Page 30 of The Christmas Blueprint

“I absolutely wasn’t thinking that.”

“I live here. I have a business here. I know what would benefit this community long-term. I’m not just thinking about making money for the property owner, which is all Jeffrey Bane has ever thought about, and don’t think he’s not pissed that he couldn’t swoop in at auction and pick up the entire property for pennies on each dollar. Zhang beat him to it. He also beat him to the Tully property years ago. A lot of people end up having to sell their farms because they can no longer afford the taxes or for other reasons, and that’s when the Banes swoop in and buy everything up.

“But people who can, try to hold on so they can sell to someone, anyone else, and I’m not going to let this gift—” she spun in a circle, arms out to encompass the building “—go to waste.”

“Merry first day of the Christmas season to you too.” He smiled.

Sophia had no intention of backing down.

“You told Riley you were only here for a year.” She had to remember that. “You want to make a big splash and then swim off.”

His smile went out like a light. She missed it, which was stupid, but she didn’t want Killian to think he could run over her so easily.

“I am trying to get a jump start on the project because I don’t know what the New Year will bring, not really. Hunter can be called up anytime.”

Right. Hunter. His daughter. Her stomach bottomed out. She was being unbearably selfish. Maybe. She looked up into Killian’s closed-off expression.

“Sorry, Killian,” she said. “This project means a lot to me.”

“Me too.”

She wasn’t sure if she believed him, but in high school he had always excelled at everything he tried—academics, sports, clubs, leadership opportunities. And now he had multiple degrees.

But no passion for Bear Creek or its future. She was bringing all that.

“We are a team,” Killian reminded her softly. “We work together. Share ideas. It’s not going to be exactly as you planned in your head, Sophia, and that’s not necessarily bad. I’d like to think I will bring something to the party.”

She nodded, feeling hot with shame. Even though he was leaving, he didn’t need to be treated like he was unimportant. Killian was at least making his position clear from the beginning.

But she’d always been so susceptible to him.

“You’re right.” She shook off the emotions and worry storming through her. “Riley and I have been bouncing ideas for years, and they evolved. I do need to be more open-minded. I will,” she promised.

“That’s good because I intend to pick your brain.”

The smile started in his eyes, and her tummy did that stupid burble again. She should be so over this. But no. Here came the dimple.

“Maybe even for ideas of what to do with Harlow if my worst fears come true and Hunter’s called up before Lisa’s back or if she goes into an early labor, and I take care of Harlow.” Killian definitely had his swagger back, and she wished it weren’t so darn appealing. “I have never even had a house plant.”

“Preteen girls are definitely not as easy or as passive as houseplants,” Sophia teased. “But don’t look to me. I never played with dolls or babysat for extra money. I wasn’t that into the idea of getting married, but Enrique was so persuasive, and then my family and his were over the moon talking about all the bambinos we were going to have.” She made a face. “We weren’t even married yet, and I was trying to call a time-out on that. Maybe I’ll learn something watching you with Harlow.”

“Probably what not to do,” he said. “You at least raised baby goats.”

“That’s not the same thing at all,” she objected, surprised he’d remembered that and laughing at the memory. She’d raised them to sell, but she’d never been able to part with them to strangers, so they’d all gone year after year to her friend Ruby True’s farm.

“Still, it’s experience. I don’t have any, but I’m ready and willing to learn.”

The barn-door-style entrance that Sophia had left partially open pushed back farther.

“Good thing.” Hunter stood in the entrance with a large camouflage duffel bag swung over one beefy shoulder and a blue backpack with unicorns on the other. A small, blonde girl stood next to him, her hair bushing out from under a camouflage special forces cap with an insignia on the front andHawkinsscrawled along the side tilted forward over her face, hiding her features. She held Hunter’s hand and her other arm was filled with a large, plush something—maybe a bear.

“Tag, my brother. You’re up to bat.”

*

“Hello again.” Killianstared at Harlow with her halo of tight spiral white-blonde curls that seemed to have a life of their own, bouncing and swaying around her head as she stood still but turned her head like an owl, taking in the entire setting of the trailer: the tables, the bright red fridge, and lighting all inside a cavernous building. He hoped he didn’t look as freaked out as he felt. His mouth felt like he’d stuffed it with cotton at the dentist, and he couldn’t swallow.

“Surprise,” she said, and Killian felt even more unnerved.

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