Holiday Kisses

“Mmm.” Xander could hear his wallet whine at the very thought. “Been busy.” He bit into the muffin and sighed. “Man, I’ve missed your restaurant. When I’m in New York I always take clients there. I closed many a deal over your braised osso buco and goat-cheese risotto.” If only deals were that simple now.

“Marcus is doing a good job with it. Let me know next time you’ve got a meeting. Happy to hook you up with the chef’s table. On the house.”

“That invitation on its own would get me the client.” As if he had anyone banging that hard on the door these days. “I’ll keep it in mind, thanks. You mind if I pick your brain about Butterfly Harbor while we walk?”

“Nope.” Jason grabbed his coffee and muffins and the two of them headed out the back door. “But only if you tell me what a big-shot architect is doing designing a butterfly sanctuary.”

Desperation. “Branching out.”

Jason ducked his chin but not before Xander caught the smirk of disbelief.

“Not buying it?”

Jason shook his head. “Not even close. Like recognizes like. You’re here searching for something. A new start maybe? I’ve worked in Chicago, remember. I keep up on the news. I’m sorry about what happened with that apartment building. Really tough break.”

“Tougher on the two construction workers who died.” Xander still felt sick when he thought about the two young men with families whose lives were cut short because of the mistakes that had been made. “The lawsuit settlement nearly wiped us out. We’ve made a lot of changes. Something like that won’t ever happen again from us. but we’ve had to start from scratch. Take on smaller jobs.”

“Less important ones?”

There wasn’t any malice in Jason’s voice, nor did Xander pick up any disapproval. But there was a hint of...understanding?

“In my experience, there’s no place better to heal than Butterfly Harbor.” Jason turned to walk backward as they moved away from the main drag. “When I came here, I was in a bad place. I made some unfortunate decisions after my brother died. Ones that could have cost me everything I’d ever worked for. Who knew I’d end up finding the perfect place to start over?”

“Didn’t hurt that you fell in love, I’m betting.”

“It did not.” Jason chuckled and once again, Xander noticed how carefree he seemed. The brooding intensity, the attitude and ego that had made him a five-star celebrity chef had been tempered. “Even if I never cooked another meal, I’d still have Abby. Don’t tell her that.” He grinned. “My cooking is part of the reason she’s marrying me.”

“That would be the Christmas wedding I’ve been hearing about.”

“Oh, yeah. Gonna be some event. You’re welcome to come if you’re in town.”

“Appreciate that, but I should be home by then. Christmas is a pretty big deal with my family.” Especially this year. There was no telling how many more holidays they’d have with their father, as he was still in a wheelchair due to his massive stroke. “If I can get a handle on this sanctuary design. I thought we were onto something until I showed the plans to the mayor and Calliope.”

“Well, Gil I can understand having issues with it, but Calliope?” Jason’s eyebrows arched so high they disappeared under his hair. “Didn’t think she was capable of contrary thoughts or comments.”

Contrary. What an understatement. Now it was Xander’s turn to laugh. “I must bring it out in her then. She wasn’t a fan. Which is why I need to see the place firsthand, apparently. Get a feel for it.”

“Sounds like good advice. And honestly? If there’s one person in town you should always listen to, it’s Calliope Jones. She has this...way about her. You know?”

“Oh, I know.” And he was knowing more by the day. “Why else would I be out here at six in the morning on a Sunday? Give me four words to describe Butterfly Harbor.”

“Four words?” Jason took a deep breath. “Huh. Okay. Dedicated. Welcoming. Prospering.”

“That’s three.”