Page 37 of One Hundred Humbugs

Ruby nodded against his chest. “One day at a time, right?”

“One day at a time,” Becket agreed, holding her close.

They stood in silence, the weight of the unexpected news hanging between them. Emotions swirled in Becket’s chest—concern for Ruby, a selfish hope that she might stay, and guilt for even thinking about his own desires in this moment.

“Time to get started on those cookies,” Becket said, breaking the tension. “Baking always helps me clear my head. Maybe it’ll do the same for you?”

Ruby nodded, seemingly grateful for the distraction. “You’re right. Let’s do it.”

They spent the next few hours in a flurry of measuring, mixing, and playful flour-flicking. Becket showed Ruby the intricacies of his grandmother’s gingerbread recipe, while she introduced him to a few tricks she’d picked up from watching baking shows. The familiar motions of baking seemed to soothe Ruby, and soon they were laughing and joking as they worked.

By the time they had several batches of gingerbread cookies chilling in the fridge, they were both covered in a fine dusting of flour and sugar. The kitchen was warm and fragrant with the scent of spices and molasses.

“I think,” Ruby said, wiping a smear of flour from Becket’s cheek, “that we’d better clean up before we go see Mrs. Brown. We look like we’ve been wrestling in a bakery.”

Becket caught her hand, pressing a soft kiss to her palm. “I don’t know, I think the flour suits you. You look like a Christmas angel.”

Ruby laughed, the sound warming Becket’s heart. It was good to see her happy again after the news from Marge.

After quick showers and changes of clothes, they flipped through the old phone book on Ruby’s counter, scanning the names. Sure enough, there was only one Brown listed. “That must be her,” Ruby said with a nod.

With the address in hand, they headed out to Mrs. Brown’s cozy cottage, ready to make their introduction.

The elderly woman was delighted by their request for goat-sized scarves and immediately set to work, shooingthem away with promises to have them ready before the tree lighting the next evening.

As they walked back to Ruby’s place, hand in hand, Ruby said quietly, “You know, I’ve never been so welcomed in a place before. It’s like everyone here genuinely cares.”

Becket squeezed her hand. “That’s Aspen Cove for you. Once you’re here, you’re family.”

She didn’t respond, but he saw something in her eyes—wonder and, perhaps, a touch of longing. He wanted to ask her about the house, about her decision, but he held back. She would talk when she was ready.

They spent the rest of the afternoon and evening decorating the cookies they’d baked earlier, filling the kitchen with laughter and the sweet scent of sugar and spices.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The next day, Ruby stood in the kitchen, watching Becket as he iced the gingerbread cookies. His brow was furrowed in concentration, the tip of his tongue poking out as he piped intricate designs onto each gingerbread man. The sight would have been endearing if Ruby’s mind wasn’t still preoccupied with Marge’s phone call from yesterday.

“I think I need some air,” Ruby said, causing Becket to look up from his work. “I’m just going to take a quick walk, clear my head a bit.”

Concern crossed Becket’s face. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Ruby shook her head. “No, you stay here and work your cookie magic. I won’t be long.”

Before Becket could protest, Ruby grabbed her coat and headed out the door. The crisp winter air nipped at her cheeks as she made her way down the snow-dusted sidewalk. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions.

The offer on the house was more than she could have hoped for. It would solve so many of her problems—payoff her debts, give her a fresh start. Isn’t that why she came to Aspen Cove in the first place? To sell the house and move on with her life?

But as she walked past the twinkling lights and decorations lining Main Street, a pang hit Ruby’s chest. This town, which had seemed so foreign and unwelcoming when she first arrived, now was home. The thought of leaving it all behind made her heart ache in a way she hadn’t expected.

Lost in thought, Ruby almost bumped into someone coming out of B’s Bakery.

“Oh! I’m so sorry,” Ruby apologized, steadying herself.

“No harm done,” came the cheerful reply. Ruby looked up to see Katie, the baker, balancing a tray of steaming muffins. “Ruby! Care to be my taste tester?”

Before Ruby could respond, Katie was ushering her into the warm, sweet-smelling bakery. “I’m trying out a new recipe for the Christmas festival. I want to serve something other than brownies. These are gingerbread muffins with eggnog glaze. What do you think?”

Ruby was perched on a chair in front of the window, a muffin in hand before she could process what was happening. She took a bite, the flavors of spice and sweetness exploding on her tongue.

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