Page 7 of Christmas in Kiwi Country

My daughter rolls her eyes dramatically. “Obviously.” Clapping her hands, she scribbles another note on the pad beside her. “Are you and Cullen still comin’ over for dinner tomorrow? Jake is excited to try this new casserole that he swears is the second coming of John Mellencamp.”

I chuckle because that boy is something else, and I love how much he loves my daughter. He’d chased her around town beggin’ for attention, and she didn’t have a clue what to do with him. I’d never seen anything quite like the spectacle he made right in this very store, changin’ the words to “Jack and Diane” by John Mellencamp with their names and throwin’ in enough dance moves to get the ladies in the store all worked up.

Cheyenne had been powerless to resistthatparticular gesture, and now here they are married and makin’ casseroles.

“We’ll be there,” I tell my daughter and smile.

Her head tilts to the side as she studies me. “Everything all right?”

Nodding I say, “Just countin’ my blessings.” When she only stares at me I continue, “I’m just thankful for you and Jake, the Thayers, finding Cullen, and gettin’ this chance to be happy later in life.”

“You say that like you’re old, Mama.” She rolls her eyes, but her expression is knowing. Before Cullen came to Clementine Creek, I was happy living my life, but it lacked the love and passion that only exists through intimacy and trust.

“I never needed a man to make me happy, but it sure is nice bein’ appreciated by one.” Cheyenne blushes but grins, and I love that we’ve made it here—bonding over love and falling into that friendship that’s beyond just being mother and daughter.

“You deserve so much happiness, Mama.”

“We all do, Cheyenne.” Walking over to her, I wrap her in a hug and hold her tight as years of worry seep from my body.

“Love you, Mama.”

“Love you too, honey. Let me know what we can bring tomorrow.”

“I’ll ask Jake.” She smiles. “But you know him—the man always makes enough food to feed an army.”

I chuckle and shake my head as I walk back to the front of the store and take a minute to appreciate everything I’ve accomplished. Racks of beautiful clothes surround me with embellishments done by Cheyenne. Pride surges through my veins at how far we’ve come and how lucky I am to be able to do this with my daughter every day.

After Cheyenne’s father left, I’d been constantly worried if I was doing it right. Would we make it? Was I being selfish by pursuing my dream to open my shop and keep us in Clementine Creek when there was a whole world beyond the county line?

Cullen and I hadn’t been so different in that regard. We’d created legacies for our children—names that mean something in our respective worlds. Except while he was building an empire to protect his daughter, I was trying to build mine a home and teaching her how to find the balance—how to put herself out into the world rather than hide away from it.

I hadn’t done everything right, and it’d taken Cheyenne falling in love with Jake for her to finally come into her own. He’d pushed her in a way I never could, and for that, I’d always be thankful. Seeing Cullen rebuild his relationship with Isla was both beautiful and heartbreaking. In all the years raising her, I knew Cheyenne had never doubted my love for her like Isla had with her father.

He’d been a changed man following his heart attack, and while he tries every day to do better, I know the river of regret runs deep in his veins. I can only offer him my constant and unwavering love and support and pray it will be enough.

My phone buzzes on the counter.

CULLEN: I just wanted to tell you I love you.

GWEN: I love you more

CULLEN: Impossible

CULLEN: You’re a fantasy come to life, Red.

GWEN: I bet you say that to all the ladies

CULLEN: Just you.

GWEN: Keep it up and you’re definitely gettin’ lucky tonight Mr. Andrews

CULLEN: Like I said – fantasy come to life, Red.

4

GWEN

As if he’d known I was missin’ him, Cullen had called and asked me out on a date not more than a day after we’d had dinner at Jake and Cheyenne’s. Jake’s casserole had been a big success, definitely worth the hype, and as always, we’d had a great time. I loved seeing Cheyenne take to Cullen like he could be someone special to her too. My daughter deserved all the love, and while he wouldn’t replace her father, I liked to think that we’d created our own blended family with our daughters and their respective husbands.

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