Page 17 of This Moment

I winked. “I’ll bring two!”

Both women giggled and then quickly resumed their conversation as I headed to the counter. I poured them a fresh cup of coffee and brought it to their table with their cupcakes.

“Enjoy, and just let me know if you need anything else.”

The older woman smiled. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure we’ve been introduced.”

Returning the gesture with my own smile, I replied, “Cadie Waterford. I started working for Opal a few weeks back.”

“You’re the one who makes the amazing banana nut bread, right?” the younger one stated.

“That would be me.”

“My name is Ashtyn, and this is my older sister, Jayme. Our parents own the Christmas tree farm right outside of town.”

“Oh, how nice! I can’t wait for Christmas.”

Jayme leaned in and asked, “Will it be your first one here in New York?”

“It will, indeed.”

Ashtyn lit up. “Will it be your first white Christmas?”

I let out a soft laugh. “No, I’ve had one or two.”

Both sisters deflated in their seats. When the bell above the door rang, we all turned. A very handsome man walked in. He looked in his early thirties, maybe, and his brown hair was neatly trimmed. He wore jeans and a long-sleeve shirt that showcased his toned body.

“Oh my gosh,” Jayme whispered. “What in the world is he doing here?”

“Maybe he heard you were back in town, Jayme!” Ashtyn said, excitement bubbling up as she bounced in her seat.

The gentleman went to the case and started to look at the few items we had left over.

“Do you think?” Jayme asked.

Turning to look at both women, I asked, “Who is he?”

Jayme continued to stare at the guy while Ashtyn looked at me with a gleeful look. It was obvious she liked to gossip.

Lowering her voice, she said, “That is Kian Carter.”

Frowning, I asked, “Kian Carter? Opal’s nephew?”

Ashtyn giggled. “Oh, yes. She’s his aunt. The Carters are very well known here in Moose Village. And very wealthy with a beautiful house overlooking the lake. Jayme and Kian dated in high school.”

“Hush!” Jayme said to her sister. “That was forever ago.”

Ashtyn motioned for me to get closer. For some unknown reason, I wanted to know what she would say, so I leaned down. “He dumped her when he went off to college. He’s a big-time lawyer at his parents’ firm in New York City.”

I pulled back and stole a quick look at Jayme. She was still staring at Kian.

“Excuse me, ladies,” I said as I quickly approached the case. It was already rude of me not to have welcomed him, but I had to admit, I was a bit captivated like the two sisters had been.

“Good afternoon. Is there anything I can get for you?”

When he glanced up from where he was looking at the pastries, he opened his mouth to say something, but he froze and stared at me. For a moment, I panicked. Had he recognized me? It was impossible. I had never seen the man standing there before, and I would for sure remember someone with such beautiful brown eyes. Or maybe they were hazel.

Clearing his throat, he said, “I’m sorry. Is Opal around?”

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