Title: Winter Kisses Anthology

Love in the Lights by Dena Celeste

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing

Release Date: December 21, 2009

Buy Link: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=86

Blurb: Abigail Bloch has been away at school for the last few years. Returning to her mother’s home renews her interest and need for the Jewish traditions. Unfortunately, the man who had been her best friend growing up, Joshua Cohen, gives her a chilly reception. Over the course of Chanukah, a time filled with food and family and friendship, the growing number of flames must melt away hostility and illuminate the love that can grow between them.

Excerpt:

Night One

“Baby! You’re home!” Abigail Bloch’s mother grabbed her in a warm, tight hug.

Abi dropped her gym bag onto the porch swing and returned the embrace. The familiar scent of home, cinnamon-sugar and matzo ball soup surrounded her.

“Hey, Mama. Yeah, I’m home. I’d like to breathe sometime soon though.” Tugged inside by her firecracker of a mother, Abi’s ears rang at the blast of noise coming from the kitchen. “Sorry I’m late, but the bus broke down. I was stuck in Atlanta for a couple hours before they switched us to a different one.”

“That’s okay. Everyone’s here already and I made all your favorites. It’s not every mother who can say her daughter made the President’s List!” Rosie Bloch raved.

Abi followed her mother through the house. She tossed her bag into the open entrance of her room.

“It’s no big deal, Mama. Really. Are the latkes ready yet?” Warm, flaky, perfectly fried. No one made potato pancakes like her mama.

“Of course! And I made extra since we’re hosting the dinners this year.”

Abi groaned. Hosting meant all their close friends and any family in the area would be there. “Great. That’s just . . . lovely, Mama.”

For her mother’s sake, Abi’d find a way to endure the crowd; Rosie Bloch loved nothing more than showing off her skills in the kitchen.

“Oh, did I tell you? Joshua took off work for the holiday, too! He’s such a good boy. Have you kept in touch with him like I asked you to?”

Abi winced. “Sorry, Mama, there just really wasn’t time. You know how crazy school has been for me. Sleeping and studying were more of a priority.”

“Well, I guess I understand that. No matter. He’s in the kitchen. Go set the extra tables up, would you?” With that said, her mother rushed off to deal with some vaguely familiar-looking people across the room. Abi figured they were neighbors she hadn’t seen in a long time.

In the kitchen, Abi automatically stepped over toys she assumed her sister’s kids had left strewn over the floor. The intense scents of potato pancakes, soup and kugel teased her senses and she gave an appreciative sigh. She couldn’t wait to eat; it had been hours since her last meal.

“Oomph!” Abi caught herself against the wall as a large male body backed out of the kitchen and turned straight into her.

“You got that okay?” On reflex, she reached out and grabbed the arms balancing the platter.

“Yeah, I’m f—. Uh, Abi. How are you?”

At the sound of the familiar voice, she looked up. “Joshua. Wow, you’ve grown . . . taller.”

She knew she was being a bit cheeky, but couldn’t help it.

“Yeah. That happens when you grow up. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go put this down.”

Frowning at the coldness in his response, Abi looked after him in confusion as he walked away. Wonder what his problem is.

The clamor of her Nana, sister and sisters-in-law in the kitchen drew her out of her thoughts and back into the action. “Guys, where’s the other tablecloth? Mama wants me to set up another table for the food. Holy cow, what’s she making?”

There were pots everywhere, and casserole dishes covered in foil lined the island in the middle.

“Abi!”

“Angel face!”

“Hey there!”

The chorus of greetings spun her head but Abi hugged everyone in turn. “Guess it’s time to put me to work, huh?”

* * * * *

“Aunt Abi! It’s time to light the candles! Come on!”

Abi quickly put her plate down on the nearest flat surface as her niece dragged her to the table in front of the window. She stood there as her mother led the kids in taking out the two candles needed and explained about the shammas candle, which was always used to light all the other candles, and where to place the first Chanukah candle.

As she said the familiar prayers, the skin on the back of her neck prickled. She turned to the side to find Joshua Cohen staring at her. She caught his gaze and smiled at him, but once again he stabbed her with an icy glare.

A pang of hurt and confusion washed through her. What had she done to prompt such a cold response? She hadn’t been the best at keeping in touch, but then, neither had he. She understood how busy he was as a lawyer, even if it was at a small firm and she didn’t hold his lack of communication against him. So why was he so mad at her?

She gazed at the lit candles as the crowd around her dissipated. The lights were so beautiful, and the antique silver menorah cast a glow all around the table. The menorah was only for pleasure, to be looked at and not used for actual lighting, and Abi let the simple beauty of the flames entrance her.

Rubbing her hands over the knee-length skirt she wore, Abi glanced around the room. It was so good to be home again.

“How’ve you been, sweetie?” Her sister Anne slung an arm around her shoulders.

“Oh, I could be worse. Any idea why Joshua is acting like I shot his dog?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe because you went off to college instead of staying here and attending a local university? You were his best friend, and then you were gone. I don’t know. You could always ask him. Goodness knows you’ll be seeing him often enough since Mama’s hosting.”

Abi leaned into her sister. “Yeah, maybe I should ask him, but heck, this isn’t easy for me, either. It’s hard coming back after so much time away. I mean, three years! I think I’m going to wait until he comes to me. If I can stand it that long.” Abi was determined that Joshua would realize she could still be a part of her hometown community, and hadn’t given her place away just because she’d gone off to experience school and the world.

“Well, let’s nosh some more. When all else fails, there’s food!”

Abi laughed and allowed Anne to drag her back to the table filled with brisket, roasted chicken and all kinds of goodies.