Page 12 of Once Upon a Frosty Winter

“You’re after more than Hilda’s apple orchard. You’re after her heart.”

“From what I’ve gathered, that orchardisher heart.”

“True. But Hilda isn’t as cold as acts.” Mira’s eyes turn pleading. “Don’t hurt her. She’s been used before. If it’s money you want, say it. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not and use her for greed.”

“I have more money than I know what to do with.” I scoff. “I’m not after a fairy-tale wedding, and she knows that. I don’t want romance, and I don’t think she does either.”

Mira laughs.Rude.“You two are made for each other. Good luck.”

ChapterSeven

Hilda

“Eira, wait!” I yell out. People are stopping and staring. “I’m chasing my daughter, do you mind?” I yell at them.

Eira yells back, “Step! Stepdaughter, you witch!”

I tilt my head and huff. “Stepdaughter! I’m chasing after my stepdaughter! Enjoy the show. Or better yet, try minding your damn business!”

Eira hollers as she keeps pushing farther and farther ahead of me, “Great advice! Maybe you should mind your own business!”

“Not when it involves someone trying to steal my life!”

Eira stops and spins around. “Your life?Istole your life? You came into my life unwelcomed!”

“We’ve been through that a thousand times.” I sigh, exhausted. “I carved a place in this world with that orchard. Now you’re wanting to take it from me.”

“So you decided to take Jax to get back at me.” Eira’s eyes are full of unshed tears.

“He kissed me.”

“You liked it. You encouraged him to keep doing it. Funny, you’ve never hung mistletoe until this year. Conveniently, you came over to stand underneath it in front of me.”

She’s smarter than I thought.Thank God.I raise my chin. “Yes. You’re correct on all accounts. You hurt me badly by trying to go after my orchard. I wanted to hurt you back. Pettiness overcame me. I’m sorry.”

Eira wipes her eyes and sniffles. “It doesn’t matter. He wants you. He was never mine anyway, and you two are closer in age.”

“Eira. I don’t care whathewants. I want us to move forward as a family. I want to have a relationship with you. If you don’t want to view me as a mother figure, can I be a big sister to you? A distant cousin?”

Eira’s brow furrows. “Are you trying to make a joke?”

“I tried,” I tell her flatly. “But I’ll take cousin if that’s all you’re willing to give.”

“Second cousin?”

“Twice removed?”

I feel it. For the first time in seven years, I feel a hint of warmth from Eira. Our lips twitch as we face each other, and my heart beats faster as hope blooms within me. We’ve both been hurt and felt loss, and we’ve let that pain control us. The walls that have been kept in place in our relationship are now crumbling. It’s not a clean slate, but at least it’s the start of something new.

Inhaling a deep breath, I take a moment to look Eira in the eyes. I need her to see my truth. “I had nothing to do with your father’s death.”

“I know,” Eira whispers. “It was just easier to hate you. I’m sorry.”

“If blaming me helps, I’ll take that for you. But Eira, I’m sorry that it won’t help you heal or fill the void of his loss.”

“I’ll try to work on it.”

I want to suggest therapy, but baby steps. She’s getting there. We’ve admitted the problem, and tomorrow we can move forward on the next process. Worst-case scenario, I give her another drugged apple and drop her off unconscious at their office.Kidding.

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