Page 14 of Holiday Hijinks

Slate muttered under his breath but crossed to the refrigerator, pulling out a carton of eggs and other ingredients. “That’s because the waffle maker was leaking batter all over my kitchen counter and floor. It goes against my neat and orderly ways.”

“Thank God you’re marrying me and not Anna,” she joked. “She makes it look like a hurricane tore through the house when she’s finished with any project—cooking or otherwise.”

“Indeed,” he said with a smirk. “Having Anna as my sister-in-law is more than enough trouble some days.”

“But you’re making her my sister, too,” Ashleigh said with a smile. “And for that, I’m grateful. Who would’ve thought? It’s almost like something out of one of my books. Two best friends marrying two brothers.”

Slate chuffed out a laugh but got to work chopping veggies for their omelets.

Ashleigh’s phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, and surprise washed over her as she picked it up to read a text from her own sister.

Bentley:Merry Early Christmas! Change of plans. We’re still in town! Let’s get together later this week, okay?

Bentley:Enjoy your romantic Christmas with your honey! ;)

Ashleigh’s jaw dropped. “Oh my gosh, I thought my sister was flying somewhere tropical and warm for Christmas with her family,” Ashleigh said as she looked over at Slate. “They’re still in Seattle!”

“Oh yeah?” he asked as he cracked some eggs in a bowl and began whisking them.

“Yes, I can’t believe it. She just texted me that we should get together later in the week.”

Slate turned and kissed the frown off her face, his lips quirking. “That sounds like a good plan. We’re only an hour from Seattle.”

“Definitely. I was so bummed they wouldn’t be here when we flew up from California,” she said, quickly thumbing a message back to her sister. “I wonder why she waited until now to tell me? Anyhow. Not that I mind alone time with you, but this is perfect. We’ll get to see my niece, nephew, and brother-in-law, too. Shoot. I already mailed their gifts ages ago.”

“I’m sure they’ll be happy to see us either way,” Slate assured her. “Jett mentioned they might fly out here, too,” he said casually as he turned his attention toward the stove.

“What?” Ashleigh asked in surprise.

He nodded, melting some butter in the frying pan and grabbing the chopped veggies to sauté. “They’ll probably go skiing or something. Don’t worry. He told me they’re getting a hotel in the city. We’ll make plans to see them, too.”

Ashleigh frowned again, watching Slate. “I just texted Anna yesterday. She didn’t say anything about coming out here to Washington.”

“You know Anna,” he said, lifting one broad shoulder. “She probably woke up this morning and decided it.”

“But how’d you know about it then?”

Slate poured the whisked eggs into the pan, the sizzling sound filling the air. Ashleigh shook her head as she picked up her mug of coffee again, taking a sip. “It just seems strange, right? Both of them ending up in Seattle when we’re here? I mean, what are the chances?”

A loud rapping on the front door had her nearly spilling her coffee in surprise, and Slate glanced out the window. “It’s a delivery truck. That must be one of your presents.”

“What in the world?” she asked as he directed her to watch the stove while he answered the front door. Ashleigh moved the eggs around in the frying pan with the spatula, the scent of onions and mushrooms filling the kitchen. She watched out the window as Slate signed for the package and then came back inside with a big grin on his face.

“Do I get to see what it is?” she asked as he set a brown box on the counter.

“Maybe after we eat.” He took the spatula from her, looking rather proud of himself for whatever secret present had arrived, and pulled out his phone again to check his texts.

“Slate,” she pleaded. “What’s going on? What’s this big surprise you’re plotting? Gifts are arriving. People I didn’t expect to see are coming to Seattle at the same time as us. Aren’t you going to tell me?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he promised.

“How soon?”

“When the surprise is ready.” The corner of his lips tugged up in a smile. She playfully pouted at him but moved away from the stove so that he could finish cooking. “I might give you your gift tomorrow,” she told him, taking another sip of her steaming coffee.

“On Christmas Eve?” His green gaze flicked toward her.

“Maybe. I’m pretty excited about it, and you’ve already been arranging surprises for me,” she pointed out. “I don’t know if I want to wait until Christmas morning to give you your present.”

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