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“I wasn’t hiding as much as I was staying out of the way. Something compelled me to be there, to see Kian in action, engaged in something so community-based.”

“And to think it was all his idea,” Joy said, leaning back in the chair. “Marci made it happen because we had to go to Middleburg, but Kian gave her the basics, and she ran with them.”

“He’s certainly not the same boy I sent off to college. That’s a huge compliment to him.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” Joy said, smiling behind her cup as Freya pulled out the last pans and set them on a cooling rack. “He has changed so much that I struggle to trust this new Kian. He’s proved himself over and over, but—”

“But you still remember the boy I sent off to college,” Freya said. “Last week, he told me his one regret is how he treated you in high school. He knows you don’t trust him, but in his quest to prove himself to you, he’s found renewed purpose in his work.”

“If I didn’t trust him, I wouldn’t have let him kiss me,” Joy said, shaking her head. When the room stayed silent, she realized what she’d said and snapped her head up to see Freya’s mouth hanging open as she blinked.

“You kissed him?” Freya whispered, walking to the table and sitting down without breaking eye contact. “Like, kissed kissed him?”

Biting back laughter at her reaction, Joy shrugged. “I mean, I think it was a kiss-kiss. There was tongue involved. Does that count?”

Freya squealed so loudly that Joy had to cover her ears. What made her laugh with abandon was the sheer delight in Freya’s squeal. “Wherever Ms. Lorelei is, she’s doing a happy dance!”

“Lorelei?” Joy asked. “Why?”

“She loved you and her son. Her one hope in life was that Kian would make amends for how he treated you. The fact that he has would please her so much.”

“The fact that I’ve made amends with Joy has nothing to do with my mother,” Kian said, walking into the room. “Sorry to interrupt, but I heard someone squeal and thought you were hurt.”

Freya didn’t hide her grin. “Sorry, not sorry, but we’re fine. Just finished the last pan of cookies.”

“I had so much fun,” Joy said, taking Freya’s hand. “I’ve missed spending time with you and just being at Wintercrest Estate.”

“You know how to fix that, right?” Freya asked.

“I do, so after the holidays, let’s make a standing lunch date,” Joy said, hugging her friend. Freya may be twenty years older than Joy, but she always made Joy feel loved and cared for.

“Yes, let’s do that. In the meantime, I’d better get started on making icing for these cookies.”

“Let me help,” Joy offered as Kian walked over and squeezed her shoulder. “There are one hundred dozen cookies here. You can’t do them all by yourself.”

“Holy crap,” Kian muttered. “Whom are you feeding?”

“The entire town, my boy,” Freya answered with a shrug. “And I won’t be alone. I’m going to ice a dozen for you, and I’ll pack up the rest and take them with me to the school, where the kids will have a cookie-decorating party in Family and Consumer Ed.”

“Great idea!” Joy exclaimed. “Don’t worry about icing any for me. I’ll have one on Christmas Eve.”

“Girl, do I look like I fell off a turnip truck yesterday? You’ve had your eye on those cookies for hours. I’ll make my special Joy frosting and send a dozen home with you.”

“Special Joy frosting?” Kian asked.

“It’s sweet, with just a hint of lemon,” Freya said.

“Because she’s sour?” Kian asked.

“No, because she always has a surprise inside.” Freya’s wink was so playful that Joy couldn’t help but laugh.

“Can’t argue with that,” Kian said with a smile, then turned to Joy. “Do you have a minute? I’d love to show you something.”

“You go,” Freya said, shooing her out the door. “Stop by before you leave to pick up your cookies. I’ll have them ready.”

Joy stood, grabbed her crutches, walked to her friend, and hugged her tightly. “Thanks for a wonderful afternoon. This Christmas season has been full of surprises, but it also reminded me that there’s more to it than work. Sometimes you have to stop and smell the cookies.”

Freya patted Joy’s cheek and nodded. “I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for all your help today. We make a great team.” She nodded to Kian. “You two make a great team, too.”