Chapter 19
Over the next few days, Helen balanced the duties of the bed and breakfast along with extra work of the holidays.
She went through her list of cookies and was marking them off as she went.
So far, she’d made snickerdoodles, peppermint bark cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies, mint chocolate chip cookies, and eggnog cookies.
Each night the platter of cookies she set out for the guests was emptied.
Kacey was back home from her in-laws. Her mother-in-law was at home, and she was going to be okay—a relief to everyone.
Rebecca came over after work and loved how Helen had decorated. Kacey was coming over tonight, and hadn’t yet seen the house. Helen hoped Kacey would love it as much as Rebecca, but she was a little nervous since Kacey was a real estate agent and had an eye for design.
Helen pulled a cookie sheet of peanut butter blossom cookies out of the oven and set the cookie sheet on top of the stove to cool. She’d made sure her guests weren’t allergic to peanuts or peanut butter before making these cookies.
The back door flew open, and Kacey rushed in. “It’s so cold out there.” She unwrapped her scarf and hung it, along with her coat, on the hook on the wall. She froze. “Oh my gosh, it smells wonderful in here. Rebecca told me you are making different Christmas cookies every day.”
Helen smiled. “I am. Give them ten minutes to cool and the peanut butter blossoms will be ready.”
Kacey shook her head. “I can’t wait.” She snatched a napkin off the kitchen table and plucked up a hot cookie.
“Want some milk?” Helen offered.
Kacey’s eyes sparkled, and she sank into the chair at the kitchen table. “Absolutely.”
Helen smiled and poured some milk into a small glass and set it in front of her.
Kacey took a bite of the hot cookie and followed it with the milk.
Helen cocked her head and sat down. “What do you think?”
Kacey smiled. ‘It’s really good.”
Helen relaxed a little. “Peanut butter blossoms always make everything better.” She touched her finger to her lip and thought for a second. “You know, for Easter I could use food coloring in the cookie dough and make it look like a flower.”
Kacey nodded and took another bite. “Good idea.” After stuffing the rest of the cookie in her mouth, she stood up. “Okay, Show me around. Rebecca said you knocked it out of the park with decorating the tree.”
Helen stood. “I took some liberty and put the colored lights on the living room Christmas tree. I know you clearly marked the boxes, but I thought it would look more festive to use the multicolored lights inside.” She stepped into the living room and waited for Kacey’s reaction.
“Helen, it looks …”
Helen cringed. “Too old fashioned?”
Kacey looked at her. “No! It looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. It’s beautiful and reminds me of my childhood Christmases.”
This brought a smile to Helen’s face. “I’m so glad you like it. I wanted it to look cozy.”
Kacey nodded. “You hit the mark. Great job.”
Helen’s shoulders dropped with relief. “I’m so glad you like it.”
Kacey grinned. “I want to get a closer look at the porch. It looked amazing when I drove up.”
Helen grabbed a throw off the back of the couch and followed her out the door onto the porch. The wind was howling, and she tightened the blanket around her shoulders.
Kacey took her time and walked from one end of the porch to the other. When she got to the Christmas tree she stopped and looked back at Helen. “I am blown away, Helen. You went above and beyond. I want you to know that you have a position here at Laurel Cove Bed and Breakfast forever.”
Helen’s smile broadened. “Thank you, Kacey. I’m beginning to think I can make Hopeton my home. I think the Christmas season is just what I needed.”
Kacey nodded. “Perfect. You came into our life at the right time.” She looked over Helen’s shoulder. “Now, Rebecca said something about you making some orange cranberry muffins for the guests. I don’t suppose you have any left?”
She chuckled. “Come on in the kitchen. I think I have exactly two left.”