Checking Holly Twice by Tess Thompson

Author:Tess Thompson [Thompson, Tess]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tess Thompson

9

Holly

Around six that night, I took the small turkey from the oven. The skin had crisped to a golden brown, perfuming the air with a comforting holiday scent. Ruby and Dane had been sent into the living room while we finished up the last of the preparations. As much fun as it had been to have them “helping,” they’d been underfoot. They consoled themselves by whipping out a pack of cards and were currently playing a rousing round of old maid. Forest was at the counter putting the finishing touches on a batch of mashed potatoes.

“Now for the gravy,” I said. “The hardest dish of the night.”

“Mine always comes out lumpy,” Forest said. “I don’t know why. Last year I tried straining it, but it tasted terrible anyway. Like flour.”

“The secret is to make a roux.” For the next few minutes I showed him how to combine flour and butter in a frying pan and then to add water until it made a nice paste. I used some of the drippings from the turkey to add flavor and thinned it with more water and a dash of white wine. After it had simmered for a few minutes, I gave him a spoonful to try. “Taste and tell me if it needs more salt.”

He blew on the spoon before putting it in his mouth. “That’s incredible. You’re hired.”

“I have a job already.” I sobered at the thought of leaving here. Of course I’d have to. The role waiting for me was juicy and challenging, just the thing I needed to keep my mind off my personal problems. Staying here was not an option, I told myself in my sternest silent voice. This was a holiday. That was all. Not a love affair with Forest or his adorable children.

“What happened?” Forest put his hands in my front apron pockets and peered down at me. “You got sad.”

“Just thinking how nice it is here with you and the kids. Going back to my real life is sounding less appealing by the minute.”

He kissed me. “We have a whole week.”

“Yes, we do.” Why was I feeling as though I needed to cram a whole lifetime in that one week? This was insane. I’d known him such a short time.

“You need to taste the potatoes and tell me if you think they’re edible,” Forest said.

I did so. Despite their lumps, the cream and butter ratio was perfect. “I like them lumpy. These are great.”

“There are lumps?”

The look of dismay on his face made me laugh. “Some mashed potatoes are more smashed. Don’t worry. The kids are going to love them.”

He kissed me again. “This house hasn’t smelled this good in a long time. Not since…well, you know.”

While Forest carved the small turkey, I put the potatoes, cranberries, green beans, and stuffing on the table. When everything was ready, we called in the kids. Their eyes went wide at the sight of our feast.

Forest had dressed them up for dinner. Ruby wore a velvet dress the same color as her name.

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