Page 4 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

Oh boy. That was the one thing that was actually made by her and given out as a thank you gift. It was tradition. This was the closest thing to a real emergency that’s ever happened.

“It’s okay. I’ll head to the store to grab what we need and make it. We’ve got plenty of time.” As long as the store had everything I needed and there wasn’t a huge line. I looked down at my clothes. I wouldn’t need too much time to get ready. I could make the bark, change while the chocolate was cooling, then break it and put it in bags before people started arriving at seven. Maybe.

“Thank you, honey. I really appreciate it.”

“Sure.” I turned to leave and ran right into Vince. Literally. My face smacked into his chest. I stepped back and looked up. Why was he standing so close to me? Why hadn’t Mom said anything?

“I’ll go with you. I don’t think it’s safe to go to a grocery store on your own this close to Christmas.” He was talking to me but looking past me to Mom.

Before she could get involved I laughed and walked by. “I think I can handle this.”

“Oh Harlow, just let him help you.” Ugh. Too late. He was smart, using Mom to get his way. He took a page out of my own book.

I shot a glare at my mother over my shoulder. “Fine. Let’s go.”

I walked to the foyer and pulled my purse and coat out of the closet. He slipped his jacket on and followed me outside. It was so cold. Too cold to volunteer to go out for anything. I eyed him as I walked to my car. What was his plan?

He followed me around to the driver’s side and I stopped. “Are you planning on driving?”

He smiled. “No, but I am going to open your door.”

I stepped back, a little shocked. I wasn’t used to this kind of treatment.

He was looking at me expectantly and I realized it was time for me to get in. “Thanks.”

I started the car and waited for him. Someone had scraped the snow off my windshield already. Probably Dad.

“Do you think any of the stores will have everything you need?”

I sighed. “I hope we only have to go to one. If not, we’ll have to keep trying until we get everything. I’m not going back home until I’m ready to make the bark. Mom can’t handle something going wrong today.”

He laughed. “She does seem a little tense.”

I nodded and turned onto the main road out of the neighborhood. “I’m not sure why. She does this every year and it always goes perfectly. Plus, no one is going to notice if there’s a few missing flowers or one less tray of hors d'oeuvres.”

He chuckled. “That’s very true. But they will notice is there’s no Springer’s peppermint bark.”

I looked over at him trying to judge if he was joking or not. He looked serious. I was glad he wasn’t mocking the peppermint. This was a family tradition. People would notice.

I found a parking spot toward the very back of the packed lot.

I got out and met Vince at the back of the car. “Are you ready for this?”

He nodded. “Let’s go over the ingredients one more time.”

We started toward the store, dodging cars and other customers.

“Milk chocolate, white chocolate, peppermint extract, and candy canes.”

“All right, we’ll grab the candy canes as soon as we see them then head straight for the baking aisle.”

I nodded. “I feel like we should clap or say break now.”

He laughed and pulled me closer to him as a crazy driver got close to me. “Whoa there.”

I groaned and shook my head. “Remember how it’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year?”

He walked protectively in front of me until we were in the store. “It should be changed to the most stressful.”