A Soldier's Christmas Wish by Vivian Arend

Author:Vivian Arend
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arend Publishing Inc.

9

Buns and Roses held a smaller-than-usual crowd this Saturday morning, but Brooke had desperately needed a hot pick-me-up before starting the day at the shop. She had forty-five minutes before her dad would expect her to be ready and raring to go, with a full load of vehicles on the slate to get done before closing time.

Tansy lowered a plate with three delicate half-moon-shaped cookies and a steaming hot drink in front of Brooke. “Today’s special. I call it a Winter Solstice. It’s short and dark, yet brightness is just around the corner.”

Brooke lifted the mug in the air. “You’re lucky I trust you.”

“You’re lucky I love you,” Tansy returned. “Try it.”

A deep inhale over the mug told Brooke two things. “Coffee. Chocolate for sure, and…orange? That’s the brightness, right?”

“Yup! And the short is because that’s Ghirardelli chocolate, and anything bigger than a mini mug and you’d have consumed a full day’s calories in one go.” Tansy offered a wink. “See how I prevent problems so we don’t have to diet come January?”

“You’re a goddess.” Brooke took a sip and velvet sex slid over her tongue. She all but moaned at her friend. “Or a demon. That’s sinfully good.”

The chair across the table from her pulled back, and she glanced up to stare into Mack’s deep brown eyes. He winked, holding the chair for Sonora Fallen.

“Hey, Gramma.” Tansy detoured to give her grandmother a hug. “A Winter Solstice for you as well?”

“Thank you, sweetie. And I’ll have a plate of the German butter crescents as well.” The older woman sat down and sighed happily.

“Sonora.” Brooke took another deep inhale of the chocolatey goodness as Mack settled at the table as well. “Excuse me for being rude and drinking alone, but I’m not letting this get cold.”

“I don’t blame you.” Sonora removed her toque and gloves and placed them in her coat pockets before shrugging out of the thick garment. Her silver and white hair was neatly pulled back into a braid that hung down the middle of her back. The laugh lines at the corner of her eyes deepened as she smiled at someone at another table before turning grey eyes toward Brooke. “Go ahead. Drink while it’s hot.”

Brooke took a sip of the glorious elixir.

Mack lifted a hand and rubbed the back of his neck. “Not that I want to overstep my boundaries, Sonora, but according to the news, there’s a big storm brewing. Do you really think it was wise to walk into town?”

“I didn’t walk the entire way,” the older woman said primly. “I got a ride to the mercantile, then decided I wanted a hot drink.”

The mercantile was over a mile away. The chance the sidewalks had been cleared between the buildings this early was slim. Brooke and Mack exchanged glances as Tansy interrupted them to bring in two more hot drinks and the requested cookies.

“I agree with Mack,” Brooke said cautiously. “Why didn’t you drive in yourself? Are you having car problems?”

Sonora stiffened, glancing over

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