Burly Lumberjack (The Men of Silver Pine Ridge #6)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

OPHELIA

T here you go,” I say, setting Jax’s breakfast in front of him. Turning to Leesa, I ask, “Do you need a top-up on your coffee? Or some pie?”

Leesa shakes her head and laughs. “It’s a little early for pie, Ophelia, but thanks. If I have any more coffee and I might launch into space.”

“Thanks, Ophelia,” Jax says, picking up his silverware, but he looks toward the door to The Busy Bee Diner when the bell jingles. “Shoot. There’s Jake—I need to talk to him about the new cabin. Be right back. Ophelia, don’t let Leesa touch my breakfast. She may say she’s not hungry,” he jokes, smiling at Leesa like they’re sharing a private joke. He grabs his coffee and heads to Jake’s booth.

The second he’s out of earshot, Leesa leans forward, dropping her voice to a low whisper. “You know, you should really work on your poker face.”

“What?” I blink at her, unsure what she’s talking about.

She gives me a long, slow smile. “The way you blushed earlier, when Jax said he recruited Rowan to help fix your porch. Ophelia, you were practically vibrating.”

I busy myself wiping the already-spotless counter. The morning rush at The Busy Bee Diner is nearly over, but I like to keep busy. “You’re imagining things.”

“I’m not. You’ve had a thing for Rowan Nelson since the first day he came here,” she teases, leaning forward on the counter.

“I have not, ” I fib, feeling my cheeks burn with a blush.

“Ophelia Hopper,” she chides me, though she’s grinning. “I’ve seen you stare at him. You look at him like he hung the moon, and you want to spend some quality time with him, if you catch my drift.”

My mouth falls open, scandalized. “Leesa!” I mean, she’s not wrong, but I thought I was masking my feelings better than that—a lot better than that.

“Don’t worry.” She smiles, clearly enjoying herself. “It’s mutual.”

My heart skips. “What?” How could Leesa possibly know something like that? I wonder if she really knows or if she’s just overstating things to make me feel good. This wouldn’t be the first time she’s tried to set me up with someone. I don’t know when it started, but I’ve seen her trying to matchmake more than a few women in town.

“Oh, sweetie. Rowan’s not exactly subtle. He’s quiet, but when you’re around, he only has eyes for you.” She lifts her mug again and sips. “I may have convinced Jax to volunteer him to fix your porch. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to spend time together…alone.”

My stomach flips. “Are you setting me up?” I’m not sure how I feel about this. On the other hand, we’re talking about Rowan…so maybe I should be thanking Leesa. She’s right that I’ve had a massive crush on Rowan for a while now. But he barely talks to me, so I never even considered he might be attracted to me.

She shrugs and winks. “Maybe. Do you not want me to?”

I look away, staring out the diner window and wondering if I should say yes. “He’s just being nice. I mean…it’s just a porch.”

“You know it’s not just a porch. I’m just helping the inevitable happen sooner,” Leesa says, her voice so quiet I need to lean in. “Men like him keep quiet for too long and risk losing a good woman when she gets tired of waiting. And that’s a damn shame, because I see how he looks at you.”

I don’t answer. Because in my heart, I know she’s right. Rowan moved up on the mountain several months ago, and he comes into the diner often, even if he never says much. He’s never been anything but kind, but he’s always stirred up feelings in me that make me want things I don’t even know how to express. I’ve hoped he felt the same way, but that’s just me wishing and hoping. My pulse flutters wildly at the thought that he’ll come to my little house.

I exhale, the words trembling on my lips. “I admit I’m attracted to him, Leesa. Like…just one look at him, and it’s like my whole body wakes up.”

A satisfied smile spreads on her face and she leans back in her seat at the diner counter. “That’s the kind of thing you have to grab and hold on to.”

By the time Rowan is due to arrive at my house, I’ve vacuumed twice, cleaned the windows, and refolded the guest towels even though he probably won’t even come inside. I’ve cleaned like I’m expecting royalty. Still, I can’t help myself. Rowan is going to be here, at my house. If he ends up coming inside, I want everything to be perfect.

I put on my favorite blue dress and check my reflection in the mirror. Turning to check how I look, I smooth the fabric over my hips. I try not to feel ridiculous. This isn’t a date. This isn’t a fantasy. Except… Rowan coming to my house kind of is my fantasy…or at least the beginning of it.

I set out a pitcher of iced tea and make sure there’s lemon in the glasses. I smooth the porch cushions, sweep again, then try to stop pacing. But my nerves flutter beneath my skin like bees in a jar.

The sound of tires crunching gravel drifts up the hill catches my attention, and my breath catches in my throat as I watch Rowan drive up. I wipe my hands nervously on my dress and step out onto the front steps as Rowan parks his truck near the edge of the driveway.

He steps out of his truck, and I forget to breathe. His jeans cling to his thighs, his dark T-shirt hugs his chest and emphasizes more muscles than I can count, and he has an old Army cap pulled low over his brow. Watching him stride toward me, I squeeze my thighs together as the space between my legs flames to life.

“Afternoon,” he says, voice low and rich. He rubs his dark beard as he looks up at me, and I practically melt into a puddle in front of him. How does he affect me so strongly?

“Hi, Rowan,” I manage to say. My knees tremble as he walks closer to me. “Thanks for agreeing to help out.”

He nods, looking past me to the porch boards. “My pleasure.” He smiles. “Jax said some of these were sagging. Mind if I take a look?”

I step aside quickly. “Please. Yeah. Go ahead.”

He moves past me, and just his nearness makes my core clench with a heat that makes me dizzy. I know I should try to make some chitchat, but my mind is completely blank as to what I’d even say.

Rowan crouches near the worst spot by the railing, running his hand over the warped wood. The sight of those strong fingers brushing over the splintered boards is strangely captivating. I wonder if he wants to touch me. Would he stroke my skin gently? Would he be forceful?

“I brought a few spare boards,” he says, not looking up. “Should be enough for me to get started, but I might need to pick up more stain.”

I nod mutely. He glances up and catches me watching him. My face goes hot. “Do you mind if I get started?”

“No, not at all. Um—I made sweet tea. If you want any. It’s inside. I can bring you some.” I force myself to shut my mouth. I’m chattering like an idiot, but I can’t help it.

He smiles at me, and my heart beats so fast I swear it’s going to burst out of my chest. “I will in a bit. Thank you.”

I sink into the chair near the opposite edge of the porch and try to act casual while he gets to work. He hauls a few boards from his truck, along with a tool belt and a drill. Then he strips off his shirt and tosses it across the railing, and I swear I nearly faint.

His chest is solid muscle—broad, sculpted, and tanned. A light sheen of sweat makes every line of him gleam. I clutch the arm of my chair and pretend to be checking something on my phone, but I can’t stop ogling his muscular body.

Watching him work is a kind of bliss mixed with torture. Every swing of the hammer makes his biceps flex, every stretch reveals the dip of his lower back. I’ve never wanted to touch someone like I want to touch Rowan. I want to know how it would feel to run my hands down his spine, to press my body against his and feel him respond. It’s torture because I know he’s probably not interested in someone inexperienced and chubby like me. Leesa was probably just trying to boost my spirits by saying he was interested in me.

I’m flushed all over. I know I should just go inside, but I can’t bring myself to give up even a moment of watching him–especially when he’s not wearing his shirt.

He looks up once, catching me staring again. This time, he holds my gaze, and something electric flows between us. I drop my eyes, afraid I’m being too forward or weird by sitting here watching him. My whole body is lit up like someone struck a match in my heart and fanned the flame to set my whole soul aflame.

“You okay?” he asks, voice soft.

“Yes!” I squeak. “I mean—yeah. Just warm. It’s warm today.”

“A little.” He smiles, and something in my chest squeezes so tight it hurts. He goes back to hammering, and I try not to make a fool of myself.

Watching him like this—on my porch, doing something real and physical—does something to me. It’s not just lust, though there’s plenty of that, too. It’s this strange sense of closeness, of intimacy.

When he pauses and runs a bandana across his face, I leap up to grab the tea from inside. He drinks it slowly, sweat dripping down his temple. I’m transfixed as his throat bobs with every swallow.

“This is good,” he says. “Sweet, but not too sweet.”

“It’s my grandma’s recipe.”

“Your grandma had good taste.” Rowan’s eyes crinkle as he smiles at me, making my core flames hotter. I’ve never been so interested in making a man happy—and I definitely want to make Rowan happy.

I blush again. “I’ll tell her you said that.”

He clears his throat, glancing at the boards. “Okay. I’ve done about all I can today. I need to get some more wood and some stain. I’ll be back tomorrow to finish up. If that’s alright.”

“Yes. Please. I mean—sure. Anytime.”

“Same time tomorrow afternoon work for you? I have some things to handle in the morning, plus I need to stop by the hardware store for supplies.”

I nod, heart pounding. From the beginning, I knew this probably wasn’t a one-day job, but it’s still overwhelming to know he’s coming back. Plus, he’s just been so nice and friendly, which I wasn’t sure if he would be since he’s always so quiet at the diner. I can’t wait to spend more time with him.

As he gathers his tools and loads up his truck, I realize my hands are shaking. I’ve never felt so out of control—so hot, so alive. An energy runs through me that I’ve never felt before. I don’t want to say goodbye to Rowan, but as I wave at him as he drives off, my heart keeps racing because I’ll see him tomorrow.

I can only hope that Leesa is right and that he’s interested in me. I certainly hope so.