Page 31 of Surprised By Love

“Of course. Come on in.” She gestures inside and before I know it, Amelia is helping Emily with her boots and jacket, running into the house, Max on their tails. I enter with Jake and place him down, removing his jacket and boots. “Go ahead,” I say, and he runs toward the girls.

“I’m glad you made it,” Sam says, taking my coat and hanging it on the coat rack.

I laugh. “It’s all Emily has talked about since I told her.”

“Amelia too.” She laughs and I try not to stare at her lips.

“Everyone is in the living room. Go ahead, I have to grab another tray of cookies.” Sam tilts her head to the kitchen island and a tray of Sugar cookies.

“Let me,” I say, and walk to the island, grab the tray and motion for her to lead the way.

“Thank you.” She smiles and turns to walk into the living room. I can’t help but trail my eyes down to her curvy ass looking absolutely amazing in those leggings.

I place the tray down beside the other three trays of cookies. Damn. She wasn’t kidding when she said she loves to bake.

I say hello to her sisters and Jenna, then look over at the tree. It’s just over six feet and sits in front of the bay window. Plastic tubs sit in the front corner of the room, waiting to be opened.

After a few minutes of chatting and sampling her delicious cookies, Vicki turns on the carols and we decorate the tree. The girls and Jake sing to Frosty the Snowman and we all join in.

The kids place ornaments along the bottom of the tree as the adults tackle the top half.

Sam and I reach into the ornament bin behind us at the same time and our hands touch. She looks up and our eyes lock, our hands still touching. Heat travels up my arm and into my chest, and I won’t lie. I like it.

A throat clears and we both bolt upright to see Becca watching us with a devilish grin on her face. I look at Sam and her face has gone bright red. She ignores her sister and reaches back in to grab a bulb and places it on the tree.

With a fully decorated tree, Vicki lights it up. We all clap in unison, excited to see the finished tree. The kids run around the tree and I don’t know who is having more fun. The kids, or Max, who’s currently chasing them around the tree.

Amelia falls down in a fit of giggles and next thing you know, Emily, Jake and Jenna join her. They’re all laughing and Max takes it as a sign to give them kisses all over their faces. They howl with laughter and I take in the sight. The kids, my dog, the tree and the sisters, who are also laughing.

I chuckle, and it fills my heart with joy. Not only are my kids having a great time, but I’m too. It’s been a long time since I’ve had this much fun with people outside of my family.

The kids run upstairs to play while Vicki, Becca, Sam and I sit in the living room drinking coffee and enjoying some more of Sam’s delicious desserts.

Her Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are to die for and she has already packed up a container with a few of our favourites. Snickerdoodles, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, which I think my mom will die for, and of course, Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing. They are the kids’ all-time favourite.

This girl definitely knows how to bake.

I take a sip of my coffee and turn my head to Sam, who is sitting on the couch next to me. So close I can feel the heat from her leg next to mine. “So, do you plan to continue working at the diner, or do you have other plans?”

“For now, the diner. I love to bake, as you can tell.” She laughs and I can’t take my eyes off her perfectly heart-shaped pink lips. “So I plan to have more baked goods added to the menu. Someday I’d love to open a bakery. It was always a dream of mine before I got married.” She looks down into her coffee cup and I hate her ex for going after his dreams, keeping her from pursuing hers.

“Well...” Becca says. “I have it on good authority that the shop next to the diner is going back on the market after the holidays.”

Becca is the town’s real estate agent. She has her own firm and does pretty well considering how small our town is. We have a few tourists come by every year wanting to buy a house after they visit. She also deals with some of the neighbouring towns. She has talked about hiring another agent but hasn’t yet.

“Are you serious?” Sam says, her eyes grow wide. “That would be the perfect spot. I could still bake for the diner and have my very own shop. I love the idea. Please Becs, if you can talk to whoever you need to and let them know I’m very interested. I’d love you forever.” She claps her hands together. I love seeing her so excited. I shake my head.What is with you? Yes, she is becoming a friend, but damn, boy, you need to stop this. This can’t go anywhere. You are not a forever type of guy. Not anymore.

“You have to love me forever. I’m your sister,” Becca exclaims.

“Yes, but... I’ll love you even more.” Sam grins.

Vicki laughs as she gets up and clears some of the empty plates.

I stand. “I can help you with that.”

“Thank you, but I have it covered,” she says.

I look down at my watch. “Damn, I didn’t realize it was already after nine. I need to get the kids home and to bed.”

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