Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy

No doubt going with her today had been a bad idea…but not going would have been worse. The guys never would have let him live it down. They didn’t dictate his every move—far from it—but they were his only close friends outside of the service, and he’d rather not have them on his case.

He was thankful for the bond he’d formed with Andrew and Ben. He’d lay his life down for either one of them, and knew they’d do the same for him. It’s what they did.

But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t hassle him about going to lunch with Sophie. Which was why he kept his end of the conversation to a minimum. In Pine Hill everyone seemed to know everyone, and no doubt someone in the restaurant would mention having seen them there.

Not that his disengagement mattered. Sophie talked enough for both of them, telling him about her shop, her mother, her sister, and life in Pine Hill. Cole just listened and enjoyed watching how animated her face and hands were while she talked.

Finally, he had to ask. “Are you always this happy?”

French fry part of the way to her mouth, Sophie paused mid-sentence. “Happy?”

“Happy, talkative, you know.”

She laughed, then waved her Parmesan-coated French fry. “These are amazing enough to make the whole world happy. Try one.”

Cole could eat anything. Being in the military did that to a person. But for the most part, other than Andrew’s Grandma Ruby’s cooking, he ate for health rather than pleasure, so he shook his head.

“Thanks, but no thanks. My arteries would rather I didn’t.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Way to make me feel guilty for enjoying my very, very yummy food.” He started to apologize, then paused as she popped the fry into her mouth and grinned. “And for the record, my cholesterol is completely normal and, fortunately, I have no family history of heart disease. Now, do you always eat healthy or do you have food weaknesses like the rest of us mere mortals?”

Cole thought a moment, trying to think of something he’d eaten that had given him pleasure. Memories of his mother baking hit him, and his lips curved.

“Cookies.”

Her lips curved. “Cookies?”

“Christmas cookies. The kind that are cut in shapes and decorated with all the bells and whistles,” he clarified, his mouth watering a little in a Pavlovian response to the memory of sitting at the kitchen counter, helping his mom make them, decorating them together, laughing, and then demolishing as many as she’d let him have.

“Must be some great cookies, since just thinking of them made you smile.”

Smiling at Sophie was dangerous. Being near her was like playing with matches with fingers soaked in gasoline.

His gaze met hers. “They were great.”

Although he could tell she was itching to ask for details, she didn’t. Just launched into telling him about how vanilla ice cream was her favorite dessert. That surprised him. He’d have guessed any flavor other than vanilla. Sophia seemed more a candy sprinkles and extreme flavors kind of person.

Despite the crowded restaurant, the table seemed eerily quiet when she excused herself to go to the ladies room, leaving him without her chatter.

The quiet didn’t last a full minute.

“I’m wearing his ring!” the blue-haired granny Rosie said as she slid into the booth across from him. She flashed a generous-sized diamond on her left hand, wiggling her finger. “He should be happy with that.”

Cole stared at her, not saying anything and hoping Rosie didn’t expect him to.

“I’ve been married three times—God rest their souls. He should just trust me on this and quit pushing.”

Knowing when to keep quiet, Cole picked up his water glass. Maybe all the Pine Hill women were gifted with the ability to carry on one-sided conversations.

“You can’t blame Lou for wanting you to set a date,” Maybelle said, pushing Rosie over as she also seated herself at Cole and Sophie’s booth.

Would Sophie find him if he paid their bill and headed to the truck?

“Oh, go back to your own table.” Rosie scowled at the other woman. “I came over here to get away from Lou and my so-called friends. I’ll set a date when I’m ready.”

Her seemingly harsh response caught Cole off guard, but Maybelle took it in stride.

Ignoring Maybelle’s concerned frown, Rosie reached over to pick up a fry off Sophie’s plate. “These things are heavenly, but I’m not allowed to order them. Lou won’t let me.”