Page 7 of Baking Spirits Bright!

“Cow-patty drop?”

I smile. “They do that in Tennessee too?”

“Oh yeah. We also have milk goats. There’s a good chance some people from my state are at that show.”

Now I’m even more intrigued by this Ryan. He smiles, and his eyes travel up and down, as if committing me to memory. My face and neck heat up when his eyes land on mine.

“You look nice.”

“Thanks.”

“Not that you didn’t earlier.” He grits his teeth.

“I didn’t take it that way,” I correct, then laugh.

A phone rings. He drops the cookie he’s holding on top of the others and reaches in his back pocket. He stares at his phone, then answers it.

“Okay, I can meet you there, thanks.” He ends the call and looks at me. “That’s my Airbnb host.” He shoves his phone in his pocket and extends a hand. “It was nice seeing you again, Erica.”

I take his hand. Instead of shaking it, I grip it casually. “You too, Ryan.”

He stares into my eyes and smiles. My hand warms, and I remember it’s still locked to his. I drop it and smile. “Yeah, I should go. Hope to see you around,” I say.

“Me too.”

I watch him hurry toward the parking lot, then I bite into my reindeer. It’s every bit as good as the Santa. My mom and aunt better bring their A-game.

Ryan

The camper looks exactly as portrayed on Airbnb. Plus a few hundred Christmas lights, flamingos with reindeer antlers, and a giant blowup Santa. I hope there’s one main kill switch to all these lights or I’ll never sleep.

A middle-aged man holding two small dogs comes out the door soon as I park. The dogs are wearing Christmas clothes, and he’s in a Santa hat. Quite the festive bunch.

“Woody Miller.” He shuffles the chihuahuas and extends a hand. “And before you ask, I’m no relation to Nate ‘the Great’ Miller.” He winks. “I did that whole spit-in-a-tube thing to check my DNA and see.”

“Ryan Lewis.” I shake his hand. “Thanks for meeting me so soon.”

“No problem. I would’ve been here sooner, but I’m working swing shifts.” He drops my hand and holds up the dogs. “This is Taco, and this is Belle.”

I nod. “Pleased to meet them.” I glance toward the RV, anxious to get inside.

“Oh yeah. Come on in.” He turns and hurries up the steps, holding the door open for me.

“Thanks.”

It’s small, but clean and neat. Which is a big relief since I verbally committed.

“The missus and I lived here a bit, then needed more room since we’re expecting another kid.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” He pets the dogs. “Thanks to these two rascals, we’ll be puppy grandparents any day now.”

I get a closer look at the dogs. That must mean the fat one is pregnant.

“We’re expecting anywhere from one to three, so we went ahead and bought a double-wide.” He clears his throat. “Everything is hooked up and ready to go. If you want to pay me, you can skip the online fees.” He winks.

“Great. How should I pay you?”

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