Page 18 of Holly and Ivar
And the aroma!She took a deep breath, filling her senses with espresso, baked cinnamon, maple syrup, and something nutty.It was heavenly, and as she exhaled, some of the tension in her shoulders eased.
Ivar caught her reaction and smiled.“See?Not so bad.”
“It’s homey.Like stepping into a Christmas card.”
“That’s Emma.She wants everyone to feel at home.”
“Emma?”
“The owner.”He nodded toward the counter, where a tall woman with dark hair and bright green eyes was laughing with a customer.“Now.What can I get you?”
“I can get it.”
“My treat.I insist.Their butternut squash soup’s the best in Vermont.”
“Sounds wonderful.Oh, and a latte, please.”
He ordered for both of them and joined her at a table near the woodstove.
“So,” he said, placing two lattes and a table marker between them, “what exactly is your family business?”
Holly considered lying but decided honesty, or partial honesty, was simpler.“We manufacture toys.”
For a heartbeat he stared, then burst out laughing.“No way.”
“Way.”
“You’re serious?”
“I don’t joke about toy production.”
“Holly Kringle, toymaker.”He shook his head, still smiling.“Next you’ll say your dad’s name is Chris.”
“It’s Adam.Chris is my grandfather.”
Ivar laughed so hard she thought he might choke.When he finally caught his breath, he excused himself, then returned with two glasses of water, still grinning.
As he set the water down, they both reached for the same glass at the same time.Their fingers brushed, and they instinctively pulled back.
“Sorry,” they said in perfect unison.
They stared at each other for a moment, then spoke again simultaneously: “You go ahead.”
Holly couldn’t help laughing.“Are we actually doing the speaking-in-sync thing?”
“Apparently.”Ivar’s eyes crinkled with amusement.“Jinx,” he added, tapping the table.
“What are we, twelve?”But she was smiling despite herself.
“Buy me a coffee and I’ll let you off the hook.”
“I thought this was your treat.”
“Smart and a toymaker.You’re just full of surprises, Holly Kringle.”
Before she could respond, the dark-haired woman approached with two steaming bowls of soup and a plate of warm bread.“What’s so funny over here, Ivar?”
“Emma, meet Holly Kringle.Holly’s interested in the Hale property.”
