Page 12 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

Gabe stormed off, leaving her rooted to the spot.Confusion churned inside her, tangled with anger and annoyance.The last person she needed advice from was Gabe, whose idea of commitment rarely lasted beyond a few dates.

She needed a damn cookie.She spun toward the stairs and hurried down, letting the scent of gingerbread warm her blackened soul.

Ashley made her way to the familiar kitchen.Not much had changed in the time she’d been gone.The cream cabinetry reflected the early afternoon light, the worn butcher-block counters carried decades of family meals, and the faded floral wallpaper she’d begged Grandma Lily to replace when she was fifteen somehow felt perfect now.

A woman she didn’t recognize examined spice bottles, shaking her head and sighing as she picked them up one by one before discarding them in a stacked pile.

“Ms.Porter,” Ashley said, and they both lifted their arms awkwardly, then dropped them.Ashley was done with propriety.She stepped toward the older woman, who had always been kind to her, and wrapped her in a big hug.Ms.Porter let out a surprised“Oh!”before returning her hug.

“It’s so good to see you,” Ash said.

“You as well, dear.And so great to have you home at Winterridge.Your grandfather has missed you.Heck, the whole staff has.”They pulled back.“Plus, your grandfather is much more tolerable when family is around.”

Ashley let out a sarcastic laugh.“I’ll remember that the next time he tries to fake his own death.”

Ms.Porter wiped a hand over her apron.“Lord help us all.That man and his dramatics.You’d think he would have had a career in the theater.”

“Amen,” the woman who had been examining spices said.

Ash turned to her, noticing the dusting of flour on her cheeks, the dark curls that were piled on her head, and the frustrated gleam in her brown eyes.

“Are you Tiny?”Ash asked.

“The one and only.I assume you must be Miss Ashley.”

“What gave that away?”

“I’ve seen pictures, and you still have the bangs.”

“They’re kind of my signature.Just can’t seem to let them go.”

“They fit your face.I wouldn’t let them go either.”

“Thanks.”Heat blossomed in her cheeks at the compliment.“I was told you make the best cookies in the state.”

“Who said that?”Tiny asked, head tilting.

“Carter.”

Tiny raised an eyebrow.“I’d hope he’d give me more credit than that.I’d say the best cookie on the East Coast.”The playful confidence in her voice caught Ashley off guard.After the tension she’d left simmering in the hallway, it was a welcome change, and a genuine smile curved her lips for what felt like the first time all afternoon.

“Don’t sell yourself short, dear,” Ms.Porter said.“Best in the country, hands down.”

A grin brightened Tiny’s already glowing complexion.

“In that case, what will it take for you to make me some?”Ash asked.

Tiny was already pulling out a container of flour and a bag of chocolate chips.“Lucky for you, baking cookies is one of my favorite activities.I will get right on it, then I can have Hawthorne or Ms.Porter bring them to you.”

Ash grabbed a stool and brought it to her.“If you don’t mind, I’d like to watch the master in action.”

A smile spread across Tiny’s face.“It would be a pleasure to have your company.”

A feeling of acceptance filled Ash as she took a seat.“How long have you worked here?”

“Going on four years now.Your grandfather came into a bakery I was working at, had one of my cookies, and demanded to meet the person who made them.He offered me a job right there.”

“And you accepted?”