Page 25 of Blame It On The Carols

“It’s that sweet coffee crap you sent over that’s had me up all night,” Aiden countered, lifting his cup to take another drink.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, what’s the deal with the candy canes?” I asked Sam, curious to hear his explanation.

His cheeks flushed an adorable shade of red before he answered.

“My grandpa used to tell me that the key to solving a lover’s quarrel was to sit down, have a cup of coffee, and eat candy canes. By themselves, they’re just candy canes, but put them together, and they make a heart. It’s obvious that you and Aiden have had a lover’s quarrel, so I just thought candy canes were fitting.” He shrugged, but I barely noticed it as I caught Aiden’s eye.

“Alright, everyone, are we ready to get the sugar cookie decorating started?” Andi called out, interrupting the moment, which was probably for the best.

Sam smiled and walked off to join the others as Aiden placed his hand on my lower back and guided me over. It was the new thing he did, and I didn’t mind it at all. It was comforting and made me feel safe and protected, even if my body craved his touch elsewhere.

“Today we’re going to get our hands dirty and make some fun by—”

“This isn’t the toddler decorating class,” a cute guy off to the side said, making Andi pause.

“Oh my gosh,” she said with a laugh. “I swear, I do that class so often that the words just roll out of my mouth without thinking about it. Sorry, guys. Anyway, we’re going to welcome Makayla home by showing her how we do Christmas in Sugarplum Falls. Things are a lot different here than in the big city. We’ve brought plenty of cookies to decorate, but if you need anything, just holler. Zach or I will make our way around to check how everyone is doing.”

“You know you didn’t have to do all of this, right?” I asked Aiden as he led me to one of the tables and pulled a chair out for me.

“I know I don’thaveto do anything. I wanted to.”

Andi set a plate of sugar cookies down on our table before rushing off to grab the stuff to decorate them with. The door opened and I expected to see the guys from my security team, but was surprised to see my mom and the ladies from the choir instead.

I got up and walked over to help take some of the bags my mom was struggling to carry.

“What is all of this?” I asked, noticing the crockpots that were being lined up on the bar where the coffee cups had been.

“Lunch.” My mom smiled and then started unloading the stuff from the bags.

“What?”

“We brought lunch. Aiden called and told me what was happening, so I rallied the ladies, and we all put together lunch for everyone since we were heading over to rehearse anyway. It made me a few minutes late, but I don’t mind. I brought pulled pork and stuff to make sandwiches. Shirley made her famous chili, and Susie brought a peach cobbler for dessert. Linda is on her way, and she’s bringing beef stew.”

“Aiden called you too?” I asked, not wanting to poke the bear by reminding her that she was more than justa few minuteslate.

“He did. He also told me that you haven’t been decorating for Christmas,” she lowered her voice as she looked around, making sure no one else could hear.

“Sorry, mom. I’ve been a little busy.”

“Well, we should still make time for the important stuff. The nice thing is that you’re spending Christmas in Sugarplum Falls this year, so we’re going to make sure it’s the best Christmas ever. You better get over there and start decorating your cookies. We’re a highly competitive bunch, and I don’t want to brag, but I decorate the best cookies. I would hate to take out my own daughter, but I will.”

“Okay, okay,” I said with a laugh, holding my hands in front of me. “I don’t know what you’ve done with my mom, but I like this.”

She swatted my butt playfully as I made my way back to the table Aiden was sitting at, admiring how cute he looked as he worked on decorating his cookie.

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