by Lacey Baker
There was a level of comfort with them now, one she hadn’t realized she needed but was glad it existed. While he measured and cut, she reviewed her notes to make sure she was totally satisfied with the design. Since he was cutting out the frame, it was a little late to turn back, but she could check anyway.
They worked in companionable silence for about twenty minutes before their volunteers arrived. Taylor stood to greet them and saw that while they’d been working the Marketplace had begun to get a little more crowded—and not just with visitors. The other three teams had arrived to work on their gingerbread houses as well. She avoided looking at their progress and instead smiled as the volunteers stepped onto the platform.
She began the introductions. “Adam, this is David, our new intern at the firm.”
“Nice to meet you.” Adam gave him a cordial nod. “You can, ah, lose the jacket.”
“Yes, sir,” David replied and immediately removed it.
David was in his last year of college. He looked nervous and a bit uncomfortable as he no doubt assumed all his work would take place in the office. Most of hers did the summer she’d interned at Ogilvy. Appearance was next to doing a fabulous job, so she could see why David had worn the jacket. But she did agree with Adam; he could take it off.
“And this is my friend and co-worker, Josephine,” Taylor continued. Josephine was all smiles with her Christmas tree earrings and festive green sweater.
“Hi,” Josephine said and added a wave.
Adam replied with a friendly, “Hi.”
“And this is my friend and neighbor, Wendy.”
Wendy smiled, but immediately apologized. “I’m sorry I couldn’t draft my kids, Taylor. But it’s for the best because they would have devoured the gingerbread.”
Taylor and Adam chuckled.
“Just like my daughter,” Adam said.
“Thanks for volunteering everyone,” Taylor began. “We have a big project ahead of us. So first, we put up the frame. Next we bake and cover the frame with gingerbread. And then, the final phase, decorating. We can make this amazing, if,” Taylor said while glancing at Adam, “we stay on schedule, that is.”
“Is that comment directed at me?” Adam stared at her.
“Well, I’m simply reminding everyone that we’re on a strict time limit.” Keeping her tone even she glanced at Adam but then looked at the volunteers.
Adam also kept his eyes on the volunteers this time. “But we want everyone to feel free to follow their creativity.”
Taylor’s smile remained in place. “As long as we meet certain benchmarks and construction timetables.” Her tone was a little pinched at the end, but that was because she wanted to make sure Adam was getting her point. They did not have time for him to linger with his creativity.
She tried to ignore how Josephine and Wendy were watching the exchange with amusement. Poor David simply continued to smile while holding his sports jacket.
“While making the most colorful and delicious gingerbread house we can,” Adam insisted with a smile.
At this point, David looked at Wendy and Josephine, who by this time were grinning conspiratorially.
Taylor felt her frustration with Adam returning. And just when she’d thought they’d found a comfortable common ground. “Okay do you remember what we agreed on? Staying on our own side of the street.”
Adam looked at her. “Yes, but—”
“You’re driving on my sidewalk,” she said speaking through the side of her mouth while looking at David.
David nodded and grinned at her in return.
When Adam and Taylor realized the volunteers were not only staring at them, but were also waiting for them to give instructions, they both stopped to take a deep breath.
“So, shall we begin?” Taylor asked.
The volunteers looked at each other and stifled another grin but immediately disbursed to begin working.
After all assignments were given out the team fell into an easy flow of getting the frame assembled. Taylor had finished reviewing her plans, and she came over to help Adam with attaching the beams. He hadn’t been joking when he’d said he was a jack of all trades. His father had not been a fan of Adam spending so much time in the kitchen learning from his mother, so it wasn’t unusual for Will to draft his son to help him on a worksite.
“This takes a little more precision than baking a cake,” Will would say in his gruff tone. “If you miss an ingredient in the cake, it doesn’t taste good. You toss it out.” He’d shrug his wide shoulders and turn his thick lips down in a frown. “But if you put these beams up and don’t make sure they’re level, or you haven’t secured these nails into measured intervals along the base here, then this entire house could come tumbling down. Get what I’m sayin’?”
Adam would nod because it was always easier to agree with his father. And truth be told, he enjoyed building things because it also allowed him to flex his creative muscles.
“I get it and I’ll make sure I’m measuring precisely. The last thing I want is for Jenny and this treehouse to crash to the ground. Mama would kill both of us.”
Then Will had chuckled. A rich booming sound that never failed to make Adam smile. His father was a good man with stern – sometimes rigid – rules and thoughts, but he’d taught Adam many things; most importantly, how to take care of his own family. Which was exactly what he was doing now. He only hoped joining this competition would continue to work in his family’s favor.
Taylor was standing on the other side of the frame, checking the half that Adam had just nailed into place. He was trying not to notice the soft floral scent of her perfume or how her long hair brushed lightly over her shoulders when she tilted her head. That’s when he caught her frowning at the corner beam. Adam shook his head and bent down to pick up the leveler. He handed it to her and she accepted it.
“How did you do that?” she asked.
“Do what?”
She looked at him skeptically. “Give me what I needed before I asked.”
“In the kitchen you get good at predicting who needs what. And you made a face,” he replied.
She looked at the leveler and then pressed it to the beam she’d been surveying. “And obviously you still want our house to have a traditional roof.”
“How do you know that?” he asked.
She smiled. “Because you made a face.”
Adam grinned. How was it they could be scratching against each other in disagreement one minute, but then existing in such easy friendliness the next?
That question wouldn’t be answered today as Adam glimpsed a familiar face heading toward the exhibit stage. Was that Nick Brexley? He was dressed in a dark colored suit, crisp white dress shirt and a festive red tie. For a slither of a moment Adam felt excitement at the possibility that somehow Nick had heard he’d entered this competition and wanted to let him know he’d be looking out for his work. As quickly as the giddy sensation appeared, it was gone. Annabelle stepped down from the stage to walk away with Brexley.
“Hey. You okay?”
Taylor had come to stand beside him and when he noticed she’d followed his gaze and was now watching Annabelle walk away with Nick, he put on the best smile he could muster.
“Sure am. Just taking a little break. But now that’s over. Back to work, ma’am.”
His tone was playful and Taylor immediately added, “I was going to tell you to get back to work.”
She’d looked back over her shoulder and he knew she wanted to ask more questions.
He decided to continue with the friendly rapport they’d had going before the interruption. “So, how did you get caught up in this project anyway?”
She went back to her measuring and shrugged. “My boss asked me to do it. Last month I was crafting a ten-story condo, and this week I’m in charge of gumdrops.”
He detected
an edge in her voice and was quick to declare, “There’s no shame in designing a gingerbread house.”
She didn’t admit or deny. “Well, I like a challenge – besides just working with you.”
Adam chuckled. “Very funny.”
They exchanged glances and in a blink, easy friendliness shifted to something else. Something strange and decidedly uncomfortable.
“And I’m in charge of gumdrops, by the way,” he announced and effectively broke the spell.
By the end of the day Adam had decided it was definitely getting worse. He’d found himself gazing at her more times than he should have. Watching her do simple things such as pick up a hammer or toss her head back in laughter at something Josephine and Wendy said. Even when they were both entrenched in the building process, Adam could still sense when she was close to him and searched for her when she wasn’t.
It was enough to annoy him but he’d pressed on anyway. Now that their workday was over, he felt a little relief. The volunteers had left an hour ago so it was just him and Taylor walking out the door. He held it open for her and she walked out into the early evening air.
“Why thank you.” She rubbed her hands together after she’d slipped on her gloves.
It was a cold, breezy day. Adam zipped his coat as they began to walk.
“I’d say we made pretty good progress today. The frame’s nearly done.” He looked around enjoying the atmosphere.
Lighted snowflakes danced on wire hung high above the street while ribbons and huge red bows wrapped around lamp posts. The area was full of people either going into the marketplace or coming out. Classical versions of holiday songs were being played inside and outside, so that the entire area was wrapped in holiday cheer.
“So, is it true what Brooke said before? Do you want to open your own bakery?” Taylor asked while they walked toward the parking garage.
He couldn’t help but admit how timely her question was, considering who he’d seen earlier.
“I wanted to,” he admitted. “I tried a while back, but no investors wanted to fund a culinary school drop out.”
Adam noticed earlier that Taylor hadn’t reacted in a negative way toward him telling her that he dropped out of school. That probably had more to do with the reason he left school rather than her actually thinking of him as a quitter. Still, he’d hoped the admission did not put him in a bad light in her eyes. Apparently it hadn’t.
“Well, if we win, maybe you should reach out to them again,” she continued.
Jenny had that same thought. But Adam wasn’t sure. “I’m doing this for one reason only, and that’s to make Brooke happy.”
Because thinking of it any other way was simply opening the door for disappointment. He’d had enough of that in his lifetime and had no intention of putting himself in line for more.
She nodded, but did not respond. They walked a little further until he couldn’t take it anymore. He had to ask.
“You think that means I lack ambition?”
Taylor stopped walking to look up at him. “Absolutely not. I think it makes you guilty of being a great dad.”
Adam had heard people say something was music to their ears before, but this was the first time he could actually relate to the saying. He couldn’t explain why it meant so much for her to understand where he was coming from and to not negatively judge him for it, but he actually felt like dancing to the tune of her compliment.
“Speaking of Brooke, she wanted me to give you something,” he said after they’d resumed walking and then stopped at the corner to wait for the traffic light to change.
Taylor tilted her head in question.
“An invitation for dinner tonight. And if those instant noodle cups you snuck in with the supplies are what you’re calling dinner, you have no choice but to accept our invitation.”
She thought about it a moment, but Adam knew her answer when he saw her lip lifting in a smile.
“Okay, sure. Anything for Brooke,” she replied.
Chapter Nine
Taylor stepped into Adam’s house and felt all of those thoughts she had last night come flooding back. For starters, it was very warm inside. It was extremely cold outside, so the heat was welcome. But stepping into a warm house always reminded Taylor of coming home after school before her parents had started traveling so much. Her mother had always bundled her up good with coat, hat, scarf and gloves, but when Taylor came home after unwrapping all of that stuff, she used to sit on the bottom step and just get warm.
They’d stopped at Brooke’s friend’s house to pick her up on the way and now they both stood in the same spot as last night removing their coats. But this time when Adam went to hang them up, he said, “You two can set the table. Dinner is a quick preparation that I’ll take care of.”
Brooke immediately grabbed Taylor’s hand. “Come on, Taylor. I’ll show you where everything is.”
Adam looked at her and they shared a grin before Taylor was whisked away.
“Daddy keeps all the knives on the back part of the counter so I can’t reach them,” Brooke said as they entered the kitchen.
“That’s a good idea. So why don’t we just get plates, napkins, forks and cups,” Taylor suggested.
She hesitated because even though she’d worked in this kitchen with Adam last night while baking, she wasn’t going in his cabinets and drawers. Sure, he’d given her permission by telling her to help Brooke, but it still felt a little odd.
“Over here in this drawer,” Brooke told her and moved to the other side of the kitchen.
Taylor decided not to overthink this. She was having dinner with her partner in a competition she was only in because of work. So he was like a co-worker. Yes, that was it. Dinner with a co-worker. No harm, no foul.
“Plates are up there,” Brooke said while she was selecting and counting the silverware.
Taylor took a slow breath and released it before opening the cabinet and taking out three plates. She closed the cabinet door and almost jumped when Adam was standing right there on the other side.
“Sorry,” he said and moved around her to grab something out of one of the lower cabinets.
Was he taller than she originally thought? Oh no, she’d changed out of the heeled boots she was wearing earlier and now had on flats. Still, he’d seemed really tall and really close to her just a few seconds ago.
“Come on Taylor, I have the napkins and the forks all set.”
Right. She was supposed to be setting the table with Brooke, not acting as if she’d lost her mind over her co-worker who had been nice enough to offer to feed her. Shaking her head and hopefully dismissing those crazy thoughts she’d been having for good, Taylor moved to the table to help Brooke.
Half an hour later they were sitting at the table enjoying the best pizza Taylor had ever tasted.
“That was delicious. Thank you both for inviting me. So what’s in the pizza anyway?” she asked just in case she’d like to try making it herself.
Adam sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest before giving her a smug look. “Just my special recipe,” he replied.
Taylor narrowed her gaze at him. “Except you don’t use recipes.”
Brooke chimed in, “Pecorino cheese, fennel sausage and truffle oil.”
“Hey, honey! Those are trade secrets,” Adam leaned over to say to Brooke who gave him a guilty shrug. “Guess Taylor’s now in our circle of trust.”
Taylor enjoyed watching them together. It was obvious how close they were. Even without Adam’s admission earlier today, she knew that he was the type of guy that would do anything and everything he could for his daughter. The sight made her respect him even more.
“Well, anyway,” she told them, “that was delicious. Seriously, the best dinner I’ve had in months.”
“I’m going to work on my diorama. Do you want to he
lp?” Brooke asked Taylor.
And because Taylor had been wondering about Brooke’s progress, she quickly replied, “Sure.”
They left Adam to clear the table and moved over to the second island between the kitchen and the dining room, occupied by Brooke’s class project.
“Oh, your Christmas diorama is looking better and better. You clearly have your dad’s gift for decorating.” Taylor was excited to see how much Brooke had gotten done. There were houses and people, snowmen and a piece of white felt covering the cardboard base representing snow.
Brooke did not look happy about the project. “It just takes so long though. I need a herd of reindeer and each reindeer takes forever to draw.”
“I see. Well, it doesn’t have to,” Taylor told her and reached over to grab a sheet of paper from the stack at the end of the table.
“All you need is a template. Just think of it as a Christmas cookie cutter but for art projects,” she continued.
Brooke smiled at her and a part of Taylor melted inside. This little girl was looking at her as if everything she were saying was the gospel. Taylor had only offered to help with the project, she hadn’t performed some great miracle. Actually, she’d done nothing to garner that gracious, appreciative and cute-as-a-button look from Brooke. But she liked it just the same.
“Here, let me show you,” Taylor said. “Let’s draw our reindeer.”
Taylor was used to drawing, even though it was normally buildings, houses, etc. She used to draw other things when she was a little girl, and while that had been a long time ago, she discovered it was just like riding a bike. Once she started, it all came back to her. And when it was done she looked down at the reindeer and thought she’d done a mighty fine job.
“Now, all we need to do is cut it out,” she told Brooke and reached for the scissors. She cut out the reindeer and held it up. “And we’ve got a master stencil to create all the reindeer we need. Viola!”
“Wow, thanks Taylor.” Brooke’s tone was incredulous as Taylor gave her another sheet of paper and placed the stencil on top for her to trace.
