Under the Mistletoe. Katherine Garbera

Which kitchen store are you going to?”

      She pointed to the big chain kitchen store down the block. The streets were draped with festive garland. “If you meet me there after you get your ski gear, you can pick out a couple of cookie cutters, too.”

      He nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

      She smiled at him. “Later then.”

      He stood where he was, watching her walk away and wondering when he’d lost control of this affair. He had a feeling that it had started the moment her cell phone had come flying out of nowhere. As soon as he’d seen that pink jewel-covered case, and those long legs, he should have run in the opposite direction.

      She was different than what he was used to. He didn’t know if that would have any impact on him, but he hoped not. He didn’t want his world to change.

      Change. It was the one thing he feared the most. But he was coming to realize that there was a certain thrill in facing his fears, and he certainly wasn’t ready to throw in the towel where Penny was concerned.