Chapter 2
TWO
SAMI
Two days after splattering coffee all over the hot, grumpy mountain man silver fox, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Especially my intense reaction to someone I’d just met.
Less than three months ago, I ended my engagement. Something I should have done years ago, but it took John’s cheating to finally wake me up. And the only thing I was madder about was wasting years of my life on someone who I should have known wasn’t for me from the very beginning.
The excuses I’d used while saving for a big wedding, paying off student loan debt, focusing on my corporate career, had fallen flat when I finally took a good look at our relationship.
He’d been the safe choice. He’d said he wanted the same things as I did, but what he really wanted was to have me at home while continuing his player ways with unsuspecting women. Bastard.
I’d let myself believe that an okay sex life was worth the trade-off of having someone who was the exact opposite of my father. Someone who stayed and didn't run at the first sign of trouble. Well, jokes on me. There’d been lots of signs I’d refused to acknowledge.
After licking my wounds and taking a good look at what I really wanted, I decided I wanted to start somewhere fresh. So long, city life. And I wanted a bit of adventure. After years of working for someone else as a graphic designer, I wanted to become my own boss.
So, with the help of a healthy wedding fund, which I’d been stuffing with every extra dollar I could, I had a healthy cushion to live on while I built my business.
I then pulled out a map of the US and worked out a plan on where to move. Denver won out and as I drove west, I vowed to stop beating myself up over the lost years. I was never going to settle for a man ever again. In fact, marriage and kids were no longer part of my immediate plans. If either one happened great, but I wasn’t going to live for what ifs any longer.
The day I drove through Misty Mountain looking for a place to eat and fill up my ancient car, I became struck by the beauty of the river valley town. I marveled at the slower pace, and when I stopped at the Pine and Petal, met the owner Ms. Clara, and watched how she and her customers interacted and how they treated each other with warmth and kindness, I had an a-ha moment. I could live anywhere and run my business from home.
Clara had an opening for a part time barista, a job I’d done all through college. I figured while I set up my new business, it wouldn’t hurt to have some extra money coming in, and she looked like she really needed the help.
I’d found a small rental house right off Evergreen Way, the main street running through town. It was a cute, modern cottage and had a small second bedroom, perfect for my office. And now, almost a full week since that fateful day, I felt rejuvenated from the fresh mountain air and time spent really connecting with people.
And I couldn’t wait to explore the hiking trails and the mountain itself now that the warm weather had arrived. My creativity had also received a much-needed refresh. I was almost finished setting up all my business platforms, licenses, and all that went with starting a small business.
Unfortunately, the only thing that had been a low point was my encounter with Mr. Grumpy pants. Putting the sinfully sexy man out of my head, however, had been a big, fat failure.
My mind and my body kept reminding me of the glint of interest I’d seen in his hazel eyes. Even as I made his drink, I’d felt his gaze on me, and I soaked it in.
Anytime I thought about his slim yet muscular build, his ruggedly handsome face, and let’s face it, his big hands, it set off twinges of need all over me. But getting tangled up with a local right off the bat? Wasn’t a good move. Maybe. Probably.
But then I recalled his reaction and refusal of my help was just the reminder I needed that I wasn’t looking for anything. He was a regular customer, which would complicate things further if I did something stupid like listening to my sex starved body and hooked up with him.
Nearing the end of my shift, I wiped down the tables next to the front windows. The sun was shining, and I admired the blooming annuals spilling out from the hanging pots on every lamppost along Evergreen Way. The warmer weather fed my itch to explore my new hometown once I was finished at the cafe.
But, I also had a new book that I hadn’t had time to start yet. I’d picked up the book at Evergreen Books and Trinkets the first day I was in town. Miss Lila was the silver-haired owner. She wore one of those stylish and perfect buns I’d always envied but could never quite pull off, and we’d bonded over our love of thrillers.
And the oddest thing happened as she’d handed me my purchase. She looked me dead in the eye and told me the book would lead me to an unexpected connection. Frozen for a moment, she then just as quickly gave me a reassuring smile. It was warm and kind, but it held just enough mystery making me wonder what the connection could be.
When I’d told Clara about it, she explained Miss Lila was known for predicting random things. I took it as another sign that Misty Mountain was exactly where I needed to be.
Shaking off the memory, I finished tidying up the tables, then walked back to see if Clara had anything else for me to do before I left.
“Woo, that was a banner day. And did you notice a couple of new faces? Oh, sorry, you don’t know everyone yet. But the really tall handsome one, Mike, he hasn’t been in since you started working here. He owns a construction company. And then that cutie, Kaiden. He’s a landscaper, and hasn’t stopped in for a spell either. They’re both single, by the way. I wonder what could have drawn them both in this morning?” Clara loved sharing information about everyone who came in, but especially the men. Subtle, she wasn’t.
She’d been updating me on the townspeople and those that lived in the mountains who rarely made it into town expect for supplies. Clara also made sure I knew how uneven the ratio of men to women was and how I might want to go to the tavern one night because I’d have my pick of the crop. She’d giggled, then changed the subject.
Surprisingly, she hadn’t mentioned Finn again since the unfortunate incident. Not that it mattered. I wasn’t looking to complicate my life right now, and I had a feeling he would be a major complication.
“So, I told you my Hank owns the Rusty Elk Tavern, right?” Her question made me smile. She was so proud of her husband.
Watching as she placed the final tray of pastries into the display case, I continued to clean the espresso machine. “You have.” I responded. Deciding to sidestep the invite, I kept the focus on her and Hank. “You two are so cute together. He’s obviously over the moon for you. It’s a rare thing these days. Especially in my generation.”
The last time her husband had visited the cafe, I’d been a bit wistful over their interaction. Had my ex ever looked at me like Hank did Clara? Like she was the only woman in the room. And for a split second, I recalled how Finn had stared at me, as if he wanted to eat me right up. But that was fueled by attraction and before I turned into a klutz and ruined his jacket.
“Sami, that’s so sweet of you to say. And I’ll tell you a secret that’s not really a secret. I knew the moment I locked eyes with Hank all those years ago. He was the one. Sometimes that’s all it takes and then you just figure things out as you go along, you know?”
I didn’t. At least that wasn’t how it’d been with me and the cheater. Now, instant attraction? That was different. At least in my mind. And that I could confirm, was a real thing. In fact, exactly what I felt toward Finn. It had been so unexpected, and it had me thinking that I’d never felt that way about a man—ever. Now that was a depressing thought, considering I’d been engaged for five years plus dated several men before my ex.
“Now what was I saying? Oh yes. Hank is setting up a new monthly event called Beer and Darts Night at The Rusty Elk every third Saturday. He’s wanting to give the area’s veterans, former military and first responders a reason to come in and gather without feeling like it’s a structured support group. So many of them keep their feelings and demons buried, you know? Which my Hank knows well. I’m hoping you’ll come. It’ll be a good way to meet the rest of the townspeople.” Clara’s hopeful tone and pointed gaze were hard to avoid.
I knew I needed to be diplomatic while being sneakily vague. I really didn’t want to hurt her feelings. In the short amount of time I’ve worked at the cafe, I now considered her a friend. My first one here, and I didn’t want to jeopardize that relationship so early on. I’d had enough family discord with my two closest female cousins when I’d announced I was moving to Colorado.
“That sounds like an awesome idea. I’d love to hang out at the tavern one night and get to know Hank better.”
“So, have you thought of a way to work things out between you and Finn?” My boss’ question caught me off guard. And how was she in my head? Possibly it might have to do with how I’d stared at him like a starving woman the other day.
Turning toward her, I gave her my full attention, and she gave me a wink. Darn it, how could I scold her? She was the sweetest even if she had a matchmaking streak a mile long and I was fast coming to appreciate her open heart and friendship.
Sighing, I said, “Um, not really. Plus, I barely know the man. And he couldn’t get away from me fast enough. He made it pretty clear he didn’t want my help.”
“Hmm, if you say so.” Her gaze never wavered while I tried to figure out if she’d been talking to Finn about me. I shook the idea off as silly. It was one encounter. One that ended badly. Surely, she wouldn’t try to set us up. What am I thinking? Of course she would. She’d been praising the virtues of every single man that walked in the cafe since I started.
How to convince her I wasn’t looking to be set up with anyone, even the devilishly handsome Finn Campbell? Now, I wouldn’t mind being under him. Maybe just once. Oh, my word, Sami. Get yourself under control.
Of course, that wasn’t something I would admit to Clara. I had a feeling she’d frown upon indulging in a random hook up. But may it was time to let her know about my recent breakup, so she understood why I wasn’t looking for any kind of relationship.
“You know, it’s not as if I don’t find Finn attractive. But I’m just a few months out of a serious relationship and I’m nowhere near ready to dive back into dating, if ever. Besides, for the first time in a very long time, my choices are my own. My future is one I get to shape without someone constantly second guessing me or cheating on me.” I couldn’t look her in the eye for fear of seeing any pity on her face. I was so over John. The swiftness with which I got over him had surprised me at first. And had me wondering if I ever really loved him.
“Oh, Sami. I’m so sorry. I guess the only thing I can offer is that there are good men out there. And the right man for you, well, could show up when you least expect him. And I can say with confidence that whoever was stupid enough to step out on you didn’t deserve you in the first place.” Clara gave me a quick hug, the contact welcomed if unexpected. She wasn’t old enough to be my mom, I think, but since mine hadn’t been the touchy-feely sort, hugs were rare to non-existent. I hadn’t realized how much I needed one.
“Thanks. That means a lot.” The alarm I’d set on my phone to remind me that I had fifteen minutes left on my shift went off. I went about tidying up after myself and restocking the most used items before I left. Busy work so Clara wouldn’t see just how touched I was by her words. I’d refused to cry since the break-up. He wasn’t worth my tears, but the pent-up anger I still carried had bubbled up to the surface, threatening an emotional release I had no intention of displaying in public.
I’d save that for later and then treat myself to a pint of ice cream or one of Clara’s cinnamon rolls—maybe two.
“Now, you have a choice to make. I just heard Finn’s motorcycle. He’ll be here any minute. And no, I had nothing to do with him coming in.” Clara’s attention now focused on the street outside the cafe.
Panic filled me. How did I look? Did I need to brush my hair? Add a swipe of lip gloss?
Wow, since when had I become such a hypocrite? I shouldn’t care how I looked. I wasn’t trying to impress him. Before I could second guess myself, I ripped off my apron, said a hasty thanks and fled for the backroom to collect my things to make a quick getaway through the back door.
I had to make better decisions. Avoiding Finn, at least until I can get my body’s response under control from just the mere mention of his name, would be my first one.
Mooning over the town grump would have to be regulated to late nights and naughty dreams.