Page 57 of Barefoot Lake

“Do you understand?”

I smile and nod. “Yeah.”

“Good girl.”

I shiver again, and he pulls me against him again, engulfing me and the bunched-up comforter in his enormous arms.

I wake up the next morning with a smile on my face, but alone in my bed. Yesterday, after enjoying some a-plus cuddling from Jake, I reluctantly dressed so we could go downstairs for some food. It was blissfully ordinary to share my space with him.

Unfortunately, Jake had to go back to the nursery for a couple of hours in the evening. He stayed at his house after that because he wanted to get up with the sun to go in early, and he didn’t want to wake me. He promised that would give him leeway to take another half day, and he planned to be back in the early afternoon.

I head over to Barefoot Bake to see Hannah. I’ve been texting her a bit, but I think an in-person visit is due, even though it’s cold as crap outside.

Hannah looks up when I enter the bakery, and her eyes narrow.

Play it cool, Alice.

I trust Hannah and believe she would keep anything I tell her to herself, but I haven’t told Piper about the new progress with Jake yet, and she needs to be my first confidant.

“You good?” Hannah asks vaguely when I get to the counter.

“I’m great,” I say honestly.

“You’ll tell me sometime?”

“Yup.”

“Alright. I’m here when you’re ready.”

I told you. It’s easy being friends with Hannah.

Leslie is trying to pick her winter sport of choice for the year, and Hannah is terrified of all the options, so I happily listen to her unload while I sip some cinnamon apple herbal tea. Then, I water all the plants, read some, and head home.

By lunch, I’m eager to see Jake again, and I’m trying not to let myself worry that he will blow me off and stay at work because “something came up” the way Reid did time and time again.

At 12:45, my phone buzzes, and my heart sinks. Jake said he would be over by one and the text is from him.

Jake

Ace – I’m so sorry. Tim is running late, so I’m stuck here for a few extra minutes.

I flop onto my couch and fall to my side, a little embarrassed by how crushed I feel. I grab the remote and turn on the television, not really seeing what’s on the screen. At least he texted with an excuse. Reid rarely did. I still have my phone in my hand, just waiting for the next text saying he can’t come over after all.

A bit later, a firm knock on the door makes me jump. I roll off the couch and trudge a few feet to the front door.

“Yeah?” I mumble as I open the door without checking who is there. I guess it didn’t take long for the city-girl suspicion to leave me.

“Well, that’s hardly the excited ‘hello’ I’d hoped for.” Jake’s voice sounds like a laugh, and my eyes jump up to his.

I blink, but Jake’s image seems solid — not a hologram. I’m surprised to see him, though. I think I really did prepare myself for him to cancel.

“Jake? What are you doing here? It’s only…” I check my watch. “1:04.”

“I’m so sorry I’m late. Can I still come in?” He smells like pine and fireplaces, and I notice he’s still in his work boots and the thick coat he wore when he helped me select pumpkins. He must have come straight here from the nursery.

“Of course you can!” I hop aside when I realize I’m in his way and let him through. “I’m sorry. I just thought you said you were going to be late.”

“I was. I said I’d be here at one.” He cups my face with one of his cold hands. My shiver has nothing to do with the chill. “Forgive me?”