Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
WILLOW
Iswing my bag over my shoulder and head out through the front door of the shop.
Pausing just outside, I turn the key in the lock, making sure that it’s secured before I take a step back.
I look down both sides of the street, a smile tugging on my lips as I watch people moving about and the small town of Sugar Hill Hollow buzzes with life.
Fallen leaves from the maple trees pepper the sidewalk with varying hues of oranges, reds and yellows. The crunch beneath my soles on each step mixes with the whistle of the gentle breeze that drifts past.
The cool air sends a shiver down my spine as it blows across my face, tugging me back to the other night when I was wrapped up in Jace.
I’m not sure what is happening between us, but we’ve officially crossed into that territory where the lines have begun to blur.
Heat creeps across my cheeks as I remember the way he felt between my legs, exploring every inch of my body.
We’re just friends, except now we’re just friends who are sleeping with one another—in secret. I hate that we have to sneak around, if my brothers find out, it could ruin lifelong friendships.
What a mess I’ve gotten myself into.
“Willow!”
The sound of my name catches my attention and I glance over my shoulder to find Natalie poking her head out of the bakery entrance. “Hey!”
“I was going to text you, but I’m so glad I caught you now instead. I’m working on the last batch of cookies and wanted to see if I could bring them by for you to try later.”
“Oh my goodness, you’re so fast!” Turning around, I take a few steps closer to her, smiling brightly as I glance at the bakeshop and see Miss Maggie inside. She’s standing by the register and waves at me. “Maggie came today?”
“She helped me with one of the recipes and wanted to try it herself.” A smile parts her lips. “Her pain isn’t as bad today, although I think she’ll be going home to rest soon.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do for either of you,” I say, the smile on my lips fading a bit as I look back at Natalie. It must be hard for her, being in a town where she doesn’t really know anyone more than a customer. “Are you busy later?”
She shakes her head, her long ponytail swinging behind her. “Nope. I was just planning on finishing up these cookies.”
“My brother has some wood he’s planning on burning later. Would you want to come by and just bring the cookies along then?”
Natalie’s eyebrows lift. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
“I promise, you won’t be,” I say, a soft laugh escaping me. “It would be nice to have someone there who isn’t one of my brothers or one of their guy friends.”
The softest smile stretches across Natalie’s lips. “Okay, that sounds like a lot of fun.”
“I’ll send you my address. We’re just down along the river, so it isn’t difficult to get to.”
“Thank you, Willow,” she says, her eyes shining brightly beneath the fall sun. “Just let me know what time to come too.”
“Will do!” I give her a wave. “See you later!”
Natalie waves before ducking back into the bakery and I turn back around, making my way down the street to my car. As I climb inside, I take a moment to scan the street. There are a few people hanging decorations and banners from the street lights.
The Harvest Festival is one of the biggest events of the year here in the Hollow.
Not only is it good for the morale of all the shop owners and the townspeople, but it really helps to bring new people in.
I hope the grand re-opening for Grammy’s store will be a success, especially opening it during the festival.
The thought of failure looms in the back of my mind, but I shove it down as I turn on my car. One big failure in this lifetime is enough for me. I can’t let it happen with this store. I have to prove my brothers wrong.
And myself…
Jace
Noah invited me over tonight.
Are you going to be there?
Biting back a grin, I lift my phone, tapping on the camera button, and take a photo of the fire burning in front of me, then hit send.
Jace
On my way.
“Who’s car is that?”
Noah’s voice grabs my attention and I lock my phone screen, looking up at him. He’s looking past me into the distance. Finn sits in the chair to my right and he turns around, his eyebrows tugging together in confusion.
I forgot to tell either of them that I invited her over. Whoops.
“That’s Natalie, Miss Maggie’s niece.”
The muscle in Noah’s jaw flexes as he tears his gaze away from her car and pokes the fire. “What’s she doing here?”
“She was finishing cookie samples for me today, so I told her just to bring them over this evening.” I shrug my shoulders. “I forgot to mention it and didn’t think either of you would mind.”
Noah shrugs with indifference. “I don’t.”
Finn doesn’t look like he cares either, but his initial reaction isn’t as curious as Noah’s was. “What kind of cookies?”
“You’ll have to taste them to find out.” I smile at my older brother. Natalie’s already crossing the driveway with a plate in one hand and a blanket draped over her other. “We decided to do a little collaboration for the festival.”
“Hey!”
“Hi Natalie! Come sit!” I motion for her to sit in the chair next to me. “This is my brother, Finn,” I say, waving my hand toward him and then over to Noah. “And that’s Noah.”
“Hey, Natalie,” Finn says, offering her a smile as he dips his head.
Noah’s eyes flick to her. “Hey.”
“Hi!” She offers them both a cheerful smile. “Thank you for inviting me. I’m still trying to get settled in town and haven’t really had the time to meet anyone, or even try to get to know anyone.” She lets out a nervous laugh. “Anyway, I brought the cookies for you to try.”
The container makes a popping sound as she peels off the lid. “The first one is the maple butter we talked about,” she explains as she hands me one. “Do either of you want to try it too?”
“Sure,” Finn says, taking the cookie she hands out to him.
Noah nods his head. “Yeah, I’ll try it.”
I sink my teeth into the soft dough, immediately tasting the savory, yet sweet flavors melting into one. “Oh my god, this is it.”
Natalie giggles. “You haven’t even tried the other two yet.”
“No, she’s right,” Noah chimes in as Finn groans. “This is the best cookie I’ve ever tasted.”
“Wait, try this one,” she says, handing another cookie to each of us. “This one is the salted maple caramel.”
“Oh shit,” Finn groans “I don’t know, this one is really good too.”
I nod eagerly, chewing a bite of it. “It’s so good.”
“Can’t you just do all three of them?” Noah asks, his eyes moving from mine to Natalie’s. He pauses on her, scanning her face as he pops the rest into his mouth. “I don’t know if it’s possible to choose which is best.”
Natalie turns to me. “I mean, we could do all three, if you wanted.” She hands us the last one to try. “This is the bourbon sugar maple.”
I take a bite and I’m officially sold on all three. Each one offers a different array of flavors, there’s no way to pick just one.
“Goddamn, that’s good,” Noah says under his breath. “Did you come up with all these recipes yourself?”
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth as she nods. “Well, adding in the bourbon was Aunt Maggie’s idea.”
“You’re both geniuses,” Finn says, chuckling as he shakes his head. He glances at me. “You’re going to prove us wrong with this store, aren’t you?”
“That’s the plan,” I say with a wink.
A ghost of a smile dances across his lips and he slowly nods. “I really hope you do.” He glances over his shoulder as headlights flash against the side of the barn. “Is that Jace?”
My heart skips a beat and I fight off the urge to look at his truck as he drives it down the lane.
“Yeah,” Noah says.
Turning in my seat, I focus my attention on Natalie. “I’m so glad you were able to come by and hangout too.” The sound of Jace’s engine rumbles and then it stops.
“I’m so glad you asked,” she says, adjusting in her seat. “I’ve been so busy trying to manage things for Aunt Maggie. It’s been great, but it’s been a lot.”
“If there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”
“Oh, no,” she says, waving her hand dismissively. “You have enough of your own stuff going on.” She smiles. “This is helpful enough.”
“Well, then I’m glad to help.”
A car door slams shut. “I’m going to put these in the fridge,” Jace’s voice cuts through the dark. My stomach flips and I glance over my shoulder as he lifts a case of drinks into the air.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I ask Natalie. “We have water, beer, I think there are some hard seltzers and wine too.”
“I’d love a glass of wine,” she says as she holds out the container for my brothers to each take another cookie.
“I can get it for her,” Noah offers as he pokes the fire and chews on another cookie.
“I got it,” I say a little too quickly as I get up from my seat. “I need to use the restroom, fill my drink, and switch the laundry over anyway.” I look at Natalie. “Are you okay if I run inside?”
My brothers are harmless, but she doesn’t know either of them and I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable with two strangers.
“Of course,” she says, nodding her head as the corners of her mouth twitch. “My aunt speaks so highly of your brothers, so if she trusts them, it must be with good reason.” She lifts an eyebrow. “Plus, you’re coming back, right?”
A chuckle escapes me and I bob my head. “Of course! I’ll be back out in a few minutes.”
Clutching my wine glass, I cross the yard. Jace is ahead of me as he climbs the steps to the front porch. He pulls open the door and glances over his shoulder, his eyes meeting mine as the soles of my shoes hit the walkway that leads to the steps.
His lips part slightly, a smirk tugging on his lips as mischief dances in his eyes.
And then he disappears inside.