Sprinkled with Love

“Whoa. I have to stop you there. How do you equate snow to a good week?”

“Just because you don’t like snow doesn’t mean everyone feels the same way. I think it’s pretty. I’ve loved it since I was a kid.”

Suzanna shook her head. “I don’t know how you can like something that’s so cold and it makes a mess out of traffic. Oh, and it ruins my shoes if I forget my boots.”

“But it’s so tranquil when it falls. I just love watching the big fluffy flakes flutter to the ground. It blankets the earth in white, hiding the rough edges and smoothing things out.” When Suzanna continued to shake her head in disagreement, Jillian asked, “You mean you don’t like Frosty?”

“That’s not fair. Frosty isn’t real.” Suzanna moved to the front door and squirted cleaner on the glass. “I think we’re just going to have to agree to disagree on the subject of snow. So how’s your student doing?”

“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” Jillian pointed toward his pickup pulling up in front of Tangled Charms.

“Oh, I wonder what he wants.” Suzanna grinned at her.

“I’m certain it’s nothing like the thoughts going round in your mind.”

Before they could continue their debate, Avery was at the door. Suzanna pushed it open and greeted him a little too jovially for Jillian’s taste. He was going to think they were talking about him—they had been but she didn’t want him to know it.

He stepped inside and brushed off the flakes of snow. “It’s really coming down out there.”

“I know. It’s beautiful,” Jillian said as casually as she could manage because right then her heart was beating rapidly. They hadn’t seen each other yesterday. She had been busy finishing the earrings for the auction and he’d said he wanted to do some more work in his kitchen. “Did you change your mind about baking tonight?”

He shook his head. “Not unless you think the cookies weren’t right—”

“I thought they were perfect,” Suzanna chimed in.

Jillian sent her a dirty look. “She’s right. They were delicious. You should win with them as long as you keep your eye on the butter.”

“And don’t burn it like I almost did the last time I tried to make them. Gotcha.” He continued to stare at her. “What has you in such a good mood?”

His presence. Not that she would admit that to him. “I finished my donation to the Harry’s House fundraiser.”

“That’s great.” He smiled, making his eyes twinkle.

Her stomach did a somersault. “Would you like to see it?”

He nodded and followed her over to the display in the middle of the showroom. He stared into the lit display. “The necklace is beautiful. It would look really nice on you. Maybe you should wear it for promotional purposes.”

Not that she wasn’t tempted, but she would never do such a thing. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“You must have lots of this jewelry at home.”

“Actually I don’t.” When he arched a brow, she continued. “Everything I make is for the business. I figure one day when the business is secure, I’ll work on something for myself.”

“It’s too bad you have to wait that long. Maybe you should make something for yourself now. You know, a reward for opening the shop.”

“Maybe.” It was a nice thought, but she knew she wouldn’t do it. It wasn’t like she had anywhere to wear it since she’d sworn off men. “I’m sure you didn’t stop by to discuss jewelry. What did you need?”

“I was wondering if you were free tomorrow evening.”

“Did you want to get started on the next recipe?”

“I have something else in mind. I promise no recipes will be involved.”

Was he asking her for a date? She hadn’t been expecting this and she didn’t know what to say. Her mind told her to make any excuse possible to get out of it, but her heart was in direct contradiction.

“She’s available,” Suzanna interjected.

Avery smiled. “Is that right?”