Page 60 of Carpenter's Christmas Bride

“Get in here,” Valerie called out. “We need to get some coffee in you so we can start on the baskets.”

“Hang on,” Mal said over her shoulder.

“I’m okay,” Kenzie told her. “Really. I just came from the ballet theatre. It was a long day. That’s all.”

“Hey,” Ana said softly, tucking her long, dark hair behind her ear. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too, Ana,” Kenzie said. “It’s been too long since I had serious girl time.”

“Yes,” Mal said. “There she is. Why don’t we get you off your feet, and you can let me know what kind of drink I can make you? Gingerbread latte? Peppermint mocha?”

“Chai latte?” Kenzie asked.

“Coming right up,” Mal declared, sliding behind the counter to get it started.

Ana walked Kenzie over to the long table the three women had been lounging around when she arrived. Most of the table was laden with trays of beautiful holiday treats.

“Here we go,” Ana said, taking a seat beside Valerie at the empty end of the table.

Kenzie lowered herself to the chair opposite them, marveling at how different these three women were.

Ana had a sort of refined hippie-chic style. She wore the beautiful long flowing skirts and blouses that she and her mom sold in their store, Pura Vida. Her hair was long and dark, and she was stunningly lovely without a bit of makeup. Her soft voice was echoed in the softness of her movement and her gentle smile, which could light up a room.

Valerie’s hard angles stood out beside her friend’s softness. The jewelry store owner was rail-thin, wore fashionable clothing no matter the occasion, and even her hair was cut at a sharp angle. Two slender silver bangles clicked on her arm when she moved, and Kenzie suspected that she utilized the sound to emphasize her points.

Kenzie had been a little intimidated by Valerie after their first meeting. But Mal assured her that Valerie was tough, but as loyal as they came, and that there was no one better to have in your corner when the chips were down.

“How’s The Nutcracker coming along?” Valerie asked.

“It’s amazing,” Kenzie sighed happily. “As usual.”

“Probably a little less amazing now that you’ve done it in New York,” Valerie suggested.

“Oddly, no,” Kenzie said. “In New York, it’s amazing but stressful. Here, it’s amazing but… joyful.”

“I can see that,” Ana said with a smile. “That’s your grandmother’s influence.”

“And there’s probably less pressure when the tickets aren’t a couple hundred bucks a pop and people aren’t coming from all over the world to see it,” Valerie said, nodding.

“I don’t know,” Mal called out, over the sound of the steamer. “I had to stand in line for two hours for our tickets this year.”

“You’re coming?” Kenzie asked, amazed.

“Of course we are,” Valerie said. “We always go.”

“It’s a tradition,” Ana added with a smile.

“That’s so cool,” Kenzie said, feeling personally gratified, even though she’d had almost nothing to do with this year’s production.

Mal came over and set a steaming paper cup in front of Kenzie. The sweet scent of cardamom drifted up to her, and Kenzie hummed with pleasure.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Oh, wait until you’re done packing baskets before you thank me,” Mal laughed. “It’s going to be a long night.”

“I think it’ll be fun,” Kenzie said, gazing down the table at the array of treats.

There were peppermint rolls, gingerbread boys and girls, raspberry tarts, chocolate-covered delicacies, pecan sandies, rum balls, and so many more. A stack of pretty baskets sat beside them, along with bins of tissue paper, shredded paper in a red and white candy cane style, a huge box of plastic wrap, and a bag of Christmas bows.

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