Page 26 of Garnish with a Candy Cane
“There you are Holly! You’d better finish packing. Check out is in a few minutes.”
Hearing my mother’s name keeps the grin on my face from faltering. Nana’s confusion of who I am reminds me of how much we look alike. One of the few things I know for certain about mymom. I play along to keep my grandmother from becoming upset and pretend that we’re at a hotel, which she often mistakenly believes when she becomes disoriented in the nursinghome. “I’m all ready to go, I promise. I just wanted to make sure you eat breakfast before we leave.”
She waves a dismissive finger toward the watery gravy flooding the hard biscuits sitting on her tray, careful not to lose her stitches for the contrasting blue row on the white sweater. “I hate complaining about ourvacation, but the food here is terrible. I wish I was home in my own kitchen. I could show this place how to make my special eggnog French toast.”
“I’m sure they’d love it.”
Nana nods before sighing. “I’ve been waiting forhours forReginald to bring the car around. I don’t know what’s keeping your father. That poor man has no sense of direction.” She motions her head toward the door and then meets Duke’s eye. “Please go ahead and take the bags downstairs. We’ll find him somewhere.”
Now I’m not sure if I should laugh or cry thatshemisconstrues Duke as the bell hop. Duke resolves the dilemma by chuckling and sliding the covered dish out my hands.
“My pleasure ma’am. And, how about I switch out yourfood too? I think you’ll find this quite an improvement.”
Excitement stirs her fragile body and she strains like crazy to see the contents when he lifts the lid,revealing the cute snowman, Christmas tree, and reindeer shaped pancakes Tom promised. “They look delicious!”
Rich vanilla wafts toward me, making my stomach growl, and I kick myself for not having a second helping earlier. The aroma entices Nana enough to hurry and finish her row so she can dive in. After a few bites, she grins an elated and grateful smile at Duke. “My granddaughter would love these. She loves everything about Christmas just like I do.”
Mischief fills his expression and he winks at me. “Oh yeah? What else can you tell me about her?”
As if I’m not standing a few feet from her, she bobs her head, remaining fixated on her syrupy treat while they talk. “She’s a really good girl but she works too much. I tell her all the time she’ll never find a man to marry her if she doesn’t get out there to meet someone.”
“Actually, she’s met someone and he’s going to marry her very soon.”
I blush while Nana beams. I can’t believe he’s already talking about marriage. It’s official – he really is a lunatic.
“Oh thank goodness! I was worried sick she’d end up with that jerk Tristian. She’s better off without him but I didn’t want her to end up alone either.”
I have to cover my mouth to keep from laughing. Never have I heard Nana name call even once in her life. I guess now I know how she really feels.
“Won’t ever happen. I promise.”
With his assurance relieving her worry, she shifts her attention to the golden hash browns and thick bacon. Duke’s good mood vanishesthough when his phone dings and he reads the message on the screen after sliding the cell from his pocket. A scowl darkens his expression that makes me lose my appetite.
“I have to finish something from last night, but Cedric’s just outside and he’ll take you to work. I’ll stop by later and check on you.”
I don’t bother to argue because he’ll come to the bakery anyway. And, because I want him too. Just like I don’t argue with him about kissing me in front of my grandmother. Despite making love last night and again this morning, I still crave his affection, which he unconditionally gives without hesitation. He’s not shy either, cupping my face and leisurely brushing his tongue over my lips. He delves deep when I open, sweeping in and controlling my mouth with dominance I feel to my sensitive areas. I’m sore but I’d let him take me again if he tried, which shocks and excites me.
We pant together with a few lasts pecks until he swallows hard. “God Noelle what you do to me.”
“Same here.”
He groans against my cheek and slowly pulls away, a laser focus remains on me as he backs out of the room until he finally has to turn away.
“That bell boy is awfully forward don’t you think?”
I laugh from her totally accurate observation. She has no idea. “Yes, but I don’t mind.”
A shrug answers me back and her focus switches to her delicious food. I’m happy to see her appetite return. Not that I can blame her for not wanting to eat what they serve here. Maybe she’ll get some of her strength back from Tom’s cooking.
While she’s being so candid with her thoughts, I decide to ask her what’s been weighing on me since I met Duke. “Do you believe in love at first sight?”
“Oh yes! My Reginald does too. He told me the night he met me I looked like an angel.” Her attention drifts to a memory only she can see and a flush warms her pale cheeks, making my own lift in a smile too. “I said, ‘a Christmas angel?’ and he said,’ is there any other kind?’ I knew right then he was the one.”
I had no idea my grandfather was such a charmer.
“The next day he told everyone at school I was his girl and gave me his ring. It was too big for my finger so I had to wear it on a chain around my neck. He was actually pleased because he said it made it that much more noticeable so other boys wouldn’t make passes at me.”
I’m not sure if it’s creepy or adorable how much Papaw and Duke are alike. Yet, I’m completely sure how happy he made Nana. Years later she’s still in love with him and his possessive antics.
