Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

L eaning against the counter Ivy, let her pen drop into the crease of her planner and arched a brow at Aspen, which earned her a deeper smile.

Evidently, going eight years without seeing that smile meant diddly-squat. It still made her heart rate increase and her knees do funny things.

She mouthed overtop Gran’s head, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shook his head and mimed complete ignorance with a shake of his head.

Returning her attention to her gran where it was safer territory, Ivy took in the older lady’s holiday-themed ensemble. Frilly red bathrobe that brushed the floor, Rudolph slippers that matched her own—that explained a lot—and every strand of hair pulled back in mistletoe green curlers. For the final touch, tiny fingers of steam wafted up from a Rudolf Christmas mug as she nursed coffee and flipped through her phone like an amused teenager. Young at heart and all that, she supposed. Ivy leaned closer. Love for the woman filled her heart and Ivy wound an arm around her shoulder.

“Thank you, sweetie. Morning hugs go a long way in making the day go better. Hey, take a look at this.”

Ivy looked down at her grandmother’s Facebook page. Aspen slid closer and they both peered over for a closer look.

“Holy smokes, woman!” Her eyes nearly fell out. “You’ve been busy.”

“All about who you know, hon. Oh, look! December just got one up on Hardt.” She laughed softly and double tapped the screen to blow up the image of Mr. December delivering basket after basket of freshly baked loaves of bread to the church for this Sunday’s potluck. All the packages were perfectly wrapped in baggies tied off with red and gold ribbons at one end. Beautiful and thoughtful.

“I think I’ll repost this and tag Mrs. Hardt. Gotta keep on your toes, you know. Plus Hardt will have a fit when he sees this.”

Ivy shook her head as she poured herself a cup of coffee and sealed her trap.

Aspen had the good sense to chuckle and keep quiet as they exchanged a look over the top of green spongy curlers.

She took a clean mug down from the cabinet and looked expectantly at Aspen who held a hand up. “Hold that thought, ladies, that reminds me. I’ll be right back.” He trailed a hand down her arm before he turned and left the way he came in.

Ivy waited until the count of five to make sure he was out of earshot.

“Okay, change of subject. Gran, what the heck was that about?” She pointed at Aspen’s retreating back to make sure she didn’t miss the point.

Gran glanced up from the smartphone Ivy gifted her while visiting Seattle for her birthday over the summer. Thanks to her grandmother’s wicked ability with new tech, every senior citizen of the town armed themselves with one and knew how to wield it for mass amusement.

“Sweetie, when you get to be my age, there’s nothing better than putting it out there like it is. You guys might not have worked out way back when you were both too young to understand love and sex. But let me tell you something. That man is still in love with you. Always has been. I’m trying to make sure you both aren’t too stupid to see it.”

Well okay then. What else could she say?

“Gran, there’s nothing between Aspen and me. Not anymore. I doubt there ever will be.”

“When there’s doubt there are possibilities. So stop contradicting yourself, hon.”

Gran flicked the phone around and couldn’t hold back the laugh. “See, Lucille understands.”

Lucille was Ivy’s former teacher and her grandmother’s oldest friend, who happened to have a deep affection for yoga pants, tight shirts, and selfies from the looks of it.

Ivy leaned in. “Wow! I didn’t even know that yoga pose was possible. Where did she learn that?”

“She teaches yoga now. And you have to appreciate that she color-coordinated her outfit for the holidays.”

True. “Probably something she picked up from you.” She nudged her grandma with a soft laugh. As nonchalantly as possible she leaned against the kitchen sink a bit for a clear line of sight to the truck in their drive. It was there, but no sexy firefighter in sight. “Hey, I don’t think Aspen is coming back in. I don’t see him.” Ivy moved the curtains to the side just to make sure.

“Negative, girly. You young people miss all the signals. I thought I was blind. That man’s eyes lit up like the northern lights when he saw you on the porch ready to take him out with my frying pan. I watched it all. He looked forward to you taking a swing at him. I saw the kiss, too, in case I didn’t mention.”

“You mentioned.”

Gran patted her arm with a mischievous tone. “It might have been a while back, but I still remember how his eyes lit up over you.” Gran’s gaze locked on hers. “And they still do. I don’t think he’s going anywhere at the moment.” Eyes back down, her grandmother’s thumbs trolled over the screen stirring up no telling how much mayhem judging from the crooked smile playing on her lips.

She sighed heavily. “I just don’t agree. I hurt him, Gran. He might be happy to see me and might have a smile and kiss to give. But those days are over, Gran.” Ivy couldn’t help but feel the sting of past memories. Their relationship had been one of love, even if they were teenagers. She’d thought they were meant to be but life didn’t let her in on that plan until it was too late and she couldn’t do anything about it.

That earned her a raised brow of disagreement. “Want to make a bet?”

It didn’t matter how heartbreakingly handsome he was or how good he looked in those black Wranglers. Boyfriends and romance, in general, were in her time-out zone. Maybe forever. But definitely nixed in the bud and dead on the stem until further notice. She felt ten years older and a hundred years wiser over the last month and a half.

“If I took that bet you would lose, and how would I look taking your money, Gran? Men are not worth the trouble.”

“You can’t let that no-good ex of yours ruin something special, Ivy hon. Or the fact you already tried the whole wedding route with Aspen. Both of you were too young at the time. Everything happens for a reason. Take it from me.” Gran’s soft blue eyes brightened. “Your grandfather was a special man, bless his soul. I would hate for you to miss out on something like that. Life is way too precious. And short to be stuck up and prudish.”

Okaaay.

“I know, Gran. Maybe just not now.” She was twenty-six so yeah, maybe the clock was ticking according to Gran and Mom. She heard about it every week from one or the other. But for her, she could wait. She pulled the curtains aside and peeked out for another look.

“And if you’re not wanting anything with a man, then maybe a lady friend then?”

“Gran!” She choked out around a laugh, spilling her coffee over the rim of her mug. There was the time in college and then again graduation night, but nothing that led to anything permanent. But Ivy kept her lips sealed. “Not really.” She grabbed a paper towel and cleaned off the mess. If she were to survive Christmas with this lady, simple coffee wouldn’t do. She needed something stronger.

Gran threw her hands up in her defense, but the sly grin that teased her lips canceled out the defeated gesture. “Okay. Just checking. But wouldn’t that shake things up a bit in town?”

“Gran, you’re a special lady.”

Gran flicked aside a few curlers in a diva move. “I know.”

Ivy sighed before she continued. “Before you get some funny idea, my love life is not up for Facebook fodder.”

Her Gran paused to raise her coffee as if to think that over for half a second. “Sounds fair enough. I’ll cancel the ‘Will Ivy and Aspen Get Back Together’ poll I had scheduled to go live at noon.”

Every drop of blood in her body hit ground zero and left her frozen in place. “You’re kidding, right? Tell me you’re kidding.”

Gran smiled and took a sip of her coffee all angel-like, but Ivy didn’t buy that false halo for a second.

Taking Gran’s silence as a good thing, Ivy crossed her antlers and marveled in the jolt of goodness as caffeine seeped into her veins. She knew a losing battle when she saw one.

“So, Gran, are you giving classes on how to snoop out these signals you claim I’m missing in life? I need to know the dirty tricks so I can counteract appropriately.” She smiled around her cup before taking a sip to keep from laughing at the fake surprised look her grandma shot her. The roller set jiggled around the sides of her face.

“There’s no defense against the magical, somewhat dark arts, of a determined grandmother.”

Ivy tapped the side of her mug, “What are you up to?”

Her only answer was a set of perfectly tweezed eyebrows wiggling at her. Mercy Lou’s beauty parlor would have nothing less than perfection for her clients.

Several taps came from the back door and Ivy tossed her Grandma a narrowed look in warning, but the smile she received in return promised everything but.

She turned to see a kaleidoscope of colors reflect off a white paper bag with bold red lettering and a brush of snowflakes through the stained glass. She flung the back door open. “What took you so long. Ohhh. Is that what I think it is?” Okay. Christmas could mosey right along and she would rejoice the day the calendar rolled over to the twenty-sixth. But—and wasn’t there always a but—no one in their right mind turned down what Aspen dangled between them in a white paper bag.

Only one man had that much love and dedication for sweet, delectable finger-licking carbs.

“Hardt’s Coffee House donuts and bear claws?” She would recognize that smell until her dying day.

“Packaged by the very man himself when he heard his favorite person was in town.”

“Aspen, you just earned yourself saint of the year.”

Aspen followed her inside. She felt his presence beside her before he wound his arm around her waist. Goose bumps rose on her arms despite still wearing his coat. Lips against her ear he whispered, “I’d settle for another kiss.”

She couldn’t suppress her smile. She jerked her gaze to his and let a slow smile glide across her lips before pressing them softly to his. A bud of excitement bloomed and she just as quickly squashed it before muttering a quick, “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He passed over the bag and she guided them to the kitchen.

She supposed there was no harm in admitting she might still have a weakness for Aspen. But she needed to hold firm to her plan. Men and holidays were a no-fly zone for her no matter how determined her grandmother wanted to be.

A blast of cold air rushed in as Aspen kicked off the snow from his boots.

“What’s in the thermos?” Gran’s curlers bobbed and weaved as she slid from her stool for a better look. The door closed behind them and she pulled out a stool for him next to the large kitchen counter.

“It wouldn’t be Mr. December’s hot cocoa with a twist of nutmeg, would it?” She inquired, accepting the loot he extended.

While Hardt made the best pastries, the Decembers’ made the best hot cocoa on the planet. Two truths she would never admit to either man. “That stuff knocks the coffee routine to the dirt.”

“Yes, ma’am. Couldn’t bring one without having the other.”

Ivy looked between the thermos and the bag, undecided which to tackle first.

“I’ll fetch some firewood while you ladies dig in.”

“Thank you.” She leaned in close and placed a kiss on his cheek. She figured he’d earned the extra affection for such a treat. She took the bag and thermos he offered with a smile as she pulled back.

“You’re more than welcome.”

Sweet buttery heaven hit her senses as she unrolled the paper bag.

“I’m surprised you remembered,” she said to Aspen over her shoulder as he walked back in with an armload of wood. She pushed away from the counter and held the door for him before quickly shutting it.

“I figured you ladies needed a little something special today. Especially after your long drive up.”

“I flew in instead of driving. Caught the last flight out of Anchorage and then took a cab here.” As she talked, Ivy watched Aspen load one of several fireplaces in the large open-styled layout with a massive amount of firewood.

“And you got in last night?”

“Mmm. Hmm.” She pushed aside her coffee and grabbed three clean mugs from the cabinet as Gran took out three plates.

A few minutes later warmth filled the large kitchen and conjoined dining area.

Aspen retrieved a few more logs from outside and refilled the wood box. Now if she could only convince him to do that in all five fireplaces throughout the eight-bedroom home.

“I missed the last bus here by a few minutes trying to find my luggage at the airport.”

“You could have called. I would have picked you up.”

Her grandma elbowed her and gave her an I-told-ya-so look. “If you weren’t so stubborn like your father, you could have enjoyed a nice ride home with a handsome man instead of a total stranger.”

Aspen’s shoulder rose. “I’m with your gran on that. Why didn’t you call?”

She gave Aspen a pointed stare where he stood by the end of the counter, jaw set in a firm line, biceps straining against his plaid shirt and thicker thighs wrapped in worn jeans. Lord save her, why did her eyes keep going back to the way the rough material outlined every aspect of the man? Pure lust pooled low in her core and she quickly reminded herself to get a grip. Her erratic heart rate didn’t agree and tapped out Morse code to the rest of her body to get ready.

Ha!

She pulled her eyes away from his all-too-fuckable body and turned her gaze back to the doughnuts on the countertop.

If she wasn’t embarrassed enough just standing here now with the man she could just picture how the phone conversation between them would have gone. Calling up the man she left at the altar eight years ago to ask for a ride was a hard pass, thank you very much. But the longer he looked at her the more she found herself drawn to the flame of the past.

Gran must have sensed her unease because she changed the subject quickly. “What do you think of this guy?”

Ivy eyed the pictures on her gran’s phone with curiosity. Anything to get her heart rate back on track.

A man stood next to her gran with his arm wound tight around her shoulders. He was in his mid-to-late sixties. A full head of Steve Martin-styled hair flattered and matched his gray-blue eyes. A handsome smile lit up his face and reminded her of the older films of Clark Gable her mom swooned over. A nicely tailored tuxedo and on-point bow tie topped off the distinguished gentleman’s look. Between them, on the table, was a single elegant plate with white cake and tiny pink roses along the border. From what she could tell, they were at what looked like his granddaughter’s wedding.

Gran swiped left and there was another picture, a selfie this time of her gran and the gentleman drinking some fruity drink, each wearing lei necklaces in a very sunny setting. “Oops. Not that one.” She swiped again. This time it was a pic of them smiling out on the dance floor with a group of other friends.

“Wow! Gran, look at that dip! Since when did you hit the party scene?”

“I’m old but not dead, hon.”

Ivy met her gaze. “That’s not what I meant.”

“We’ve been going steady for a few months now. This will be our first Christmas together and I have some plans in the works that will either scare him or make him fall madder in love with me.”

“Is that a thing? Madder in love?”

Aspen shrugged a heavy shoulder while her gran nodded. “If not, it is now.”

Her gran had a better sex life than she did. She really needed to get a life.

This was the first she’d heard about it and she took a mental note to call her mom on the topic later. Ivy’s eyebrows rose as she turned to Aspen, shaking his head that he knew nothing about it either.

Her grandma leaned close and whispered, “Hey. Maybe we can go on a double date?”

Ivy tore her gaze off Aspen’s broad shoulders and flexed arms as he strode back to the fireplace to toss on another log and stared at her grandmother. Wait. Whoa. “You didn’t mention anything on the phone about a boyfriend before I got here.”

“There’s a lot I didn’t mention, Ivy.”

Ivy poured a hearty helping of hot cocoa in each of the three mugs before tearing into her bear claw with a little more vigor than a lady should. Her spunky grandmother was way too much to handle on cocoa alone. Whiskey would be nice right about now.

Static crackled from Aspen’s radio, followed by a female voice. She looked on as Aspen unclipped the radio from his side. “Chief, Ms. Lucille is at it again. Someone out by her place spotted a big tower of smoke. Can you go out there and check on her? You’re the closest of everyone.”

“Copy that. On my way.”

“What’s Ms. Lucille up to?” She placed her mug on the counter, surprised.

Aspen chuckled warmly. “Apparently burning down the forest to keep the animals warm. Or at least that was her last reasoning.”

“Sounds like her, but I thought she lived in town.” Aspen moved closer and she pointed between the coffeepot or the hot cocoa.

“Thanks. Some coffee will be good. It’s only getting colder out there.” He handed over his now empty thermos. Only one thought passed through her head when his warm fingers glanced against hers. Tall, dark, and more man than she remembered.

Heat flushed her cheeks and she knew a deep blush settled there.

“Ms. Lucille sold her place a couple of years back,” Aspen continued as if he didn’t notice anything. She might not be in the market right now, but the spark in his eyes lit just the same. “Now she lives in an old refurbished yellow school bus.” He fished out a doughnut of his own and headed toward the door. As he moved she caught a hint of his cologne. Try as she might, the hint of pine scent on him did funny things to her senses. No woman alive would fault her for momentary weakness.

“Hey, why don’t you go with him? In fact, I insist.” Ivy narrowed her eyes at her grandmother, who popped her head up long enough from Facebook to chime in.

She caught the corner of her planner and flipped it around. “Sorry, Gran. I can’t. I’m waiting for the follow-up call to my interview in New York. Remember? I’m on standby so I can’t miss that just in case they call. We talked about it before I left to come here.” Just the thought of missing the call made her palms sweat. They confirmed, as she took her leave, if they opted to go with her plans and ideas, they would give her by the end of the day.

“Plus,” she pointed to all the cans of paint, brushes, plastic and the general disorganized look of the inn. “There’s work to do here before the guests arrive.”

“If the people in New York are smart they’ll get in touch with you if they have to use homing pigeons.”

Ivy looked to Aspen for a little help but he gave that same single-sided shoulder shrug that told her she wasn’t getting it.

“I don’t want to get in the middle of anything, but she does have a point. I’ve seen some of your work. I’m impressed, sweetheart”

Wait. Did that mean he’d checked up on her? It had to. She made it a point to share all her client’s places on her social media and website. It warmed her heart and surprised in equal parts. She tucked that little tidbit away for later review and looked at the clock over the stove. A little before eight. Maybe she did have an hour or two to spare.

Aspen leaned his heavy weight against the counter and she caught his gaze.

Gran stood and placed her empty mug in the sink before turning to her. “They know how lucky they would be to have you refurbish their old Victorian. No better chick to know what goes into making a B&B fabulous if you ask me. They’ll realize it. Now go. Have some fun, grab some fresh air and don’t come back for a couple of hours.”

Ivy narrowed her eyes. Something smelled and it wasn’t the cinnamon rolls anymore.