His Candy Christmas by Darlene Fredette

Author:Darlene Fredette [Fredette, Darlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Family; Small Town; Second Chance; Christmas; Chocolate; Ski Resort; Winter
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2020-07-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Candy cranked the volume on the CD player and Christmas carols drowned out the worry in her head. She didn’t want to think about Jackson anymore. She’d spent the past few hours pondering nothing but him and the way their short-lived kiss left her spinning. Not to mention the stares from Virginia and Steve.

Jackson’s mood had suddenly changed after the last child departed the shop. He seemed contented yet determined. But now his whereabouts were unknown. Candy had called the inn only to find out from Violet he’d left to run errands.

With the shop quiet and only an hour before closing, she sent Virginia and Steve home. Candy needed to be alone to clear her thoughts. Her emotions had been running a marathon since Jackson’s return. Her willpower to keep a distance had quickly diminished last night. Seeing him wearing nothing but a towel and their almost kiss, reignited a spark. Then today, his tenderness with the children and his gentle kiss provoked that spark into a flame. If she wasn’t careful, the wall she’d constructed around her heart would get broken a second time. Jackson was dangerous.

Why didn’t she just sign the divorce papers? He’d be gone and out of her life for good. That’s what she wanted—wasn’t it? She couldn’t allow herself to hope—to want.

The timer on the oven buzzed. With the cookies for the carollers decorated, bagged, and dropped off at the hall where they were gathering, Candy placed the ingredients for the chocolate bark on the counter. She chopped the chocolate into pieces and dropped them into the double boiler. With the filling added, she poured the mixture onto waxed paper to cool.

Next on her list was a chocolate cake and crimped candy ribbons. Elvis’ version of Santa Claus Is Back In Town crooned from the speakers. Candy sang the chorus and danced around the room, flapping her hands above her head and swaying her hips.

“I wouldn’t mind climbing down your chimney on Christmas Eve.”

Candy froze. Her cheeks flushed when she spun around and saw Jackson standing in the doorway. Obviously, she’d forgotten to lock the front door. Candy scrambled to the CD player and lowered the volume.

“Hey, don’t stop because of me. I was enjoying the show.” He grinned devilishly.

“Where have you been? You left so quickly. I was worried…” Fudge. That last part wasn’t meant to be out loud.

“Thought I packed up and left without telling you? Isn’t that what you did ten years ago?” Jackson’s brows rose.

He remembered? Candy removed the chocolate mixture from the burner, her hand trembling on the handle. She didn’t want to talk about that night…how she almost gave in to temptation. “How long are you planning to avoid your family?”

“They probably don’t even know I’m here.”

“You’re staying at the inn. It’s a small town. You can’t hide forever.”

He shook his head. “Stop changing the subject. I want the details on our wedding night. You told me I passed out.”

“You did.” Candy reached for the sifter and added the cocoa powder and flour.

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