Leaning against the doorframe, Mark crossed his arms and smiled. He was reminded of his childhood, when he and his sisters had gathered around their father, who told them popular Christmas stories in his perfect Santa Claus impersonation.
“But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight...” Paulette grinned at the children. “Ready? Let’s say it together.”
Mark stayed silent and watched as the children straightened, their faces glowing with anticipation. Then they and their parents joined Paulette and recited, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
“The end.” Paulette closed the book, and everyone applauded. The parents gathered their children and left the room.
Mark pushed off the doorframe and approached Paulette. “You had quite the audience tonight.”
“Seeing all those happy kids’ faces is why I love my job.” Paulette returned the storybook to a shelf behind the couch. “What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if I can use two of those green bell peppers you have in the fridge.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Of course. That kitchen is yours. Just be mindful that we do have other guests here.”
He nodded. “Absolutely. I intend to make some dinner.”
“We don’t serve dinner here.”
“I know, but…” He rubbed the back of his head. “I, uh, met someone today, and she—”
“Stop right there.” Paulette grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, my goodness. You’ve only been here a few days, and you’ve already found love. Who’s the lucky lady?”
His heart thrummed with excitement as he told Paulette about his encounter with Arianna.
Paulette’s face softened. “How wonderful. You’ve been such a godsend, helping us in the kitchen and making such an amazing breakfast, and now you want to surprise that lovely young lady with a home-cooked meal. I certainly can’t say no to that. She is a dear, that Arianna. But she’s such a workaholic. You’re a gentleman to want to give her the break she so desperately needs.”
He let out a relieved sigh. “Thanks for understanding.”
“No, thank you! As if this day couldn’t get any better, Christmas is in the air, and so is love.” She shooed him off. “Well? What are you waiting for? Get to work, already! You don’t have much time. You can use the Christmas china in the upper left cabinet, too.”
Without another word, Mark rushed to the large kitchen, which, unlike the rest of the vintage-era house, was furnished with modern steel appliances. It wasn’t nearly as big as the kitchens he was used to, but it had all of the equipment he needed.
He decided to put his skills to the test by creating a festive dish that was new to him, hoping to impress Arianna on the first try. Only then would he be convinced that he truly had what it took to turn any ingredient into a delectable meal. He placed the recipe book on the counter and flipped through its yellowed pages until he discovered the perfect meal to prepare with the available ingredients: stuffed pimientos, baked spiced ham slices, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sponge pudding. With only an hour and a half to spare, Mark got to work, preparing each dish in record time and using both ovens and stove tops. While everything baked and simmered, Mark found the Christmas-themed china plates and glasses and arranged them in the breakfast nook.
“What has our resident celebrity chef cooked up this time?” Paulette sniffed the air as she entered the kitchen. She wore a long green housedress, a pair of reading glasses resting atop her short white hair.
Mark drew his gaze from one of the ovens containing the pimientos and looked at the smiling innkeeper. “That was just breakfast. I’m no celebrity.”
“You’re just being modest. Breakfast or not, no one around here can do what you do in so little time.”
He half smiled. The title of celebrity chef had a nice ring to it. Maybe after his guest appearance in Vegas, he just might earn it.
The front door creaked open, and someone walked in. Paulette craned her neck, and her face brightened. “Oh, that must be her now,” she whispered to Mark then hurried out of the kitchen.
Mark prepared the dishes with pimientos, ham slices, and mashed potatoes, added a decorative garnish of rosemary and parsley, then covered the plates with metal cloches. He set the plates on the table and half filled two glasses with merlot. He stood back and took one last look at the table setting, ensuring everything was in its place, then he waited.
“Here, dear. Let me take your coat,” Paulette said from the common room. Moments later, she and Arianna entered the breakfast nook.
Arianna glanced at Mark and stopped. Paulette quietly tiptoed away, giving Mark an encouraging thumbs-up.
It seemed Arianna had come straight from work. Her name tag was affixed to her black button-down blouse, and her candy cane–printed skirt had a dab of white flour in the same spot he’d remembered seeing when he was at her shop earlier.
She smiled apologetically, confirming his suspicions. “I’m sorry. I didn’t get a chance to change. I hope I’m not underdressed.”
“You’re dressed perfectly.” Mark gestured to an empty chair. “I’m glad you made it.”
She stared intriguingly at the table spread. A small crease appeared at her brow. “It’s just us?”
Mark laughed. “Of course it is. You thought there would be others?”
“There are other guests staying here, aren’t there?”
“Yes, but this is a special dinner just for us.” He patted the back of the chair.
Arianna’s lips twisted into a coy smile, then she sat. Mark lifted the cloche from her plate, and a billow of steam escaped. She stared at her plate in apparent awe. “Wow, this looks and smells delicious. You actually made all this?”
“Yes, I did,” he replied, sitting across from her and uncovering his plate.
She picked up her fork, and her smile grew coyer. “Were you really serious about wanting to work at my shop?”
“Yes. You’ve got a great thing going on there. I may not be in town for long, but I’d like to help you make more families happy for the holidays.”
“How long are you here?”
He hated to be reminded that his stay was temporary and that soon, he might never see Arianna again. “Until the day after Christmas. Then I’m off to Vegas.” He paused and bit his lip. Maybe it won’t hurt to tell her. I feel like I can trust her. “Can you keep a secret?”
She nodded.
He took a deep breath then told her about his television appearance.
Arianna’s face lit up. “Wow, I’m a huge fan of Justina’s show. And you’re going to be on it? That’s amazing!”
“Yeah, I’m excited.” But part of him was already starting to have mixed feelings about the show.
They enjoyed the main course while chatting about the town’s upcoming events, including the Christmas dessert contest, which happened on Christmas Eve.
“You’re going to enter, right?” Mark asked.
She stared at her empty plate and shrugged. “I don’t know. I might be too busy at the shop to enter.”
“We’ll have to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Mark got up and retrieved the two small plates of cranberry sponge pudding from the refrigerator and served Arianna before putting down his own plate. He coupled the dessert with a glass of orange muscat wine.