Ava’s mind raced, trying to come up with something halfway intelligent to say. She’d wanted to come here so badly. Now that she was here, however, she felt awkward and stiff. She walked over to the cookies, examining the various shapes and sizes. They were all so perfect that they looked like they’d come from a bakery.
Jazzie motioned. “Choose which one you want to decorate.”
“Maybe I should wash my hands first,” Ava said.
“Sure, go right ahead.” Harmony pointed to the nearby sink.
Her hands washed and dried, Ava was ready. She felt like a kid as she looked at the decorating bags filled with red, green, and white icing. Also, there was a large assortment of sprinkles. She selected a Christmas tree, figuring that wouldn’t be terribly difficult. Then again, she had little experience decorating cookies. Time would tell. She pulled out a barstool and sat down. Warmth sparked through her when Beckett sat down right next to her, so close their knees were nearly touching. He reached for a cookie shaped like a candy cane. Ava assumed he planned to decorate it. Instead, he took a giant bite. “Um, that’s good,” he murmured.
“Hey, now,” Harmony scolded. “We need to at least decorate a few cookies before you guys gobble them up.” She frowned, looking back and forth between Beckett and Jazzie.
“I like ‘em better without frosting,” Beckett said with a shrug.
Jazzie made a face. “I like both.” She paused. “Maybe the iced ones better.”
Harmony held up a finger. “I promised the committee ladies at church that I’d donate ten dozen for the cookie exchange.”
Ava went bug-eyed. Ten dozen? Wow, that was a lot of cookies. Harmony was a saint.
A grin slid over Beckett’s face as if reading Ava’s mind. “The minute Thanksgiving’s over, Mom starts baking and doesn’t stop until New Year’s. She won’t rest until she’s given cookies to three quarters of the population in Park City.”
“Probably more than that,” Jazzie piped in.
“That’s not true,” Harmony blustered, lightly slapping Beckett’s arm.
“It’s true,” Jazzie mouthed, then clamped her lips together, her eyes laughing, when Harmony gave her a sharp look.
Harmony let out a long sigh, her hand going to her hip. “As you can see, my family gets great delight out of tormenting me.” Her expression was solemn, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.
“We love you, Mom,” Beckett said soothingly. “We’re glad you like to bake.” He touched his flat stomach. “I’m only complaining because if I hang around here too long, I won’t be able to fit into my pants.”
“Oh, stop.” Harmony shook her head. “Men,” she muttered, giving Ava a conspiratorial grin.
Ava laughed, her tension dissolving. She picked up the green icing and piped it over the cookie. After it was base coated, she made red balls for ornaments. She attempted to do a red bow for the top, but it looked pathetic. Beckett and Jazzie also went to work, decorating their cookies. A few minutes later, when the cookies were complete, they inspected them. Ava’s wasn’t great, but the sprinkles helped make it look decent. Jazzie’s Santa was cute, but simple. Ava’s jaw dropped when she saw Beckett’s snowman. It was pristine, every detail artfully done. He even added in the plaid on the scarf.
“How,” she sputtered, “did you do that?”
Jazzie made a face. “Show-off,” she pouted.
Harmony looked at it, flashing Beckett a doting smile. “Yep, you’re still the master.”
Beckett reddened a little under the praise. “Ah, it’s nothing,” he said nonchalantly.
“You may not know this about Beckett, but he’s an artist,” Harmony explained, pride sounding in her voice.
“Really?” The rough and tumble firefighter was also an artist? Ava shook her head. “No, I didn’t know that.” The more she learned about Beckett, the more surprises there were. He was a fascinatingly complicated man.
Jazzie laughed in amusement. “How could Ava know? She and Dad only met last night.”
Harmony looked surprised. “Oh, I didn’t realize. The two of you seem so well suited for each other.”
Well suited for each other. Ava liked the sound of that.
Beckett’s mouth moved like he was trying to figure out how to respond. Before he could, Jazzie chimed in, her tone matter-of-fact. “Yeah, we were at the bowling alley. Ava was in the lane next to us, and Dad couldn’t stop making googly eyes, so I asked her to join us.”
Harmony laughed in surprise. Beckett’s face turned tomato red and he made a gurgling sound like a sock was stuck in his windpipe. So, he’d been checking her out. Ava thought—hoped—that was the case. He was so darn cute that Ava couldn’t help but laugh. Beckett gave Jazzie an exasperated look. “Do you have to tell everything?”
Jazzie grinned like a Cheshire Cat. “Well, it’s true.” She shrugged. “Ava must like you too, Dad, or she wouldn’t have come here tonight.” She looked at Ava expectantly. “Isn’t that right?”
All eyes flew to Ava as she coughed. Dang it! Now a sock was stuck in her windpipe. She knew her face was flaming like a beacon. Now would be the appropriate time to utter a cute quip to downplay the situation, but no words would come. She felt like everyone could see right through her, and they would know she’d longed to get to know Beckett for some time now.
“I’m sorry,” Beckett began. He shot Jazzie a reproving look. “There are times when it’s wise to use discretion.”
Jazzie wrinkled her nose. “What’s discretion?”
“Never mind.” Beckett laughed, shaking his head. His eyes held Ava’s. “You’ll never want to come here again.”
“No,” she blurted, “that’s not true. I’m enjoying every minute of being here.” She smiled at Jazzie. “I’m glad you invited me to join you last night. I can’t remember when I last had such a good time.”
Beckett cocked his head, a pleased smile tugging at his lips. “Really?”
“Really,” Ava said softly, thinking how she could get lost in the depth of his rich liquid-brown eyes. It wasn’t fair for a guy to be so good looking, not pretty but rugged and chiseled. A man’s man. Her gaze took in his lean jaw, firm lips. Heat simmered in her stomach as she wondered how his lips would feel against hers.
“That’s good,” Beckett uttered softly.
Harmony cleared her throat, her eyes sparkling. “Uh, let’s get back to decorating cookies.”
Ava jerked, her skin burning with the heat of embarrassment. What was it about Beckett that had her so enthralled? She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so alive, like a new world of opportunity had unfolded. A part of her wished they could just stay like this, two people who met spontaneously and fell in love. She jerked inwardly, hardly believing she’d thought such a thing. Love? Really? She was losing it, for sure.
“I can show you a few decorating techniques,” Beckett offered.
“Sure, that’d be great.” A smile quivered at her lips.
“What?” he asked, giving her a quizzical look.
She gave in to the smile as it filled her face. “I just have a hard time reconciling the firefighter with the cookie decorator.”
Beckett’s face fell as Harmony’s warm laughter filled the room. “Maybe we should call you Beckett Crocker.”
“Seriously?” Beckett complained.
Harmony’s lips drew together sheepishly. “Sorry. Bad joke.”
Jazzie hooted. “If your crew heard about you decorating cookies, they’d never let you hear the end of it.”
“That’s why they don’t need to ever hear about it,” Beckett said firmly, but Jazzie only laughed.
“Wait until I tell Captain Garrett and Char! She’d love to hear this.”
Beckett shook his head, grinning. “Garrett and Charlotte are members of my firefighter crew. And you’re right. I’d never hear the end of it if they found out.” He gave Jazzie a beseeching look. “You wouldn’t oust your old man, would ya, princess?”
Jazz
ie sighed, twisting a finger around her curl. “I guess not.”
Everyone laughed.
Harmony brought her hands together. “All right. Get to work. I’d like to have these decorated before next Christmas.”
“She’s such a taskmaster,” Beckett lamented, tsking his tongue.
“There’ll be hot chocolate afterwards,” Harmony added, “with marshmallows.”
“Yes!” Jazzie said.
“Dangling that carrot, huh, Mom?” Beckett teased.
Harmony grunted. “I have to dangle something for you to get to work.” She reached for the snowman and placed it on a separate plate. “I’ll just put this one aside for the cookie exchange.” She motioned. “Go ahead, Son, work your magic. The ladies at the church are counting on you.”
Beckett made a face. “Now you know the real reason she wants us to decorate cookies. Free labor.”
“That’s right. Get to work,” Harmony said, winking. “Chop, chop.”
He chuckled, letting out a long, labored sigh. “All right, Mom. Just know that I only do this for you. ‘Beckett Crocker’,” he muttered under his breath. “I still can’t believe you said that.” He chose another cookie and went to work decorating. Ava did the same. Jazzie, however, slid off the stool.
Beckett’s brows drew together. “Hey, where’re you going?”
Jazzie thrust out her lower lip, folding her arms over her chest. “I’m tired of decorating. I’m going to watch a movie.” Jazzie gave Harmony a pleading look. “May I, please?”
“Of course,” Harmony nodded.
The corners of Beckett’s lips turned down in a mock frown. “I see how it is,” he joked. “You let the princess go relax while the slave works.”
Harmony just laughed as Jazzie slipped out of the kitchen.
Chapter 4
When it was just the three of them, Harmony looked at Ava. “So, tell me about yourself.”
Glancing at Beckett, Ava could tell he was keenly interested in what she had to say. She gathered her thoughts, trying to decide how much she should tell them. “I’m an interior designer.” It was always good to start with the career, that was neutral enough.
“Oh, no.” Harmony’s eyes rounded as she glanced around the kitchen. “Now, I’m embarrassed for you to see my house. There’s so much that needs to be done.”
“Your house is beautiful,” Ava countered, “truly. I love the homey feel.”
Harmony’s face brightened. “Thank you.” She looked thoughtful. “I want to redo Phillip’s study. Maybe you could give me some tips.”
“Sure, I’ll be happy to.”
“I can pay you.”
Ava waved a hand. “No need for that,” she said quickly. “Let me just help as a friend.”
Harmony’s eyes clouded. “I don’t want to take advantage—”
“You won’t, I promise,” Ava assured her.
“Thank you,” Harmony said.
“You’re welcome.” Ava could’ve lived a month on the look of appreciation Beckett gave her. Her insides turned to mush as she smiled back. Not wanting another embarrassing moment with the two of them gazing into each other’s eyes, while Harmony looked on, Ava looked down breaking the connection. A beat of silence stretched between them, and Ava realized they were waiting for her to tell them more about herself. She wet her lips. “I grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi.”
Beckett tipped his head. “Really? You don’t have a Southern accent.”
“No, not anymore. I used to. My mom died when I was sixteen, so I went to live with my dad and grandparents.”
“I’m sorry,” Harmony said.
“Thanks,” Ava responded casually. “It was a long time ago.” Truthfully, going to live with her dad and grandparents had been the best thing that ever happened to Ava. Before that, life was hard.
“Where do your dad and grandparents live?” Harmony asked.
Ava’s throat tightened. “They’re all gone.”
Beckett looked up, frowning. “Gone?”
She forced a smile. “Yeah, my dad died when I was eighteen. He had a congenital heart defect. No one realized until it was too late.” The sympathy on their faces evoked a wave of emotion. Ava blinked rapidly. Her sorrow wasn’t for her dad. She’d long since made peace with his death. It was her grandfather’s death that had punched a hole in her heart. Mechanically, she answered the question she knew they were probably thinking. “I don’t have the defect. My grandfather had me tested.” The relief on Beckett’s face was surprising and flattering. Maybe he was starting to care a little about her too. She rushed to finish the rest. “My grandmother died a couple years ago. And, my grandfather…” Tears misted her eyes. She swallowed, looking down. Beckett touched her hand. His touch was both comforting and thrilling. A tear escaped the corner of her eye. She laughed, brushing it away with her free hand. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” Beckett said.
“Thanks,” she uttered, laughing humorlessly. “Normally, I’m not this emotional. It’s just that my grandfather passed away two weeks ago. I’m still trying to deal with it.”
“I’m so sorry.” Harmony gave her a concerned look.
“That must’ve been rough.” The tenderness in Beckett’s tone seeped into her heart. Their eyes connected. In them, she saw a depth of feeling of one who’d also known pain and heartache. Gently, he squeezed her hand.
“Yes, it was.” All she could think about was his hand over hers, the warmth of his long, tapered fingers.
Harmony’s features tightened with concern. “Do you have any family left?”
The words rushed out. “My aunt, uncle, and their kids. But we’re not close.” Not close? She chuckled darkly inside. That was the understatement of the century. Ted and Libby hated her guts, almost as much as they’d hate Beckett when they found out what was coming down the pipe.
Why in the heck was she telling Beckett and Harmony all this? To make them feel sorry for her? She was pitiful. She drew in a breath. “I’m sorry. You don’t want to hear all this.”
Beckett removed his hand, and she immediately felt the loss of his closeness.
“Yes, we do,” Beckett argued. A look passed between Beckett and Harmony.
“What?” Ava asked, feeling as though she were missing something.
“We want you to spend Christmas with us,” Harmony said.
Ava’s eyes rounded. “Huh?” She looked at Beckett who was studying her intensely. She moistoned her lips, her throat going dry. “Um, I don’t want to intrude.”
“You don’t want to have Christmas with us?” Beckett asked, a challenging look in his eyes.
Ava smiled. This was reminiscent of her response the night before when Jazzie invited her to decorate cookies. “Of course, I want to. I just don’t want to impose.”
The idea of spending Christmas with Beckett and his family was glorious. Then again, everything would change soon and they may not want her spending Christmas with them. Suddenly, she wondered if her grandfather’s plan was flawed. Beckett and his family were happy as they were. Maybe it was wrong to mess with their lives. Too late now. Everything was in place. Irrevocable. No turning back, not even for Ava. Her grandfather had made sure of that.
Harmony brought her hands together, smiling broadly. “Good, it’s settled. You’ll spend Christmas with us.”
“Don’t think that gets you off the hook,” Beckett added.
She rocked back. “Huh?”
A crooked smile stole over his lips. “I plan on the two of us spending lots of time together.”
The sure promise in his voice made her insides purr. “I’d like that,” she heard herself say.
After the cookies were decorated and they drank hot chocolate, it was time for Ava to go. “Thanks again,” she said to Harmony who gave her a tight hug.
“Come back soon.”
“I will,” Ava assured her. Beckett’s mom was the picture of class, yet down-to-earth, the kind of person Ava could see herself
being friends with. Hopefully, I’ll still be welcome after everything goes down.
Ava picked up her coat and purse, waving to Jazzie who was kicked back on the recliner, a large bowl of popcorn in her lap. “See you later.”
“Bye, Ava. Thanks for coming.” She flashed Beckett a wicked grin. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again.”
“Yes, we will.” His gaze lingered on Ava long enough for the intimate smile in his warm eyes to stoke a flame inside Ava’s heart.
Jazzie’s face twisted in disgust. “Yuck, Dad. Get a room.”
Beckett jerked, his head whirling around to Jazzie. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry,” Jazzie squeaked, her cheeks turning pink.
“That’s not acceptable,” he said, his tone unyielding.
Jazzie looked down at the popcorn bowl, her expression turning glum. “I said I’m sorry,” she muttered. “Geez, why’re you making such a big deal about it?” She stirred a finger through the popcorn.
“Because it is a big deal.” Beckett turned to Ava. “I’m so sorry.”
She smiled, feeling sorry for Jazzie. “It’s okay.” She leaned close to Beckett and whispered. “She probably just heard that somewhere and doesn’t even realize what it means.”
He rubbed his neck. “Yeah, I suppose so.” He paused, looking at Jazzie. “I’m walking Ava out.”
Jazzie nodded, her eyes on the TV like she was glued to it, so she wouldn’t have to engage with Beckett.
Beckett helped Ava put on her coat and placed his hand on the small of her back as they went to the door. When they stepped outside, a blast of wind hit them full force, snowflakes swirling. Ava shivered, hugging her arms. “You shouldn’t be out here without a coat.”
The Christmas Bliss Romance Collection Page 32
