Page 72 of The Christmas Romance Wish

He shouts as he exits, “Hey, what’s going on.”

Without missing a beat, Emmie says, “I heard you were looking to decorate Holidayle with your brand of ugliness. You got New York and California by the looks of things.” She tips her head toward the Tesla. “Holidayle is my town now. I suggest you take your dirty real estate development money elsewhere.”

Tad’s expression cycles from shock to showdown as if he’s ready to fight Emmie for the territory. He haughtily steps forward and takes a long sip from his fancy coffee drink—he doesn’t take it black or with a little cream and sugar like a man. The side of it has all the boxes checked off for the extras. I’d like to knock itout of his clammy hand.

He eyes me and then Emmie. “Looks like you’ve moved down in the world.”

She snorts. “Have you checked the altitude around here? I made a vertical move.”

“But a bad business move to sell all your shares in Marry Me.”

Shoulders squared, she says, “It was the best decision I ever made. Anyway, the value of everything isn’t measured in money.”

“I beg to differ.”

I step forward, slinging my arm around Emmie’s shoulder. “Is that so?”

Tad looks me up and down. “I recognize you. You own the acreage up on the hill. Wouldn’t budge. Bad move, buddy. The two of you are full of ‘em.”

“No, Tid Bit, you’re the one who made the wrong move. Turns out, I’m dateable, marriable, and fungible.”

His eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I have the full force of Almeida Enterprises at my disposal. Try to make a move on the Holidayle Sleighbell Lakeside Hotel and find out just how much your money is worth around here. Or I can save you the trouble. Zero. The currency you carry is not accepted in this town. Now, go find someone else’s life to ruin.”

With that mic drop, Emmie makes a scat motion with her hand.

With a scowl that suggests this isn’t the last we’ve seen of him, Tad gets in the Tesla.

Casting a smile my way, she looks pleased with herself.

And I am beyond proud of her. I don’t think I could’ve handled Tid Bit better myself.

As his windshield wipers swish, I dip Emmie back in a deep kiss, just so it’s clear he knows how valuable she is to me.

Emmie

CHAPTER 19

Chip, my grandfather, instilled in me early on how important it is to give back. To have looked at him, the average person might not think to themselves,Now, there’s a wealthy guy.He didn’t get rich by flaunting his money.

Granted, he had custom-tailored suits, but he took care of them and still wore ones he bought twenty years prior—along with island-style floral shirts from time to time.

I didn’t make the wrong move, as Tad said. I invested the cash I got from the app and lived off it. But that’s not all. The balance in my bank account along with various investments and holdings, tells my grandfather’s story. And now it’s all mine.

So is Alex. I hope.

After laughing all the way back to Eaglewood Acres, to look at me right now, the average person might not think to themselves,Now, there’s a wealthy gal.I tried fitting in with the posh ladies in New York. It didn’t work.

Wearing the city girl clothes here didn’t translate well to winter on a ranch. So, instead of my sleek leather boots and wool coat, I’m wearing a combination of Alex’s gear and items various people left at his place—snow pants that are ten sizes too big with plenty of layers underneath and a belt to hold them on. The jacketwith a furry hood makes me look like a Yeti that ate too many dark green marshmallows. Thankfully, the hat and boots fit.

Alex laughs as he pushes us off the top of the hill. Snug between his legs, I hold on tight as we whiz through the snow.

We take several runs and then I collapse in the snow at the bottom. “I don’t think I can make the climb back up there.”

Without a word, he scoops me off the ground and flings me over his back.

“You can’t carry me back up. You’ll wear yourself out.”

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