Lusting for the Lumbersnack (Lumbersnacks of Appleridge #4)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Maisie

“Thanks for shopping here. Have a great day, Mrs. Sullivan.” I handed the pleasant older woman her grocery bags and smiled warmly.

“Thanks, dear. You too.”

I watched her walk towards the market exit when something caught my eye outside.

Through the large glass windows, Delilah, a local in town, had fallen onto the concrete, a man immediately at her side.

I squinted my eyes and recognized the figure as Banks, one of the mountain men from around town, and my heart fluttered.

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes as the scene unfolded before me.

“Oh my God, is she okay?” My younger sister, Alicia, asked loudly, her voice full of concern as she came up beside me.

She jolted me from my selfish thoughts, but I said nothing, the clear evidence unfolding in front of us. Banks scooped Delilah into his arms and carried her off, not caring about the rain, or the people watching and wondering, ready to start a rumor at first chance.

Small town gossip was real. I heard my fair share here at the market my grandparents owned and planned on passing down to me and my sister.

“Looks like it to me,” I muttered.

Alicia chuckled under her breath. “Why do you sound jealous?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I said as I hastily pulled out more plastic bags from underneath the register and refilled my bag holder. “Maybe because a guy would never rescue me like that.”

“What are the odds of you falling like that and there is one waiting in the wings?”

“Must not be that bad, considering it literally happened to Delilah seconds ago.”

Alicia laughed louder this time, and I gave her the stink eye.

She held up her hands. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Where did all of your true love is real spirit go, sis? You used to dream of your wedding and make collages from magazines.”

I rolled my eyes. “I know what I did, alright? No need to remind me. Maybe it has to do with the fact that we live in a town full of hot mountain men. They roll through this market daily, and I’m still as single as they come.”

Alicia wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me close, all traces of laughter wiped from her face. “When the time is right, you’ll find yours.”

“You sound like grandma.” A small smile traced my lips.

“Gladly. Hey, I’ve got an idea!” She held up a finger as her eyes lit up. “Let’s go out tonight. Have a few drinks, dance to a few songs, maybe meet some men?”

I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’ve got a Lifetime movie and some Chinese takeout with my name on it.”

Alicia waved her hand dismissively. “It’s Friday. We’re going out. It’s been weeks. I’ll call a few friends.”

I groaned, but I knew Alicia wouldn’t let me say no. She’d come over to my place and drag me by my ankles if she had to. She did it before. A few times.

“Wouldn’t you rather watch a cheated on wife getting revenge while eating pork dumplings?”

“Nope. You’re going. I’ll pick you up at nine.

” Alicia said before spinning on her heel and walking off towards produce.

We took turns with handling the register and stocking the shelves, in hopes our grandparents wouldn’t work so hard.

They’d run this business since they were young newlyweds and planned on leaving the business to my sister and I when they retired.

I wanted to make them proud more than anything.

So, I devoted all of my free time to this place and gave them the breaks they needed.

“I’ll go. But I’ll meet you there. I’m going home by ten.” I learned my lesson plenty of times about not taking my car.

“Uh huh,” Alicia called as she threw me a thumbs up from behind.

As much as I didn’t want to go, a spark of excitement lit up my insides.

Maybe it would be a good night after all.

The bar in town, the Appleridge Mixer, seemed like the place to be. Loud, live music blared from the speakers as people shimmied on the dance floor and others gathered around the bar.

The air was damp and sticky, but it didn’t stop my sister, our friends, and I from dancing and taking a few shots together. I had an early morning at the market tomorrow, so when the third round of shots came around, I declined the offer and said my goodbyes, despite the protests.

“Come on, Maisie. I need to be there early, too.”

“Yes, but you’re younger than me. When I was twenty-one, I could party and get up early, too.”

Alicia rolled her eyes. “You’re only four years older than me, yet you act like a total grandma.”

“Because I need my sleep? So, sue me.” I pulled her in for a hug and inhaled her sweet floral perfume.

“Don’t stay out too late. And call an Uber early.

” Earlier, Alicia called and asked if I would take her and her friends to the bar so they could all drink and catch a ride home later.

I agreed but still worried. I didn’t like leaving her somewhere, no matter what age.

“Yes, mother.” Alicia smiled and hugged me back.

I blew everyone kisses and said my goodbyes before slinking my way out of the bar and out into the cool night air.

Picking up speed, I jogged towards my car, the chill in the air falling onto my bare skin. Shivers ran through me, and I picked up speed, craving the warmth of my car and the comfort of my sweater.

Suddenly, my feet went airborne, and my ass hit the ground. I used my hands to brace my fall, feeling the pieces of concrete embedding themselves in my palms.

“Ouch!” I cried as I looked around, in total shock. I was now sitting on the ground. Of course, there wasn’t a soul around, even with a few places still open.

No man to rescue me, just like I had expected.

With one last look around, I hauled myself up, my palms stinging, my knees throbbing, and my head pounding, limping the last few hundred feet to my car. I climbed behind the wheel, started the car, flicked on the heat, and burst into tears.

I cried because my knees and hands hurt badly. I cried for myself at being alone and no one coming to rescue me, not one soul.

Suddenly, there was a knock on my window. I jumped in my seat, my hand flying to my chest.

A man stood there. A very handsome man. A very kind-looking man. With a big smile stretched across his sexy mouth.

Why did I suddenly feel at peace?

Why did I know without a doubt he wouldn’t hurt me?

Who was he?

I had to find out.

So, what did I do?

I rolled down the window and said hello.