Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Fryer Pamela

Author:Fryer, Pamela [Fryer, Pamela]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Publisher: Pink Pixel Publishing
Published: 2013-10-30T18:30:00+00:00

* * * * *

Trey hadn’t been able to get much sleep, so he went to the inn early. Celia was already serving guests in the dining room. One elderly woman sat alone at a table, sipping tea and reading the morning newspaper.

Celia found him in the kitchen and greeted him with a bright “Good morning,” and he returned it with his own secret cheer. The chef and the girl who helped out were in equally good spirits as they returned his greeting. Celia blushed and quickly turned away, as if worried they suspected she and Trey were hiding amorous secrets.

“You’re here early.”

He noted the interested looks from the other women, and their efforts to look casual. “If it’s okay with you, I thought I’d put in four hours here, and then work the afternoon at New Harvest. My lawyer said they’re badly in need of volunteers.”

“Perfect!” Marisella announced. “You can take the food, then.”

Celia gave him a nod. “We’ve made eight lasagnas for them. You can take them on your way. Your lawyer is right. New Harvest’s busiest time is Christmas, and when they have the least number of volunteers.”

He poured himself a cup of coffee. “What would you have me do this morning, boss?”

“You and Romina are going to put your brief introduction to the laundry yesterday to work.” She gave him a mischievous grin. “Don’t worry, we’re fairly caught up right now—our busiest time is when everyone checks out.”

“I can handle that.”

The girls exchanged amused looks.

“What? I do my own laundry.”

“You mean you drive it to the cleaners?”

He wasn’t sure if he should feel insulted. “Well, my clothes, yes. But I wash my own towels and linens. I can fold a mean crease.”

Romina snorted. “All right, let’s see you prove it.” She closed the dishwasher, started it, and led him out of the kitchen with a wave of her hand.

“I’ve got my radio if you need to call for help,” Celia told him.

“Ha ha.” He leaned close as he passed and whispered, “I brought my pajamas.”

Celia covered her smile and her face bloomed red. He would never grow tired of teasing her.

At first the laundry was pleasantly warm, but by ten he was shedding outer layers and wiping the sweat from his brow. At ten fifteen, Romina mysteriously disappeared. Trey was barely managing to fold loads of towels and sheets by the time the next load had finished drying, and his arms felt like rubber bands. At eleven thirty, Celia brought him a sandwich and a bowl of soup.

“You were right. You do fold a mean crease.” She set the tray on the empty space of the impeccably organized laundry’s utility counter. “Roast beef or chicken?”

When he chose the roast beef, she set the plate with the other and her bowl on the dryer, and hopped up on it to eat. The roast beef was another masterpiece, with thinly sliced bell peppers and red onion.

“Marisella is a great cook. Where’d she train?”

“Actually, the sandwich is my work.” That embarrassed blush crept into her cheeks.

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