Page 81 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

Ashley took it out of the oven, and she and Tiny stepped back as if they were sending up a silent prayer.

“Do you want to do the honors?”Tiny asked, holding out a knife to Ashley.

Ashley shook her head.“You deserve this moment.You’ve worked so hard to get this right.”

Tiny hugged her, then turned to the cake.She cut three slices and handed out forks.On the count of three, they all dove in.

Tiny never having tasted the original, stared at Carter and Ashley after a moan of delight.

“So?”she asked, impatience filling her words.

Carter looked at Ashley and nodded.

“It’s perfect.”

Chapter twenty-five

Carter

CarterknockedonBill’soffice door, and Bill waved him inside.He motioned to the leather chair across from his desk, and Carter took the seat as he had done so many times before.

“What can I do for you today?”Bill asked with a joy in his voice Carter hadn’t heard in years.

“I wanted to let you know that Tiny did it, sir.”

Bill slapped his desk, a huge smile on his aging face.“I knew she could.”

“She did have a little help.”

Bill’s eyebrow arched.

“Turns out, this entire time, Ashley had the recipe in her wallet.”

A loud bark of a laugh burst from Bill as he shook his head and looked up at the ceiling.“Of course you gave it to our girl,” he mumbled.His attention returned to Carter.“Now that’s out of the way.What are your intentions with my granddaughter?”

“I’m sorry?”

“It’s no secret you two have been sneaking around the last few days, nor was it a secret eight years ago.You love her; I can see it in the way your face lights up every time she enters a room.You look at her like I looked at my Lily.So what are your intentions?”

“That’s the thing, sir.I don’t want to lose her.I love her.I always have.”

“But?Come on.There’s always a but.”

“She lives in New York.I live at Winterridge.I love my job.She loves hers.You pay me a good salary, and I am most appreciative of that, but it’s nowhere near the lifestyle she is used to.”

“Do you think Ashley would care about that?”Bill leaned toward him, an intense seriousness filling his irises.“Listen to me carefully, son.You were never beneath my granddaughter.I trusted you with this estate because I trusted you with my family.As far as I’m concerned, you’ve been one of us for years.”

Warmth spread through Carter, and he couldn’t hold back the smile.

“Your worth has nothing to do with your salary.But while we’re on the subject of money… You’re just as rich as she is.”

A laugh burst from Carter.He quickly snapped his mouth shut and straightened his collar.“Sorry, sir.But it is no secret I came from nothing.”

“I paid your father a good salary,” Bill said.

“I’m aware, sir, but even still.When he passed, there was just enough to cover funeral expenses.”

“That’s because your father gave me his life savings.”