Shit. "I'm so sorry, Bailey, I didn’t mean to upset you. Was that too much? I swear, I wanted to put my fist through your stepfather's head, except the boys were right there. But people like that are just…"
"Complete losers?" She looks up at me with those wide, navy eyes, and I realize her shaking is from laughter, not tears. "Nate, that was priceless. I can't thank you enough."
I realize I'm holding her gently by the elbows, almost hugging her. "I should be thanking you. You did everything right. You had the description and photos ready to go. You worked outward, starting with the lodge, then calling in more help. Honestly, I never run into people as methodical as you. It’s wonderful."
She exhales a loud sigh, then holds out her hand, confused to see her fingers quivering.
"You've had a lot of adrenaline running around your system, plus you missed dinner. Let's get you a snack."
I take Bailey to The Switchback Café for a sandwich and a cup of peppermint tea. As soon as Mae hears the missing kids everyone was talking about were her brothers, she presents Bailey with a fresh cinnamon roll, its thick, warm icing dripping down the sides.
“Icing brings down your stress levels, guaranteed,” Mae says with a wink, giving Bailey’s shoulder a motherly squeeze on the way past.
After two bites, her gorgeous eyes are rolling happily. “I love it here. It’s incredible.”
“It’s a great café, isn’t it?”
She smiles. “I mean Hollow Peak. The whole town has such an amazing vibe.”
“Yeah. There were…reasons…that I had to leave Wolfe Mountain. After a huge search, I found this place. It’s just as incredible, without the pressure of my family.”
Bailey looks up to meet my eyes. I nod in a way that says I don’t want to talk about it further. She already has a knack for picking up my cues.
An hour later, we're both discussing which stupid old movies we can't resist watching over and over, and I can’t stop studying every detail of her gorgeous face.
I should not be getting feelings for this woman. Not just because she's too young, too happy and too vibrant to be with a grouchy loner like me. She's just passing through town. Plus, she has her whole life ahead of her. She doesn't need to hitch herself to a forest ranger in a small mountain town.
Yet the more we talk, connecting, touching, growing closer, the more I realize I've never felt this before.
It's not just lust, or infatuation.
Bailey fills me with wonder.
I amnotgoing to let her go.
4
BAILEY
It’s official: I can’t stop thinking about Nate.
I stretch across the bed, my body remembering how it felt to be so close to him. When he clutched my elbow or touched my hand. Just being in his presence for a few hours makes my heart feel like it ran a marathon.
I've never truly felt desire before. Now waves of longing are washing over me.
It’s more than physical attraction. Nate is a smart guy. He had systems and procedures for everything. He thought that my notes and preparedness were helpful, not nerdy.
I roll onto my back, staring at the beige ceiling in my small room. Nate treated me like an adult, not a child. He was in charge, but still asked for my opinions.
That feels significant. Yes, he's more than ten years older than me. But he didn't boss me around or blame me for things that weren’t my fault. It's sad, but I've never been treated so well in my life. And this from a guy I just met!
I jump out of bed and get ready, then realize Nate's coat is still tossed over the chair. I’ll have to get that to him today. I love that I have a great excuse to see him again.
I didn't even think to bring my coat or purse when I left in such a hurry last night. I just jammed everything into my pockets. Travelling light felt like the smart thing to do.
But now I need my lip balm…which is in my purse…which I left with my coat in the boys’ room yesterday. I knock before entering, and luckily their side of the door is unlocked.
The boys aren't there.
