Holly's Gift by Josie Riviera

Author:Josie Riviera [Riviera, Josie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Snowflake, Co., Novella Length-Short Story, Old High School Friends, Secret Angels, Secret & Special Wishes, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Sensual Story Theme, Hearts Desire, Lifetime Love, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Romantic Schemes, Small Town & Rural Area, Cowboy & Western Romance, Beautiful & Feisty, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small-Town Christmas Wishes, Christmas Holidays & Celebration, Christmas Time, Holiday Whimsy, Festive Season, Snowy Winter Weather
Publisher: Josie Riviera
Published: 2019-09-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

She must have dined at the Cozy Coffee Shop a dozen times, Holly thought as she snagged one of the few empty tables, tucked by the entrance. Invariably, she appreciated the comfortable interior—sunny and lively with light-colored walls and a splash of brilliant-red poinsettias decorating each table—and detected the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and the daily baked baguettes. A rolling jazzy arrangement of Christmas music played softly in the background.

Tim strode to the table and set down their tray. “Eggnog latte and a peppermint brownie for lunch?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Technically, eleven thirty is still morning.” She smoothed down her red V-neck velour sweater that matched her red slacks as she defended her choices, which were startlingly lacking in nutrition. Unapologetically, she inspected his plate. “Should I have ordered your selections? Double smoked-bacon on a croissant and a cup of black coffee?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Black coffee cancels out the calories of a buttery croissant and bacon?”

Amusement flicked over his features. “If you recall, I take my coffee with three sugars, so there goes your calorie-counting theory.”

She took a swallow of latte—steamed eggnog, dark-brewed espresso, and a dash of cinnamon. “You should try to look a little embarrassed by your choice of food groups.”

“I will if you will,” he teased in response. When he smiled, his eyes crinkled up at the corners, flashing with wit and keen intellect.

The same overheating of her senses she’d experienced the night of the tree-lighting ceremony flooded through her. She avoided his gaze and focused on his navy-blue parka as he hung it on a rack beside her coat.

“I’m paying for lunch,” she reminded him, “because you treated last time.”

“That’s why I ordered the early luncheon special, to save you money,” he teased. “In fact, I might order the daily dessert too. Muffins are half price on Saturdays.”

“Be my guest,” she said graciously. “But first, let’s say grace.” She bent her head. Tim didn’t participate, but he kept his head bowed until she completed the prayer.

The shop’s glass door swung open heralding a burst of wind, casually teasing his thick, dark hair. Thick and rich and the color of root beer, she decided. His hair was styled to lay flat on the sides, fairly long at the nape, the waves sweeping against his shirt collar. Over his shirt, he wore a fisherman knit sweater.

She sampled her brownie and briefly closed her eyes to savor the sweetness of mint chocolate laced with peppermint buttercream icing. “It’s delightful. Do you want a bite?”

“Only if you let me pay for lunch.” He slid onto the seat across from her so that their knees touched.

“I told you—”

“It’s the least I can do to thank you for your commitment to the homeless shelter.”

“You mean the Astra project,” she corrected.

“My mother wasn’t exactly the poster child for Christmas.” Wryly, he smiled. “And may I point out that we were talking about lunch and concluded with my refusal to allow you to pay?”

“Tim, you agreed to let me treat today.”

“I don’t recall ever actually agreeing.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.