Chapter 6
6
HOLLY
K neading the dough for an extra batch of hazelnut vanilla cinnamon twists, I think back to the way James held me last night. It was incredible. I’ve never felt wanted like that.
I glance at the clock. Only an hour till the end of my shift.
Everyone here at the bakery seems happy with my work, so I’m pretty sure that I’m going to be able to stay until the end of Bethany’s maternity leave. It gives me a wonderful job for a few months.
It feels like a sign. Things don’t usually come together this easily. A house-sitting gig, plus an immediate job that I already have experience for? It’s just too perfect.
Kind of like James, honestly.
As I roll out and twist the pastries, I fall into a trance of deep thought. If I had to find any flaws with James, what would they be?
Well, I guess his job could potentially be dangerous, although there’s really not much danger in this small town, where everyone waves hello. I think people are less likely to be criminals when every single person could rat you out to a family member and you’d be in real trouble with your dad and Grandma would be disappointed in you.
James was admittedly a bit vague about who employs him. The so-called “founders of the town” that run things. I know it has something to do with the Wolfe family. I mean, the freaking mountain is named after them. And I’ve already driven by a half dozen signs for businesses that are Wolfe something-or-other.
Plus, there are a bunch of tall, strapping mountain men who I’ve noticed are called Sir or Mr. Wolfe when they come into the bakery instead of by their first name, like everybody else in town.
They all look what I call “casually rich”. The kind of old money where they’ve had it for so long they’re not even fully aware of how wealthy they are. But they’re polite, wait their turn like everyone else, and buy a lot of coffee and bread, not to mention an inordinate quantity of cinnamon rolls, so that’s fine by me.
I slip the twists into the massive industrial oven, then realize that it’s my turn to cook tonight. James has taken care of dinner twice. I don’t want to be some kind of coddled princess who sits around waiting for someone else to make plans. I scrub my hands, then grab my phone.
I’m sure there’s probably a dating rule somewhere about not seeing a man every single night when you’re first getting together. I don’t care. I need to ride this adrenaline high.
If you’re free tonight, could I bring a simple dinner over to your place?
I think seeing where James lives will give me a bit more insight into his personality. Even though everything has been fabulous so far, and I feel incredibly close with him, let’s be real. I just met him on Sunday.
James: You bet! I’ll have to meet you there. Important cop stuff until around five. I’ll send you a map pin.
Once I’m finished for the day, I find Gabe, the husband of the couple who owns this bakery. “Hey, is it okay if I make three sandwiches to take home? You can charge me whatever you want for the extra meat and cheese.”
He grins, playfully bumping his elbow against mine. “You’re one of the team now, Holly. Help yourself – call it your signing bonus.”
“Thanks!”
I wait until he gets a large group order out of the way to take over the sandwich counter. It seems like James eats anything, so I put together two different extravagant sandwiches for him, and a relatively plain turkey, Havarti, and spinach for me.
I drive to the address James has given me, arriving right at five o’clock. He pulls in beside me before I’ve even gotten out of the Jeep.
It’s a pretty two-story brick house, with cheerful blue shutters. The landscaping in the front is minimal, but there is a large porch featuring a comfortable bench and a big red snow shovel.
“There’s my girl!” James grabs me in a hug, twirling me around twice in a circle before setting me back onto the slightly crunchy half inch of snow.
Looking up into his warm eyes, I start melting before he even kisses me. Every time we snuggle together, I feel something different. Something brand new. And each time, it feels like it’s going to go a bit further than it has before.
Well, now we’re alone and at his place. There’s no better time for me to explore all of these feelings. Once he’s well fed, that is.
He nibbles at my bottom lip, making me giggle. “Hey, I brought you food. No need to chew on me.”
“I don’t know what you have in that bag, but there is zero chance it’s more delicious than you.”
A shiver runs through me as I wonder just how much of me he would like to eat. I feel myself blushing and turn quickly toward the door.
Once we’re inside and have slipped off our boots and coats, I walk straight to the kitchen. The house has a lovely open concept cottage layout, making it easy to find everything. Without James even directing me, I find plates, napkins, and water glasses. He raises an eyebrow. “Have you been here before when I wasn’t looking?”
“No – but I know you would have your kitchen laid out logically. You know…since you’re a chef and all.”
“Casual foodie. Not a chef.” He grins at the sandwiches as I set them out. “You made these at the bakery?”
“Yes. It’s not the same as a home cooked dinner, sorry – I really will do that someday. But I was tired and this stuff was already mostly prepared.”
“No apology necessary. Delicious and efficient. I approve.”
We sit down at the dining room table and chat about my duties at the bakery for a bit. Then I turn to him with a smile. “Am I allowed to ask about your important cop stuff today?”
He laughs, nodding. “Yeah, sure. I was helping out at the school’s annual holiday bake sale. They sell tickets to a game called Cupcake the Cop . Apparently, it’s hilarious to toss a cupcake wrapper filled with whipped cream at me when I’m in uniform.”
The second I stare pointedly at his spotless shirt, he chuckles. “I always bring a spare uniform. Plus I keep an extra in my truck for emergencies.”
I pause, setting the last few bites of my sandwich down. “Wait. You practically said that a wealthy family runs this town… They don’t fund the school?”
“Oh, of course. But these things are important community events, not just chances to raise money. They have a couple every year to get the best bakers out and bring people together.”
“This entire town is ridiculously wholesome. You know that, right?”
He smiles. “That’s kind of the point.”
“Have you ever worked anywhere else?”
“Yeah.” His eyes cloud as he stares down at his plate. “I was in Kingsville for a while. Ninety-five percent of it is an amazing city, and very safe. But there are also a few dark corners, and unfortunately, that’s where I ended up.” He shakes his head. “I don’t want to chase mobsters and bust people for illegal importing. It’s mentally exhausting.”
“So you came here for the birdwatching and whipped cream splattering?”
He is so unbelievably handsome when he grins. “Damn straight. And I’m never leaving.”
He’s so confident. Self-assured. Knows exactly what he’s doing with his life. He’s the complete opposite of me – shiftless, floating around until I figure out what I want and where I want it.
After dinner, James makes a fire in the beautiful brick fireplace and puts on some soft music, and we settle onto the couch while inhaling the fresh scent of cedar. Since last night was so intimate, I wonder… Will he want more of the same?
I tuck my head against his shoulder as his thick, heavy arm wraps around me. Being held like this does something to me. After wandering from place to place for years, it feels…grounding. And after not knowing what I’m going to do with my life, it makes me feel like I’m finally in the right place doing the right thing at the right time.
His hand strokes slowly up and down my arm, just snuggling as we stare quietly into the flames. Could I really make my home here? Well, not here in this house. It’s way too soon to think about moving in together. Although… Looking around the lovely room, it’s easy to imagine how wonderful this place would look with just a few details improved by a woman.
Maybe it’s the overall wholesomeness of Old Hemlock Valley seeping into me. Everyone here is happily planted like…well, a hemlock. I doubt the thought of moving anywhere else ever crosses anyone’s mind.
But… It’s the sort of place where a person’s reputation lasts forever, since people only have so much gossip to go around. What if the town found out about my father?
Twisting under his arm, I turn to look up at James. The last thing I’d want to do is mess with his job. It obviously means the world to him.
“Hey.” His deep, rich voice is gentle. “You’re a million miles away. Tired from the new job?”
“A little, yeah.” My hand drifts over to caress the center of his chest. “This lounging time is really nice.”
“ You’re really nice.” He grins, turning to face me as his palm cups my face, his thumb drifting lazily across my cheekbone. “And both gorgeous and adorable simultaneously. That’s exceptionally rare, you know.”
We lean closer at the same time, kissing gently as my stomach does a slow backflip. This feels so real. Having a meal together, at his house, alone. There’s so much potential for this to be a proper relationship.
If only I’d met James a year or two from now, when I wasn’t so…borderline inappropriately young for him.
He releases me, then pokes my nose with his finger. “Wow, you really are tired. You keep zoning out.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean?—”
“Baby, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” He sweeps my legs up and over his to hold me closer. “New job, new town, new hours. No surprise that you’re tired.” His eyes are warm, almost glowing. Of course this mellow guy understands.
My fingers thread through the back of his hair to pull his mouth to mine, and I tremble at his low groan. Our lips part, tongues exploring, as the kiss grows deep and steamy. My breath catches when he grabs my hip firmly, turning us so that he’s lying partly on top of me.
This feels so right, this spark between us taking hold. I can’t wait to see where it leads.
It’s almost impossible to hold back a moan as his hand casually lifts my shirt to caress my side. “So soft,” he murmurs against my lips. “My sexy, sexy girl.”
His? Yes . That’s exactly what I want.
I arch my back, pressing my breasts against his hard chest as we both groan softly. This is happening. He’s going to take me to the bedroom any minute, I can feel it. As my legs splay open, James groans again…
And his phone rings.
We straighten up as he reaches for it on the coffee table, giving me a look of apology.
“Yes?” There’s a pause. “Okay, Mrs. McKinley, I’ll be there in under twenty minutes. Please stay inside until you hear me at the door, okay? Good.” He ends the call, pure frustration in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, I?—”
“It’s your job!” I leap to my feet, fixing my shirt. “Please don’t apologize for being a good police officer.”
“I’ll follow you to make sure you get home safely. It's on the way.”
It’s a quick drive and an even quicker goodbye kiss on the doorstep. After he leaves, I lock the door behind him feeling that I’ve made an important point. Maybe two.
One, that I understand that sometimes he’s going to have to take off at a moment’s notice, and I’m not going to be a clingy little girl about it. And two, that as long as I’m here in Old Hemlock Valley, I want to be with him.
Even though I know we shouldn’t be a couple in public, I want him… privately .
Just as long as I don’t ruin his reputation in the process.