Page 20 of Christmas in Kiwi Country

“Who’s giving you gray hair?” Emerson asks as she walks in looking every bit the part of the Chicago elite. And the best part is she’s wearin’ a dress I picked out for her from our shop that Cheyenne tailored to perfection.

She’d left to change shortly after her moment with Cullen. The two of them had damn near brought me to tears. He deserves so much love, and I’m so glad he’s getting a chance to make peace with the man he was before.

“All the men in my life,” Isla grumbles at her cousin.

“Oh yeah, totally avoid my dad. I think he wanted to go over your entrance into the party.”

Isla glares at her father, and he holds up his hands before placing a quick kiss on her cheek before turning toward the backyard. “I’ll go talk to him.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”

“So Gwen,” Emerson says, “I’m loving this new side of my uncle.” She looks to Isla who nods. “I don’t think I’ve seen him smile as much as he has today like…ever.”

“Well, I’d be smiling too if I had a bombshell like this one,” Isla says with a wink.

Cocking my hip to the side, I give them the sass they’re looking for when I say, “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

“Amen to that,” Isla says as she drops into the chair beside her and puts her feet on the ottoman. She’s been more tired recently but still holds herself with as much elegance and grace as she always has.

“Did Dad tell you they’re planning a trip to New Zealand for Christmas?” Isla asks her cousin without taking her eyes off me.

“You’re planning it?” Emerson looks between Isla and me. “Like together?”

“We are,” I say with a slight tilt of my head.

“Huh,” Emerson muses. “I didn’t know he knew how to do that.”

“How else would he do it?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“If my uncle ever took a vacation, which I can’t even recall, he would have just called someone to make the reservations and then shown up on the tarmac.”

“He found a resort he likes, but I’m makin’ him do some touristy stuff first.”

“I guess youcanteach an old dog new tricks,” Emerson muses before handing Isla a bottle of water which she immediately opens and downs half of.

“When was the last time you ate, honey?” I ask.

“Like ten minutes before I came over here. I have no idea how I’m not ten times this size with the amount of food Hank constantly has in the house.”

I chuckle. “That man was a goner for you the moment you blew into our little town. I love seein’ that man smitten.”

“Me too.” She grins as her eyelids fall shut.

“Rest now, honey, we’ll wake you when it’s time.”

“Just a minute,” she says on a yawn, and I drape the blanket over her lap. “Thanks, Gwen.”

“Anytime, honey, anytime.”

11

CULLEN

We started the shower without Isla while she napped inside. I’d sent my brother on a wild goose chase for things around town we didn’t need but would keep him busy until my daughter was ready.

Thanks to my regular doctor’s visits, I know my blood pressure is just fine despite this new level of stress associated with my daughter and the three grandbabies she’s carrying. I wouldn’t quite say I’m as bad as Hank, but I also know how to hide it better.

“Is everyone ready?” Emerson singsongs as she comes out with a large, beautifully decorated box and places it in front of Hank and Isla. Sorren and Case drop the next two boxes off to the side.

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