New Year’s. That wasn’t much time. But she quickly pushed the thought from her mind. Here she had just met him, and she was already imagining him as hers. “Well, I hope you have a great time while you’re here.”

He nodded as he opened the door to Santa’s Cafe, and she froze for a moment, taking in the Christmas lights and decorations. When she walked in, he asked, “Have you ever been here before?”

She shook her head. “No.”

A crease formed between his eyes. “Why not?”

“You’ll probably think it’s silly.”

“Two for dinner?” A girl wearing a name tag that read ANGELA grabbed two menus from the box on the partition. She looked at Declan and nodded. “Welcome back!”

“Thank you. And yes, two for dinner please, Angela.” Declan stood back, letting Raquel go first.

Raquel walked slowly through the café, stopped at the table where Angela laid down the menus, and slid into the booth.

“My name is Angela and I’ll be your waitress tonight. May I bring you something to drink before you order?” A broad smile spread across her face as if she had the best idea of the century. “Oh! Mrs. Claus just baked her homemade cookies, and our hot chocolate is fabulous! Would you like some?”

A smile, as broad as Angela’s, spread across Declan’s face. “Yes, please. I’ve been waiting all year for Mrs. Claus’s cookies.” Then he looked over at Raquel and added, “And their hot chocolate here is wonderful, too.”

“Well, all righty!” Angela replied, a bit too chipper. Then she turned to Raquel and smiled. “And for you, ma’am?”

“Hot chocolate, please... for now.” Raquel smiled.

Declan leaned in conspiratorially. “You might want to get some cookies, too. That is, if you want some.”

Raquel burst out laughing again. He was not at all how she had imagined him to be. “I think I’ll take my chances.”

A mischievous grin spread across Declan’s face. “Angela, bring us a double order, please... just in case.”

Angela laughed. “You haven’t changed.”

“You mean, he’s always like this?” Raquel asked, smiling in disbelief.

Angela nodded. “I’ve known Declan for a long time and, yes, he is.”

Raquel laughed.

“Okay,” Angela chirped. “I’ll be right back with your hot chocolate and a plate full of Mrs. Claus’s cookies.” She hurried off to do their bidding.

Declan flipped open his menu and started perusing. He noticed Raquel just sitting there and motioned toward her menu. “I’m not sure what you’re in the mood for, but their hamburgers are great. Also, they have a peppermint milkshake that’s fantastic. They also have a Yule Log Hotdog, and dinner meals, too.”

Raquel smiled as she opened her menu and took everything in, surprised at the variety. “Guau! I think they have everything here!”

“They nearly do.” Declan chuckled. “I keep expecting them to put Santa’s Kitchen Sink on the menu, too.”

“Hey! That’s a great idea!” Angela chirped, her eyes wide. “It could be a giant banana split!”

“Ooooo, yes!” Declan agreed. “But with sprinkles or maybe gingerbread men… or both!”

“I’ll tell Mrs. Claus about that right now.” She laughed, setting the hot cocoa on the table as well as a huge plate of Mrs. Claus’s Christmas cookies. “So, what have you decided on?”

Declan nodded to Raquel and smiled, waiting for her.

“I think I’ll have a Mushroom Swiss Burger, but with a fruit cup instead of French fries, please.” Raquel closed her menu and handed it back to her.

“You know, I think I’ll have the same. Cooked medium, please.” Declan handed Angela his menu, too. Then he looked over at Raquel and smiled. “I have to keep my girlish figure.”

Both Raquel and Angela burst out laughing.

“Well, good luck with that,” Angela replied. “I’ll get this order in and will be right back.”

Raquel looked at him and smiled. “You know, I haven’t had this much fun in a while.” She took off the coat and handed it back to him. “Thank you.”

“You can keep it tonight if you like.” Declan sat back in his booth. “Just give it back to me tomorrow.”

She shook her head. “No, I couldn’t. But thank you.”

He still didn’t take the coat. “I’ll tell you what. Keep it until I walk you to your car at least. Then you can give it to me.”

She nodded, relenting, and laid the coat on the bench seat beside her.

He leaned forward and folded his hands on the table, looking into her eyes. “I’m so sorry to hear about your parents.”

Raquel smiled. “Don’t be. They had a wonderful life and were wonderful people. I was very lucky to have them while I did.”

Declan smiled, sitting back. “Since I’m here alone and so are you, would you like to spend Christmas together?”

Raquel laughed. “Are you serious? I mean, we just met.”

“Exactly!” Declan said, looking down at his hot cocoa. “And speaking of which, I guess we’d better dig in.” He took a sip of his hot chocolate, moaning in delight. Then he took a big bite out of a Christmas cookie and moaned again. “Man! I’ve missed these!”

She took a sip of her hot chocolate as the rich flavor rushed down her throat, warming her. “Wow, this is great!”

“Right?” he asked, happy that she agreed. “Didn’t I tell you?”

“Here you go!” Angela chirped, setting their plates of hamburgers and fruit cups on the table. “Let me know if you need anything.” Then she headed off to help another couple.

Raquel took a bite of the hamburger and moaned, too. “Guau! This is really good!”

Declan nodded, his mouth already full with another bite.

They ate and talked as if they had known each other for years, and when the check came, Raquel was sad to see the night come to an end. After he paid the bill and they both said goodbye to Angela, he turned and asked, “Would you mind if I walk you to your car?”

Raquel was embarrassed for him to see her old pickup truck but couldn’t resist the temptation to spend a few more minutes with him. “Yes, that would be nice.”

He took his heavy coat from her and slipped it over her shoulders again, and then wrapped his arm around her, protecting her from the cold.

“My truck’s over there.” Raquel cringed, sure that he would take off as soon as he saw it.

But his eyes widened. “You have got to be kidding!” He walked all around her truck when they got there, checking it out. “I love it!”

“Really?” she asked, her eyebrows raising.

He nodded. “Yes, I’m serious! I’ve been wanting to get a truck like this to fix up for a while. Where did you get it? How long have you had it?”

She chuckled. “Christmas Cove Used Cars. I got it when I moved here.”

“Wow!” Declan smiled, his eyes wide. “I’ll have to talk to Toby Patel about finding me one, too.”

She laughed. “Mr. Patel was the one who sold it to me!”

He chuckled. “Well, if he didn’t save it for me, I’m glad you were the one who got it.”

After she unlocked her door, she asked, “Would you like a ride back to the lodge?”

He shook his head. “No, but thank you,” he said, his voice low as he leaned toward her. “But will you be okay going home?”

She nodded. “I’ll be fine. I live right down this road. It’s not far.” She slipped his coat from around her shoulders and handed it back to him. “Thank you.”

He laid the coat over his arm. “It was my pleasure.” Then his lips curled into a sexy grin and he lifted an eyebrow. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

She nodded. “Bright and early.”

“Well, like I told Liam,” he said, “not too early. I plan to sleep in.”

Raquel smiled. “Did I keep you out too late tonight?”

“Hardly!” He shook his head as a broad grin spread across his lips. “But it would be worth it if you did.” He held the door for her until she was in, and then closed it. A broad smile spread across his face as he tapped on the car door and walked away, holding up his hand in a wave.

Raquel sat there for a moment, wondering if she was dreaming and if the evening really had happened.