Page 50 of The Christmas Blueprint

She did it again, and he just stared.

“I’m not psychic. Spit it out.”

She mouthed something a third time. He hadn’t been back in town a week but already he felt on edge. Fighting his attraction to Sophia, taking care of Harlow, learning about Jeffrey Bane’s plan for what Sophia hoped would become the Mill Market. He felt like he was going to fail everyone.

Riley crossed her eyes. “You are hopeless.”

His thoughts exactly.

“My house. Move in here.”

Harlow looked up, and now Killian understood why Riley had been making the exaggerated mouth movements, only he’d been too caught up in his worries. Should he tell Sophia the mayor’s plan? He didn’t want to worry her or devastate her, especially when she seemed so happy and motivated. She would be so busy over the holiday season, and who knew, maybe as they developed their plans, they would find a way to change Jeffrey Bane’s mind and heart—if he had one.

“I am grateful for the offer of your house, but I only need it this month. I did rent something.”

“Where?” Riley demanded. “It better not be something soulless.”

“I’m an architect. I specialize in creating soul out of the vast, howling emptiness of mediocre.”

“Now that’s a slogan,” Riley said. “You need another place setting.”

Killian noted that Mr. Shi sat beside Harlow in the nook and held something that looked like a plastic book in his hand and a glass of water with a weird-looking brush. That man was spry and fit, even though Killian had been told he’d had a stroke a few years ago. Killian made a note to keep running.

“Why?” He turned back to his sister.

“I invited Sophia.”

He tried to hide his wince.

Apparently not well, as Riley pounced. “What, are you arguing about the project already?”

“No, of course not.” He just didn’t feel ready to face her.

“Blinded by her beauty?”

“I think you should consider hosting some sort of podcast or game show and leave me alone.”

Zhang handed Riley a glass of his wine and brushed her lips with a kiss.

“That would be fun,” Riley said. “I’d love that. Thank you,” she murmured to Zhang.

“Why are you giving her ideas that could lead to world domination?” Zhang asked.

“I love Bear Creek, but even I don’t think it’sthe world.” She imbued the words with full drama.

Killian smiled at his sister. She did look happy. She glowed—her greenish eyes snapped fire, and her creamy skin, freckles on stark display, looked lit from within. Her gaze followed Zhang as he brought Killian a glass of wine.

“What is this?” He sniffed appreciatively. He didn’t know that much about wine but his architecture firm had insisted he take a few classes so that he would be able to order wine at dinner if he were taking out clients.

“Hazard a guess?”

Killian took a sip. The explosion of fruit followed by astringent tannins and a complex mid structure was probably a dead giveaway, but he’d leaned toward beer ever since he and his roommates had brewed it in their dorm communal bathroom. They’d even played with launching a business for a few years.

“If I’m going to live here in Bear Creek for a year, I’d better learn a bit more about wine. This is delicious,” he said to Zhang who watched him like he was a science beaker about to generate a chemical reaction. “Wow,” he marveled as the flavors continued to evolve in his mouth, mellowing out warm and succulent, almost like a nectar. “That’s some serious fruit. Delicious. I think I could shove off the beer for this.”

Riley whooped, but then she sobered. “I wish you’d stop talking about leaving, Kills.”

“Just being honest.” Killian finished setting the table, his heart heavy. Was he trying to remind himself as much as Riley that his time was limited?

---