“Maybe. “Oh, fudge” and “fudge buckets” aren’t nearly as effective at letting off steam like...” She blushes.
I raise a finger to my lips before she lets another curse word slip. She grins, and my heart expands for the millionth time.
“You and your wicked hands don’t help matters either.” She soaps her hands and rinses.
“They can’t hurt.” I push off the doorframe and toss her a clean towel. “How much do you think you’ve got in those buckets?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “I never thought about it.”
“Soph.” I wait until she stops what she’s doing. “You don’t need prize money. You’ve got all you need and more sitting under your nose.”
She blinks, then her brow lifts slowly as she follows my line of thought. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Swear jar.” I chuckle. “I told you we’d think of something.”
She lets out a snicker as she shakes her head. “We make a good team, don’t we?”
“Damn, right.”
“Swear jar,” we say in unison.
MR. JACK’S BIG IDEA
CHAPTER 11
***
Sophie
The bell above the door jingles and Mr. Jack shuffles into the shop. He removes his cap and clutches it to his chest.
“Morning, Mr. Jack.”
“Morning, Miss Sophie.” He shuffles his feet as he turns, taking in the bright holiday lights in the window. “It’s looking mighty nice in here.”
“I wish I could take the credit, but I have a secret holiday elf looking after me.” I dab my eye, ever grateful for the kindness of a stranger. “I’ve got cones for you. Help yourself to coffee.”