Alexander pressed the cookie cutter into the soft dough, his nerves on edge. How could he have let that kiss happen? What would he do if Charley’s father found out? He’d be mortified. He was supposed to be the mature one. There was no excuse for the way he acted. And yet, he couldn’t help but continue to tease her. He liked the way her cheeks turned pink when she blushed.

He cut out a row of Christmas trees, then he turned to the star. Charley added ingredients to a bowl. He tried to ignore the vanilla scent that was coming from her. Was it lotion? He wanted to stand closer to her so he could smell more of it.

“Do you mind if I turn on some music?” She glanced at him and he shrugged.

“Go ahead.” He had to admit, he was enjoying the music she’d brought back into his life. When had his life become so silent? He didn’t really know.

Charley fiddled with her phone, then a Christmas song started playing. She swayed her hips to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” He tried not to look but wasn’t very successful. She was too cute for her own good.

“What’s your favorite Christmas memory from when you were a kid?” she asked.

“I don’t know.”

She tossed him a sour look. “Come on. You celebrated Christmas, right?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“What kinds of things did you do? Go caroling? Decorate a tree?”

He thought back to his childhood. “The house was always decorated to the nines. My grandfather loved the holidays. I remember one year he took me to see The Nutcracker in Denver. I thought it was the most magical thing I had ever seen. The dancers were so graceful with elaborate costumes, and the set was amazing.”

Charley’s eyes sparkled. “I’ve always wanted to see that. My parents aren’t into ballet, so they never wanted to take me. It’s been on my bucket list forever.”

He picked up the spatula and started transferring shapes to the cookie sheet. “Really? I bet I could get us tickets. They’re running it all week at the theater in town.”

“Oh, my gosh. That would be amazing. I’d love to go.” She grinned at him and the room brightened. How did she do that? Make him feel happier with just a smile?

“Then it’s settled. When these are in the oven, I’ll check the tickets on my iPad.”

“Do I need to dress up for something like that?”

“Most people do. It’s in the old theater. Built in the 1920s and completely restored.”

“I can’t wait to see it.” She picked up a spoon and started stirring the mixture in the bowl.

He picked up the cookie sheet he’d completed and opened the oven. Dorothy walked into the room, her night robe on. “What are you guys going to do with all these cookies?”

Charley shrugged. “Normally I’d wrap up some plates and take them to the neighbors. Are there any neighbors around here? This house is so secluded, I can’t tell.”

Dorothy smiled. “We have neighbors. You just need to know where to look. The people around here like their privacy. I can go with you to deliver the cookies tomorrow.”

“Great. And I need a nice dress too. Maybe your boss would let you take some time off for shopping?” Charley gave Alexander a pleading look.

“A dress? What did I miss?” Dorothy’s gaze bounced between the two of them.

This was going downhill fast. Since when did he become so lax? He sighed. “I’m going to try to get tickets to The Nutcracker.”

“A date?” Dorothy smiled.

“No,” he and Charley said at the same time. He rubbed his neck. “No. She’s always wanted to see it. I’m just taking her because it’s on her bucket list...” Why did he feel so stupid?

Dorothy gave him an ‘Oh, really?’ look. “Okay.” Then she turned to Charley. “I know the perfect place to get a dress. We can go after lunch. You don’t mind, do you?” she asked him.

He couldn’t say no now. Not after The Nutcracker being his idea and everything. “That’s fine.”

Unsure of how things had gone this way, he simply finished his task of rolling out the rest of the dough and making them into cookie shapes. If he thought too much about it now, he would spoil his good mood.

A few minutes later Charley set the timer then washed her hands in the sink. “We have ten minutes until this last batch comes out. Let’s go download the music app for you and I can show you how to make a playlist.”

He nodded. “All right.” He’d given up trying to say no to Charley. It never worked. If he gave in to her, he’d be happier. He followed her to the living room and sat next to her on the couch.

She held out her hand. “Give me your phone.”

He pulled it out of his pocket and unlocked it, then handed it to her. She opened the app store and started downloading something.

“Do you have a favorite song?”

“Not really.”

“You like The Nutcracker. Do you like classical music, then?”

He thought about it. “Yes. I do.”

“All right. That’s easy. There’s tons of classical music we can download.”

He leaned a little closer to her, the vanilla smell growing stronger. He tried to ignore it. “I also liked that music that was playing on the radio when we were looking at the lights.”

“Manheim Steamroller? Great choice. I love them. The app can find other songs like that if I tell it to find similar things.”

He was having a hard time concentrating. All he could think about was the way her body was pressed up against his side. “Okay,” he said, his voice coming out husky. What was wrong with him?

She tapped his phone screen for another couple of minutes before handing it back to him. “There. You have a classical playlist and I added a channel for songs like the Manheim Steamroller one.”

He looked down into her eyes, which was a mistake. The fire Thomas had started in the fireplace danced in the reflection. His throat swelled as he gazed at her. “Thanks.”

She turned away from him and he saw something white behind her hair. He reached out and tucked her hair out of the way. And then he chuckled. He leaned down close and whispered, “You have flour in your ear.”

“What?” She swiped at her ear and he chuckled.

“Yep. You’ve been walking around with flour in your ear.”

She giggled. “Well, at least no one could see it. I’ll have to shower really good tonight.”

Dang, he didn’t need that mental image in his head. Luckily, Charley seemed to realize this because she changed the subject really quickly. “Do you think we can get a tree?”

“I was wondering when you were going to ask.”

She pointed to the large window next to the fireplace. “It would be perfect right there. So you can see it outside.”

He nodded. “Yes. That’s a great spot.”

“Where’s the best place to shop for a tree around here?”

“Shop for one? I own twelve acres of land on this mountain. There are plenty of trees right here.”

She leaned back. “You’re kidding me. You mean, you’d go chop one down? For real?”

He chuckled, shifting back into the seat. “Of course. That’s how we’ve always done it.”

“Oh, my gosh. I’ve never chopped down a tree before. This is going to be awesome!” She clapped her hands together and bounced in her seat. “I can’t wait. Can we do it tomorrow morning?”

“Are you ever going to clean out the rest of my garage?” He grinned at her and she poked him in the side.

“You are so mean. Work, work, work. That’s all you think about.”

“And yet, somehow you find a way to drag me to the mall to sit on Santa’s lap.”

Charley let out a belly laugh. “Oh, that reminds me. I have to put that picture up. Can I use your mantle until I get home?”

“Don’t you dare.” He returned her poke in the side and she giggled and squirmed. “You’re ticklish, aren’t you?”

“No, please. Don’t. That’s torture.”

He couldn’t resist the temptation, his hand reaching out to her side. She squealed and tried to get away from him, but he grabbed her around the middle. She laughed as he found her best ticklish spot. “Stop!”

“What are you two doing in here?” Dorothy came in, a book in one hand, a cookie in the other.

The cookie reminded him they were supposed to take the sheet out, and Charley must have been thinking the same thing because she hopped off the couch. “Oh, the cookies!”

Dorothy waved her hand. “Don’t worry. I took them out. You two can just go on doing whatever it is you were doing.” She exchanged a look with Charley before she walked out of the room.

“What was that about?” he asked.

“Nothing.” Charley pointed toward the kitchen. “We’d better go frost the cookies.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” He stood, feeling foolish for once again acting like a lovesick teenager. Why did he always lose his head when Charley was around? What was wrong with him?