Page 19 of Christmas in Kiwi Country

Hustling over, Emerson throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. Just like when Isla does it, my heart grows three sizes. How did I survive so long without this kind of love and affection?

“Stop being so sweet or you’re going to make a liar out of my waterproof mascara, and I’m already reapplying before Isla and Hank do the actual reveal.”

“Don’t you know what the babies are?” I ask, confused.

“That’s not the point.” She sniffles.

I look at Gwen for help, but she just bites her lip and shrugs as Emerson hugs me tighter. Maybe this is part of healing for her too, and I can’t say that I mind. I have a lot of years to catch up on, and I can think of worse things than getting to know my niece again.

10

GWEN

Cullen has been bustling around Clementine Creek like the hounds of hell are chasin’ him all week. Between him and his brother, Gene, I don’t think there’s a woman over forty in this town or the surrounding ones that haven’t stopped by to catch a glimpse of the silver foxes.

That probably includes a fair share of the women under that age bracket too.

Even Miss Thelma made it a point to swing by the house this morning to drop off a large batch of her famous Moscow Mules. She might have ogled Gene and he might have blushed somethin’ fierce before excusing himself and makin’ his way into the other room.

The old loon had cackled the entire way out the door. I grin as my man rearranges the plates and napkins on the serving line that they had catered, so they wouldn’t have to do this exact thing.

Walking up next to him, I cup his face in my hands and place a slow, lingering kiss on his lips. His arms wrap around my lower back and he pulls me tight against his body.

“I feel like you’re trying to distract me, Red,” he murmurs against my mouth.

“And I think all that stuff was just fine where it was all six times you’ve fussed with it.” His hands fall to my bottom and he gives it a firm squeeze.

“Guess I did need a distraction then, hmm?” he asks and I chuckle as I swat at his chest. The man is incorrigible, and while it wouldn’t take much more for him to convince me there’s a perfectly good coat closet around here somewhere, it’s not the time.

“You’re trouble.”

“You weren’t complaining about it this morning,” he whispers into my ear before giving me a final squeeze and stepping back. His cheeks are flushed and his eyes are mischievous, and he’s so very handsome like this.

“Dad!” Isla says coming into the door. “Go do something with your brother before I make my cousin an orphan.”

He chuckles as he holds his arms out for her, and she steps into him without hesitation, her belly far more prominent in her tight cream maternity dress. It warms my heart seeing their relationship grow stronger every day. I know it means a lot to him to have this second chance with her.

“What’s he doing, sweetheart?”

“This mornin’ he showed up and wanted to give me therundownof the itinerary. Seriously, who gave that man a clipboard?”

“I think it’s probably been sitting in his desk drawer for the last twenty years.”

“It should have stayed there.” Cullen chuckles as she continues, “And then he wanted to make sure that I reallydowant vanilla frosting on those little cupcakes because he remembers that I used to like chocolate and he’s just double-checking.”

Pulling back, Isla looks up at her father, and he presses his lips together to hold back his smile, but there’s no missing the amusement dancing in his eyes.

“He loves you, sweetheart. He’s being your uncleandyour aunt.” She sighs.

“Fiiiiine,” she concedes but then squints her eyes and points a finger at him. “If he tries to measure my belly again, I’m out.”

“Deal,” he says as she walks over to me and gives me a hug.

“You’re a saint, you know that?”

“Oh sugar, get used to it. Once Hank holds those babies for the first time, he’ll be ten times worse.”

“They’re giving me gray hairs.”

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