Beautifully Broken Spirit by Catherine Cowles

Author:Catherine Cowles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC

“Merry Christmas Eve Eve,” I called to Arthur as he headed out the door of the Kettle.

“You guys really get into Christmas around here, don’t you?” Kennedy asked.

I grinned, looking around at the festively decorated space. I really didn’t think much about it because we went all out every year. As soon as Thanksgiving passed, we were in full-on Christmas mode. Winter-themed cookies in the display case, little white lights hanging everywhere they could, and an array of vintage Santas decorating each table.

“My mom is big into pretty much every holiday, so I don’t even think about it anymore. I just let her go to town and enjoy the end result. But I have to put it all away after New Year’s.”

Kennedy laughed. “I guess that’s fair.”

I paused in wiping down the counter. “Hey, do you have plans for Christmas Eve? Want to come over for dinner? We always have a big, crazy group, and it’s super low-key.”

Kennedy straightened from rearranging the bakery case. “I actually have plans, but thank you for inviting me. That is really kind of you.”

I wondered what Kennedy could be doing since she’d just arrived in town a couple of weeks ago and didn’t seem to know anyone yet. My nosy self couldn’t resist asking. “What are you up to?”

Kennedy smoothed out invisible wrinkles on her apron. “I, um, I’m volunteering at the shelter.”

Well, I was a shitty human. Here I was, planning to gorge myself on my mom’s epic feast, and Kennedy would be spending her time helping others. “That’s really kind of you.”

She waved me off. “It’s nothing, really. I wish I could do more.”

“You know,”—I started wiping down the counters again—“we do those early morning orders tomorrow before we close at ten, and we always have leftovers. Why don’t you take the extras with you to the shelter?”

Kennedy’s expression brightened. “That would be amazing. I’d offer to help bake some extra, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea yet.”

I chuckled. So far, Kennedy hadn’t quite gotten the hang of the baking side of the business. Making drinks, serving tables, helping customers, in those, she was a rock star. But every time she had tried to bake something on her own, it had turned to disaster. “I think that’s probably a good idea. I’ll come in a little early and see if I can’t add on a few more dozen cookies.”

Kennedy shut the case and turned to face me. “You have a really good heart, Jensen.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. “It’s nothing. And I’m glad to help.”

Kennedy was about to say something else when the bell over the door sounded. I bit my lip to fight the scowl that wanted to surface at the new arrival. Cody. And his arms were laden with presents. Had he not heard a word I’d said the last time he was here? Presents would not erase nine years of Noah without a father.

Cody wore a bright smile. “Hey, J. It’s good to see you.”

I said nothing.

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