“He never gives me a discount,” Matt complained, but there was nothing but humor in his expression.
“But Matt still asks every time,” Kirk said. “He is nothing if not persistent.” The word sounded loaded with double meaning.
“It was good to meet you, Kirk,” Tessa said after Matt made his purchases.
“You too, Tessa. Maybe you could come and see where the magic happens sometime soon,” Kirk said.
“I’d love that,” Tessa replied as they turned and walked away.
Matt reached for her hand, and there was something possessive in the way his hand held hers. It sent a thrill through her veins. Even though the last thing she wanted was to be anyone’s possession.
They continued through the market, and Matt soon relaxed as they stopped to examine produce for the restaurant—heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, specialty mushrooms that he discussed at length with a weathered man in overalls. Tessa watched him in his element, noting how he treated each vendor with respect,how he asked questions about growing conditions and harvest times, how he seemed genuinely interested in their answers.
“Matt Thornberg!” A booming voice cut through the crowd. A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair waved from a cheese stand. “Get over here and try my new chèvre!”
Matt grinned, placing his hand lightly on the small of Tessa’s back to guide her through the crowd. The touch was gentle, barely there—yet Tessa felt it like a brand, warm and steadying. He didn’t crowd her or push. His hand simply rested there, a quiet claim that said I’m with her without a single word spoken.
“Earl makes the best goat cheese,” Matt murmured close to her ear as they approached the stand. The warmth of his breath sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.
“You’re too kind.” Earl laughed, overhearing. “Now I’m going to have to give you free samples.” His keen eyes shifted to Tessa. “And who’s this lovely lady?”
“Tessa Johnson,” Matt said, and something in his tone—a hint of pride, maybe—made Tessa’s heart beat faster. “She’s helping out at the restaurant while Rachel’s ankle heals.”
“Well, Tessa Johnson,” Earl said, cutting a small piece of cheese and offering it to her, “welcome to Bear Creek. Any friend of the Thornbergs is a friend of mine.”
The cheese was creamy and tangy, melting on her tongue. “This is incredible,” she said honestly.
Earl beamed. “A woman of taste! Matt, you’d better bring her back next month to try the herb-crusted version I’m working on.”
Next month. As if her being there then was a given. As if she belonged not just in this moment, but in the future of this place.
The rest of the morning passed in a similar fashion, Matt introducing her to what felt like half the town, people greetingher not as a stranger but as someone they’d been expecting. By the time they stopped for coffee at a small stand near the edge of the market, Tessa felt simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated.
“Are you okay?” Matt asked, handing her a steaming cup. “It’s been a long morning.”
Tessa looked out over the market, taking in the scene. “It’s not just the market,” she admitted quietly. “It’s... everything. The way people talk to me like they already know me. The way they expect me to still be here next week, next month.” She swallowed hard. “The way it feels as though Icouldbelong here.”
Matt was silent for a moment, his dark eyes studying her face. “Would that be so bad?” he finally asked, his voice low. “Belonging here?”
The question hung between them, weighted with meaning beyond the simple words. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “I’m not sure I know how to put down roots.”
“It’s never too late to learn,” he said.
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Come on,” Matt said, seeming to sense her need to lighten the mood. “There’s an artist’s booth I want to show you. I think it might be exactly what we need to keep the fairies happy.”
“Lead the way,” Tessa said.
Chapter Twelve – Matt
“You weren’t joking when you said you needed the truck to carry everything,” Tessa said, eyeing the various bags and boxes Matt was juggling.
“What can I say?” Matt shrugged. “I like food, and I like to support the local community.” He grinned. “And I like the company.”
“Yeah.” Tessa looked back at the crowded market. “Everyone here is so friendly.”
Tell her that’s not what you meant,his bear said.
