Page 38 of Fire and Ice
She broke off a piece and held it up to his lips. “Open wide.”
He did, and she slid the fudge into his mouth before taking her own bite. She closed her eyes and savored it.
When she opened her eyes, she sighed. “This is wonderful.”
“It is.” He handed her the cup of hot chocolate he was holding for her. “This is great, too.”
She sipped and let the beverage roll through her mouth. “This might be the best I’ve had. What is that hint of spice? It’s literally on the tip of my tongue.”
He considered it. “Cloves.”
“That’s it.” She nodded. “Why don’t we go down this side of the aisle first, and return along the other side when we head back?”
They ate the fudge as they moved to the next booth. Finely-carved wood puzzle boxes and jewelry boxes were arranged on one side of the stall. Old-fashioned carved toy trains, airplanes, and cars were arranged on the opposite side.
“My sisters would love the puzzle boxes.” She glanced at Grady. “I’m going to end up spending all my money on the first couple of stalls.”
“They’re very nice.” He looked over the display and returned his gaze to hers. “Do you want to wait until we’ve looked at more booths?”
She shook her head. “These are perfect. I buy my brothers and sisters more than one gift each, so if I find more in other booths, that’s great, too.” She smiled. “I’ve never gotten past buying them tons of gifts for Christmas each year, although I have tapered back a bit.” Her grandmother hadn’t allowed the kids to celebrate the holiday, and Chelsea had probably overcompensated when she took over raising her siblings.
As they moved through the stalls, she met his eyes and their gazes lingered, and her belly fluttered at the warmth in his gaze, like he was exactly where he wanted to be—which was wherever she was. The same feeling gripped her heart. It felt so right being with him.
She looked at the next booth, which showcased beautiful paintings, and the one after that included crocheted baby clothes and assorted other crocheted items, including potholders, doll dresses, and colorful throws.
When she looked at the baby clothes, she thought about having a child of her own. She and George hadn’t been able to conceive, and now she was almost in her mid-thirties. Her biological clock was ticking away.
Chelsea glanced at Grady and wondered how their relationship would progress. Would it last, or was it a short attempt at something more? She looked around her at all the holiday hustle and bustle. She enjoyed her time with Grady but wasn’t in a hurry to get into a serious relationship. Was this week sending them charging toward something they wanted to make last, much too fast?
She mentally shook her head and continued down the aisle with the good-looking and sweet man at her side.
They mingled at or passed by stalls with items made from mixed media art, one with metal sculptures, and another stall that featured bookends crafted from polished geodes with sparkling crystals within.
As they shopped, Chelsea accumulated a few bags containing more purchases, which Grady insisted on carrying. He had finished his shopping when they went to Scottsdale, but she could always find something more for her siblings.
Among her purchases were a hand-carved ornament of a Christmas tree with gifts at its feet for herself, handmade soaps that smelled of honeysuckle for her sisters, and hand-tooled leather belts for her brothers.
Chelsea breathed in the chill air as they strolled along the aisle. “I love Christmas craft fairs.”
He gave her a teasing look. “I noticed.”
She grinned back at him. “Hard not to.”
At the end of the aisle was a park that contained a holiday-themed bounce house and carnival games, bobbing for apples, pin the tail on the reindeer, and an area for kids to make Christmas crafts. At the far end, a line of kids waited to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.
Chelsea smiled to herself, remembering her brothers as they waited to see Santa. They’d been so cute, still young enough to visit the jolly old elf when she took over raising them. The girls had been past that age by then.
Grady tugged her toward a snow-globe photo booth. “Let’s have our picture taken.”
“I’m game.” She didn’t have a picture of Grady, and it would be fun to have a photo together.
They waited in line until it was their turn. They stepped in front of an enormous snow globe backdrop and moved into the frame in front of it. Chelsea giggled as Grady grabbed her in a clinch pose. Then he laughed and put his arm around her waist, and they grinned at the camera.
A few moments later, they were in another line and soon made their way to the counter, where they found their photo. They did look like they were in the middle of a Christmas snow globe.
“It’s adorable.” Chelsea smiled up at him. “Let’s get two.”
After he paid, Grady added the bag to the rest of their purchases—most of which were Chelsea’s.
