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Ella flashed him a smile. “Be careful. We might end up thinking we can get along, and then where will the fun be in that?”
“You prefer a little excitement,” he said, his gaze holding hers.
Just like that her heart fluttered, her traitorous pulse quickening. No, she thought, she preferred him, especially when they had fun together, and it had been a fun afternoon. Baird hadn’t just survived all two hours in the kitchen, he’d known how to measure and stir things while telling amusing stories and doing wonderful accents and impersonations. He had the aunts and Mrs. Johnson howling with laughter, and Dorothy was quick to laugh, but not Emma.
“You had mad skills with the kitchen timer,” she said. “We burned nothing, which pleased Emma greatly.”
Baird shrugged modestly. “I’m glad I was able to impress you. It required a tremendous amount of concentration, and dexterity, getting that little dial around and then set to the right time. I would have preferred using the time on my phone, but as you heard, Emma didn’t trust it.”
“And it’s cheating,” Ella added. “There’s no place for fancy technology in traditional baking.”
“I think you’ve been listening to Emma too much.”
She grinned. “You’re good with them, all of them. Older ladies like you.”
“I have an Aunt Kate I practice on. I’ve learned I have to smile a lot, agree with everything if possible, and let them think every good idea is theirs.”
“I could be wrong,” Ella said, still smiling, liking this Baird very much, “but that sounds like a winning combination for women of all ages. I would love to be told I’m right—every time. Why don’t you do that with me?”
“Because you’re not a frail senior citizen, and I can’t afford to give you that much power. As it is, you’re hard to manage.”
“What a lovely thing to say.” Ella laughed. “You are truly a silver-tongued devil.”
They exited the hall and made their way back to the formal entrance, and then down the corridor to the kitchen and mudroom. Ella popped back into the kitchen and snuck a shortbread from the tin on the counter, handed it to Baird and then took one for herself.
As they left the house, they collected their coats and headed back to the cottage.
“I spoke with Alec,” Baird said, “just before I found you. He’s called everyone he needed to speak to and is now trying to put things in order so he can come home.”
“That’s good. When will he be back?”
“He’s thinking he should be here in the morning.”
“Does Cara know?”
“They spoke earlier today, but he’s left his return a little vague in case he can’t make it in the morning. He doesn’t want to disappoint her but did want me to thank you for everything you’re doing to entertain her and keep her from worrying. He said she loves having you here and she’s so glad you can celebrate Christmas Sherbourne style.”
“I love being here with her, and all of Alec’s family. Mrs. Booth and Mrs. Johnson feel like Alec’s family, too. I do feel rather guilty that they’re both here for the holidays, though. I could probably manage more cooking if they need time off.”
“Normally, Mrs. Booth would be gone, but with Cara’s pregnancy she didn’t feel right leaving, and Mrs. Johnson prefers to be here for Christmas and then chooses to take some time off in January once Mrs. Booth is back. This year is different from previous years, but everyone is so excited about the babies no one wants to leave.”
“Cara is lucky to be surrounded by such good people. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but they take very good care of her, and it’s reassuring to know that she has so much support.”
They walked in silence until the cottage came into view. A wisp of smoke rose from the stone chimney. “The staff loves Alec, and they know how much Cara loves Alec, and they’re grateful. She’s brought him to life.”
They reached the cottage and Baird went straight to the fire to stoke it and add another log. Ella hung up her coat, eased off her shoes and went to a chair near the fire to get warm. “Do you see a difference in him?” she asked.
“Absolutely. He’s a different man.” Baird straightened and put the poker back. “There was no Christmas before, no family coming over. He hid away in that vast house, only coming home because he had to say a few words at the annual house tour. He hated the tour, too, hated people trooping through the place but now he’s proud to show it off, because it’s not just an old family place, but the home where he and Cara will raise their family.”
“Does he talk about the babies much? What does he think about becoming a dad… to twins?”
“I think he’s in shock, but it’s a good shock. There’s joy and fear, but also a determination to protect her from stress and keep her safe.”
Ella thought for a moment. “His news will upset her, when he shares it with her, especially if its someone Alec trusted.”
Baird’s jaw tightened, his expression hardening. “I hope the police find him.”
“He’d be arrested, wouldn’t he?”
