The Little Bakery of Hopes and Dreams. Kellie Hailes

sucked his lips into his mouth at Mia’s outrage and forced himself not to laugh. ‘You’re right, Mia. It was. And I just need to talk to Josie about something grown up, so I’m going to mute your ears for a second, okay?’ Mia nodded her agreement, and he placed his hands over her ears. ‘Mia’s right, of course. It was stealing, but we were just starting out and figured what was one less tree in a populated forest if it meant spreading cheer to the rest of the village. Except what we spread were ants. All through the food.’

      ‘I thought ants nested underground and hibernated in winter?’

      Callan shrugged. ‘So did we. Turns out Sunnycombe has many quirks, one being that these ants nest and hibernate in trees, and the warmth of the bakery woke them up. We were in catch-and-release mode for weeks, since Abigail refused to harm a hair on their heads. Not that ants have hair on their heads. Although, maybe they do in these parts. Who knows? It wouldn’t surprise me.’

      Josie’s hands went over her mouth to hide her grin, but her amusement was evident in the silent shaking of her shoulders. Her chest rose and fell in a deep breath as she composed herself, then she dropped her hands to her hips, a serious look on her face.

      Callan removed his hands from Mia’s ears.

      ‘That was very naughty of you, Callan. Did you get a gift from Santa that year?’

      ‘No. Absolutely not. But I was sure to be most well behaved and buy a fake tree the next year so that it would never happen again.’ He ruffled Mia’s hair. ‘So how about we decorate this?’

      Mia jumped up and down and clapped her hands with excitement. ‘Yay! Can I put the angel at the top, pretty please?’

      ‘Of course you can. It’s only right that you, my wee angel, should place the angel on top.’ Callan took the bag of decorations that were stored in the tree’s box and placed them on the table.

      Josie peered in and scanned the contents. ‘Pink and purple colour scheme? I love it.’

      Before he could say anything, an ornament was in each hand and she was placing them on the tree alongside Mia, who was chatting happily about everything and nothing, as she was wont to do.

      Callan picked up his own ornament. A pink and purple tiered cake that he’d bought Abigail that first Christmas. ‘You know you don’t have to help us. I’m sure you’ve other things you could do, if you want.’ Callan placed the cake on the tree, tweaking it so it was safe, secure.

      ‘I know, but I …’ A slow smile spread across Josie’s face. ‘I’m actually enjoying myself. And it’s too late in the day to whip anything up for tomorrow and have it done before it’s time for me to sign off.’

      Outside the carollers rolled from ‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’ to ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.

      ‘Want me to tell them to pipe down?’ Callan jerked his head in their direction.

      Josie shook her head. ‘No. They’re actually not as bad as I thought.’

      She ducked down and placed a glittering pink star at the base of the tree.

      Her lips were kicked up, fine lines radiated from her eyes, and for the first time in months Callan felt the ache in his heart lift. He was surprised, and relieved, to discover that the lightening didn’t leave him riddled with guilt.

      ‘I agree.’ He hung the ornament on the tree. ‘They’re not as bad as I thought either. In fact, I might actually be beginning to like them.’

       Chapter 6

      ‘Oh, my. She’s a thing of beauty. You’ve outdone yourselves this year.’

      Josie pushed herself up from behind the counter where she’d been clearing away the trays of leftover food, the sound of Margo’s voice bringing an instant smile to her face.

      ‘Margo, it’s the same tree we put up every year.’ Callan picked up his mug of tea and took a sip. ‘Nothing’s changed.’

      ‘Really?’ Margo crossed her arms over her chest, her head angling to the left, as her eyes narrowed in silent appraisal. ‘No. Something’s different. It’s got a bit more sparkle than usual.’

      ‘Josie helped. Maybe Josie made it sparkle?’ Mia turned around from her cross-legged seated position in front of the tree.

      She’d been that way for the past hour. Admiring their work, and every now and then pulling down a couple of ornaments for some make-believe play, before placing them carefully back in their spots.

      ‘Maybe Josie did, indeed.’ Margo beamed at Mia. ‘How are you, poppet? Have you had a wonderful day?’

      Mia pushed herself up and spun around in a circle, ending the move with a dramatic flair of her arms, complete with dancing jazz hands. ‘Yes! We decorated the tree. And Josie gave me a chocolate cupcake. And I think Daddy and Josie are falling in love with each other and are going to get married and live happily ever after just like the princes and princesses in my books.’ She clasped her hands to her little chest and sighed.

      ‘Oh, Lord.’ Callan dropped his head into his hands. ‘Mia, that’s fairy-tale talk. Josie and I work together. We get along. That’s what grown-ups do, okay?’

      Mia pouted and turned her attention back to the tree with a muttered ‘whatever’ and an exaggerated eye roll.

      ‘So much attitude in one so little. I’m doomed.’ Callan pushed the mug of tea away. ‘What can I do for you, Margo?’

      ‘More like what can I do for you!’ She turned to Josie with a definite gleam in her eye. ‘And you too, Josie. I’ve decided it’s time you had a night off this parenting lark, Callan. You and Josie should go to the pub and have a night out.’

      ‘No.’

      Callan’s response was short, sharp and so to the point that Josie flinched.

      It wasn’t that she wanted to go to the pub with Callan. Despite telling Brendon she’d try and get him down, she’d not really considered it, preferring to give Callan his space. To keep her distance. But the way he’d been so quick to not even consider it? Like the idea was completely repulsive?

      The little girl in her, the part she’d long ago locked away, wrapped her arms tighter around herself at the rejection, hoping the simple act would protect her from yet another person not finding her good enough or fun enough or wonderful enough to spend time with.

      ‘No? Just like that? Callan, it’s been nearly a year since you went anywhere that wasn’t to the shops for food or to get something for Mia.’ Margo’s tone was firm, but kind. ‘If I’m wrong, please enlighten me.’ She dipped her chin and raised her brows, awaiting his response.