Page 5 of Once Upon a Frosty Winter

Her green eyes meet mine, and those sinful red lips slightly part. But our trance is broken when someone takes her a to-go bag.

I hurry out the door before I lose my composure and beg her to leave with me. As I climb into my Jeep, I call Eira back.

“Hello, Jax.”

“Eira. Have you arrived in Mistletoe Creek yet?”

“I should be there in about thirty minutes. I need to speak with my stepmother first. I know that cold bitch is going to make this difficult. I’ve reached out to H.C. Anderson Law Offices, and I have a case to take the mansion and a large sum of the businesses now that I’m twenty. However, the apple orchard…”

When she doesn’t continue, I press, “What about it?”

“He built that for her as a wedding present. That portion of the land has already been signed over. It’s in her name.”

Fuck!I grit my teeth. That orchard is worth more than anything else to me. We purchase a tremendous amount of apples from them throughout the year. It’s a sitting gold mine with the botanical gardens, the Christmas spectacular setup they already have in place, and the natural beauty of the orchard. Imagine having that view when you look outside. People would pay a pretty penny to experience a small-town Christmas and to have that within walking distance.

“I want the orchard too, or no deal.”

“I can sell you everything else, and you’ll have the view of the orchard.”

“The orchard is the most valuable part.”

Eira scoffs. “You can plant some apple trees! Replace another section of the farm with your trees. I’ll meet you in an hour at the estate.”

“Have you told her anything?”

“No. She’s finding out today she’s no longer welcome in my father’s house—myhouse.”

The call ends. Eira White is obviously out for revenge against her stepmother, for whatever reason, but it works out nicely for me. Eira gets to ruin her stepmother, and I get to carve my own legacy into Old Man Winter’s empire.

And instead of a diner, I’ll have a Christmas resort—Old Man Winter’s Frosty Resort.

ChapterThree

Hilda

This can’t be happening. She’s after my house—my home. That’s the thanks I get for taking care of her for the last five years. She actually served me legal papers. Way to rip my heart out. What a little bloodsucking, pasty whitevampire.I can’t believe this is happening.Eira White is going to have me evicted.

I change into my work clothes and hurry into my sacred orchard. Everyone wisely steps out of my way and avoids eye contact. I go past where guests are permitted, fuming the entire way.

As I’m walking, my foot hits a large rock that has no business being in the path. “Sonofabitchmotherfucker.” My fingers circle the jagged dust-covered rock as I curse it. I lift it and throw it as hard as I can.

A deep voice emerges from behind the shrubs that are part of the botanical garden maze. “Whoa! I heard security was serious, but I didn’t think it would get so physical.”

“You’re the man from the diner. Stalking?”

“No. But I am pleasantly surprised. Do you work here?”

“Guests are not permitted in this area.” I grab another rock and raise it. “And if you don’t move, you’ll find out how good my aim is.”

A slow, sexy smile spreads across his stupid-handsome face. The nerve of this jackoff. I pull back and then release the rock, sending it flying toward his head. He effortlessly catches it and then holds it out to me.

“Did you drop something?”

Only my jaw.

Narrowing my eyes, I warn him, “You have five seconds to disappear from my sight.”

He swaggers toward me until we’re toe to toe. He drops to his knees. “I’m out of your line of sight. I bet I could also put you in a better mood while here. You won’t even have to look at me.”

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