Page 11 of The Princess Home for Christmas

Chapter 5

Dahlia smiled when her phone dinged again. Then frowned.

I’m off for the night. Enjoy your evening.

Why did he have to get off? Was she pestering him? Too many texts at once? Some people her age were not big texters. She had agonized over sending that first text, but she couldn’t stay silent. She always preferred honesty and open communication to any of the games people played when dating, but being the first one to say something was always scary. Of course she had not been the first. He had shown considerable interest already on his part. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to open the door to anything different from what they already had. But after several hours of mulling over just how she felt about him, she decided to find out. Her thoughts still a jumble, she was happy to explore her feelings through communication.

And texting him made her happy. He was surprisingly fun and flirty and open.

And now dismissive. “Ugh” She threw her phone on the bed. Then she flopped down on her stomach and reminded herself of all the annoying aspects of getting close to him. Like the publicity. She couldn’t possibly have more publicity in her life. Her high profile status was already a risk for others she tried to help. Luckily she had been the boring Valdez sibling for so long the paparazzi were not usually following her. But if Thomas stepped into her life? That story was too good not to guzzle up, with plenty of photos from their youth floating around to entertain.

And didn’t he have some baggage somewhere they would unearth? She remembered something about an old girlfriend? No, cousin? Sister? Something that would surely be broadcast around the world as soon as it was rediscovered.

The more attention she received, the less chance her people could continue living in hiding. She risked so much for them already. If she could just get them assigned a safe nation, then she wouldn’t have to worry so much anymore. But chances of that were slim…unless she could convince Nico. Since the refugees were already so close.

She fell asleep with whirling crazy thoughts of Nico chasing down refugees until Thomas stepped out in front with a sword. While she was running and then flying, getting close but never quite arriving to aid in any way. When she woke up, she felt as if she hadn’t slept at all, and nothing had been resolved in her mind either.

But today was the day to sponsor the gingerbread houses in the village. And this job always fell to her. JC would help. Dahlia had invited her to join since she was the family baker. It seemed only right. And JC had been thrilled, though she insisted on entering a house anyway, anonymously, because, as she said it wouldn’t be a palace gingerbread contest if Stefanos, her centuries old bakery, did not participate.

They would dress in fun elf costumes of red and green and make their way to the town hall building right in the middle of the town square. Over the years, this contest had grown into something huge. Locals of all kinds participated. People whose families had been represented for years as well as newcomers, and lately, many foreigners. A couple baking shows had picked it up and it was fast becoming an international acclaim to enter and be featured in the gingerbread house contest.

Dahlia smiled. She’d be posting her favorites on Instagram, her one social media outlet, before the actual judging began.

The morning passed quickly and she bounced with excitement as their car pulled into the village. “I feel like a child again.”

JC laughed. “Baked goods bring out that feeling in everyone.”

“You would know. How lucky did we get that Tripp married a Stefano.” Dahlia loved the two of them.

“I feel just as lucky.” JC’s grin said it all. Dahlia wanted that kind of grin about someone someday.

But today was all about the smells and tastes of the holiday season and Dahlia tried to walk with grace and charm across the street and into the town hall building, even while dressed as an elf with bells dangling off her hat.

Press was limited, and as always she asked for distance shots or none at all. They focused on the decorations of the town and on JC who was familiar with the limelight. And once inside, they focused solely on the actual gingerbread houses.

As soon as Dahlia stepped in the door, she breathed in deeply. “That smell. There is nothing like it.”

JC laughed. “Look at the town replica!”

Every year the village worked together to make a replica of their small Main Street. Every shop, the fountain, town hall, even the cobblestone streets were all represented, and with intricate detail.

“Oh my word.” Dahlia ran forward to another table.

And this year, someone had made the palace. In its enormity, sprawling across the front right corner of the room. She got out her phone to take multiple angled pictures. “This is remarkable. Look! There’s even a tiny car…” She turned to JC in suspicion “Your car.”

She shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re getting at. Someone just pays attention to detail.”

Dahlia laughed. She didn’t know how on earth JC had time to put that together, but it was a beautiful gift to the family, and her mother would love it. “Thank you,” Dahlia whispered. She wiped the sudden moisture out of her eyes. “I don’t know if the guys will appreciate this like they should but mom and I sure will.”

JC gave her a quick squeeze. “It was a labor of love, all the way.” She nudged Dahlia and pointed. The whole family was represented in figurines on the grounds and around the palace. And as Dahlia looked closer, studying each one, guessing which brother was which, she saw a baby in the arms of a couple. Seraphina was pregnant, but she had already seen her figurine, with a typewriter, cause Seraphina was a journalist. But this woman. She looked closer. Winter Olympic symbols on her shoulder. “JC!”

Her sister-in-law blushed crimson. “You are the first to know, but I didn’t say anything. We’re supposed to announce it at a Valdez family breakfast.”

Dahlia squealed and then quieted as she looked around at all the curious eyes. “I’m so happy for you guys.” She sighed. “I can’t wait to meet a mini JC, or Tripp.” She laughed. “You guys gonna teach him to bake or ski?”

She shrugged. “Both, I’d imagine.”

Happy, Dahlia continued to wander through the displays, some simple, some charming, all well done. She had no idea how the judges were going to be able to choose three winners.

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