Twelve Dates 0f Christmas (Holly Springs Romance Book 2) by M.T. Knights

Author:M.T. Knights [Knights, M.T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, Holly Springs Romance Trilogy, Two Author Series, Christmas Holidays & Celebration, Christmas Time, Holiday Whimsy, Festive Season, Winter Weather
Publisher: M.T. Knights
Published: 2019-10-16T04:00:00+00:00

16

Derick

I had not heard Ivy laugh like that in years. It was insane and adorable and I could have sat on the kitchen floor for days just laughing with her. Unfortunately, I knew I was on a time restraint and I was trying to follow Al’s advice to stick to that twenty-minute rule until she asked me to stay around longer.

“Those dumb cookies were supposed to be for Harrison and Mal’s classes after the Christmas performance.” Ivy pointed to the pan of burnt gingerbread men before pulling herself up off the floor.

I loved that she was laughing at something like burnt cookies. The old Ivy, six-months-ago-Ivy, would have just yelled at everyone and stressed over how imperfect the cookies—and subsequently herself—really were. Her carefree attitude made me want to help her out instead of the usual run-and-hide that used to be my reaction.

“Can I help you clean up?” I offered. “Maybe help you make some more cookies?”

“Oh, I am not making anything else,” she said with a smile. “The first batch was a good enough try.”

“There’s always store bought.”

“Yeah.” She took the cookie sheet and dumped it, along with the burnt gingerbread, into the sink. “Or even better, I’ll call in a favor from Madison Bell and the school will have real baked goods.”

“Nice,” I said. “You go call her and I’ll start on the dishes.”

Ivy looked at me like I had just told her I was going to run naked in the snow. Which, when thinking back to our time together, was probably more likely than me doing a single dish or picking anything up. The first thing I’d noticed I needed to change after the separation was my willingness to help out around the house. I honestly hadn’t realized how much she had done for me until I was living alone and was forced to do it all myself. Unfortunately, not living in the same house had made it hard to show her that change.

Ivy snuck out of the kitchen to make the phone call while I filled the sink with hot, soapy water. After washing the pan, I got started on the counter tops. The kitchen really wasn’t very messy, since Ivy always cleaned as she cooked. When she came back into the kitchen, she smiled.

“Thanks.” She looked around at the shining counters and the clean pan.

“No problem. Is Madison available to help out today?”

“No cookies, but she’s already baked up some of her delicious raspberry brownies and said I was free to stop on my way to the school to pick them up.”

So what do you plan to do with the rest of those gingerbread men there?” I asked with a smile.

“Gingerbread men and women,” she corrected, holding up one of the cookies that was shaped to be wearing a skirt and a bow.

“Right. I like it.”

“Of course you do. They’re delicious.” She handed me the cookie and I quickly took a bite.

The rest of the visit went by too quickly. The alarm I’d set to

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