Chapter 2
Tiana’s rich laughter rings out, causing me to smile again.
Something I do a lot in her presence. The woman is stunning with an exotic look that’s model-worthy, yet her personality is so down-to-earth and approachable.
Not that models aren’t down-to-earth. I wouldn’t know since I don’t personally know any.
The first time I stepped into Appetito Cafe and saw the beauty, I could barely give her my order.
Since then, I’ve made a point of going in at least once a week.
Sometimes twice. Hell, I’d go in every day if it didn’t make me look like a stalker.
I mean, there are those who do that, right?
Go into their favorite coffee shop every day without stalker tendencies?
It’d be easy enough to do since my work zone is in her area, at the Convention Center and surrounding businesses.
I was part of the team that repaired the blown central unit for her complex last summer.
“How’s the HVAC bizz?” She asks.
“Eh,” I shrug, “hot and cold.”
“Pfft.” Tiana grins and playfully rolls her eyes then finally shuts off the vehicle.
“Want some help bringing in your stuff?”
“I won’t say no to that, thank you. I’ll grab my bag and laptop.
I’ve got groceries in the back.” She drops the keys in her purse, unlocks the doors, and exits her side.
As she walks to my side, I open the back door and start grabbing the groceries bags.
There’s eight, but I easily load up four in each hand.
I bump the door closed and find Tiana looking at the bags.
“I can take a few.”
“I’ve got them. Front door’s unlocked. I was inside turning on a few lights and setting the thermostat. I wasn’t sure what time you’d arrive, so I wanted it to be ready for you.”
“I appreciate that, Gavin, thank you.”
“Sure. The evening’s pleasant, isn’t supposed to get below forty, but that’s pretty chilly for some.”
“I’ll say. Glad to have the heat instead of being forced to make a fire.
” She shoulders her bag and shuts the passenger door before stepping closer to me.
An enticing scent of something I can’t place wafts into my nostrils, and I’m hard-pressed not to take a deep breath like some weirdo.
“I never mastered that skill.” She grins.
“Well, I’m sure it won’t come to that. However, there is a nice fireplace and plenty of wood, so, if you’d like me to start a fire, you know, for the ambiance, happy to do it.
It wouldn’t take any maintenance if you wanted to let it burn out during the night.
Or, I could show you how to tend it.” When she only stares at me, a wide smile on her face, I say, “What? Am I talking too much? I’m talking too much, huh? ”
Tiana laughs. “Not at all. You’re a charmer. And yes, I think I’d love a fire. That is, if you don’t mind.”
“Wouldn’t have offered if I did.”
She nods and turns, heading for the door, giving me a nice view of her shapely backside encased in jeans.
I pull my gaze away and focus on not being that guy who stares at her ass.
I mean, it’s stare-worthy, but Tiana is more than a nice ass.
She’s a delight. And that’s probably the first time in my life I’ve used the word delight.
She’s friendly and kind and thoughtful. She must have the mind of a genius with unlimited storage capacity to remember her customers’ orders.
It’s astounding. Anytime I go to her cafe, it’s busy, and from what I’ve gleaned, she’s done a tremendous job in the short time she’s been in operation.
There’s nothing not to like about her place, from her array of drinks to her delicious pastries and sandwiches.
I’m not shy when I say I’ve tried nearly every offering, and I’ve never been disappointed.
Once inside, I take the bags to the kitchen area and describe the layout of the cabin. “It’s a great place. The Stantons have done some nice upgrades.”
Tiana sets her bag down and places her purse and laptop on the counter. “How do you know the Stantons? Did you go to school with Ronni and Remi?”
I shake my head. “No. I grew up here in Pine Valley, they grew up in the city.”
“There’s a high school here?”
I laugh. “I know it’s a small community, and no, no high school in Pine Valley itself.
There’s one southeast of here. After graduation, I worked construction in the city as well as helped my parents with their cabins and property.
Decided to go to San Diego City College to learn the HVAC trade.
It’s no longer offered there, instead, it’s at a Tech school; and a good one at that. ”
She does that staring and smiling again.
“TMI?”
Tiana laughs. “Not at all. You’re a fountain of information. Tell me more about your parents’ cabins.”
I smile. “Well, my parents own rental cabins not far from here. When Rhett and Rosemary visited the area years ago, renting one of the cabins, they had dinner with my parents and talked about wanting a vacation cabin of their own. My dad, Henry Driscoll, told them about this place, that it’d been empty a while and that it’d need some work.
They fell in love with it and within a year, this is the result. ” I sweep my hand in the air.
Tiana glances around the living room and open kitchen area.
“I love what I see so far. Looks like a nice mix of rustic with modern conveniences.” She walks into the kitchen to inspect the appliances, running her hands along the surface of the counter then the stove.
“Makes me wish I’d brought more supplies so I could experiment with more recipes. ”
“There is a small store in town. Not sure it’d have all you’d need.”
“Maybe I’ll check it out tomorrow, do some sight-seeing.”
I chuckle. “Not sure there’s much sight-seeing to do in town.
But if you’re looking for an excursion in nature, there’s a great trail not far from here.
Pretty scenery and easy enough to do.” She remains quiet, just staring at me.
“Sorry. You probably came here to relax, maybe do some work on your laptop, not go trekking around with-”
“I’d like that, Gavin.”
“Yeah?”
She smiles, lighting up the place. “Yeah. I really didn’t have a plan when coming here.
Play with some recipes, work on business strategies; I just needed to get out of the city for a bit.
I haven’t taken any time for myself in..
. well, in a while. So, yeah, I think I’d like that trek.
That is, if you’re sure you don’t mind being my nature guide. ”
“Wouldn’t have offered if I did.” I wink at her, earning another laugh. Looking down at her boots, I then look back at her and the red sweater and down vest she has on. “You wore the right shoes. Did you bring a jacket? A hat? Gloves? If not, I could ask my mom. She’ll have plenty.”
“You are adorable. Yes, I brought all that, not knowing if I’d need. But better to have, right?”
“Right. So, let me start that fire while you unpack your groceries and look around. Give you an idea of what you may want to buy at the store.”
“Thanks again, Gavin.”
I nod and take off my flannel, draping it across a chair at the counter. Tiana is staring, and I look down at myself. “Something wrong? Did I spill on my shirt?” When I look back at Tiana, she shakes her head.
“I’ll unpack,” she says quickly, turning to her bags.
Her loose hair sways around her shoulders and ripples down her back, reminding me of chocolate fondue. Yeah, I know what fondue is. Saw a fountain at a holiday party one year. Chocolate was never my thing, but I’m willing to change my mind.
I chuckle softly to myself and make my way to the fireplace, listening to bags rustling and cabinets opening. It doesn’t take long before a few logs are crackling. I put the screen in place and head to the kitchen sink to wash my hands.
“Do you have dinner plans, or did you already eat?” Tiana asks.
“No, haven’t eaten yet, and no, didn’t really have plans.” I dry my hands and watch her.
“You must be here for the weekend? I mean, if you offered to show me a trail. I’m guessing you want to do that tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’m here for the weekend, actually through Tuesday. Took a few extra days off. I’m staying at one of my parents’ cabins, checking all their units and helping them prepare for Christmas.”
“It’s only the beginning of December.”
I chuckle. “Mom loves Christmas. She would’ve had decorations up weeks ago, but Dad insists on waiting until after Thanksgiving. Seems she gets more and more every year. I don’t know where she gets the energy, but it’s endless.”
“When you love something, you do what it takes. I already like your mom.” She smiles.
“You’d love her. And she’d love you. In fact, I know she loves your lemon scones.”
“Really? How’s that? Has she visited my cafe?”
“No, I bought out your supply a few months ago and brought them home. Lemon is her favorite.”
“Ah, so you’re the culprit. I was out running errands and when I returned, Deedee told me about that. I’m glad your mom enjoyed. I’ll have to whip up something lemony for her since I brought a bag of lemons. It’s one of my favorite flavors too.”
“That’s generous of you. Maybe you’d like to meet them tomorrow before we hit the trail? That is, if you want to go tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“So, you asked about dinner?” I lift a brow, grinning. “Are you cooking?”
She chuckles. “Yes. I premade a few dishes; thought it’d be easier. I’ve got a pan of lasagna if you’d like to join me. It’s the least I can do to thank you for preparing the cabin for my stay.”
I wave away her comment. “Didn’t do much, but yeah, I’d love to join you. I’ll text my mom to let her know so they aren’t waiting on me.”
“Oh, did she have plans for family dinner? I don’t want to disrupt your time with them.”
“No, it’s fine, really. She and Dad have been getting decorations up, so knowing them, they’ll snack on leftovers. Once Mom’s starts, there’s no stopping.”