Chapter 17 #2
I’m using my free time to finish my sister’s wedding cake.
It’s a small chocolate cake with eggnog buttercream frosting.
Apparently, John had one of my cupcakes last week and decided it would make the perfect wedding cake for them to share at the reception.
I have to agree. It’s a decadent combination of rich mocha chocolate and holiday-infused frosting.
I check my phone for the umpteenth time and push it aside when I don’t see any notifications.
I know Burk is busy with family, but he said he’d text me when he was on his way back to Snowflake Falls.
It’s getting late, and to be honest, I would have thought he’d be back by now.
They have a big day tomorrow when he’s released, so I assumed they’d want to get back and get some rest.
Knowing there’s nothing left for me to do tonight, I carefully transport my sister’s final cake to the fridge, where it’ll be kept until Christmas.
Just as I close the door and exhale the breath I was holding, I hear a distant knock on the entrance.
Turning, I move in the direction of the noise and step into the front side of the bakery.
Under the streetlights, I see Burk standing on the other side of the door, a wide smile on his face. Moving toward him, I release the lock on the door and pull it open. “What are you doing? I thought you were going to text me.”
He steps inside the bakery, gently shaking his head and sending flakes of fresh snow falling to the floor. “I wanted to surprise you. These are for you.” He extends his hand, holding up the gorgeous bouquet of red roses.
I slip my nose into the blooms and inhale the sweet floral scent. “They’re gorgeous, thank you,” I proclaim, offering a wide smile.
Burk presses his lips to mine. “That’s not the only surprise. Can you take a walk with me?”
I glance back toward the kitchen area and mentally run through what I have out and left to clean. Realizing there isn’t much left, I reply, “I need to put the leftover frosting in the fridge, but that’s about it.”
His eyes turn molten instantly. “Frosting, huh?”
A giggle slides easily from my lips as I shake my head. “Sorry, no can do. I need what’s left for cupcakes in the morning.”
Together, we walk into the kitchen. The moment he crosses the threshold, he stops. “Wow.”
I turn and follow his line of sight. It’s the first time I really take in the scene.
I have a large shelving unit I use for custom orders, and it’s completely full.
Not to mention the far counter is stacked and the fridge is packed.
Cakes, cupcakes, pies, specialty breads, cookies, and everything in between.
I’ve had a busy few days, as evident by the amount of white pastry boxes containing my baked goods.
“This is my busiest time of year,” I tell him, moving to the cabinet and retrieving a vase. I don’t receive flowers often, but it has happened on occasion. After arranging the roses in the vase and adding water, I place the fragrant blooms on the counter near the cash register.
“All done?” Burk asks, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Nodding, I move to the container of frosting and place it in the fridge. “Done.”
“Come on,” he says, extending his hand.
I place mine in his willingly. “What do I need?” I ask when I realize he’s not leading me upstairs.
“Coat, gloves, and hat.”
I give him a quick look of wonder before moving to the back door to retrieve my winterwear.
After slipping it all on, I go ahead and stuff my feet into my snow boots because something tells me I’m going to need those too.
When I’m ready to step outside, I turn my attention to the man who makes my heartbeat quicken and my panties a little damp. “Ready.”
He flashes a quick grin and reaches for my hand.
We walk through the bakery, grabbing my phone and keys off the counter and flipping off the lights as I go. When we step outside, I lock the door and face Burk. “Now what?”
“Now, we walk,” he confirms, reaching down and picking up a duffel bag left beside the front door.
“Where are we walking to?” I ask, taking in the freshly fallen snow and the mostly quiet streets of downtown.
“Not far. It’s a beautiful night.”
I glance up, a soft smile stretching across my lips. “It is.” The moon is full and high in the sky, giving off enough light that if the streetlights weren’t in play, you could still see your surroundings. “What’s in the bag?”
His answer is a cheeky grin, one that makes me chuckle. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”
“It won’t be a secret for long. Come on,” he says, leading me across the street toward the town square.
When we reach the pavilion near the skating rink, he stops.
“Wait here.” Setting the bag down on a picnic table, he kisses my knuckles before releasing my hand then takes off running.
I watch until he disappears around the back of the utility building toward the edge of the park.
Suddenly, the lights come on. A million white twinkle lights illuminate the night around me and soft holiday music is piped through the speakers. My jaw drops open as I take in the scene, one I’ve experienced so many times before, but am seeing it for the first time with no one around.
Burk returns, a smile on his handsome face. “Surprise.” He reaches for his bag and pulls out my ice skates.
“What? How—”
“I stole them yesterday morning when I left to go back to my grandparents’ house.”
Shaking my head, I take the offered skates and have a seat on the bench. “So, you’ve been planning this.”
“I have,” he boasts proudly, pulling a second set of skates from the bag and getting to work putting them on. “I even borrowed skates from Klint.”
When we’re both wearing skates and smiles, we make our way to the rink, which has been freshly cleaned of any snow. We step onto the ice, and he immediately takes my hand. “How did you pull this off?” I ask curiously.
“Well, turns out Jim McMillian still takes care of the park. I ran into him at the tree farm the other day and ran my idea by him, which might have included a donation to the town park fund to help seal the deal.”
I look up and close my eyes. The cold air mixed with the warmth of his hand wrapped around mine, something I feel even through gloves, and the glow of Christmas lights is something that will forever be embedded in my mind when I think back on this night. It’s perfect.
“This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me,” I confess as we move around the ice.
“Yeah?” he asks, a glint of pride reflecting in his eyes.
“Definitely. You’ve combined my favorite things. Roses, ice skating under the twinkle lights, holiday music, and you.”
Suddenly, he stops and pulls me into his arms. My breathing hitches as his gaze lands on my lips. I wet them quickly with my tongue, a movement he catches sight of if the dilation of his eyes is any indication. “Can I kiss you?”
“Yes, please.”
It starts gentle but quickly turns heated.
His tongue delves deep inside my mouth, tasting and teasing in the best way possible.
Every problem or stress of the day falls away as we stand in the middle of the ice-skating rink and make out like teenagers.
It’s exactly what I’ve needed after a very long day.
When we finally pull apart, wet flakes of snow start to fall onto our faces. We both look up and smile. It’s like a Christmas movie or a holiday card come to life, and I’m here, standing in the middle of the magic. It’s the icing on top of the Christmas cupcake.
The sugar rush after eating the most decadent dessert ever.
His gloved hand comes up to cup my cheek as he brushes his warm lips across mine once more. “Come on, Easy-Bake. Let’s skate.”