Feels Like Christmas by Shannon Stacey

Author:Shannon Stacey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shannon Stacey

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They’d eaten slightly later than usual, thanks to Rosie dropping one of the sheet pans of bread slathered in butter and garlic she’d had under the broiler. Despite multiple assurances that regular bread and butter would be just fine, she’d insisted on broiling up more. And of course it had to be a night when they had more sledders come in off the trails than usual—probably because Andy had mentioned in a trail update on Facebook that Rosie was making lasagna.

As busy as she was, Nola barely got to speak to Ian at all. There were a lot of glances, a few seconds of eye contact and the occasional smile, but it wasn’t enough. More than anything, she wanted everybody to find somewhere else to be so she and Ian could curl up on the couch in front of the Christmas tree and talk. Maybe make out a little. Definitely more kissing than talking.

Luckily, the crowd didn’t linger. The temperature was dropping pretty rapidly, so the folks who’d wandered in for the lasagna didn’t stay long. A group of guys who’d seriously underestimated time and distance were exhausted, so Rosie checked them into the recently vacated bunk room and they were winding down with a few beers. The older couple who were staying for the weekend—the Hendersons—had arrived in time for dinner and were relaxing with a cocktail. Ian’s kids were playing cribbage at one of the tables, and Rosie was still cleaning up.

When Ian got up from his table and started toward her, she felt the familiar rush of anticipation of hearing his voice. She would have thought it would have faded after the initial physical attraction, but it wasn’t fading at all. If anything, the more she got to know him, the more she craved him.

“I can see why they needed a little extra help,” he said as she pulled out a glass to make his vodka soda. “Tonight was really something.”

She laughed. “The fun part is that we know how many guests the lodge has, but we never know how many people are going to come in off the trails looking for a meal, if any at all.”

“How does Rosie manage that, with the cooking and all?”

“She’s been doing this long enough so she has a feel for when it might be busy. And anything leftover becomes lunch the next day or frozen for reheating if we get taken by surprise. We did get caught out one time last year and ended up serving soup and sandwiches by the end of the night.”

“Did I hear the groomer go out a little earlier?”

“Yes, Josh and Andy are out.” She’d been around the lodge long enough to not be surprised when the two men started putting on their coats and boots as soon as they’d finished their dinner. And she’d also seen the Thermos Rosie handed Andy when she kissed him goodbye. They were going to have a very late night.

“It’s supposed to be wicked cold tomorrow,”

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