A Chef's Kiss for Christmas: A feel-good festive escape (Christmas in the Cotswolds Book 2) by Hannah Ellis

Author:Hannah Ellis [Ellis, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hannah Ellis
Published: 2025-09-25T00:00:00+00:00

It took about ten minutes of walking for Warren’s anger to dissipate. Annoyingly, it wasn’t just his family who’d got under his skin. His irritation had spilled over to Anna too, since it was her who’d encouraged him to come.

Because of her, he’d even looked forward to it.

Now, crunching over the frosty grass, he cast a discreet glance at Anna with her rosy cheeks and her dark hair poking out from beneath her grey bobble hat.

His family would never change, and there was really no point in being frustrated that they’d put work first yet again. What he should do was make sure Anna had a good time.

“Sorry for being grumpy before,” he said, as they tramped steadily down into the valley.

“You’re forgiven,” she said without missing a beat.

Amusement took the last of his bad mood. “That’s big of you.”

“I don’t tend to hold grudges.”

“I was expecting you to question what I was talking about, or say you hadn’t noticed me being grumpy.”

Her eyes sparkled as she cast him a sidelong glance. “It would have been pretty difficult not to notice.”

“I wasn’t that bad.”

“You were pretty bad, but you apologised, so let’s forget it.” She pulled a strand of hair that had flicked into her mouth. “Show me which trees we’re climbing.”

A laugh escaped him. “We’re climbing trees?”

“Yes.” She beamed. “We’re reliving your childhood. Unless you think you’re not up to it?”

His eyes trailed over her, taking in her skin-tight jeans and sturdy knee-high boots. “I think I’ll manage,” he said, pushing a branch out of the way at the edge of the woods.

The scent of pine hit him as they followed the familiar path through the trees. A few minutes later, they reached the dried-up stream.

“It’s more fun in summer,” he said, hopping over the gulley where the water babbled in the warmer months. Anna kept up easily as he picked his way through the rocks and shrubs until he reached a small clearing with a large tree in the middle. “This is the best climbing tree,” he said, putting a hand against the rough bark of the old oak tree.

“It looks like a good one.” Anna walked around to the other side and disappeared from view. A moment later, she peeked around the trunk, looming a foot above him. “Race you to the top,” she said, mischief flashing in her eyes.

“Who are you?” he muttered as he pulled himself up onto a low branch.

Near the base of the tree, the abundant branches were so close together that it was more like climbing an uneven ladder and required little effort. As soon as the branches thinned out, Anna stopped and sat on a solid branch, with an arm on the tree trunk to steady herself.

“You took your time,” she said when he stood on the branch below hers, so he was at eye level with her.

He opened his mouth to reply, but all that came out was laughter.

“I prefer it when you’re not being grumpy,” she said, smiling softly.

“Me too.

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