie’s dearest friends.” Natalie paused for a moment, her eyes looking a little watery. “My aunt passed away a few weeks ago, but I know she was worried about Tillie.”

  “I’m so sorry for your loss,” Ivy said softly.

  Natalie blinked, and her smile returned. “Thank you, sweetie.” She resumed scanning the last of Ivy’s items. “Be sure and tell your aunt hello from me.”

  “I will.” Ivy picked up her purse from the front of the shopping cart.

  Natalie glanced down and noticed Kellen’s basket. She looked at him and then at Ivy. “Are these together?”

  “No,” they both said in unison and then laughed.

  “All right.” The smile on Natalie’s face widened as she gave Ivy the total.

  As Ivy dug in her purse for her wallet, Natalie made eye contact with Kellen and lifted an eyebrow as if to ask what was going on between him and Tillie’s niece. He wasn’t giving her anything so he simply smiled at her.

  “I really need to clean out my purse,” Ivy said, once she found her wallet.

  While she paid for her groceries, Kellen glanced around to see if he knew anyone else nearby. He recognized a few people, but none of them were close to his family so there was little chance his grandma would get a report on him.

  Mrs. Lawson wasn’t a gossip but if his grandma ran into her he was fairly certain she’d ask about him and Ivy. Snow Valley was a close-knit community, and Kellen knew he’d have to tell his grandma about Ivy before word got around.

  Natalie scanned the contents of Kellen’s basket, and Ivy turned to talk to him after loading the sacks into her shopping cart. He hoped she would wait for him to pay for his groceries so they could walk out together, but she looked like she wanted to bolt.

  “Thanks for your help,” she said, casting a nervous glance Natalie’s way. When she met Kellen’s gaze again, he read the anxiety in her eyes and was afraid this evening’s cookie competition probably wouldn’t happen. “I’ll see you later.”

  Kellen didn’t have time to reply before she turned and walked quickly toward the exit. He had no idea what had spooked her, or if her parting words were meant to be taken literally, like she was reminding him she would see him in an hour or if she was just saying it to be polite. Heck, from the look of terror on her face he wasn’t sure she’d still be coming to the party with him on Saturday.

  “She’s really cute, Kellen,” Natalie said in a low voice.

  “Yeah, she is.” He glanced at the total and fished out his wallet. Handing over a twenty-dollar bill, Kellen gathered up both of his sacks and waited for his change.

  “Okay, I won’t say anything more,” Natalie said with a light laugh as she gave him his change.

  “Thank you.” He stuffed the coins and bills into his pocket. “Tell Ryan hi from me.”

  “I will.” She handed him the receipt, but it fluttered to the floor before he had a hold of it. “Sorry about that,” she said.

  “No problem.” Kellen bent down to pick it up and noticed a folded piece of paper. He picked it up and recognized the flowery paper as Ivy’s. She must have dropped her grocery list.

  Kellen held onto it and hurried out the door. He scanned the parking lot, but didn’t see Mrs. Cooper’s car. Unlocking his truck, he tossed the two bags onto his seat, and then remembered he was supposed to pick up the prescription for George.

  Heading back into the store, Kellen went to the pharmacy and got in line behind two other customers. While he waited his turn, he unfolded the paper and quickly realized it was a list—but not a grocery list.

  His heart thumped wildly against his chest wall as he read over a bucket list of romantic ways Ivy Baker wished she could be kissed before marrying Corbin Spencer. By the time Kellen had read through the list twice, his mission had changed from Operation Get a Date for Saturday to Operation Kiss the Girl.

  Chapter 7

  Ivy cleaned up the last of dinner, and glanced at the digital clock on the microwave. Kellen should be coming any minute now. Her stomach was a ball of knots. It was a miracle she’d been able to eat some of the homemade soup, which had been absolutely delicious, and kept it down.

  Aunt Tillie really didn’t feel good. She’d eaten a small bowl of soup, but went straight to bed afterward. If her symptoms worsened and the sinus pain didn’t go away, Ivy planned on calling Tillie’s family doctor, Cole Taggart, in the morning for an appointment.

  Ivy hadn’t dared tell her that Kellen was coming over to bake cookies with her. If she had her aunt wouldn’t have gone to bed even though she needed to. Ivy hoped if the older woman took a nap she would feel up to eating a few cookies to determine which cookie was better. If not, she and Kellen would have to fight it out.

  Her eyes darted over to the clock. Six thirty-five. Kellen had texted her twenty minutes ago, and said he might be a few minutes late. Ivy had been tempted to call off the whole thing since Aunt Tillie wouldn’t be able to judge the cookies, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. Instead, she’d replied with instructions for him to knock rather than use the doorbell so they didn’t disturb her aunt.

  Her cell phone dinged another message. Maybe it was Kellen cancelling on her. She wouldn’t blame him after her weird exit from the grocery story an hour earlier.

  Shopping together had seemed incredibly intimate, and by the time she’d paid for her groceries she was having a mini panic attack about spending time with Kellen. Sure she’d said they would be hanging out as friends only, but the chemistry between the two of them was as powerful as the electric fence her brothers had installed to keep the horses inside the pasture. Each accidental touch had elicited an electrical shock of awareness that had freaked her out.

  She glanced at her phone scree
n and immediately tensed. It was from Corbin, and she dreaded finding out if he was making good on his promise to come visit her. Sliding her finger across the screen, she tapped on the message. Her muscles relaxed as she read over the quick note.

  I’m sorry, babe, but I have to postpone my visit. A law firm in New York made a last-minute reservation for next week, and I need to be here to ensure the staff makes no mistakes. This is a big deal, and could bring in more high-end clients for us in the future.

  Ivy was so relieved she nearly dropped her phone. She had to pace herself and not reply too quickly. After counting slowly for thirty seconds, she composed her message to Corbin, careful not to say anything that might make him change his mind.

  How exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about it. Good luck!

  She pushed send just as a soft knock sounded at the front door. Kellen was here. For a second she froze, and had to take a deep cleansing breath to calm her insides down. He’s a friend. She reminded herself of this as she crossed the floor to open the door.

  She was going to say something cute like “are you ready to be schooled”, but the second she saw him all coherent thoughts fled. He looked incredibly good wearing a snug fitted blue Henley that molded to his muscles. How had she not ever noticed his upper body was so cut?

  Realizing she was staring, her eyes traveled up until she met his amused gaze. “Hey,” he said. “Sorry I’m late.”

  “You look fine… I mean… you’re fine.” Heat seared her cheeks. “It’s okay, please come in.”

  He grinned and Ivy wanted to die on the spot. Seriously, what was wrong with her? She stepped back, allowing him to come inside and caught the scent of his yummy cologne as she closed the door.

  “I’m sorry Mrs. Cooper is sick,” Kellen said as they walked toward the kitchen. “I hope she gets well soon.”

  “Me too.”

  “Are you sure it’s still okay for me to be here?” He set the grocery sack he’d brought with him on top of the counter, but his blue eyes remained locked on her.