Free The Trouble with Christmas by Kaira Rouda

the dishes into the dishwasher, washed her hands, and walked across the kitchen into the dining room. Cole followed closely behind, enjoying every moment in her presence, but Lily had switched to business mode, he noted, wishing he could get his brain out of the bedroom and back into the kitchen.
    “This is your problem right here,” she stared at his white boards. “This menu is way too ambitious. The ingredients are too sophisticated, and well, all wrong for your restaurant and Indigo Island, not to mention too high in calories,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about the menu all night, and you definitely want to offer something completely different from what the inn is offering.”
    Cole had been thinking about something all last night, too, only his obsession was standing in his dining room, proposing a solution to his troubles, and he had to get his head in the game.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Why are you guys even delivering soup? The She Crab Soup is cream based, hard to reheat let alone keep at the right temperature. It’s more highbrowed Charleston, than casual Indigo Island,” she added, wiping it off the board.
    “Turkey, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes. Isn’t that exactly what you delivered at Thanksgiving?” she asked and Cole nodded, embarrassed and feeling helpless. “Did Sally Ann plan this menu or did you, based on your New England memories?”
    “Sally Ann’s planned nothing and I don’t blame her. She’s mad at me because I got us into this mess. She’s teaching me a lesson and just saying it’s all up to me. I’m at my wit’s end,” Cole said, his jaw clenched.
    “I’m sure the feeling is mutual.”
    Cole watched as Lily erased the rest of his planned Christmas menu. She grabbed the black marker and wrote:
    Marshside Mama’s Christmas Feast
    Authentic Lowcountry comfort and cheer delivered right to your door
    Indigo Crab Patties
    Ol’ fashioned pot pie available in three choices:
    Vegetable, Chicken, and Pot Roast.
    Smokin’ Joe’s Butter Beans
    Indigo Island Cucumber and Tomato salad
    Homemade Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles and Glazes
    “What do you think?” Lily said, a grin on her face.
    “Sounds good,” Cole said slowly. “But how does this save time and kitchen space? Still looks like a lot of work. And what are butter beans?”
    “They’re an Indigo Island staple. They’re similar to lima beans,” Lily answered, concentrating on the board. “I think this is very doable. Sally Ann and I can make the side dishes and the Christmas cookies a week ahead. Same with the pot pie dough. I have a great recipe. Each pie serves six people. You’ll call and confirm the holiday orders beginning today. Ask for their pie preference, and we’re set.”
    “We? You really want to help?”
    “I really do,” she said.
    “Well, I love the idea and the menu,” he said and had to fight the urge to pull her in for another kiss. The way the sun streamed through the window made her hair shimmer. “Will you help me explain it to Sally Ann?”
    “Absolutely! This is what I love,” Lily said and clasped her hands together in excitement. Cole couldn’t help himself. He leaned forward, placed his hands on either side of her face and drew her closer. Their lips came together, soft at first but then sexy as he deepened the kiss. Soon Cole was dizzy with desire, turned on to his core. Lily moaned softly, but then she stiffened and pulled away.
    “Stop. We need to slow down,” Lily said and pulled away. She turned her back to him and faced the windows. “This is too fast. I can’t feel this, be like this. I was just engaged, I was going to marry Bob. I was so sad that he broke it off, and now, you appear.”
    “I’m sorry,” Cole said, and he was. He couldn’t believe he was so out of control, so turned on and prone to act on his impulses. He’d always been much more deliberate. They had only met yesterday.
    “Lily, I’m sorry. I’m not usually so pushy. I just—” He