Page 6 of Don't Go Bakin' My Heart Holiday

“You look great.” I took his hand in mine. “Come on.”

“Where are you taking me? I’m really not hungry. I’ve been eating broken cookies all day.”

“Not eating.” I pulled him through the shop.

“Have fun!” Tammy Sue called out as I dragged him behind me.

“See you later, Tammy Sue.” I pushed open the door, and we walked out onto the sidewalk.

“I feel like I’m being set up for something,” he huffed. “You and your secret surprises.”

“I thought you liked my secret surprises,” I teased.

“I like them when there’s no clothes involved,” he chuckled. “I really like those kinds of surprises.”

“This is not that kind of… Trust me. Come on.” We walked together down the street and underneath the large Christmas Market banner that was being carefully hung over Main Street. “Looking good, guys,” I called as I hurried us along.”

“It’s so pretty. You really have done an amazing job.”

“You’re just saying that. You’ve barely gotten out of your bakery for the last two weeks.”

“Busy time, you know? I know we haven’t had a lot of together time here lately. I’m sorry.” He sounded so sad, and that was not what I wanted.

“You do not need to apologize for working, Perce. It’s your shop, and it’s one of the busiest times of the year for you. I understand, even if I do miss us.”

“I miss us, too. You make me want to throw caution to the wind, and that scares the shit out of me.”

I wrapped my arm around him and pulled him close as we walked. “I know, babe. But sometimes, all you can do is trust. I trust you, and I think you trust me. So let the stuff go that doesn’t need to take up rent in your brain. Ok?”

“I’ll try.”

We stopped in front of the courthouse, and I turned him towards the Christmas tree. “Come on. We’re making sure that everything is perfect for tomorrow. But to do that, we need your help.”

“Mine? I know nothing about this stuff, Ben,” he whined, which made me laugh heartily.

We walked around the tree and underneath the large arch of presents that led to a red carpet in front of a giant throne. Santa Clause waved at us from his seat. It was really Mister Jakowski who owned a farm outside of town. He had readily volunteered this year, and he already had the suit.

“He looks perfect. Who is it?”

“It’s Santa Clause, and he’s ready to hear your wish.” I slapped him on the butt as we walked down the red carpet.

“What? I’m not twelve.” He literally scoffed.

“You are not. But you still get a Christmas wish. In fact, you get the very first Christmas wish in the entire town, and we all know that a wish made on Santa’s lap is bound to come true.”

“This is silly. I’m going to get flour all over him.”

“Get up there and stop your bitching. You work so hard, babe. Don’t you believe in the power of wishes? I do.”

Percy looked at me wide-eyed. “You really do love all of this Christmas stuff, don’t you? Alright. But I have to think of a wish.”

“Don’t think. Just sit, and the perfect wish – the one your heart wants to make will come to you. It’s the power of Santa,” I chuckled.

“You really are too cute. How you can be this big he-man and a seven-year-old boy at the same time always surprises me.” He kissed me on the cheek and let go of my hand. “Hi, Santa.” He walked up to the throne. “I think I might be too big for your lap.”

“Nonsense. Santa’s lap is big enough for everyone,” Santa laughed with his trademarked ho-ho-ho. It really was a very good Santa impression. The kids were going to love him.

Percy glanced over his shoulder at me and shook his head in disbelief before he turned and sat down on Santa’s knee. “I’m not too heavy?”

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