Christmas, Actually: The Christmas Gift\The Christmas Wish\The Christmas Date by Anna Adams

Author:Anna Adams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

“I THOUGHT YOU were going to stop being such a pushover.” Gina Vernay scowled at Callie across The Tea Pot’s counter as she packaged up Santa cookies in a bright red pastry box. “If you come in on your lunch break one more time to pick things up for someone other than yourself, I swear I’m going to cut you off. Here.” Sweeping a hand across long bangs that concealed the thin scar running from her temple to her jaw, Gina reached into the display case and plucked out a carrot cake cupcake. “Eat something, because I bet you don’t have lunch scheduled in.”

“It’s no big deal,” Callie murmured, dipping her finger into the thick cream cheese frosting and licking it clean. Her stomach growled, greedy and happy. “Man, you are a baking genius. And carrots mean it’s healthy, right? Thanks.” Callie breathed in the aromas of coffee, baked goods and toasty warmth. She loved what Gina had done with the place. Between the collection of mismatched wooden tables and chairs, the aged photos, the antique snowshoes and the crosscut two-man logging saw on the far wall, Callie couldn’t help but think of winters and Christmases long past.

“Tell Mrs. Warrington she can send her lazy son in the next time she needs cookies for her bridge club,” Gina called. “You’re booked.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Callie said, and resisted the urge to salute. She never should have told Gina about her plans to start saying no. This morning, Mrs. Warrington had caught Callie before she’d had her mug of caffeine-laden courage, and she hadn’t been able to form a refusal when the woman had pleaded desperation. “Will we see you at the Christmas pageant?”

Gina glanced over her shoulder toward the swinging door to the kitchen and smoothed a hand over her bangs. “I’m not sure.”

Callie bit her lip and offered an understanding smile. When Gina was seven, an accident at the pageant had left her with physical and emotional scars. Callie wished she could help her overcome them, but there wasn’t anything anyone could do until Gina was ready to deal with her demons head-on.

“Well, I’ll bring you one of Vaughn Crawford’s handmade candy canes if you don’t make it. Thanks, Gina.” As she turned to leave, the door opened and Dean pushed through. “Hello.” Callie hoped the flush on her cheeks could be attributed to the icy breeze wafting in, rather than the fact that she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him.

If only she could forget the spark of interest hovering behind his warm and welcoming gaze. The smile that touched her lips felt tight, as if her mouth wasn’t sure what to do around him. All she wanted was for him to kiss her.

“Just stopped in for some coffee before heading down Mistletoe Lane to take pictures of the gingerbread houses. Good morning, Gina.”

“Would you like your regular?” Gina’s gaze darted away and her smile wobbled as if stretched too thin. She turned her back on him and faced the coffee machine.

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