Chapters (59)

Whatever, she thought, waving back. She’d had a damn good day and she was not about to let him or anyone else ruin it.

She joined the crew in the bar, a rustic spot with Adirondack furniture and a big central river rock fireplace, good music streaming from hidden speakers. She chastised herself for getting her hopes up about Logan O’Donnell. She should’ve known better.

“Something’s on your mind,” said Bohner. “What are you thinking?”

“That if you never get your hopes up,” she said, taking a sip of hot chocolate, “you’ll never be disappointed.”

“Ouch,” he said. “Not sure I’m down with that.”

“Sometimes you need to protect yourself,” she said. “No, not sometimes. Always.”

“But if you’re always protecting yourself, you miss out on the good things as well as the bad.”

“At least you’re safe,” she said.

“Interesting that you’re willing to risk life and limb on the ski hill but not emotionally.”

“I had no idea you were an armchair psychologist.”

He laughed, the movement shaking his shoulder-length dreadlocks. “Just used to looking at people, I guess.”

While they were settling the tab, she wondered if this little incident would change her plans for Christmas. She had been totally excited about spending the holidays with the O’Donnells. Fun in the snow, a small-town celebration, good food and good friends. The fact that Logan was apparently hooking up with a superattractive woman should not matter.

Oh, she wished it didn’t matter.

Maybe she should change her plans. Maybe she should go overseas and find a country where they’d never heard of Christmas.

Her phone made a glissando sound, signaling an incoming text message.

She checked the screen. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw who the message was from—Logan O’Donnell. She felt very tentative as she touched the screen and read the message: FYI, she’s not my girlfriend.

Just that. Nothing more. What the hell was he telling her this for? Was it the truth? Did he think it mattered?

She tapped out a response. FYI, neither am I.

Part Six

Twisted traditional cookies are always a hit with kids. Also, it makes good use of the broken ones. Everyone knows a broken cookie tastes just as good as a perfect one.

Walking Dead Sugar Cookies

2 1⁄3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter

1 egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cookie Icing:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 to 3 teaspoons milk

1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 to 4 drops red food color

Beat granulated sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in dry ingredients on low speed until well mixed. Refrigerate dough two hours or overnight until firm.