Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Leighton
As soon as I arrived back at my cabin, an unfamiliar energy buzzed inside me that I contributed to the sexy man I ran into. That hunky beast of a man really owned such a beautiful orchard and had an adorable son?
There had to be a woman in the picture.
What did it matter anyway? I was here to write my book series, and that’s exactly what I intended to do. I locked the door and headed to the large bathroom, where a perfect clawfoot tub awaited. A long, hot bath helped before a brainstorming session, and I planned to use all my ideas.
By the time the sun began its descent, I had pages and pages of notes. After a quick dinner of a peanut butter and fluff sandwich and potato chips, I got back to it. The entire series was planned and plotted by midnight, and my notebook was filled to the brim.
With hardly any energy to even brush my teeth, I collapsed into bed a happy woman. I was on the right track.
And it was all because of a sexy man and his cute kid.
The following morning, I lay in bed for a while, scrolling on my phone and enjoying the peace and quiet.
So much quiet I hadn’t been used to, with the sounds of the city lulling me to sleep every night.
There weren’t any sirens or honking cars and no angry neighbors yelling or apartment doors slamming.
It was so silent that I drifted off to sleep once more and awoke around eleven in the morning. As I stretched and wiggled my toes, my brain came to life, and the first thing I thought of was Cash.
His sexy, inked arms, his golden-brown hair…
I needed to call Chevelle stat.
After a quick shower, I dressed and threw my hair into a messy bun before starting a pot of coffee.
Over a steaming mug and fresh fruit, I filled Chevelle in on all the juicy details.
“Wow, girl. I didn’t realize the men around here were so…
so…manly and rugged.” I laughed into the camera on my phone.
Chevelle and I were on a FaceTime call. I sat on the back deck at the outdoor dining table, the stunning view in the distance mesmerizing.
I propped my phone against the table umbrella pole to get a better look at my best friend.
“Only you would encounter an apple orchard right down the street from where you’re staying and just so happen to meet a sexy mountain man with an adorable son.” Chevelle grinned at me like the cat who got the milk, a teasing sparkle in her eyes.
“Are you forgetting the part that there’s probably a woman already involved in their lives? I doubt she’d like to know her husband and the father of her child was entertaining a random woman all morning.”
“Maybe he’s a hot single dad. They do exist, you know.” Chevelle wiggled her eyebrows before taking a sip of her iced coffee. “A sexy, rugged mountain man who owns an apple orchard and grows the best apples around? What a fucking score, L!”
I nearly choked on the grape in my mouth as I erupted into laughter. “Do you know how crazy you sound? I’m here to write my next series of books, not meet sexy mountain men and their adorable children. I should probably lock myself in my cabin for the rest of the time.”
“You better not! There’s so much to explore around there. I need you to see all the things and bring me along. Don’t forget our deal!”
“I know, I know. I miss you so much.” I blew a kiss at the camera. Our deal was that I’d share everything with her while I was here. Chevelle didn’t want me to leave the city but supported my dream of becoming a best-selling author.
“Tell me about it. I drove to your house this morning and sat in the driveway, pretending you were inside waiting for me to go get coffee and brunch. When I finally accepted you weren’t coming out, I went home. And cried. A lot.”
“Oh my God, Chevelle! I’m sorry. I’m coming back.
I promise.” I smiled sadly at my best friend.
She’s always been the more emotional one between us, so I’m not surprised she cried.
We’ve been as thick as thieves since our elementary school days and saw each other almost every day. I missed her like crazy.
“I’m a sap. You know this. But hey, exciting news, my boss approved my time off, so when you get back, we can hang, maybe hit the beach before the cold weather rolls in.
” Chevelle clapped her hands, her mood instantly lifting.
“Oh! And don’t forget, I need to try one of those apples.
” She winked into the phone camera, and I laughed.
The doorbell in the cabin suddenly rang through the air, and I sat up straight, my spine stiff.
“Was that your doorbell?” Chevelle leaned closer to the camera.
“Yeah, how strange. I wasn’t expecting any visitors. There aren’t many neighbors around. I’ll call you back.”
“Keep me on the phone. What if it’s someone creepy, and you need me to call for help?”
I chuckled, but it was more of an anxious one. A huge part of me was freaked out. I liked company, sure, but not in an unfamiliar place. “Okay, I will,” I said as I stood from the table and walked inside to the front door.
Thankfully, there was a peephole in the wooden door, and I peered through it to see Cash and Sammy standing there, holding a picnic basket. My nerves eased, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in.
“Who is it?” Chevelle asked loudly over the speaker, and I’d almost forgotten she was still on there.
“It’s the hot mountain man,” I whispered loudly. “I’ll call you back.”
“No, wait, Leighton—” Chevelle protested, but I cut her off with a click of the button.
I opened the door with a huge smile. “Sammy! Cash! I didn’t expect to see you on my doorstep!”
“Da Da and me. Come. Lunch?”
My heart soared. “You’re asking me to lunch?”
Sammy nodded enthusiastically while Cash cleared his throat.
“I mean, if you’re not busy…we were on our way to the park for a picnic lunch when Sammy here insisted on inviting you.” Cash acted like it was no big deal, no big deal at all, but my gut told me something much different.
“Pretty lady. Come! Pwease!”
“Yes, I’d love to join you. Thanks for thinking of me, Sammy!
” I ruffled his hair. “I could never resist such a cute face. Let me just grab my bag. One second.” I hurried back inside and grabbed my bag from the couch.
I quickly checked my reflection in the bathroom, smoothing my hair and slicking on some lip gloss.
It wasn’t the best, but it would have to do.
Not like Cash would think of me that way. I needed to reel in this little crush of mine and send it away.
Both Cash and Sammy greeted me with smiles when I walked out the door, and my heart picked up speed. Happiness spread through me at the thought of our picnic lunch. What a perfect way to spend the afternoon.