Page 20 of Once Upon a Frosty Winter

“Christmas has passed.” Fawn reminds her. Then she asks me. “But did you two spend Christmas together?”

My cheeks heat as I remember how I was tied up in lights. “You mean you don’t already know?”

Merry chuckles. “Of course they did!”

Mira whispers to me. “I’m sorry. I’m almost finished.”

Fawn clears her throat. “You know, I bet there’s a way you, Eira, and Mr. Frost could make something special with the White Estate. You being a savy business lady. Look at what you did with the orchard.”

“My, my. And how it’s grown! It’s practically a town staple now.” Merry agrees.

In the reflection of the mirror I can see Fern nodding her head. “A tourist attraction for sure!”

“Mr. Frost would make a handsome partner.” Mira teases me.

“No doubt.” The ladies and agree before going into a fit of giggles. The cackling hens do have a point…

Mira stands back and beams at me. “All finished.”

I thank her and hurry home to get my dress on. I’m wearing a long, fitted deep purple velvet dress. It’s so dark, it’s borderline black. It’s off the shoulder, with a sweetheart neckline that displays my full cleavage, but it’s still classy, of course. It has a back cape that trails behind me. The dress is elegant and sexy, and I feel like a queen in it. My mask is dark purple with black lace, accented by tiny jewels. The smoky eyeliner with the mask makes the green in my eyes stand out.

“Where’s Eira?” Jax asks when I greet him at the door.

“Change your mind and decide you’d like the daughter after all?” I tease.

Jax rolls his eyes. “I’m being polite.”

“She’s going to meet us there. She’s getting ready at a friend’s house.” When he doesn’t make a move for us to leave, I cock my head to the side. “What?”

“I’m debating if I should carry you up the stairs and skip this ball.”

“Stop. I promised Mira I’d make an appearance.”

“You’ll make quite the grand entrance. I don’t know how anyone will be able to take their eyes off you.”

“You can be quite charming when you want to be. It’s a shame you’re a complete ass most of the time.”

“Nobody’s perfect.”

* * *

Jax and I danced a little and mingled until my social battery couldn’t handle any more. We left to come to my favorite place to recharge—the orchard. I believe in direct communication, so I tell him exactly what I’d like for us and the business moving forward into the new year. No commitment as far as a romantic relationship, but I do believe we could make an amazing business arrangement.

“I want to buy back half of the White Estate.”

“Buy it back? I offered to give it to you.”

He doesn’t understand my need to not feel like I owe him. With my history, I intend to never be financially dependent on another person. No favors. No feeling obligated to anyone. “I’ll buy my share, or I won’t have any at all.”

“Why only half?”

“I read over your plan for the White Estate. I like your vision, but I have some suggestions. Eira will maintain a share of White Estates. It’s the least I can do for John. He helped my mother see to it that I would have a future. I want to ensure Eira always has some financial security for her future as well.”

“Agreed.”

“I will remain the sole owner of Queen’s Orchard, and it will keep that name.”

Jax nods. “But we will have packages for customers of the resort to come to the orchard?”

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