Chapter 18 Icing on the Cake
The entire group got a picture together before they made their way out into the open market, the village buzzing with laughter and caroling, with twinkling lights and decorated evergreens.
The village skating rink sat nestled in the center of the village, a huge fir tree lit up the space with a festive glow. Laughter echoed from families and couples already on the ice, wrapped in scarves and mittens.
Eliza tightened the laces on her borrowed skates and stood with a wobble. “Okay,” she said, eyeing the slick surface with suspicion. “This is probably a bad idea.”
“Too late,” Lachlan said behind her, looping his scarf around his neck. “You’ve committed now. No refunds.”
“I’ve made a terrible mistake,” she muttered as he took her hand and led her toward the rink.
He grinned. “Don’t worry, I got you.”
The moment her skates touched the ice, Eliza flailed like a newborn deer. “Lies!” she hissed, clinging to Lachlan’s arm like a lifeline.
He laughed, steadying her. “You’re doing great.”
“There is nothing ‘great’ about this,” she shot back.
They slowly began to skate—if it could be called that—with Lachlan gliding and Eliza mostly being dragged along.
“Why did I let you talk me into surprising me?” she demanded as they rounded the corner. “I should’ve known I was going to make a fool out of myself.”
“An adorable fool,” he grinned.
She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed from the cold and a little bit of embarrassment. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“I enjoy anything that involves you holding my hand,” he responded coolly.
Eliza opened her mouth to say something in return but didn’t get the chance. Her toe pick caught on a ridge of ice and she went flying forward. Lachlan caught her mid-fall, arms tightening around her waist as they both spun, landing in a heap near the edge of the rink.
They burst out laughing, faces inches apart. Their breath mingled in little clouds of winter air.
“You okay?” he asked, brushing a stray hair away from her face.
“Only emotionally hurt,” she said. “And permanently humiliated.”
“You’re cute when you’re humiliated,” Lachlan said, his voice softer now. His hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb as light as a snowflake on her skin.
Eliza’s smile faltered just slightly. “I think I like you too much,” she whispered before she could stop herself.
His gaze flicked to her lips, then back to her eyes. “That’s dangerous talk, Snow.”
“Tell me about it,” she said. She didn’t move away.
For a moment, the world shrank. No snow, no rink, no curious onlookers. Just the hush of falling flakes and the soft beat of her heart in time with his. Then Puffcake came over and perched on the bench beside them. He let out a sharp, judgmental hiss.
“Saved by the sugar fairy,” Lachlan muttered, helping her up.
Eliza smiled as they got back on their feet, her fingers still wrapped in his. And as they made another lap around the rink, she didn’t mind the idea of falling.
Lachlan never let go of her hand as she managed to make her way around the rink a third time. Winded, they finally skated over to the edge to join Puffcake, who cheered them on from his designated spot on the bench.
“Best three laps of my life,” Lachlan smiled, his cheeks flushed from the cold.
“And I only fell twice!” Eliza boasted.
Gretel skated over to join them, her lavender strands falling out of her braid. She offered Puffcake one of her roasted pecans.
Hansel joined them a few minutes later carrying two thermoses in his hands. He gracefully skidded to a stop and managed not to spill any of the steaming hot liquid inside. “For your journey home,” he said, handing Lachlan and her each a cup.
Eliza took it between her hands, savoring the warmth. The steam rose to meet her cold skin, and she breathed in the crisp scent of apples. “Hmmm, cider,” she breathed, “Thanks, Hansel.”
Lachlan looked at his mobile, checking the time. “Which reminds me, we need to get going. Don’t wanna be late to the next surprise,” he winked.
The siblings said their goodbyes as Lachlan and Eliza exited the rink and headed toward the stalls to return their skates.
“Two surprises in one evening?” Eliza asked once they were alone.
Lachlan scooped up her gloved hand so casually, it felt as if he’d been wrapping his hand around hers for longer than just the evening. It was natural and smooth, like muscle memory. “I like you just a little bit, Snow.”
His thumb traced a circle over a spot on her glove, a subtle gesture that sent warmth radiating through her.
“So, what is it?” She worked up enough courage to ask.
“You’ll see. Just follow me.”
Once they reached the town square, Lachlan took an immediate right, heading away from the music and busy streets. Puffcake and Eliza exchanged a glance.
“You do realize the celebration is the other way, right?” Eliza asked, arching a brow. She eyed the snowy, overgrown path ahead that led them back to their cottage.
He gave her a sideways glance and smiled. “Just a little romantic walk in the moonlight, Snow. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
She laughed, falling into step beside him. She couldn’t say she minded that they were headed back to the cottage. She was quite “peopled” out after the day she’d had. “If this is the part where you reveal you’re actually a Christmas serial killer, then I’m haunting you for the rest of your life.”
“That’s fair, I s’pose.” He squeezed her hand. “No murders, I promise.” Lachlan dropped her hand, turned to face her, and swept an arm toward the next surprise behind him.
A single horse with chestnut hair and a silver mane snorted as its harness jingled with every movement. The sleigh attached to him sat expectant in the snow, the thick blanket lay draped over the seat wide enough for only two people.
“You’re joking.” Eliza gaped.
“No jokes, Snow. I take my one-horse open sleigh rides very seriously.” Lachlan grinned as he held out a hand to help her up. “No laughing all the way for us.”
She raised an eyebrow, but her cheeks lifted in a smile as she slid her hand into his. “Ha-ha-ha,” she sang in a jingle.
He helped her up and climbed in beside her, pulling the blanket over their legs. The sleigh lurched forward gently, the bells on the horse’s harness jingled in a soft rhythm as they glided down the trail lined with snow-covered trees.
The stars blinked above them, the air cold and crisp on their faces, but the blanket and Lachlan’s warmth beside her kept the chill at bay. Puffcake, nestled in her lap underneath the blanket, let out a tiny snore and twitched one of his cinnamon wings.
Eliza leaned back, letting the snowflakes melt on her lashes. “You know, for someone who claims to dislike Christmas, you’re alarmingly good at festive gestures.”
“I don’t dislike Christmas. Just couldn’t really find it in me to spend it with my family.” He looked over at her. “Besides, you’ve had a rough year, too. You deserve nice gestures.”
Her breath caught a little. “You barely know me.”
“I know enough,” he said quietly. “And I know what it looks like when someone’s afraid to believe in good things.”
She looked away, heart twisting in her chest. “It’s easier to believe they won’t last.”
“What if they do?”
Their eyes met, the sleigh gliding slowly through the trees as the snow swirled around them. She felt the answer rising in her, somewhere between her ribs and the place she’d tried to keep walled off.
Eliza smiled, eyes misty. “Remind me to thank the house later.”
Lachlan leaned in, brushing her hair from her cheek. “Remind me to kiss you before this trip ends.”
Her breath hitched. “What if you don’t need reminding?”
He said nothing. Just smiled.
The sleigh kept gliding through the forest back to their cottage, and for the first time in a long time, Eliza didn’t feel like running.