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“Slowpoke.” He climbed on a stool. “So, what’s for lunch?”
“Dunno.” She opened the freezer and stared inside before pulling out a package. “No ham for Christmas dinner, but here’s a roast.”
“Terrific.” He leaned forward, his forearms braced on the granite breakfast bar. “Got any yeast and flour? I make great homemade rolls.”
Charlee frowned as she thought if she’d ever brought yeast to the cabin. She shook her head as she put the roast into a large bowl of cold water to defrost. “Flour, but no yeast.”
“How about cornmeal?” he asked. “I can make cornbread.”
“Nope.”
“Work with me.” He gave her a cute little grin. “You’ve got to have baking soda. You probably don’t have buttermilk, but I know you have salt and milk.”
She peeked into a cabinet. “Yep, I have all that.”
“Last question.” He nodded to the cabinet. “Got vinegar? I can make my own buttermilk.”
She pulled out the box of baking soda and bottle of apple cider vinegar. “Got it.”
“I’ll make Irish soda bread.” He leaned against the seatback of his stool. “Then we’ll have hot fresh bread to go with dinner.”
She smiled at his enthusiasm. “I’ve got real butter. I’m hungry for the bread already.”
Charlee threw together roast beef sandwiches for lunch as they figured out what else they’d make for Christmas dinner. She handed him glasses of cider then sat next to him after she delivered the sandwiches on plates.
He picked up his sandwich. “What did you have planned to eat when you decided to come up here alone?”
“Probably what we’re eating now.” She shrugged. “I didn’t give it a lot of thought.”
His tone quieted. “Why did you come up here alone on Christmas weekend?”
Charlee blew out her breath and looked away. After a moment she looked at him again. “I’m a fifth wheel everywhere I go. My sister’s married, all my friends are married, everyone’s got kids or about to have one. I just feel like the odd man out—odd woman—every time we get together. So I decided this year I’d have some me-time.”
Ace gave a slow nod as he contemplated what she’d said. “I know exactly how you feel. I’m one of the only single McBrides in the county. All my brothers are married, and my sister, and most of my cousins.” He shrugged. “Rugrats running around everywhere.”
“I bet Uncle Ace is pretty fun,” Charlee said with a smile.
“Sure love those kids.” He looked like he was going to say something else, but stopped. “I can bet all the kids are crazy about their Aunt Charlee.”
“I’m just as crazy about them.” She let her breath out slowly. “I do feel like I’m missing out, and it’s only my hang-ups that are doing this to me. So, I decided to come up here.”
Ace put his hand over hers, the feeling warm and comfortable. “I’m glad we’re together for Christmas. No matter what happens, I’m glad it’s just me and you.”
“We might have to make it a tradition,” she said before she could choose her words a little more carefully. “I mean, if we’re not busy with something else.”
He took her hand in his and squeezed. “I’d like that, Charlee. You know I would.”
“Yes.” She turned her hand over and linked their fingers. “I do know.”
He smiled. “Good.”
“So…” She let out her breath. “How do people survive getting snowed in? It’s all playing games and eating. It’s a wonder everyone who lives in cold climates aren’t five hundred pounds.”
Ace’s eyes sparkled. “I can think of something else that’s a lot of fun. Burns up calories, too.”
Charlee’s whole body flushed with warmth. “Yeah, I just bet you can.”
He slid off his stool. “Let’s clean up and then we’ll come up with something more innocent.”
