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“There, there, let me help you, young man,” she said, stacking the two remaining loaves on top of the ones he had already picked up.
“Thank you,” Lily and Cullen said at different intervals. Their arms were already full and it would’ve been difficult to help George before they’d set down their loads.
“My pleasure,” she said. “What are you selling?”
“Stollen Christmas bread,” said Hannah.
“It’s not stolen,” Megan quickly informed the woman. “Like, we didn’t steal it or anything. It’s just called stollen because—because it’s from Germany and that’s what they call it. But we made it ourselves. We didn’t take it from anyone.”
“We’re going to give the money we make selling it to kids who are less fortunate than we are,” said Bridget, her voice barely a whisper.
The woman’s hand fluttered to her heart. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. I will certainly make sure I come back and buy several loaves to help you in your generous endeavor.”
As the kids ran over to the Celebrations Inc. booth, the woman beamed at Lily and Cullen. “Such a beautiful family. The two of you are to be commended for raising such nice, civic-minded children.”
Lily and Cullen exchanged a bemused look, but the woman didn’t seem to notice. Neither one corrected her. To Lily, for one perfect, snow-globe moment, they were a family and it was everything she had ever wanted in the world.
“Oh, will you look at me, running my mouth while the two of you are standing there indulging me so politely? You have your arms full,” the woman said. “Please don’t let me keep you. I’ll be back to buy some of that stollen bread before it gets away. Ta!”
She gave a fluttery wave of her fingers as she turned and walked away. Once they had unloaded the bread at the booth and the woman was out of earshot, Cullen turned to Lily and said, “There you go. Your first customer.”
“Apparently so,” Lily said, thinking he was going to politely ignore the woman’s mistaking them for a married couple.
Probably for the best.
“Would my wife care to help me carry in the rest of the bread from the car?”
Her pulse quickened and her breath caught in her chest. But she had enough of her wits about her to realize she’d better be cool. He was just playing along. They were flirting in that way that the two of them did so well.
She cocked an eyebrow at him, determined to let him interpret her response however he chose. But Cullen’s suggestive stare held hers until she wanted to squirm. So she did the only thing she could do—she rolled her eyes at him.
He laughed.
“Hey, Syd, do you mind if we leave the kids with you while we go get the rest of the stollen?” Lily asked in a forced casual tone. “If we both go, one more trip to the car should do it.”
“Good heavens,” Sydney said. “You must’ve been baking nonstop since we agreed to do this.”
“You have no idea.” Cullen put his arm around Lily. “My wife is quite a talented baker.”
Sydney’s mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but she closed it before she did. A look of bemused intrigue transformed her pretty face. She darted a glance at Lily that seemed to demand, You will explain this later.
“Your wife, huh?” she finally said.
“Oh, he’s just kidding.” Lily wiggled out from under Cullen’s arm, hating the blush she was certain colored her cheeks.
Sydney seemed to be looking at them differently now. “Sure, you two lovebirds go get the rest of the stollen. I’ll keep an eye on your kids for you, but don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Cullen, I’m serious. She’s my friend.”
Cullen nodded and gave Sydney a little salute as he and Lily turned and walked toward the exit. Lily couldn’t tell if he was being irreverent or if it was just his way of saying, I understand.
“What was that about?” he asked.
“Oh, you know Sydney,” Lily said. “I think she fancies herself the big-sister sort who is looking out for me.”
“I didn’t realize you needed someone to watch over you.”
