Cass’s head was spinning. It was a 180-degree turn—in the best possible direction—and she was thrilled for Sharon to start her business but also incredibly grateful to her for removing one of the greatest challenges her family, and the bakery, had ever faced. “I don’t even know what to say. This is amazing news.”
“We agree,” Brett said, and he and Sharon exchanged a warm look.
“Again, thank you, Sharon. And if you need anything while you get set up, I am happy to help. I do know a thing or two about baking.”
Sharon came around the booth to give her a hug, which Cass returned gratefully. They exchanged goodbyes and then Cass, still reeling from the news, floated over to the bench at the Peak Pub’s stall, where Miguel was waiting for her.
She sat down heavily, trying to take it all in.
“Hey, are you not feeling well?” Miguel asked, turning so he could properly look at her.
“I’m okay,” she murmured. “I’m better than okay, actually.” Cass grabbed his hand and then started walking away from the stalls and the rink, pulling him with her.
“Where are we going? Cass . . . CASS, stop.” He stilled, and she did, too.
Then she smiled at him. “Trust me, okay?”
Miguel sighed, clearly worried about her, but he allowed Cass to lead him to whatever destination she had in mind. A minute later they were climbing the few steps of the town square’s gazebo. It was decorated with so many twinkle lights the structure appeared to be made entirely of stars. There were a couple of teenagers snuggled in against the far side, but they quickly disappeared down the other set of stairs when they saw Cass and Miguel step into the glowing dome. The familiar bars of “Silver Bells” drifted from the speakers spaced out around the skating rink, but otherwise, all Cass could hear was the sound of Miguel’s breath, his face so close to hers.
“Miguel Rodriguez, how did I get so lucky to have met you?” She said it softly, going up on her toes so they were nearly face-to-face, only inches apart.
“I could ask the same about you.” He smiled, his dimples illuminated in the twinkle lights. Cass felt her knees go weak. Miguel felt it, too, and he held her tighter, then suggested they sit on one of the gazebo benches. But Cass shook her head, because she had something different in mind.
She shrugged out of his arms, then tugged him by the hand to the gazebo’s center. Then she looked up to the ceiling. Miguel, taking her back in his arms, glanced up, too. He grinned, then threw back his head and laughed. “How long have you been planning this?”
Cass shrugged, demurely, and said, “I have my ways.”
“Cass Goodwin, I have never met anyone like you.” Miguel’s eyes went from the ceiling—where a string of mistletoe hung directly over their heads—back to Cass’s face, which he took in his hands. “I hope you never stop surprising me.”
“You can count on it,” she murmured, before reaching up to kiss him, her past and present and future colliding in one perfect moment she would never forget.
25
One year later . . .
December 25, Christmas Day
Starlight Peak
Cass and Miguel stood on the front porch of the big yellow Victorian house on snow-covered Ridge Street, arms laden with food and gifts. Cass was about to ring the doorbell when Miguel stopped her, pointing silently up to the top of the front door’s frame as he smiled. A sprig of mistletoe hung there. Cass laughed, then gave Miguel a teasing look. “Is this your doing?”
Miguel shrugged, then set the bag of gifts he was holding down on the porch and gave her a long kiss.
“Maybe we should just stay out here for a while longer?” Cass murmured, smiling as Miguel leaned in to kiss her again. Just then a horn honked, and Cass and Miguel turned to see two large SUVs pull up to the curb. Miguel’s mom, Essie, already had her arm out the window and was waving furiously at them as his dad, Javier, continued to honk.
“Are you ready for this?” he asked, chuckling as Cass watched his entire family stream out of the vans. “This is your first Rodriguez Christmas,” Miguel said. “And as you’ve learned from our baking competitions, we don’t do anything halfway.”
Cass kissed Miguel again. “I can’t think of anything I want more than to have your entire family here with us this Christmas.”
Just then the Rodriguez family piled onto the front porch, exchanging hugs and kisses while everyone juggled gifts and tinfoil-wrapped food dishes.
“This is the loveliest town, Cass,” Miguel’s sister, Jacintha, said. “And our rooms at the inn are beautiful! Plus, all this snow. What a treat.”