Excerpt of Christmas Star by Christine Ashworth

Luc’s stomach rumbled as the dough grew silky under his hands. He sighed and tucked it under the bowl to let the gluten relax. He’d done some prep work earlier in the day for dinner that night, so could take a few minutes now to sit back with an almond croissant and a cup of coffee. He’d go to the fish market after lunch for the lobsters.

Christmas music warbled cheerfully in his kitchen. He loved Christmas. He’d hung a garland of fragrant cedar around the French doors, and a wreath of bay and sage threaded with a glossy red ribbon hung on one door. His gifts for family had all been made or bought and sent off a week ago. The only thing left were holiday pastry wreaths to make, both for the staff here and for local friends. Filled with dried cranberries and almonds, it had become a tradition for him in a life that had precious little tradition left. So tonight, after the meal, he’d do more baking.

Not bothering to remove his white apron, he grabbed a croissant, drew down an espresso, and went out onto the patio that adjoined the kitchen and stretched along the whole side of the house. He sank down into a wrought iron chair and stared across the gardens without seeing them. This whole wedding business had him thinking about his own future. It was time to settle down. Start a restaurant, get married, have some babies. He was thirty- five, after all. He had a nice nest egg, had lived frugally for years, but had never found the right property, the right partners, or the right woman….

He sighed and tilted his head back. The air was chilly and the sky thick with dense clouds. There’d be rain before sunset. A good thing, as rain had been scarce the past few years. He breathed in the scented air. Rain, sea, and greenery, one of his favorite mixes.

He heard a noise behind him then, a soft clearing of a throat.

“Excuse me, but do you know where the kitchen is? I’m quite lost, and you’re the first person I’ve seen.”

Luc’s every muscle tightened. The voice held him captivated, a womanly, alluring sound rich as cream sauce with a hint of sugar and salt, laughter and tears. Slowly he stood and turned. His gaze found hers. Something inside him clicked, and a moment of recognition passed between them, so strong it was hard to believe he’d never met her before. Never loved her before.

He took a step back. Fate had surprised him, finally.

One of her eyebrows rose. “Are you okay?”