When You Find Love by Willa Blair

Author:Willa Blair [Blair, Willa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary; light paranormal; holiday; family history; mystery; family curse; romantic fantasy; scarred hero
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2019-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Holt regretted spoiling Caitlin’s enjoyment of the gazebo, but perhaps it was just as well. Maybe now she’d stop trying to convince him of the appeal the estate. He didn’t understand why she seemed so determined that he keep it. Live in it, for God’s sake, as if he’d ever do that. Staying here for a few weeks was bad enough, though his residence here kept him out of county court. Still, he couldn’t wait to get back to California. The only downside to leaving walked quietly at his side.

He helped her up the stairs onto the front portico then held the front door open. Her scent reached him on warm air that wafted past them, stirring his blood. She touched his glove as she brushed by, and he remembered that all too soon, like that brief touch, she’d be gone. She was here to do a job, he told himself as he helped her remove her coat, then stripped out of his. Farrell appeared in time to take charge of them, along with their hats, gloves, and scarves and announced that hot cocoa awaited their pleasure. Holt followed Caitlin down the richly paneled hallway toward the kitchen, reminding himself with every step that the estate was a job site, nothing more, its contents merely items to be assessed, cataloged, and disposed of. As soon as she finished, and as soon as he dealt with the lawyers, the county tax office, and a wealth of other details, he’d sell the place and never set foot in it again.

Then she would go back to Scotland, where he’d likely never see her again, despite his teasing threat to show up at her door.

Holt squinted as they entered the brightly lit kitchen.

Caitlin took a deep breath and sighed. “Ah, chocolate,” she said with a smile for Mrs. Smith. “Ye’re an angel to think of this,” she added as Mrs. Smith handed her a steaming mug.

“I saw the two of you outside at sunset and knew you’d be chilled by the time you came back in.”

“You were right,” Holt assured her as he took charge of his own steaming mug, then took a cautious sip. Hot, creamy, almost smoky, the cocoa satisfied a need he hadn’t known he had.

“This is amazing,” Caitlin exclaimed after a few sips. “You must tell me your secret. What’s in it?”

Mrs. Smith waved a hand. “It’s my special recipe I only make during the holidays. I use Mexican chocolate, which has cinnamon and a touch of cayenne to warm it.”

Of course, Holt thought. “I’ve had something like this in California. I should have realized…”

“I want the recipe,” Caitlin interrupted. “I’ve never tasted the like. I’m sure my friends at home would adore this.”

Mrs. Smith beamed. “I’ll write it out for you. Care for more?”

Caitlin held out her mug. “Aye, of course.”

Mrs. Smith ladled out more fragrant chocolate and topped off Caitlin’s mug. “Have a seat at the kitchen table. I’ve been cooking all day, so this is the warmest room in the house.

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