Silas didn't move. He just looked at her with an intensity that made the industrial ovens feel cold. "I don't care about the codes, and you’re the most beautiful thing in this room. Even covered in frosting."

The mountain air was crisp, but inside the cabin, the warmth of the hearth and Silas’s unwavering devotion provided a sense of peace Noelle had never known. This Christmas marked the beginning of a new chapter, one where she was cherished far beyond the walls of her bakery.

"I saw the lights on late," he murmured. "I’m not letting you spend Christmas Eve working yourself to the bone alone." "It’s my job, Silas. I have to finish."

By midnight, the cookies were perfect, but Noelle was finally claimed. Silas didn't just help her finish the order; he carried her out the door, locked the bakery, and drove her to his mountain cabin, where the tree was tall and the promises were forever.