He was immediately greeted by the most delicious aroma of butter and sugar. Was Zoe baking? His steps came a little quicker as he made a beeline for the kitchen.
Sure enough, Zoe was pulling a tray of cookies from the oven. She glanced in his direction and smiled. “You’re just in time to help.”
“Help? With what?” He sure hoped she didn’t want him to bake anything. It’d end up burnt to a crisp. He sat down on a stool at the kitchen island and tossed the paper on a neighboring stool.
She slid another tray in the oven before turning to him. “Don’t look so worried.”
“What are all of the cookies for?” He’d never seen so many cookies decked out in red, white and green sprinkles.
“I thought I’d do something special for the workers at the mansion. They’ve really gone out of their way to make this whole project a success.” Worry lines creased her beautiful face as she looked around the kitchen at the dozens of sugar cookies. “Do you think it’s a silly idea?”
“Silly? Absolutely not. In fact, I’m jealous.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Oh, but I am. In all the time I’ve known you, you’ve never baked me cookies.”
“I did too.” She paused as though searching her memories. “Didn’t I? Surely I must have.”
He shook his head, knowing he was right. He’d never forget having such a pretty young lady present him with homemade cookies.
“Hmm...” Her lips pressed into a firm line. “Well, maybe you won’t even like them.”
“Why don’t you pass me one and I’ll let you know.”
She snatched up one in the shape of Santa with red and white sprinkles. She held it just out of his reach. “You can have it on one condition.”
He arched a brow. “What would that be?”
“You help me decorate the rest.”
He glanced at the two trays of bare cookies, then at the almost empty mixing bowl and at last he focused on that cookie in her hand—that very tempting cookie. “Okay, you’ve got a deal. Just don’t expect them to be pretty like yours.”
“Just do your best.” She placed the cookie in his hand.
Their fingertips brushed and a current of awareness zinged up his arm. Suddenly, he didn’t feel so tired. He eyed up Zoe, who was smiling at him. “Pass me one of those trays and some sprinkles.”
“Not before you wash up.”
“Of course.” He returned her smile. The action felt so strange after he’d frowned most of the day.
For the next hour, they worked together on the cookies. He got in trouble numerous times for thieving one or two. He couldn’t help it. They were the best he’d ever tasted. And it didn’t hurt that the baker looked pretty tasty, too. Her pink lips beckoned to him.
“Hey, mister, you’re supposed to be working.”
“I’m done.” He pushed the decorated cookies across the counter. “And now I take my payment in kisses.”
She laughed. “I don’t seem to recall that.”
“Well come over here and I’ll remind you.”
She smiled and shook her head. “You come over here.”
The invitation was too good to resist. He got to his feet and rounded the counter. When he stood in front of her eagerly anticipating her cookie-sweet kisses, she instead tossed him a dishcloth before turning to the sink full of dishes.
A frown tugged at his lips. “What about those kisses you owe me.”
“You don’t get paid until the job is done.”
“That’s not fair.”
She lifted up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips. But alas it was far too short. Her twinkling eyes stared at him, promising more. “Consider that a down payment.”
“Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get those dishes done.”
An hour or so later, Zoe closed the lid on the last storage container of cookies. “Everything is boxed up and ready to go in the morning.” She walked over to the couch next to the lit Christmas tree. She stretched. “Grazie. I wouldn’t have made it through those last trays on my own.”
“Glad I could help, but I think I ate as many as I decorated.” He rubbed his full stomach.
She laughed. “I think you’re right.”
There was no point in putting off his news any longer. This concerned her as much as it did him. “Zoe, we need to talk.”
The smile faded from her face. “Any time you say those words, whatever follows is never good.”