Page 43 of Sleigh My Heart

Michelle grinned. “Yeah, and about last year’s attempt at baking.”

One day together and they were already gossiping like besties. It shouldn’t surprise him. Ava was his mini-me in more ways than one, and he and Mickey clicked instantly. He covered his face and groaned. “They were inedible. She will never let me forget it. Thanks for covering for me. I owe you.”

“No worries. What’s a few more cookies?” She shrugged then rocked back on her heels. “You had something you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Yes,” he said, as he took the cookies to the kitchen. He set them on the counter next to the ones from his father’s office. Both so similar. Festive red and green boxes filled with sweet confections. A symbol of the season designed to bring joy and cheer. Nick almost hated to think otherwise.

“Outside voice.” Her eyes smiled as she waited for him to respond.

Right. He grabbed a second beer from the fridge and offered it to her. Her eyes cut to his a second before she reached for it. Her long fingers circled the bottle, narrowly missing his.

Picking up his, he took a swig. The cold brew tingled his tongue on the way down. “I talked to my father for a few minutes before his sedative kicked in.”

“How is he?” Concern flashed across her face.

“The doctor said he would be okay, but they’re keeping him for a day or two.”

“That’s a relief.”

It was. Now Nick needed to address the real issue. “I will find someone else to play Santa at the festival, but this is all just too much of a coincidence. The sleigh and now Dad’s accident.”

She stared into her bottle. “Agreed. Especially since the minivan was a victim of a hit-and-run.”

“I went to his store after I left the hospital. He mentioned a children’s ward appearance, but it wasn’t on his calendar.”

Michelle cocked her head. “Could it have been last minute?”

“Definitely. But the odd thing was, Dad wanted me to bring him cookies.”

“Russ loves Christmas cookies.”

“Not just any cookies. The ones he had on his desk.” He pointed to the other box.

She leaned in and examined the box without touching it. “Did he say why?”

“Only that they were delicious. But I don’t see a card or note saying who they’re from.”

Her green eyes shot to his. “Are you thinking they may have been made with more than sugar and holiday cheer?”

“I’m thinking they are like the brownies we ate at Bethany Skoglund’s party our senior year.”

Those beautiful eyes lit with understanding a second before a grin flashed across her face. Yeah, he remembered that night in high definition.

“Oh. That would explain the cannabis in your father’s system.” She took out her keys and lifted the lid with the edge. “I’m guessing they packed an even dozen. Looks like four are missing.”

From the crumbs and odd placement, yeah, she was probably right.

He leaned in. Her hair brushed his neck. Nick inhaled. The scent of vanilla filled the air. Damn, it wasn’t the cookies. Nope, it was Mickey. She smelled good enough to eat, and his mouth watered for her.

Her lashes dipped as she surveyed the box. “I’ll take this in and have the lab guy run them.”

“How long will that take?” He knew the police were understaffed, and with the holidays, they were probably backed up. He had his doubts it would be done by the festival, much less tomorrow. And he needed the results now.

“If I cash in a favor, three or four business days.”

“Fuck. That’s too long.”

“Well, unless you have a test kit in your pocket, I don’t think we have a choice. Civilian labs take even longer.”