Page 5 of Married to the Frenemy

My eyes follow him as he makes his way toward the door. But before he can disappear, I blurt out one last question.

“What if I were married? Hypothetically speaking, of course.”

He faces me, his brows scrunched in contemplation. “If you were married, and I was confident you were putting your family first, then yes. I’d sell you this place, even at a lower rate. But seeing as you haven’t gone out on an actual date in years, it’s a moot point.”

I remain silent, in no mood to get into the technicalities of my dating life with him.

Or anyone, for that matter.

“Don’t worry, Beckham. You’ve been the head winemaker here for several years. Anyone who buys this place will no doubt want to keep you on, especially with your expertise.”

“What are you going to do with all your free time?”

“Something I haven’t done since I bought this land thirty years ago.”

“What’s that?”

“Take a much overdue vacation.”

I can’t deny he deserves to spend the rest of his years doing absolutely nothing.

But I still hate that someone else will soon own the land I’ve worked with my own hands.

Unless I get married.

CHAPTER THREE

HALEY

“What do you think, peanut?”

I steal a glance at my daughter, my heart warming at the wonder and excitement filling her expression as we meander along the lakefront area of Holley Ridge, the annual Christmas Festival in full swing.

“This is amazing.” Maggie’s gray eyes sparkle as she takes in all the sights, sounds, and smells surrounding her. The air is filled with the scent of freshly baked goods, hot cocoa, and pine from the Norway spruce towering nearby.

As we weave through the crowd, it seems the entire town has come out for the annual tree lighting ceremony, as I expected would happen. After all, it’s a tradition around here. I just hope it continues to be.

Parker, my best friend and the woman who now runs the property, is also going through some financial issues.

She hasn’t let that dampen her spirit, though. Instead, she’s confident she’ll find a solution to her problem because she manifested it.

Maybe that’s what I need to do.

At this point, I’ll try anything so I don’t end up homeless.

So my daughter doesn’t end up homeless.

A voice in my head reminds me that there’s one thing I could do that would help me earn more money, but I quickly silence it. I’m not that desperate. Not yet, anyway. Like Parker says, if there’s any time a miracle is possible, it’s during Christmas.

I just hope I find my miracle before I’m forced to live out of my car.

Or worse.

“Auntie Parker! Auntie Parker!” Maggie’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I watch as she darts toward a tall blonde woman, her arms outstretched.

Parker gracefully crouches down, sweeping her into her embrace. “Hey, Magpie.”

Maggie’s expression turns serious. “Grandma says no one should call me that. She says my name is Margaret, and that’s what people should call me.”

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