The sun isn’t hot enough to melt it, so the town is reminiscent of a Hallmark movie.
The diner has its window painted in fall vibes that will be scraped down in the next week for a winterscape.
Evergreen pines line the sidewalk, waiting for their decorations, and the town square is a work in progress.
Patrick, the big turkey decoration that always holds the prime place in the center of it all is missing, and the frame for the Christmas tree is going up with muted clangs of a hammer.
The small market is set up, a few seasonal booths lining the square, selling sweets and walking food, trinkets and candles.
It was my favorite haunt in the winter.
Gabe used to take me every year to the early morning activities for kids when my parents worked in the bakery.
My hesitation has me in the middle of the sidewalk, when I turn to make the full loop, I run right into someone.
Of course. Why would I not bowl someone over today?
But strong hands grip my elbows and steady me.
I look up into the bright green eyes of the town mogul: Adam Lancaster.
Well, if this isn’t dandy.
4
ADAM
“Whoa there.” I catch the young woman who ran into me by the elbows and look down into her pretty but suspicious face, framed by wild locks of rich brown hair. Matching brown eyes meet mine. “You okay?”
She takes a step back, pulling herself from my grip, and her mouth flatlines.
Something about her response pings my interest. She huffs. “I’m really sick of people asking me that.”
That has a smile surfacing. “People have been asking you that a lot, have they?”
She rolls her eyes and folds her arms across herself, and I get a flash of her apron under her coat.
Ah, Bennett’s Bakery.
This must be Andrew and Mary’s daughter, Drew. The one who’s been away for a number of years. Five or six, maybe?
There was a whole mess she left on the heels of, if I remember correctly. I don’t recall the particulars, but it was bad enough to send her running.
I didn’t see her much when she was young, and that’s for the best because the woman standing in front of me pins me again with those sultry brown eyes, and I find that I like the fire in them.
How she’s not bending backward to kiss my ass right out of the gate.
A few Pinebrook citizens shoot her looks, so I pivot and get her walking again. She doesn’t object, and I take the small win.
Because I’m already intrigued.
Especially as her chin lifts when she takes notice of her audience. Mostly women.
They send her disdainful looks.
Then a couple of teen boys whistle at her.
I send them a pointed look, and they scamper away.
