Chapter 4

chapter

four

W e all head back to the kitchen, prepared to tackle the job of baking one thousand sugar cookies. Rue and I carry the large containers of dough over to the counter, and I stop short. I can’t believe my eyes. The once perfect cookie dough has somehow turned a rancid dark brown color, similar to mud. My stomach turns immediately.

“What the fuck?” I look incredulously at each of them. “How in the hell did this happen?”

First, it was the library roof caving in. Next, it was my awkward interaction with a very uninterested troll. Now this. The universe is obviously conspiring against me.

Ada is by my side in an instant. “Don’t worry. I’ll call Ulgan and see if he can make cookies for the event.”

She quickly reaches into her pocket and pulls out her phone. Within seconds she has her mate on speaker.

“Everything alright?” he immediately asks.

Damn, Ada is living a real life romance novel.

“Hi, handsome. I’m totally fine, but Hannah needs some help. Can you make one thousand sugar cookies in two days?”

“Two days?” He clucks his tongue. “That’s a large ask, Sunshine. The shop is slammed this time of year.”

My heart sinks. I just need to go home, curl up in bed, and cry.

Ada hums. “Well, how about this? If you make Hannah the cookies she needs for her event, I’ll do that thing to you tonight in bed that you’ve been wanting to try.”

Holy shit. Well, I wasn’t expecting that, but I appreciate Ada’s willingness to take one for the team. I cover my mouth to stifle the giggle threatening to escape.

Without a moment’s hesitation Ulgan replies, “Deal. When are you coming home?” His voice has become a deep growl that has Ada bouncing with excitement.

“See you in 15 minutes, orc daddy.” She hangs up the phone, smiling to herself. Her cheeks are flush as she looks up and sees all of our jaws on the floor.

“What? I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse,” she replies like a mob boss, collecting her coat and bag. “I gotta go ladies. There’s a sexy orc waiting on me. Hannah, I’ll text you when the cookies are ready.”

She gives each of us a hug before speed-walking out the door. It looks like someone’s eager to get home. I can’t blame her, though. I would do the exact same thing if someone was waiting for me.

“That girl is dickmatized,” Rue snorts, walking over to the trash can and dumping the disgusting slop of cookie dough. The wet thud it makes as it lands in the trash bag has me almost dry heaving.

“Good for her. At least someone’s getting some action in this group,” Isla says wistfully.

Isla hasn’t dated anyone in the time that I’ve known her, which seems odd since she’s a complete catch. There’s a certain alpha wolf shifter that’s been sniffing around her that has me suspicious, but she hasn’t mentioned anything about him, which is even weirder. The alpha of the local wolf pack would make the perfect main character in a steamy shifter romance with a dash of age gap.

“Okay, I think it’s time for me to go, too.” I sigh. “This has been the day from hell and I need to go to bed. Sleep will fix everything.”

Well, I sure hope so. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. Everything is going to get fixed, and the library party will be a huge success if it’s the last thing I do.

The next day, I wake up optimistic. My luck is going to turn around. The sun is shining, Ada texted me early this morning that Ulgan has started on the cookies, and my long blonde hair looks incredible today in loose curls. Look out world, I’m ready!

My optimism goes up in flames once I arrive at the library.

My phone rings the second I enter the door. It’s Mable letting me know that she’s come down with the flu and can’t come in for the rest of the week. This went from being my favorite time of the year to a nightmare in a matter of minutes, featuring a scary-as-fuck sleep paralysis demon. How am I supposed to throw this event by myself?

Fat tears rush down my cheeks as the weight of the situation washes over me. I slide down the wall and clutch my legs to my body. A good cry is what I need right now. Yes, a good cry and then I’ll pick myself up and carry on with my plans. But who am I kidding? My earlier suspicion of the universe conspiring against me is confirmed.

I’m so wrapped up in my despair that I don’t even hear the sound of footsteps approaching me.

“Mo ghràidh, what’s wrong?” Declan asks, his voice thick with concern. He takes a seat next to me on the floor, his arm wrapping around my shoulders and pulling me close. The warm hug is a balm to my soul. I’ll have to ask him what those words mean some day when I’m not feeling so overwhelmed. “Whatever it is, I can fix it.”

I close my eyes and try to catch my breath. The dam breaks free, and through hiccuping sobs, I share with him all of the challenges that I’ve faced trying to put on this event. Declan sits quietly and listens as I blabber on about the disaster of a party. All I wanted was to create a place where the kids of the town could joyfully celebrate the holiday season. I pride myself on being happy and positive, but I’m finding it nearly impossible to keep that up.

“You have such an enormous heart, Hannah. Let me fix this. Put me to work—I’ll do whatever you need.” His hand rests against my cheek, warm and smooth, as his thumb delicately wipes away my tears. “We’ll make this the best holiday party Whispering Springs has ever seen.”

“You mean it?” I ask, leaning into his palm for comfort. Blinking away the tears that blurred my vision, it finally hits me how close our faces are.

His warm breath fans across my face, and my eyes focus on his lips. It’s been so long since someone has kissed me, but it isn’t until right now that I realize how much I crave that intimacy. Scratch that, I crave that sort of intimacy with him and only him. For a second it looks like he’s thinking the same thing and begins to lean in. My eyelids flutter, my anticipation building. My body is practically on fire and only Declan’s touch can put it out.

Suddenly, he pulls back, standing on his feet. The warmth from his body is gone, and I find myself instantly missing the closeness. Not making eye contact with me, he extends his hand to help me off of the floor, which I accept. But embarrassment burns my cheeks for assuming that he was going to kiss me.

I stop that train of thought immediately. So what if he isn’t interested? It’s his loss. We can be friends. Awkward friends, with apparently imaginary sexual tension, but friends nonetheless.

“Okay, buddy, let’s get to work.” I pat him on the shoulder and walk into the children’s room, wincing at myself.

“Buddy?” Declan murmurs, sounding confused. His heavy footsteps pound on the floor before stopping right behind me. His unique scent wraps around me like a cozy blanket on a cold winter’s day. “I have no interest in being your buddy, beautiful.”

I open my mouth to speak but he beats me to it. “What’s the first thing you need me to do?” he asks, surveying the room.

“I completely forgot to order a tree for the kids to hang their ornaments on. Do you think you could go to the store and pick one up?”

“The store? Please, for the love of the Goddess, don’t tell me you’re talking about a fake tree,” he groans.

“What’s wrong with a fake tree?” I counter, raising an eyebrow.

A look of longing briefly appears on his handsome face and disappears just as quickly. He rubs a palm against his bearded cheek before stating seriously, “If it’s a tree you want, then I’ll get you the best tree in all of Oregon. A real tree.”

With that, he fishes his car keys from his pocket, turns on his heels, and disappears down the road in his truck. He is a troll on a mission, apparently.

I breathe a sigh of relief now that something is off of my plate.

Turning on my holiday playlist, I sing along as I begin pulling festive books for families to read together. Then the sound of hammering on the roof alerts me to someone up there. Declan must have some of his employees helping out. I’ll have to thank them later.

The sun slowly sets, and Declan still hasn’t returned. I’m beginning to get worried when the front door to the library bursts open with a bang. The top of a massive douglas fir appears, stray pine needles dropping to the floor.

“Um, Declan?” I call, trying to figure out where he is.

His muffled voice sounds from somewhere in the fragrant tangle of branches. “I’m right here,” he grunts, clearly using all of his strength to drag the monster of a tree inside.

Watching this man bring that ginormous tree into the library is a sensual experience. Each of his glorious muscles takes my breath away as he sets it up in the bright red plastic stand I left for him earlier. Once the tree is standing upright, he sinks into a nearby chair to catch his breath. His muscular chest rapidly rises and falls, straining against his flannel, and a sheen of sweat covers his face.

“Declan, this is a fairytale tree. I’ll get you a glass of water, you must be exhausted.”

He gives me a tired nod, closing his eyes and resting his head on the back of the chair. I return with an ice cold glass of water, and he greedily gulps it down.

“Thank you.” He pats the seat next to him, and I relax onto it.

“This has to be the most beautiful Yule tree I’ve ever seen. Where did you find it?” I ask, turning towards him. His mouth watering scent, a mixture of a hard day’s work and something so uniquely him, fill my nostrils and I find myself straining to get more.

“I spent a few hours hiking the forest behind Ulgan’s bakery before I found this beauty hiding near the top of the mountain.” He reaches his hand towards mine, holding it in his. “Getting it back here was a journey, but seeing that smile on your face has made it all worth it.”

“I really can’t thank you enough.” My eyes land on the clock and I realize just how late it is.

“It was my pleasure to help you today. I’m in desperate need of a shower, so I think I’ll head out for the night. See you here tomorrow?” he asks, standing up and stretching his sore arms above his head.

“Yes, see you tomorrow.” I give him a soft smile and wrap my arms around him in a hug. “Now, go get some sleep. Goodnight, Declan.”

His arms snake around me, solid and warm, as he whispers softly into my hair, “Goodnight, mo ghràidh.”