But now he was plunging headlong into a new adventure. And Bailey was leading the way with her outgoing personality and knowledge about the product. It was obvious that Bailey loved her job.
“I have an idea,” Bailey said. “We can do some cider mixing with various flavors and get an idea if our flavors will pop. That way we’ll be able to see if it’s worth creating the flavor.”
“That’s a great idea, but can we drink hard cider while we’re on the clock?” He knew that he might sound like a Goody Two-shoes, but he didn’t want to break any company rules. Even though Hattie was his grandmother, she wouldn’t hesitate to read him the riot act.
“Nothing to worry about. We just sample the combinations. We don’t drink more than a taste. If we really like it, maybe an extended taste.” She winked at him. “It gets the job done.”
“Well then, who am I to say no?” he asked. As far as job duties went, taste-testing hard cider combinations had to be high on the list of best ones ever. He still didn’t know what he’d ever done in this life to deserve Hattie or this opportunity.
Within minutes Bailey had assembled a variety of canned hard ciders along with small plastic cups. She began cracking open the cans and mixing together the flavor combinations they’d come up with. She handed him the first plastic cup and said, “Cheers!”
He downed the sample, his gaze fixed on her as she drank hers. Bailey consumed it in two sips, letting out a contented sigh when she finished. Her tongue darted out of her mouth to lick the rim of the cup. His stomach clenched. Landon couldn’t take his eyes off her.
It was a bit startling for him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this level of attraction. Maybe never. Bailey was straight-up sexy without even trying. She was simply enjoying the moment and the taste of the hard cider. And Landon was enjoying watching her. If she were the spokesmodel for the holiday campaign, the entire line would fly off the shelves.
“Yum. This is a great combination,” Bailey said as she placed her cup down with a slight bang. “We should definitely make this one a centerpiece for the holiday campaign.”
His mouth felt dry. “W-what was that one again?” His brain was a bit frazzled.
“Cranberry orange. Your suggestion. Nice, huh?”
“Very nice,” Landon said. And he wasn’t just talking about the hard cider combo. Bailey Daniels was the most enticing woman he’d ever met. Not only was she beautiful, but her sense of humor and personality were off the charts.
It was just his luck. He had spent almost a year in Alaska without meeting anyone who sparked a romantic interest in him, even though he’d been open to the possibilities. Now, out of the blue, he’d met Bailey, a woman he was working in close proximity to. When it came to relationships, he’d always been a bit adrift. It wasn’t that he didn’t want a partner in love, but he’d allowed his past failures to get in his head.
Who’d want to date a nerd like him?
Science geek.
His brothers are so hot.
Words were just words, but they still managed to get in his head and hold him back. Even though he’d soared professionally, his private life had always been like a dead zone.
Landon had learned to stay in his lane and to focus on the one thing that he was good at. Science had always been his thing! He excelled in that one area. His mind flashed back to a pivotal moment he’d shared with his mother.
“Landon, I’ve always been so proud of your accomplishments,” she’d said, squeezing his hand. “You’ve always had such a natural-born love for science and discovery. It seems as if you came out of the womb with a microscope in your hand.”
He’d let out a hearty chuckle at the imagery she’d brought to mind. “I guess I’ve always known the path that I wanted to take.”
“That’s a good thing, my darling, but—”
But?Uh-oh. He hadn’t seen anybuts coming. His body had tensed up.
“If you don’t mind my saying so, I think you’ve hidden yourself away in the laboratory as a way of avoiding intimacy.”
Landon had winced. He had not wanted to discuss intimacy with Daisy under any circumstances.
“Mom, let’s not go there,” he’d replied, practically stammering.
“Emotionalintimacy,” she’d pointed out. “Relax.
“I know it might feel icky getting feedback on your love life from me, but here we are. I’m going to give it to you straight.” They’d locked eyes. “You’ve got to take a good lookat what you’ve been doing. If you always do what you’ve always done, nothing in your life can change.”
Although a part of him knew what his mother said might be true, in the past he’d never found a way to break free from using the lab and his professional pursuits as a crutch.
Coming to Alaska had given him the opportunity to spread his wings and grow as a person. Maybe now was his chance to put those wheels into motion.
Landon was a certified babe, Bailey thought as she left work for the day. Brainstorming ideas with him had been productive and fun. He was a breath of fresh air for the cider lab. And when he’d put on his glasses, she had nearly given him a standing ovation.
