I order my go-to latte, as well as Bailey’s coffee, and a few pastries to go.
I’m fumbling with my cash, trying to hold onto my mittens after I place my order with the cheerful server, Sally-Ann. Walking over to the waiting area, I glance up while I’m shovingmy wallet back in my tote, and I’m met with a pair of oceanic blue eyes I wasn’t expecting. Eyes I seem to recognize even when I shouldn’t. I don’t know why, but they remind me of a stormy sea — deep, maybe a little restless — and impossible to ignore.
Why does he feel so familiar?
I clutch onto my mittens for dear life while I wait for my order. I feel my bottom lip curl under my teeth, a bad habit I’ve never been able to break, and it’s like I’m no longer in charge of my actions. Then there’s the instant rustle of unexpected embarrassment flushing my cheeks.
Sometimes if the guy is really cute, I get a little fidgety. And heisdreamy. A rugged mountain man.
I flick my eyes toward him again, and some familiarity flashes before me. A recognition I can’t place. I know I haven’t met this tall, solidly built man with a dark, neatly trimmed beard and an intense stare. Nope. I would have remembered him anywhere… My sharp intake of breath is the only break I get from his intense stare.
His lips part, like he’s about to say something, but then he hesitates, and Sally-Ann breaks our connection.
“Here you go, honey,” she calls from behind the counter.
The spell is suddenly broken as Mister Blue Eyes turns his head, looking toward Sally-Ann, who is holding out his coffee cup and a bag of mixed sugar cookies.
“Thanks,” he grunts in a deep voice as pushes off the counter and takes his goods.
He doesn’t glance at me again, in fact, he keeps his steely gaze right ahead of him as he makes for the exit.
“Have a good day, Zane!” Sally-Ann yodels after him.
He turns as he pushes the door open, raising his cup to, I assume, reciprocate her well wishes.
Zane? My head quickly whips over to his retreating back. Of course, he’s the sexy mountain man from… oh, shit, fromLawless Christmas Tree Farm where I’m going to be working for the holidays! The family photo...
I knew I’d seenthatface somewhere — it seems really obvious now.
He’s gone in an instant, a flurry of cold wind blasting the diner where he just was.
“Cute, isn’t he?” I hear a female sigh next to me. When I glance over to the voice, I’m met with a gorgeous redhead in ‘The Dusty Spur Diner’ apron wearing a name badge that reads:Jo-Beth.She’s also holding a coffee pot and wearing a huge smile.
I blow out a breath and can’t help the smile that sneaks through. “Is that the guy from Lawless Farms?” I ask, not even knowing why I do that. I mean, it’s obvious who he is, but she looks like she’d give away some insider information.
“That’s the one,” she says. “But I wouldn’t waste your time, hon. He’s not available in any way, shape or form. He’s a little… um, shy.”
“Oh, I wasn’t thinking anything like that…”
She giggles a little under her breath. “No, I mean, he’s available,” she whispers behind the back of her hand. “The women around here steer clear because he’s a little surly. Zane is one of those emotionally unavailable bachelors of Alpine Falls, seemingly happy being miserable and alone.”
“Sounds complicated.” The words sneak out before I can even stop them. Then Sally-Ann calls out my order, and I thank her.
“So, you’re the new girl? I’m Jo-Beth.” She sticks the hand that isn’t holding the coffee pot — out to me.
We shake. “Yeah, good news travels fast. I’m Sadie, Bailey’s friend.”
“So pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“How are you finding things?”
“Well,” I start. “I just got here, but so far, everything is great. I love this little town. I’ve been here before, but never on a permanent basis.”Not that I am now, but there’s no need to tell her that.
“Bailey hasn’t stopped talking about you,” she goes on. “She’s so excited to spend the holidays with her bestie. We hang out all the time, Margarita Monday is a favorite.”
I think I’m going to get along just fine with Jo-Beth, and with any of Bailey’s friends.
