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“Let me get your door,” Crane says. Before I can tell him that's a terrible idea, he’s already out of the car and coming around to open the door for me.
“Thank you, but–”
“Crane, why don’t you come in and have a cup of coffee with us.” It’s not really a question. Not when it's coming in that tone of voice from my mom. I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the line of questioning that she and Eve are about to go into.
“I got food too.” Eve takes a giant bite of the bear claw she’s holding in her hand.
“I’d love to.” Crane gives them a smile.
“You don’t have to. I’m sure you have—”
He drops a quick kiss on my mouth, shocking me into silence. It was fast, but still.
I gape at him. “You can’t kiss me in front of my mom.”
“Just did.” He takes my hand and pulls me out and away from the car door so he can close it. “Morning, Ellen, Eve.” He gives them both a nod.
“I guess itisa good morning.” Eve wiggles her eyebrows at me. I glare at her, my face starting to warm.
“I can’t stay long. I'm already running late.” I pick up my pace, practically dragging Crane toward my mom’s office.
“So it looks as though you’re enjoying Snow Hills?” Mom asks Crane.
“Mom!” I’m going to kill them both.
“What?” She laughs. “I’m asking if he is enjoying Snow Hills. Not my daughter.”
“I can’t.” I want to die. Crane lets my hand go. I'm guessing to bolt out of here. Instead, he only shifts to drape his arm over my shoulder to pull me in close.
“Snow Hills has been nothing I’d expected.”
“You came at the perfect time.” Mom smiles. Her eyes bounce between the two of us.
My face goes bright red at my mother’s innuendo. “You really did.” I try to recover. “You’ll get to see Christmas in full swing around here.” I glance up at Crane. He still needs to get lights on his house.
Mom gives me a sly smile. “That’s not what I meant. I didn’t know I raised a daughter with such a filthy mind.”
“Have you ever seen her Kindle?” Eve asks my mom.
“Eve!” I snap. Aren’t they supposed to be giving Crane a hard time? Not me. The heck. I shouldn’t be shocked; the two of them always gang up on me.
“What’s on your Kindle?” Crane asks.
“Just books or whatever.” I stumble over my words. “There is only so much space in the library.” I try not to sound defensive or suspicious, but I’m sure I’m failing. My face always shows every emotion.
“And some of those covers or title names can’t be poking out in there with little eyes and hands roaming around, right, Liza?”
I glare harder at my friend. Crane lets out a deep, sexy chuckle that has me melting into his side.
“What I meant was”—Mom circles back around to her point—“a few of the ladies from the Frost Angel Sewing group had their grandsons coming to the auction to bid on you. I overheard they were sending a picture of you to them.”
Crane’s hold on me tightens. He’s not laughing anymore.
“So you better be ready,” she tells Crane.
“I’m always ready.” His response is simple, but it’s laced with something else I can’t put my finger on.
“So, coffee.” I change the subject. “You want sugar cookie creamer? It’s wonderful, but you can only get it this time of year.”
