Page 2 of Falling for my Mountain Man

I brushed past him as I rounded the car, our bodies touching slightly. My breath hitched and my throat, and I desperately wished for some water. To cool off and to drink. “Whoops sorry.” I choked out.

“I'm not.” Hutch grunted, and I scampered away, my body betraying me as it flushed red hot. Fuck this man. What the hell was he doing to me?

I slid into the passenger seat just as Hutch landed beside me. He took up so much space, I couldn't breathe. All I could feel, see, hear, touch was him.

He scooted my seat back and adjusted the wheel before turning the engine over. “Nice reliable car you got. Toyotas last forever.” He mused as he began backing up, taking great care not to hit the cars on either side.

I shifted in my seat, hot and comfortable, his mere presence turning me on like never before. Jeez. “Thanks. My name is Rogue by the way. First time in this small town. The roads nearly killed me.”

“Ha, you get used to it,” Hutch said as he drove my car carefully to a bigger lot, steering his way towards a back section labeled, Vendor Parking.

Why didn't I see that before?

Hutch pulled into the lone spot, the space roomy and easy to navigate into. “The entrance is just over there. Much closer.” He said as he pointed out the window to the left. “I can help you carry your items if you'd like?”

“Thanks. I appreciate all your help, Hutch.” I said genuinely. Without him, it would've been hell getting over here. I couldn't even begin to imagine how long it would've been, especially when carrying boxes.

“No problem.”

We got out of the car, and I handed him the boxes from the back seat and grabbed the ones from the trunk. We walked in together, a comfortable silence falling between us, and he waited patiently as I checked in and got shown to my booth.

No matter where I turned, I felt eyes on me, as if the town were watching a scandal unfold. Was there something I didn't know about Hutch?

I grew up on the outskirts of the city, away from the mountain towns, but I've heard how the gossip ran through here like wildfire. How everyone knew your name and your business. Not an endearing feature, to say the least.

When Hutch placed the last box down, I smiled up at him, his tall figure towering over me. It made me feel secure, protected, and suddenly, I didn't want him to leave. What if I never saw him again? “Thanks again.”

“You're welcome. I hope you weren't too uncomfortable, as we've gotten a few looks.”

“Yeah, what's up with that?”

“It’s how small towns works. They haven’t seen me out with a woman in a long time, I guess. I'm sort of known as a grump.”

“You? No way!” I teased. “Luckily, my good looks melted your ice pretty quickly.”

“That they did. You're gorgeous. I'm probably too old for you.”

“You can't be over thirty. I'm twenty-three and seven years really isn't an age gap.”

“I wish. More like thirty-six.”

“You don't look a day over thirty, believe me.” I grinned. “Well, thanks again. I've got to set up now.” I gestured towards the boxes.

“I need to go find my buddy with a golf cart. I'll see you around.”

“Shit, I'm sorry. I should drive you back.”

“Nah, I wouldn't want you to lose your spot. Besides, I offered to drive you over here. Enjoy the festival. I hope you sell lots of hats.”

“Thanks.” I smiled again. As I watched him walk away, my cheeks hurt, reminding me how much he made me smile.

The town grump hmm? And somehow, he wasn't when he was with me.

But I couldn't think about that now. I had a booth I needed to set up.

CHAPTER TWO

Hutch