Page 51 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
But Cole thought up a reply, and he thought it up real quick.
Dignity and merit were tossed out the window.
He’s a man seeking revenge, our dear Daddy Snow.
This is what a highfeels like.
This effervescent, light, practically airless feeling pulsing through my veins as I levitate out of bed, toe on my slippers, mock-curtsy to that bitch doll Samantha, and then head down the creaky stairs, the smell of coffee leading the way.
Wow.
Just wow.
I can’t believe we won last night.
I mean, I can.
Between the drink, the presentation, and Aunt Cindy’s superb acting, it was hard to say we didn’t have it in the bag.
And the look on Cole’s face.
Chef’s kiss.
Priceless.
I truly have never felt better. I’ve never felt more into anything in my entire life, and now, the bar has been set. I’m in game-plan mode now. We have a launch point, and we have to keep climbing.
I head toward the dining room, where coffee has been poured and oatmeal has been served.
“What’s this?” I ask Aunt Cindy and Taran, who are both sitting at the table.
“I wanted to make you my famous oatmeal for a job well done last night,” Aunt Cindy says.
I take a seat next to Taran and grab the milk for my coffee. “Aunt Cindy, I don’t think you should be cooking in your condition.”
“That’s what I told her,” Taran says. “It’s why I’m the one who made it while she snapped at me—”
“Excuse me?” Aunt Cindy says.
“I meantold,” Taran says with a cheeky grin. “Told me what to do.”
“Well, it looks delicious, thank you.” I pick up my spoon and stir my coffee when I notice that they’re both staring at me. I look between the two of them. “What?”
“You seem…different,” Taran says.
“She does, doesn’t she?” Aunt Cindy says with a grin.
“Yes, quite different.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say as I place my napkin on my lap.
“You know, Aunt Cindy, I think…yeah, I think she liked winning last night.”
Aunt Cindy rests her chin in her hand as she gazes at me. “I think she did.”
“Well, who doesn’t like winning?” I ask as I drop a teaspoon of brown sugar in my oatmeal and give it a stir.
Raisins, chopped apples, and cinnamon. It’s creamy, it’s soft, it’s delicious.
