Page 187 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
“Yes, and I fear my nipples fell off during the five-minute walk from Aunt Cindy’s house.”
“Hell, I hope not,” I say as I pull her into me and press a kiss to her lips, loving that we can be open about this.
When I pull away, I try to take her hand, but she shoos me away. “What do you think you’re doing with those icicles you call fingers?”
“Trying to hold your hand.”
“Uh, no, thank you. Defrost first and then I’ll consider it.”
“They’re not that cold,” I protest.
“Cold enough to make me shiver.” She rubs her hands together and then blows on them.
“If this is going to work between us, then you’re going to need to grow some thicker skin.”
“Not sure how to do that,” she says. “Don’t think I care to do the research.”
I chuckle and wrap my arm around her shoulders as we walk farther into the store.
Baubles and Wrappings combines two buildings, with an added second-floor loft area that overlooks the signature tree in the center of the store and offers a kids’ section of unique and vastly overpriced toys.
The rest of the store has rows and sections of specialized gifts tailored to Colorado, trimmings and decor for every Christmas lover, packaged baking mixes, wrapping paper, and even some Christmas dinnerware that has grown in popularity. And the Dankworths, well, they’re always walking up and down the rickety wooden floors, offering help and making sure no one is doing anything illegal since there are a lot of small things that could be stolen.
But Baubles and Wrappings is one of those small-town stores that people talk about because you’re able to find a unique gift, something that isn’t so run-of-the-mill.
“So where do you want to start?” I ask Storee.
“Well, I should really get presents for Aunt Cindy and Taran.”
“Anyone else?”
“No…I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure there’s no one else you want to get a present for?”
She glances in my direction. “If you’re referring to yourself, I already have something for you.”
“Wait, really?” I ask, surprised.
“Yup.” She guides us over to the kitchenware. “I’ve had it planned for a while now.”
“Is it you wrapped in a bow?”
“No, but glad to see where your head’s at.”
“Storee, where you’re concerned, my head is always thinking about that.”
She chuckles. “That makes you incredibly easy.”
“Yeah, it does, and I’m not even sorry.”
“I bet you’re not.” She picks up a pair of salt and pepper shakers that have been made into Mr. and Mrs. Claus. “These are adorable.”
“Bob Krampus has a pair in his kitchen.”
“Do you think he looks at them and thinks…boy, am I salty?”
I snort and pull away so I can look her in the eyes. “Is that a dad joke?”
