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haranguing me about my lack of spontaneity.
    Truthfully, the order in my kitchen is a comfort for me. I don't really like surprises. I'm not so good with customers, either.
    They have a tendency to irritate me with their indecision and lack of focus. My assistant Markus takes care of that part of my business."
    Lucy finished pouring the custard over the apples, and was carefully decorating the top of each piecrust with her tiny leaves. Nicholas brushed an egg-white wash over the crust, and sprinkled cinnamon on top. She stopped working for a moment and looked up at him.
    "I think you should listen to your brothers. You're clearly a well-trained chef. But sometimes my best recipes result from mistakes I make. And those customers are people. Listening to their problems may seem irritating, but it's nice to have friends to care about, and who care about you."
    Nicholas raised his left eyebrow. "Are you going to bill me for this session, Dr. Phil?"
    Lucy giggled. "Yep. Well, maybe not. I think you should be billing me for all of the work you're doing. Thank you, Nicholas. I can't tell you how many nights I've spent all alone in this kitchen frantically finishing an order. It's wonderful to have your company."
    Nicholas cleared his throat. The adoration in Lucy's eyes was humbling. "We make a good team, don't we?"
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    Sweet Inspiration
    by Penny Watson
    She nodded her head, and copper-colored curls bobbed around her face. "Yes, we do."
    Nicholas watched Lucy yawn and found himself unduly fascinated by her mouth. "Let's get these into the oven. We're almost done. And you need to get some sleep before morning."
    "I usually stretch out on the sofa in my office. Thank goodness the candy canes and cookies are already done. I just need to organize them on some platters."
    While the pies were baking, Nicholas and Lucy cleaned the kitchen. He noticed that her "go with the flow" attitude did not extend to cleanliness. Her work area was gleaming by the time the pies were finished.
    Lucy arched her back and yawned as Nicholas put the last of the pies in the cooler. Just as he turned out the lights, he noticed that she was leaning in the doorway with her eyes closed. A little bouquet of mistletoe, tied with a red ribbon, dangled over her head.
    Nicholas chuckled and leaned down to softly kiss her luscious lips. "Let's get you to bed, Lucy Anne." He slid his arm beneath her knees and lifted her slight body up against his chest. Lucy snuggled her face into his shirt and mumbled something. He found the office down the hall and gently laid her body on the lumpy couch, then blanketed her with a fleece throw.
    He smiled as he gazed around her office. A fresh evergreen tree was in the corner, draped with strands of popcorn and cranberries and tiny homemade ornaments. On the walls hand-drawn pictures and photos of her customers vied with 37
    Sweet Inspiration
    by Penny Watson
    assorted travel posters. One displayed a stunning field of lavender in Provence, another showcased the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, and the one in front of her desk advertised a romantic gondola ride in Venice.
    Purple post-it notes dotted her desktop with reminders about birthdays, future orders, and recipe ideas. A charming collection of Santas covered an antique table next to the window. The only illumination in the office radiated from the garlands of white lights hanging over the windows.
    Lucy curled into a ball on the sofa, mumbling something nonsensical about apple pies. Her stomach interrupted her gibberish, choosing that moment to growl loudly. Nicholas frowned. Another grumble from her tummy convinced him she must be ravenous.
    "Lucy...wake up, honey."
    "Hmm. Is it morning already?" Lucy rubbed her eyes.
    "When was the last time you ate, Miss Brewster? Your stomach is growling like a lion."
    Lucy shrugged. "I was too busy today. I think I ate something for breakfast?" she answered sheepishly.
    "Well, you're not going to bed on an empty stomach. I'm going to