Welcome to Westbrook

Chapter 6

Six

I woke up to the smell of cookies. They smelled delicious, though I was curious as to why they were being made around eight in the morning. Wasn't it a little early to be making cookies? I got dressed and waited for Ben to wake up, which was only about ten minutes later before the sweet smell hit him too.

"What's that smell?" he asked, rubbing his big brown eyes.

"Good morning to you, too. And it smells like cookies. Should we go investigate?"

His eyes widened at the mere mention of cookies. "Yeah!" Ben shot out of the bed, still in his t-shirt and flannel pajama pants, and ran for the bedroom door.

"Don't run, Ben!" I called after him. I followed slowly behind toward the kitchen of the inn.

"Good morning! I hope we didn't wake you," Lorena greeted Ben and me.

"Not really. What's with all the cookies?"

"Can I have one?" Ben asked. I gave him a warning look, but Lorena easily caved in.

"Sure! But just one. They're for the town event tonight."

Ben happily chomped on a sugar cookie shaped like a Christmas tree. "Town event?" I repeated.

Lorena looked over at Jack. "You didn't tell her?" Jack shrugged, prompting Lorena to turn back to me. "Each year around the holidays the town gathers for a night to celebrate. The town's kids are in A Christmas Carol in the evening. But earlier in the day the town folk can ice skate on the small lake and eat the food provided by most people in the town throughout the day."

"Mom brings her famous cookies every year," Jack added.

"Famous cookies, huh?" I smiled. I didn't put it past Lorena to be a great cookie maker. Her son had to pick up part of his talent somewhere.

"Seriously. Here, try one," Jack said, stepping closer to me. My fingers brushed against his as I took the cookie from him, causing what felt like an electric spark in them. I looked away from his gaze, yet I wondered if he felt the same thing as me.

"I can see why your cookies are famous. It's really good, Lorena."

"Thank you, dear. Now, it seems like I have a million more to make, but I have a few other things to prepare for the event later. Would you two want to help Jack make the rest of the cookies?"

"Can we, Mom? You never make cookies and let me help."

I laughed. "That's because I can't make them." I really was a horrible cook and baker. I didn't want to endanger Ben's health by making my own cookies, believe me.

"Sure you can, I'll teach you both," Jack said. Lorena grinned before stepping out of the kitchen.

Minutes later, the three of us were ready to roll out the sugar cookie dough. Ben had just mixed all the ingredients that Jack measured out. Now, Ben had his own roller and section of cookie dough, while I had my own as well. Not surprisingly, Ben seemed better at rolling the dough to get it flat enough.

"Here, do it like this," Jack suggested, gently wrapping his hands over mine. I could feel the warmth from his body as he stood right behind me, with his arms engulfing me. He moved the roller a different way than I was doing it. "Easier, right?" he added, his breath tickling my ear. He released his hold on my hands, allowing me to nervously brush a piece of my hair out of my face.

"Um, yeah, easier," I replied lamely. How could Jack have this big of an effect on me? All he did was show my how to make cookies the right way.

Soon enough, the cookies were in the oven and we started on the next batch. Well, I sat at the counter while Ben and Jack made them. I figured it was best to stay a couple feet away from Jack for now. Instead, I happily watched Ben's excitement as he cut out different shapes with the cookie cutters. He seemed to really enjoy making them, as well as spend time making them with Jack.