Jake, just back from getting pints for everyone, along with warm apple ciders for Walter and Charlie, took the bite she offered him. “Wow. That’s delicious.”

Charlie grinned. “Cass made it for me. Best Christmas present ever.”

“The first of many new and brilliant ideas to come,” Cass said, winking at Charlie, who gathered her in a hug.

“Okay, so let’s get this party started, shall we? Miguel, why don’t you and I take the first shift. Mom, Dad, please go say hello to everyone. You have been missed. And Walter, we’ve got it covered. Maybe go have some fun, okay?”

Walter said he might ice skate with a few friends from school, which Cass said sounded like a great idea. She was happy to see that Walter’s confidence had bloomed, after saving the day with the Starlight loaves and turning the modest Live.Li stream into a nationally watched broadcast.

“Charlie, why don’t you and Jake go grab something to eat before your shift?” Cass said.

“Yes, boss.” Charlie beamed at her sister. “You know, I like this side of you.”

“Me, too,” Cass replied, before settling in beside Miguel at the bakery’s stall, ready to start serving their loyal customers.

• • •

Fifteen minutes or so later the stall was getting busy as the townspeople began arriving for the party, and Cass heard a familiar voice. “Charlie?”

“Sasha! I’m so glad you made it. But it’s Cass, actually.”

Sasha chuckled. “Wow, you two really are identical.”

Miguel took over serving the customers in line so Cass could come out from behind the stall to talk with Sasha.

“He’s adorable, you know,” Sasha said. “Does he have an older brother by any chance?”

“He does, but he’s already spoken for.”

“Ah, well. Worth the ask.”

Cass laughed, then took in Sasha’s outfit—snow pants and a ski jacket, solid winter boots on her feet and a skate bag in her hand. “You came prepared.”

“You wouldn’t know this—actually, Charlie doesn’t even know this—but I grew up in northern Canada. The snow arrived early and left late. Basically, if you didn’t play ringette or hockey, or love the bitter cold, you were miserable most of the year.” Sasha glanced around the square, a wistful look on her face. She seemed so different from the Sasha Cass had been used to on set, and it was then Cass realized this was probably the “real” Sasha.

“It’s beautiful here. It reminds me of home,” Sasha said. “I can see why Charlie wants to stay.”

Cass looked over at the Peak Pub’s stall, where Charlie and Jake sat on a picnic bench, eating chili from take-out containers and laughing frequently as they nuzzled each other, staying warm and staying close.

Sasha followed her gaze. “That’s what I see, anyway. “

Cass turned to Sasha. “I’m sorry for how things were left on set that day.” She gave Sasha an apologetic smile. “I accidentally eavesdropped on you and Austin in the greenroom, and when I heard that he was getting the job over Charlie, well, I knew I had to come home.”