Page 39 of The Friendship Pact

Nick set the tree down on the slate tile inside the entrance. “I’ll need to grab the tree stand and decorations. Want to help?”

“Lead the way. It smells fabulous in here.” She handed him the wine and tin of cookies and followed him into the kitchen. There were four colorful cookie tins already on the island. “It looks like you don’t need any more treats.”

Nick shrugged and joked, “What can I say? I’m popular. One is toffee, one is peanut brittle, and two are miscellaneous treats.”

Kate wondered who they were from and if they were trying to land the sexy sheriff by dropping off their Christmas goodies.

“It’s not what you’re thinking,” he said.

“Whatever do you mean?” She’d never had a great poker face.

“The single women in this town aren’t beating down my door, if that’s what you’re getting at.” Nick gestured toward the tins. “These are all from elderly women.”

“That’s very sweet. No pun intended.”

He shook his head, a smile on his face. “Come on. Follow me.”

If only he knew she’d follow him anywhere. Thoughts like these popped into her head often when she saw Nick. Even when he wasn’t in uniform. Her gaze trailed down the back of him. The faded jeans and blue Henley he wore hugged his muscles. Her mouth watered. She had to stop envisioning him naked or she’d never get through this friendship pact.

“Your place is amazing.” Kate tilted her head back to look at the high ceilings and the wood beams running the width of the living room.

“Thanks. I’ve done a lot of work to it. The house is one of the original cabins on the property. My grandparents had a small resort on the lake before they built the lodge.”

“Some cabin. Can you see the lake from here?”

Nick led her into the basement. “Yes. From the master bedroom suite on the second floor. I added the second floor for the view and the basement for storage and storm shelter.”

The basement was clean and organized. The boxes were all labeled in bold black lettering and arranged neatly on shelves. “You’re very organized and tidy,” she said.

“It makes life easier when you know where everything is.”

“I’m sure it would,” she said with a laugh. “If only I were as organized as you.”

“Here, you take this box and I’ll get the rest.”

“I might be small, but I can take something else.”

Nick’s eyes crinkled in the corners. “Okay, you can carry the stand too.”

It didn’t take long to erect the tree and string the lights. “How about we eat and then hang the ornaments,” Nick suggested.

Conversations with Nick always flowed easily, and the same was true as they sat at the table enjoying their meal, talking about work, about family, about the quirky characters in town.

“That was delicious. Feel free to make soup for me anytime.” Kate set her spoon to the side and sat back.

“I’d be happy to. Would you like more?”

“I couldn’t eat another bite. Thank you. I don’t cook much, so this is a nice treat,” she said, and took a sip of her wine.

“Then we make a good team, because my idea of baking is buying a cake mix and following the directions.”

Nick gathered the dishes and placed them in the sink. She stood to help, but he waved her away. “I’ve got this. Meet me in the living room. I have something for you. Be right back.”

He left the room, and she walked around the kitchen. He hadn’t skimped on the appliances, all top-of-the-line stainless steel. She would have put the same stove in her living quarters if she’d had the funds.

With her wineglass in hand, she stopped at the large stone fireplace and picked up a framed family picture.

“That was taken a few Christmases ago when I moved back,” Nick said, arriving at her side.