Chapter 5 #2
I carry my items in a brown paper sack with twine handles, exploring the quiet sidewalk of Pleasant Hill as I make my way back to where Hunter parked the Bronco.
The people here are all bundled up in winter coats as they pass me by, but still they take the time to offer a wave or a kind smile if their face coverings allow for it.
I can’t help but notice how different the atmosphere is from California—and not just the weather.
People back home barely look up when they’re crowding sidewalks, too busy checking their texts or their fantasy football picks or whatever else is so important on their phones.
My own phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fish it out to swipe it open and read the text there.
Dad: Everything looks great, kiddo. Don’t work yourself too hard out there.
A smile touches my face, though I still feel a pang in my chest. I sent my dad some pictures I took this morning of the lodge with some of my initial ideas, something I always do when I start a job, but now there’s a tinge of sadness to the ritual that comes from wondering how much more time I get to do this with him if I can’t land the signing bonus with this HGTV deal.
Shrugging off my potential melancholy, I pass a storefront window that holds several outfits on vintage-looking dressmaker’s mannequins. A hand-painted logo across the glass that reads Cat’s Closet catches my eye and makes me stop on the sidewalk.
I realize this must be the store Hunter mentioned.
I pull his coat a little tighter around me as another breeze blows through, and I can’t pretend that it isn’t partly because it smells so good.
It’s like being wrapped up in a spa towel, the smell of clean sunshine and rain enveloping me, making me feel strangely calm and more than just a bit warm.
Instead, my limbs feel a little laxer, my skin thrumming with heat.
Maybe the whole scent thing isn’t so bad.
I wager it wouldn’t hurt to check things out considering he was so confident he could find me at any given time within city limits.
With that in mind, I pull open the wooden door to the sound of a bell jingling, signaling my entry.
There are more mannequins boasting various pieces of winter clothing scattered about the inside, as well as hanging displays on the walls and even some home decor here and there.
I pick up the end of a knitted scarf that catches my eye near the entrance and rub the soft material between my fingers as a voice calls out from somewhere in the back.
“Hey, be right there!”
I decide that the scarf is a must-have as I pull it from around the mannequin’s neck, and I’m moving on to check out a rack of sweaters when I hear footsteps sounding nearby.
A woman who’s a tad shorter than me with thick dark hair appears from between the clothes racks, her smile warm and genuine as she notices me browsing.
“Sorry about that,” she says. “I was nuking some leftovers in the back.”
“Oh, that’s fine,” I tell her. “I just saw the display outside, and everything looked so cute.”
Her nose wrinkles as her head cocks to the side. “You’re not from around here.”
“What gave it away?”
Her lips quirk. “Because I know everyone from around here.” Her brow furrows. “You look familiar though. Have you visited before?”
I shake my head. “No. First time.”
“Hmm. I swear I’ve—Oh my God.” She snaps her fingers. “Are you Tess Covington?”
I reel a little, blinking. “Yes?”
“Oh my God! I’m sorry, total stalker moment,” she laughs. “I follow you on TikTok.”
“Oh!” I laugh nervously. I always feel awkward when people recognize me. “Right.”
“I’ve been following you since the North Carolina remodel,” she laughs.
“I swear, I have an entire reno wish list, thanks to you. My boyfriend is so excited about that.” She says this last bit with a hint of sarcasm, smiling good-naturedly.
“Jesus, I’m sorry. I’m having a starstruck moment.
” She sticks out her hand. “My name’s Cat.
Cat Campbell.” She shakes my hand enthusiastically when I give it.
“Well, technically my name is Catalina—named after my grandma, mind you; she’s full Greek—but after Step Brothers came out, it was all ‘It’s the fucking Catalina Wine Mixer!
’ shouted after me everywhere I went in high school, so you can imagine—” She presses her lips together suddenly, looking sheepish as she releases my hand, which she’s realized she’s still shaking.
“Sorry,” she offers. “I’m told I talk too much when I get excited. ”
I can’t help but laugh, deciding on the spot that I like Cat. “It’s fine. Totally get the nickname. Did you know my real name is Esther?”
“Shut up. Really?”
“Really. Also named after my grandma. Not Greek though. Just very old and very into her seven cats.”
“I think it’s a rule that all Esthers have to love cats,” she teases.
I shrug with another laugh. “Well, she put all seven of them in her will, so…”
Cat laughs with me now, her smile morphing into a confused look. “So what are you even doing here? Pleasant Hill doesn’t really seem like your usual.”
“I’m renovating the Bear Essentials Lodge up the mountain, actually.”
“Oh! Hunter’s place?”
I nod. “You know him?”
“Oh yeah. He and my boyfriend graduated together. They’re old friends. I was two years below them though—I’m always teasing them that they’re old now, since they turn thirty-two next year.”
The bell over the front door rings, interrupting her and yielding the broad frame of the man in question as he ducks inside.
He brings with him that same sharp scent I’d only just started to get used to from his the aroma of it washing over me and making me feel that same embarrassing pulse between my legs.
Is that even normal? Am I going to get horny for every shifter man I meet now?
“There you are,” he murmurs, his low voice doing nothing for the situation between my legs. “I thought you were going to meet me back at the Bronco?”
I shrug, giving him a smile as I shift uncomfortably. “I thought you said you could find me.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Just testing out your theory,” I tease.
He notices Cat standing there, and when I turn back, I find her looking between us curiously. “Oh, Hunter gave me a ride into town.”
“Ah.” She flashes a grin in his direction. “Hey, stranger. About time you came down from your mountain to dwell with us townies.”
Hunter rolls his eyes. “Been busy. That’s all.” He frowns at the bag I’m carrying. “Seems like you found more than a prescription.”
“The nice lady at the store talked me into some saltwater taffy.”
Hunter makes a face. “That’s bad for your teeth.”
“I’m sorry,” I snort. “Should I have gotten you some Werther’s Original instead, Gramps?”
Cat bursts out laughing, catching my attention. “Wow. I might love you, Tess. I’m glad someone is finally roasting Hunter about his Stone Age ways. Did you know he still carries a flip phone?”
“I know,” I guffaw. “I thought I had suddenly time traveled to 2007.”
“So glad the two of you met,” Hunter harrumphs as he frowns down at us. It’s weird that even his frown does something strange to me.
“Mm-hmm. Especially since you were hiding her,” Cat accuses him. “I think the fact that you have a celebrity staying at the lodge warrants a text.”
“Oh,” I cut in. “I’m not really a—”
“I doubt she wants you guys pressing your noses to the windows like she’s a zoo animal or something.”
“I would not,” Cat huffs. “But this is great, right?” She beams back at me then. “You can get the lodge some amazing exposure, right?”
Hunter frowns back at us both. “I’m sure that she’s not worried about—”
“I mean, I do have some friends over at Travel Quarter who might—”
“There’s no way any of them would be interested in my dingy little lodge,” Hunter snorts. I feel guilt creeping up at his use of my term, but he looks mostly unperturbed by it. Disinterested, if anything. He shoves his hands into his pockets. “You ready? Jeannie will be cooking dinner before long.”
I nod back at him, his tone cutting off any further discussion. “Yeah. Just let me pay for this scarf and look at the coats really quick.”
“Okay.” He bobs his head in agreement. “I’ll go start the truck.”
We watch him leave the way he came, and I hear Cat’s sigh after the door closes behind him, drawing my attention. “Don’t mind him,” Cat offers. “He’s not nearly as grumpy as he makes himself out to be.”
“Right. I’m sure.”
“How long are you staying, anyway? You should totally come out to Fred’s with us the next time we go. I mean, if you want. No pressure or anything.”
“Fred’s?”
“Oh, sorry. It’s the only bar in town.” She grimaces. “I know. It’s a terrible name for a bar, but it’s been there for, like, fifty years. The owner refuses to change it. He thinks it’s fun.”
“That sounds awesome, actually,” I tell her honestly.
“Yeah?” Her smile widens as she claps her hands together.
“Great! It’s usually just me and my boyfriend, Jarred, and maybe a few locals, but at least you can meet some new people, hopefully?
And there’s always dancing, if you dance.
Oh, and Paula makes the best cheese fries in the state.
Well, I’m assuming. I haven’t had every rendition, obviously, but I—” She sighs.
“Shit. I’m doing it again. I’m sorry. You’re just, like, probably the most famous person to ever visit,” she laughs.
“It’s fine,” I assure her. “Fred’s sounds great. I’d love to come.”
“Awesome!” Cat reaches into her back pocket for her phone. “Can I get your number? I can text you when I figure out when we can come after you for Fred’s. My boyfriend is out of town right now, but he should be back in a week or so. You’ll still be here, right?”
“I will be,” I tell her before I give her my phone number. “That sounds great.”
She taps out a text, and I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. “I can’t believe I have your phone number! I promise not to make you give me an autograph or anything.”
“It’s fine,” I chuckle. “I promise.”
I follow her back to the cash register after she shows me the coats, continuing to happily chat at me from over her shoulder, and I find myself genuinely excited to have made something of a friend here.
Well, someone other than Hunter, that is.
If I can even call him a friend—and I’m still not sure I can.
It isn’t lost on me that Cat is the second person to hint that the stony innkeeper is warmer than he appears to be.
I find said innkeeper standing by his truck, stoically looking out at the rapidly sinking sun with a serene expression. His hands are shoved in his pockets, and standing like that, he looks younger somehow. Less burdened, if that’s even a thing.
I shrug out of his coat as I approach, and his normal frown colors his lips when I hold it out to him.
“Grabbed a better coat,” I tell him. “But thanks for lending me yours.”
He’s still frowning at the garment like it offends him, looking from it to me as if he doesn’t believe I actually got a warmer one.
He finally takes it after a beat, and when his fingers accidentally brush against mine, it feels like a current of electricity passes between us, one that I feel zapping deep in my belly.
Even when it passes, I still feel the echo of the sensation, like it’s reverberating through me.
Huh, that’s weird.
“Ready to go?” Hunter’s voice is a little rougher as he tucks the coat under his arm.
“After you, Gramps,” I tease, trying to ignore the strange sensation currently coursing through me that has me wanting to snatch his coat back and bury myself in its warmth again.
Hunter rolls his eyes, but it doesn’t stop him from walking me to my side of the truck, yanking the door open, and holding it until I climb inside. I try to remember the last time anyone opened a door for me but then scoff at my own line of thinking.
He’s just being nice.
The thought almost makes me laugh, since being nice doesn’t seem to be Hunter’s forte.
And as he climbs back into the Bronco, I tell myself that the twinging desire to ask for his coat back is just the chill clinging to the cabin of the truck. That the strange tightness of my skin can be attributed to this also.
Because honestly, I have no other idea what it could be.