Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Nick arrived back in town after delivering gifts to children he knew wouldn’t have much of a Christmas without the donations collected by the sheriff’s office. His phone rang. Using the hands-free function, he answered the call from his sister. “Hey, Chloe, what’s up?”
“What time will you be here with the cake?”
“Umm—”
“Nick! Tell me you did not forget!” Chloe’s voice rose with each word.
“Calm down. I didn’t forget. I’m driving and trying to concentrate. Chill out.”
He sensed his sister’s relief, but it didn’t calm his own nerves, because he had forgotten. Chloe had trusted him to order a cake, and now he was in deep trouble. Shit.
Being a former MP in the Army and a police officer helped him to mask his anxiety, which he needed to do because his sister could go from carefree to unglued when she reached panic mode. It wasn’t often, but this was important.
He drew in a deep breath and held his composure. “What time do I need to be there? I thought the party was after the church service. I don’t get off until five.”
“Sneak in the back door, but text me when you arrive. I don’t want Mom and Dad to see the cake right away. We’ll be back from church by six. You’ll have plenty of time to change.”
“Got it. I’ll text you when I arrive.” Chloe didn’t have a clue how much of a surprise the cake would be, and she wasn’t about to find out.
He looked at the dash. Noon. Where would he find a cake at this hour?
Most places were closing early because of the holiday.
The small town of Deer Creek Falls wasn’t like the big cities, where shops stayed open until late on Christmas Eve for last-minute shoppers.
He glanced at his phone and punched in Kate’s number.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” Kate chorused.
Her voice put him at ease immediately. “Merry Christmas Eve.”
“I’m excited about your parents’ party.”
“About that. I need a huge favor, and I promise to make it up to you. You name the price and I’ll pay.”
“Stop. What can I do to help?”
“I need a cake. For the party tonight. Chloe put me in charge of only one thing, to order the cake, which I forgot about until she called two minutes ago.”
“Panicking?”
He swiped a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I am.”
“Your hair is pretty messy with how many times you’ve run your hand through it, isn’t it?”
He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Ha-ha. You know me too well.” He straightened his messy strands.
Weeks ago, he hadn’t liked that Kate knew his schedule. Now the thought comforted him, and he liked the idea she knew his crazy quirks.
“Where are you right now?” she asked.
“In my cruiser. Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Just extending the conversation to make you squirm a little more.” She laughed, which caused him to chuckle.
“So you’ll help?” he asked.
“Of course. I’ll get started on it right away. Chocolate or white? Buttercream, cream cheese, or whipped frosting? How do you want it decorated? How many people? And will you stop to pick it up?”
Nick stared at the screen in front of him. Who would have thought it would be so hard to order a simple cake. He pulled off to the side of the road in front of Gus’s Hardware on Main Street to concentrate.
“Nick?”
“Sorry. I don’t know. Everyone in my family likes chocolate, I think. Chloe didn’t specify, just told me to take care of it.”
“Brave.”
“You have no idea. Anyway, I was supposed to order the cake in Bemidji. She didn’t want me to ask you because we’ve asked enough of you. And what do I end up doing? Putting an unnecessary burden on you and on Christmas Eve, no less, while your parents are visiting.”
“Nick, it’s fine. Do your parents have any allergies?”
“No.”
“Let me take care of it.”
“Thank you . . . and Kate?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell your sister,” she said.
“I really appreciate you. And I’m sorry I’m putting this on you at the last minute.”
“Again, not a problem.”
Just then, Kordell rapped on Nick’s window. Nick unlocked the door and motioned for him to climb in.
“Can I pick up the cake after my shift ends at five?” Nick asked Kate.
“Sure. The key will be under the mat. I’ll be at church. I’ll leave the cake in the fridge, boxed and ready to go.”
“Thank you, Kate. Remember. I owe you one.”
He glanced at Kordell, who had settled into the front seat and placed shopping bags between his feet. Kordell’s brow rose, and a smile formed when he realized his daughter was on the phone.
“I better get started,” she said. “Stay safe!”
Nick disconnected the call and explained to Kordell, “Kate is making a cake for my parents’ anniversary party tonight. She’s saving my ass.”
* * *
Jill walked into the kitchen. “Baking? I thought you had all your holiday treats made,” she said as Kate set multiple bowls on the counter.
“I need to bake a cake for tonight. Nick forgot to order one.”
Jill grinned from ear to ear. “I see. You’re in love with Mr. Incredibly Handsome.”
“Mom, I don’t have time for this right now.
” Kate pulled the cake flour and pans from the cupboards, then set the oven to preheat.
She’d bake a cake on Christmas Eve for any friend in need.
Wouldn’t she? Absolutely. Did she really know what being in love was?
She’d thought she was in love with Jacques.
But even after he rejected her and moved to France, she had found it fairly easy to move on without him.
Maybe she’d been in love with the idea of Jacques.
Could she be in love with Nick? He invaded her dreams, and she couldn’t wait to see him.
He made her laugh, and she enjoyed spending time with him. Was that love?
“Let me help,” her mom said, interrupting her musings.
“I’d like that.” Kate’s mom and grandma were great bakers, and she’d learned a lot from them. She’d honed her skills in culinary school, but the love of baking came from the two most important women in her life.
“Would you mind preparing the pans?” she asked.
“Not at all,” Jill said. “I’ll start the frosting next. What kind should I make?”
The mixer hummed in the background. “Let’s go with buttercream. I have all the ingredients, so I don’t need to run to the store.”
“Great, I’ll get started.”
With the dishes washed and the cake layers cooling, Jill pulled out the ingredients for a light snack. “I’ll make your father a sandwich, and I’ll put a quick charcuterie board together to hold us over. I picked up some cheeses, mixed olives, and almond flour crackers for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Kate got busy piping roses.
“Beautiful,” Jill said. “I never could master flowers. It takes too much patience and practice.” She pulled out sandwich ingredients, cut up blocks of cheese, opened a container of mixed olives, and laid out slices of hard salami. “I’m impressed with the selection at the small grocery in town.”
“Yes, it was a nice surprise,” Kate said. “I suspect items have been requested by the summer residents.”
Jill finished arranging their snack and wiped the counter down.
“I decided on a winter background since I have the snowy sparkles left over from Paige’s wedding cake,” Kate said.
Keeping the kitchen clean while baking was her mom’s superpower. Of course, Kate had had to learn to keep the kitchen clean as she went, but when her mom helped, she could relax and create. Jill sat at the island and watched.
“Done.” Kate placed the pastry bag on the counter, glanced at the clock, and stepped back.
“Magnificent. The Reids will love it,” her mom said with pride.
“Oh. I’m not supposed to mention to Chloe or anyone else in the family that I’m making the cake at the last minute.”
Jill swiped a finger over her mouth. “My lips are sealed. Come on, let’s eat and then get ready for church.”
Kate’s dad had been ready for hours. After he arrived home, he’d closed himself into the bedroom to wrap presents, only interrupting a few times to find scissors and tape and to grab his sandwich. He now sat on the couch with a blanket and both cats on his lap, watching Jim Carrey play the Grinch.
With the cake boxed and in the refrigerator, Kate sent a text to Nick: Don’t forget to pick up the cake! We’re headed to church. See you afterwards.
* * *
The daytime temperature melted much of the snow on the side roads and parking lots, but not all of it before the thermometer dipped again below freezing. Nick’s foot slipped on Kate’s back step, and he went down on one knee before grasping the railing.
He found a bag of Ice Melt next to the door and quickly salted the stairs.
Nyla and Lucy were waiting at the door. They rubbed up against him, leaving bits of their hair behind.
Nick didn’t mind since he was done for the day.
He reached down and petted the friendly felines.
He had always liked cats, more so than dogs, for their independence, intelligence, and low maintenance.
It was better to clean litter boxes than to step in dog poop.
The thought of seeing Kate quickened his step.
With the cake box in hand, he headed out. “Shi—” His feet slipped as he reached for the door handle of his vehicle. He should have extended the salting to his car.
He landed on his ass, but kept the cake box high, sending up a quick prayer the cake hadn’t shifted and was still salvageable.
Setting the box on the ground, he lifted himself up from the icy pavement and rubbed his butt.
He glanced around. The streets were empty. No one had witnessed his lack of grace.
He opened the back door of his truck, set the cake on the seat, and tried to peek in to see how much damage he’d done. It seemed like it had fared well, but Kate had taped the sides shut, so he couldn’t be certain.
* * *
After a quick shower, he arrived at his parents’ place. The pine trees in the front yard sparkled with white lights. He pulled around to the back door and texted Chloe: I’m here.
Cole and Chloe appeared at the back door, holding it open for him. He handed the cake to Chloe. “Here, you take it. I already slipped on the ice. I hope it’s okay.”