Page 44 of Turning Up the Heat

“Here you go, Aunt Lanie.” Skip handed me a small burlap sack, then took off towards the tree.

“Well, guess I’m off to the next activity. See you guys in a bit!” Sue Ann waved back at us before hustling out after Skip.

“That seems like a relaxing night out,” Quinn said, shaking his head.

I laughed. “Not so much, those boys are crazy. But she’s a really great mom. My brother definitely scored with her. Okay, let’s do this.” I rolled up my sleeves, ready to dive into the art project.

Quinn grinned at me.

“What?”

“Nothing. You’re cute when you get focused.”

“Only when I get focused?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Yeah.” Leaning in close, he put his lips up to my ear. “Other times you’re sexy. But I was keeping it PG, on account of all the kids.” He moved back into his own space and a delicious shiver tingled all the way down my body.

“Thanks.” I smiled, locking my eyes with his. “Play your cards right and we can explore that later. Right now, though, we have a serious task at hand.”

I emptied the sack of ornament supplies: a selection of small Christmas figurines, felt pieces, sachets of glitter, tiny plastic jars of paint, and a round piece of wood resembling a tree stump.

“Any ideas?” I asked, fiddling with my necklace.

“Well, every year I make a firefighter ornament in honor of Station 54.”

“I like that...” I drew out the words. “But what about the bakery? Maybe I should do something to representLanie’s?”

“I have a better idea.” Quinn picked up the wood stump, black paint, and glitter.

“You’regoing to make it?” I asked, my brow raised. “Really? I’ve seen your artistic skills at work in the kitchen.”

“You just wait.” Quinn’s voice was low and determined. “It’ll be good.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll paint this angel while you do your thing.”

We worked side by side on our projects for the next fifteen minutes. I kept glancing over, trying to get a sneak peek, but Quinn blocked my view with his broad shoulders.

“Stop, Delaney, it’s a surprise,” he said, bumping my knee.

“Hmph, fine. I’m done. Just stringing my angel, then she’s ready for the tree.”

“Five more seconds. Hand me the glue, will you?”

I handed him the glue, craning my neck to see what he was doing, but he boxed me out.

“Patience,” he said, chiding me. He was definitely enjoying this.

I crossed and uncrossed my arms, trying to focus on the carolers and their acapellaTwelve Days of Christmasas they made their way through the square.

“Okay, I’m done. You can look now.” Quinn moved his hands away for the big reveal.

“Oh, Quinn, that’s so sweet!” I clasped my hands together, my heart full. He’d written our initials, Q.M. + D.M., along with the date, on the wooden stump, then overlaid it with glitter. It looked just like a carving you’d see on a tree in the woods.

“To commemorate our first ‘official’ date.” He held the ornament out to me with an uncharacteristically shy smile.

This was a softer, gentler side of Quinn I hadn’t seen before.

Leaning over, I dropped a soft kiss on his lips. “Thank you, I love it. C’mon, let’s go hang it on the tree. But don’t let me forget it at the end of the season. I’m keeping this.”

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