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Now, Emmie and Ted lined up seven children on each side of the table. Each child received six cut-out sugar cookies. Several small bowls filled with icing of different colors sat on the table, along with containers of colored sprinkles.

Emmie stood on one side of the table, facing Ted with a grin. Having gone through this routine several times with her own children, she knew what was coming.

The event started calmly with the excited chatter of children…until one brother put icing on the tip of his sister’s nose. Laughing, others followed.

“Listen up, everyone! Whoever continues this action will lose all their cookies,” said Consuela calmly, but with enough sternness that the kids stopped.

Consuela had plenty of wet paper towels handy and handed them out to those who needed one. “One cookie will win a prize,” she said. “Let’s start over.”

The room grew quiet as the kids did their best with the icing and sprinkles. Those who didn’t care heaped icing on top of their cookies without any pattern or color scheme. Ted and Emmie stepped in where needed.

After a few minutes, Consuela said, “Mr. Ted will choose which cookie wins.”

Ted walked up one side of the table and down the other, studying the cookies. Then he placed a hand on the shoulder of a girl around nine. “We have our winner.”

“What is your name?” asked Emmie. “Please hold up your cookie so everyone can see it.”

“My name is Lily, and this cookie is a Christmas tree with red lights.”

“Beautiful,” said Emmie. “All of the others are very special, too.”

“We’ll put your cookies in containers to take back to your rooms. That way, you’ll have them,” said Consuela. “Thank you for being part of the fun.”

Emmie and Ted helped the kitchen staff plate the treats, and then Consuela said, “Help yourself to a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll.”

“Thanks.” Emmie turned to Ted. “Do you want to take a break in the Presidential Suite? We can have coffee there, if you wish.”

“Okay. I’m curious to see it.” He turned to Consuela. “Can we take your cinnamon rolls there?”

She grinned. “Of course. I’ll get them ready. Thank you for your help. We can’t do this type of thing without extra hands.”

Carrying a plate with their cinnamon rolls, Emmie led the way to the suite and ushered Ted inside. “Go ahead and take a look around. I’ll get the coffee going, unless you’d rather have something cold. There’s lemonade in the refrigerator.”

“Lemonade sounds delicious,” said Ted, leaving her in the kitchen.

When Ted returned, he said, “This is really great. The suite has a lot of space, but it seems comfortable for even just one person.”

“I’ve enjoyed it so far,” said Emmie, handing him a glass of lemonade and a plate with a cinnamon roll. She gathered each for herself and led him to the living room balcony. “It’s warmed up. I thought we could eat outdoors.”

“Very enjoyable,” said Ted, settling in a chair and placing his drink and the cinnamon roll on a table next to it.

She sat beside him, able to gaze down at the garden below. “Here’s to an exciting day!”

“To a pleasant Christmas Eve,” said Ted, smiling at her. “My family is wondering if you would like to join us for dinner at our guesthouse. We know you’re alone.”

Emmie hesitated. “I don’t want to intrude. It doesn’t seem fair.”

His startling blue eyes settled on her, creating a connection between them. “I can’t promise you a fancy meal. We’re ordering pizza and salad, hoping the kids will eat well before it’s time to put them to bed. They’ll need to get some sleep tonight.”

Emmie thought of sitting alone in the dining room or eating in the suite by herself. “If you’re all okay with my being there, I’d be pleased to join you.”

“Great. I’ll tell my daughter, Cinda, to count on you. It starts at six o’clock, but feel free to come before then,” said Ted. He checked his watch. “I’d better go back to the house. I promised the boys I’d play tag in the pool with them.”

Emmie’s cell rang. Ann Sanders. “Hello?”

“Hi, Emmie. We’re wondering if you can come down to our office to be fitted for your Mrs. Claus outfit. The Santa outfit we have for Ted will do, but if you don’t mind, we’d like to try your outfit on to make sure it’s okay.”

“No problem,” said Emmie. “I’ll be right down.” She ended the call and explained the situation to Ted.