“I’d love that. Thanks.” Julie picked up the piping bag and started to attempt to form icicles on the side of the house. “What about you, Ivy ? Have you started decorating your shop?”
“Not yet,” Ivy said. “I’m waiting for some pet-themed decorations that I ordered special to come in.”
“That sounds fun,” Kristen said. “I can’t wait to see it. I need to swing in and get some treats for George. Is there anything you recommend?”
“I’ll pick out some of the customer favorites or you.” Ivy popped a dog paw into her mouth and then put one on the side of her gingerbread house.
As they worked, the conversation flowed easily among the three friends, touching on everything from Christmas plans to business gossip. It was nice to have some downtime with her friends, and Kristen found herself relaxing and enjoying the company, all thoughts of Mason and the skating-pond-decorating contest far from her mind.
She was so focused on chatting with her friends that she didn’t realize how fast the time was passing. Soon, Irene was announcing that there were only ten minutes left.
“We’d better get these houses done,” Julie said, picking up the pace.
They hurried to finish their houses, adding the final touches just as time was called.
Everyone stood back to admire their work, and Kristen had to admit, hers looked pretty good. It resembled a little cottage covered in snow, with a chocolate nonpareil roof and white-chocolate candy kisses for shrubs.
But it was Myrtle who won. Her gingerbread house was covered with a pack of chocolate cats, which had been painted to resemble real breeds. There were tiger cats, tuxedo cats, calico cats, and even a pair of Siamese. They sat on the roof, on the chimney, and around the house. It was adorable.
“I don’t mind losing to Myrtle. Her house is amazing,” Ivy said.
“And for a great cause,” Julie added.
“And besides, ours will still be displayed with our business name around town, so it’s all good.” Kristen popped a few nonpareils into her mouth and stood. “What time do you want me to drop by with the garland?”
Chapter 21
Mason was early for his meeting with Brad, so he took the opportunity to visit with Ginger. He sat in her office, looking out the window at the traffic stalled in the city. There were no blankets of pristine white snow glittering in the sunshine. No pine trees with snow-covered boughs. No wildlife. All that was here were city dirt and exhaust fumes.
It wasn’t just the gloomy weather that had him down in the dumps. His thoughts turned to the awkward exchange with Kristen in the driveway. She’d seemed so happy and bubbly, offering to ride together to the gingerbread-house contest. Mason hadn’t known what to say because he’d forgotten about the contest and was too worried about work and feeling down about disappointing his father. Even though his dad had tried to cover his disappointment, Mason knew his father hadn’t wanted him to leave.
Hopefully, she didn’t think he’d been too standoffish or abrupt.
“Earth to Mason,” Ginger said as she turned the plant in the windowsill so the other side could get more light. “You are a million miles away.”
“I’m sorry.” Mason looked at his childhood friend.
People often mistook them for a couple. He would’ve been proud to be a couple with Ginger, with her long copper curls and dark tortoiseshell glasses that highlighted sea-green eyes. But neither one of them had ever had romantic feelings, probably because they’d met when they were five years old and thought of each other more like siblings. Even so, as adults, they had a lot of fun out in bars and being each other’s wingmen. “I’m just a little worried about Brad and what he’s up to.”
Ginger rolled her eyes and glanced out into the hallway. “No kidding. He’s really fixated on outselling Bursting Blooms.”
“I hope he’s not pressuring you too much,” Mason said.
“You know me. I can’t be pressured. There’s no way I would do anything sketchy.” Ginger tapped her pencil on a piece of paper scribbled with cryptic figures and numbers. “I’m working on a formula that will hopefully be better than theirs.”
Ginger wasn’t worried about getting fired. With her Ivy League degrees, experience, and skills, she routinely got tempting offers from other companies.
“I’m sure whatever you come up with will blow their formula out of the water.”
Ginger smiled. “I’ve been thinking about those pine trees you mentioned. I’m a little bit worried about them. This late in the season, they shouldn’t have the dry needles. I’d really like to put eyes on them if I could.”
Mason tilted his head and studied her. “Then you need to reconsider my offer of coming to Pinecone Falls for Christmas. You could spend the holidays with my dad and me. I’d love to show you the town. It’s really cute and loaded with good, old-fashioned Christmas cheer.”
Ginger was giving him that look, the one that meant she thought she knew more about him than he did. “Sounds like you really like it there.”
“It’s okay. I mean, I haven’t been there a long time, but I do know it’s relaxing and has a refreshing vibe. The people seem nice. Aren’t you sick of being alone for Christmas? Unless you’re going to the Caribbean this year…”
Ginger wrinkled her nose. “Hardly. It does sound like a good place for Christmas. And maybe even for all year.”
