Page 6 of Cruz

He watched as she took a bite of a cinnamon roll, and she sat back, closed her eyes, and looked in absolute bliss.

“I know I shouldn’t compliment them, because I was the one to make them, but they’re so good.”

He chuckled. “Of course, you can enjoy them.” He winked at her. “They’re the best kind of advertisement.”

Was it him, or did her cheeks go a beautiful shade of red?

She dipped her head down and took a sip of her hot chocolate. “That tastes good.”

He was glad, and he couldn’t stop watching her. She looked so beautiful. It felt good to have her in his home.

He finished off both of his cinnamon rolls, while Kate only finished her first. They drank the hot chocolate, and she showed him what she had done with the fabric he’d chosen.

“I’ve also washed them, pressed them, so all you need to do now is store them, and you’re good to go.”

She offered him a smile, and it completely stole his heart.

“How about we try one?” he asked. “Let’s make sure I got the measurements right.”

This made her laugh, but they took their cups and plates off, leaving the table blank, and there were a lot of cup and saucepan rings.

She put the pile of cloths onto a chair and picked the first one, sliding it across the surface. He took the other end, and it actually fit the table.

“It looks good,” he said, stepping back. There was enough of an overhang that wasn’t too much.

“Thanks,” Kate said. She picked up her mug and finished her hot chocolate. “That tastes so good. I better be getting back.”

He couldn’t think of a single thing to say to make her stay. He gritted his teeth, and scoured his brain, and there was nothing, absolutely nothing, other than for her to stay, because he wanted her to.

“Belle,” she said, calling out to the little dog.

It took a couple of extra seconds, but Belle eventually came forward, wriggling her little butt, but she did not look happy at being moved.

Kate chuckled. “I know. I know. I don’t want to have to go out in the cold either, but we have to. We’ve got to get home.”

He moved toward the door, still trying to figure out what he could say to make her stay. He couldn’t think of a single thing. So, he opened the door, looked out, and they both froze in the doorway.

Letting out all of the warmth, as Kate’s car had disappeared.

During the course of the hot chocolate and the cinnamon roll, the storm that had been threatening had started. Kate’s car was no longer visible, and the snow was still coming down.

“Wow,” Kate said.

He gripped her shoulders and pulled her back inside his home. “I think it is safe to say, you’re not leaving this house.” He winced. “That sounded like a threat, and that is not what I meant. You know, with the snow.”

Kate turned toward him. “I know it wasn’t a threat.” She put her hand on top of his. “You need to stop worrying about every little detail. What do we do?”

“Well, you stay here. I’ve got a spare bedroom. I’ve got food that can feed Belle. Has she been fed already?”

“Yes, she has.”

“Have you?”

“The cinnamon roll and hot chocolate,” Kate said.

He reached for her jacket. “I think it best we feed you.”

“Have you eaten?” Kate asked.