Page 3 of Christmas in Kiwi Country

“The one on the left is Isla’s father, Cullen. Met him at The Poppy Seed with the other one—Gene, I think his name is.”

There’s not a doubt in my mind she’s confident about Gene’s name. The woman is not nearly as coy as she thinks she is, and I love the hell out of her because of it.

“Ladies, I think we’re about to start,” Flora says with a wide smile as she meets us at the table they have set up for the judges. Hayden gives Miss Thelma a sassy wink, and she blows him a kiss.

“Trouble,” I whisper to her and she cackles as we take our seats on either side of Hayden.

Flora sets the time, then signals the start, and all hell breaks loose. Hank and his sister-in-law, Marlee, chop and mix while shouting back and forth with Emerson and Isla.

Music plays and everyone gathered laughs and jokes and hollers as the clock winds down and Flora calls time. Both teams stand proudly at their stations, and Miss Thelma rubs her hands together with glee.

“All right, boys and girls, let’s eat some chowdah.”

* * *

CULLEN

The day has been a whirlwind.I haven’t been in Clementine Creek long but I can see why Isla loves it so much here. It’s loud and messy and you can feel love pouring out of every single person here.

I’ve never seen anything like it—never experienced anything close. Gene and I exchanged more than a few looks as we watched the chaos play out, from Isla and Emerson being crowned the winners of the chowder cook-off to Hank dropping to one knee and proposing to my daughter immediately after.

“Gwen, have you met Isla’s father, Cullen? He just bought Darling Farms from Harry Aubergine.” Hank’s voice pulls me back to the present as I lock eyes with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

Isla snorts like she does every time Harry Aubergine’s name is mentioned, and I have to press my lips together to regain my composure as well. I’d purchased the property, a family-owned apple orchard that had originally belonged to Marlee and her brother’s grandparents. Harry was looking to retire, and I was looking for a project to keep me out of trouble.

Offering my hand, I say, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Gwen. The pleasure is mine.” Her words are a sweet seduction, and I pray there’s an invitation in there somewhere because it’s been a long damn time since a woman made me feel…anything.

“Can I get you a drink?” I ask and nod toward where there’s a cooler and some semblance of quiet. Her red painted lips pull up into a saucy grin andwow is she sexy.Gwen exudes confidence and has the kind of presence that immediately draws people in.

She’s said all of five words to me and she’s already got me under her spell.

“You bought Harry’s place, huh? I heard about that.” The words are smooth as sweet tea as she leads us away from the crowd.

“It’s a retirement project.”

“Gonna turn it into a fancy tourist attraction and sell it off again?”

Leaning down, I grab a water and she nods. I hand it to her and grab one for myself before answering her question.

“I’m going to make some improvements. Isla said Otto and Case have a landscaping business, so I’ll ask them to update the outside. I’ll look over the books, talk to the staff, and generally be as hands-off as I can.” I shrug like it’s no big deal, but Gwen’s mouth hangs open the slightest bit like I’ve surprised her.

Maybe I have.

“I didn’t expect that,” she says, and I smile.

“Apparently I’m supposed to take it easy.” I rub absentmindedly over my heart. “Heart attack didn’t kill me, but my daughter might if I miss out on anything else in her life.”

Gwen chuckles, and the sound warms me from the inside out. “That girl is a badass and she’s made more than a few waves since bein’ here.”

“I don’t doubt it,” I say with pride because if there’s anything I know for sure, Isla is my greatest accomplishment.

She’s not me and she’s certainly not her mother—she’s so much better—and despite everything, she’s thrived in ways I never have. My daughter is so far beyond anything I’ve ever done andthatis everything.

Gwen touches my arm gently, pulling me from my musings, the heat of her hand seeping into my arm.

“I was sorry to hear about your heart attack. Isla was awfully worried.”

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