“Hey.” I examine her face for a moment and gone are any traces of the frustration and disappointment she displayed on Thanksgiving Day. It makes me happy to think that maybe I had a small part in that, since I tracked her down and spoke to her.

“Are you ready for our little adventure today? Are you feeling open to accepting the Christmas spirit into your heart?” Her hands, stretched out at her sides, come together over her heart.

I chuckle. “First let me see what kind of punny shirt you’re wearing today?”

Her mouth drops open and she tilts her head. “What makes you think I’m wearing something like that?”

I lean forward a bit before I speak, hands still in my pocket. “Because I know you, Kenzie Montgomery. You can’t help yourself.”

She unbuttons her red coat and spreads it open wide. “You do know me apparently.”

I look down at her evergreen knit sweater with a cream-colored gingerbread man on it and the words “Let’s Get Baked” written over the top.

My head tilts back and a full-bodied laugh leaves my lips. “I like it.” When I straighten, she’s looking at me kind of strange. “What?”

“Nothing. I’ve just never seen you laugh like that. You should do it more often.”

I’m unsure how to respond, but I don’t need to worry because she speaks again.

“Let’s go.” She walks, and I position myself on the street side, hustling to keep up with her.

“Where exactly are we going?”

She glances over and smiles. “Well, I figured if you’re like most men, you leave your holiday shopping until the last minute. Either that or you give a list to your assistant to take care of. I know how you feel about your assistant though, so not sure that’s a feasible option for you.”

“True enough.”

“I thought we could go ice skating, then take a walk through the holiday market.”

I groan. I haven’t been ice skating since I was a kid, and even then, I wasn’t any good at it.

“Nope. None of that.” She wraps her arms around my forearm and pulls me to a stop. With her finger pointed at me, I feel as if I’m being reprimanded. “You promised. It’s part of the deal. You have to go into it with an open mind.”

With the way she looks up at me with those big blue eyes, it’s a wonder anyone can ever say no to her.

My discomfort eases and I decide to play along even if I’m dreading the outing. “You’re right. Sorry.” I nod, and she smiles and releases my arm.