Page 27 of The Christmas Blueprint

Killian was like a kid with a new toy. He opened and closed the various compartments. He opened the door that led to the wet bath. He flushed the toilet with his foot and turned on the shower. He poked around a little—sniffing the body wash, checking out the pass-through for the shower head for anyone wanting to rinse off outside and the rotating, waterproof toilet paper cover.

He sat on the bed in the back and bounced a little. He looked up and smiled at her.

“Perfect.”

“For an office, yes?” Sophia asked warily, as Killian was acting rather pleased and possessive. She pulled up the rectangular fold-out table he’d put away. She knew the sectional made into a double bed and a twin. The thirty-one foot Airstream bragged that it could easily sleep five, but with Killian’s size, she doubted any sleep would happen if someone tried to share that supposedly queen size pull-out bed in the back with him.

“I was thinking the trailer would be more neutral territory away from city hall and the mayor nosing around,” Sophia said. “It’s big enough for the six of us to meet and work together, but I’m hoping that by early next year, we are deep into the planning stages and ready to implement ideas before the others get involved.”

“In a month during the holiday season with you owning an artisan boutique and being on the Christmas Market committee?”

His tone was light, but Sophia thought he sounded skeptical, and she couldn’t help feeling defensive. It was what her parents, her brothers and Raoul had said, more than once.

“Yes.” Sophia crossed her arms, daring him to contradict her. “I am doing this, Killian. With or without you. I need to seize back my narrative. My family is smothering me. It feels like half the town wanted to bronze me along with Enrique’s statue so I have skin in this project, which will bring opportunities to so many local entrepreneurs. I see the Mill Market as having the potential to have retail and food and a possible community event space. And if we can link it somehow with the park and the historic downtown, we can really draw in tourists and offer some arts and events that define Bear Creek as a year-round destination.”

Killian had stopped his exploration and had focused completely on her. She loved how he did that—tuned his attention utterly on her.

Like, not love.

But his attention was heady.

“No pressure there, Gonzales.” He smiled. “But you’ve piqued my interest. I’m happy that Mill Market was not referring to a grocery store.”

“There could be a gourmet or farm stand as part of the space,” she challenged.

“Looks like we have our marching orders. Welcome to the Mill Market secret command center.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Never.” He seemed offended. “The trailer is a bonus. I can move in here for December since my apartment’s not ready until after the first of the year.”

Icy dismay washed through Sophia. “Live here?” she echoed faintly.

“Not exactly neutral territory anymore, is it, Soph?”

*

“That’s a stupididea. Why would you live in a trailer on a construction site when you can stay at my house?” Riley stopped loading the dishwasher at Zhang’s after an untraditional Thanksgiving dinner that he and his grandfather had cooked for the four of them.

“The trailer’s nice.”

“I know it is now. I helped clean it with Sophia and build the outdoor seating area with the lights and a water feature. She redid all the cushions and upholstery and throw pillows even though she insists she’s not an artist. And we upgraded the bathroom, and I fixed the cabinets.” She balled her fists on her hips. “It’s awesome. Sophia thinks the trailer can remain and be leased for one of the new businesses.”

“There is no plan for the building yet.” Killian kept his tone even, not wanting Riley to jump to Sophia’s defense. He wasn’t getting cast into the role of the bad guy. “City planner.” He tapped his chest. Even though it was part-time and temporary, the position should afford him some say. He wanted the project for his résumé. “What it’s eventually used for is up for discussion, but for the next month it’s a perfect bach pad. My apartment’s not available until January.”

Riley batted his answer away with a sweep of her hand just like she had as a kid when she wanted to deflect trouble or blame. “You are family, Kills. You will always be welcome in any home I own.”

Mortification filled him. He was the older brother.

“Are you tight on money? I know you said the job is less than half of what you were making. Do you need a loan, Killian? Do you want to pick up some hours at the—”

“No.” He was outraged. He was the one she could rely on to help her out, not the other way around. He’d dedicated his adult life tonotworking for Flanagan & Sons. “I can’t believe you’d suggest that.”

“You want to live in an abandoned trailer that Sophia cajoled me to fix up with her?”

“Lots of people live in trailers. And I can pay rent. Whose is it?”

“Mine.” Zhang entered the kitchen with the last of the dishes. “Sure you don’t need help with the dishes?”

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