Page 5 of The Christmas Blueprint

Everything in Killian settled. He was doing the right thing.

“This is Killian Flanagan.” Hunter introduced him to his daughter.

“Kills, this is Harlow.”

She looked at him solemnly and nodded. Her complexion had a dusky undertone, but from what he could see of her hair—including her eyelashes and eyebrows—it was very fair and her eyes a dark blue, almost navy.

“Good to meet you, Harlow. Welcome to Bear Creek.”

“Aren’t you just arriving too?”

“Perceptive, yes, but since I grew up here, I guess I still feel like I’m part of the welcome committee.”

“My dad says he grew up here. That’s why he wants to move back.”

“Yup. We’ve been friends since fourth grade.”

“That’s what grade I’m in.” She bounced on her toes a little. “Maybe I’ll make a friend for life,” she said, her voice cracking.

“That’s the plan.” Hunter slung his arm around Harlow’s shoulders. “No more moving after this year. We’re going to build a house near your Aunt Lisa, Uncle Nick, and your cousins Luke and Lucy.”

“Lucy’s not born yet.”

“Few more months,” Hunter said. “And you’ll be the oldest cousin. You and I can help Lisa take care of them. And we’ll have our own, new house by this time next year.”

Harlow’s wide gaze clung to her father’s serious one. Hunter looked determined, Harlow like she wanted to believe but couldn’t quite get there. She sighed and her shoulders drooped.

“But not until your job is done,” she whispered.

Killian felt like he’d been tackled from behind and all the air had been sucked from his body. What an idiot he was, feeling sorry for himself when Hunter and his daughter needed him.

A kid. A dangerous job. Planning to come back to the one place you swore you’d never return to and build a home, a life.

“Hungry?” Killian unleashed his smile that had gotten him out of trouble as a teen. “I got food.” Killian reached into his truck to gather the bags from two different takeout restaurants—Mexican and a chicken place.

“Bring it inside. Harlow and I got a fire going. Lisa’s getting the heat and utilities turned on next week so I can do some work around her house before they arrive.” Hunter smiled. He and his sister had always been close.

“I can help,” Killian said. “My job’s part-time for now,” he tagged on, not wanting Hunter to feel guilty. He definitely knew his way around construction sites—too well, but his experience had been a boon as he’d studied architecture. “I doubt I’ll have too many potential clients beating down my door for remodels, building, or home designs for a while.”

“Won’t take as long as you think,” Hunter said.

Harlow ran to the stone fireplace and picked up a handful of long, thin sticks that were on the top of the chunky, rustic surround. “I’m ready for s’mores.”

“After dinner,” Hunter said.

Killian did a double take. Just a few weeks and Hunter had jumped into the dad role. Killian had never even dated a woman with children. “Your dad…” he paused because it sounded so weird “…was always the best fire builder and marshmallow roaster.”

“He told me,” Harlow said.

Killian put the bags down on the kitchen counter. The farmhouse had a lot of charm, but it was definitely due for upgrades. He wondered if Hunter planned to live with Lisa and her growing family. Hunter, out of all of his high school friends had been the only one who’d sworn he’d never get married. Never have a kid. Never be a dad. With his upbringing, Killian hadn’t been surprised.

But never say never because Fate had a sense of humor and would rise up and slap your cheek just to ensure you were paying attention. Slap—Hunter got an email that changed his life. Slap—Killian agreed to an epic favor. Slap—what was next?

He took the food out of bags, organizing it while Hunter set out paper plates, napkins, and utensils. Harlow skipped off to wash her hands.

“Cute kid,” Killian said, using one of the extra plates to arrange the various chicken sandwiches and burgers.

“Smart.” Hunter rolled the foil off of the dishes from the Mexican fast food restaurant.

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