Chapter 13
Zane
She keeps checking her phone, and every time she does, there’s that frown again.
I don’t like that somebody is making her smile disappear.
It’s been the highlight of my day. Until my dad came along on his horse, acting all cowboy.
I know what he’s doing; I saw the twinkle in his eye.
Dad loves to try and match-make, and he likes to brag he holds the town record for getting people together.
Just because he introduced Rich and Teresa, as well as Doris from the Lonely Star Outfitters and her old man, Jasper, doesn’t mean that he’s got a cupid’s arrow.
But Dad’s in full flight once he gets going, and one of the few that know how I tick.
George may be my best friend, but my dad is something else.
We’ve always been able to tell each other anything, but when my world fell apart all those years ago, I shut down. I don’t handle betrayal well, and my family lets me have my space to heal. We’re proud people, I guess that’s what it comes down to. I’m a man of my word.
When I say I’m gonna do something, I do it.
I’m loyal. Devoted to my family and this farm.
And when I’m with a woman, I’m with her, not skirting around behind her back trying out other women to see if I like them better.
It may have been a while since I was in a relationship, and six months since I hooked up, but I’m not getting involved with Sadie.
Aside from the fact she’s completely my type — though many would say us men in Alpine Falls don’t have a type, any single woman will do — that isn’t true. She has to be funny. Kind. Above all else, she has to get along with the people in my life. The ones I care about.
Sadie is beautiful, there’s no denying it, but beauty is so much more than skin deep.
She could be the most gorgeous woman on the planet, but if she had an ugly heart and a mean demeanor, her looks would quickly fade.
The fact she’s a fucking angel sent from heaven isn’t doing my wood any favors, nor is that smart little mouth of hers.
But I’ve got to keep it in my pants because A. I don’t sleep with my staff, and B. She’s too pure for me.
There’s no two ways about it; not gonna happen. Dad, sorry to disappoint.
Plus, I’m pretty sure she hates my guts after some of the insults I threw her way about New York, and making her cry.
I wasn’t trying to be purposely rude, but city people are a different breed.
There’s no other way to say that. Okay, the lettuce leaf was probably uncalled for, but I was surprised she wasn’t frothing at the mouth to try a bison burger.
Everyone loves the food at The Perky Porch — personally, I don’t see what’s so funny about the name — and I’m sure the cook will do what he can to make a tofu burger appetizing.
Sadie doesn’t seem hard to please, in fact, she seems like a bit of a people pleaser, which is fine when it comes to the customers.
To a point. We don’t take any shit over here at Lawless Farms. If a customer wants to get mouthy over a fucking Christmas tree — which some out of towners have been known to do — they get shown the door, or my fist.
There’s no other Christmas tree farm around these parts until you hit Colorado, so it’s unfortunate that some people have to learn the hard way.
Why spoil a kid’s Christmas if you don’t have to?
Our trees are a fair price, and every tree sold ensures we plant another in its place.
While we do regenerate the trees, not all of them survive. That’s the joy in what I do.
I fucking love this place. Sometimes when I get stressed, I hop on the snowmobile and find a spot to just sit amongst the trees. Sometimes Maisie will come with me, laying on the seat next to me, looking at the wonderland before us, too.
Manhattan. She can stick her bright city lights, I’m fine just here.
“You good in there?” I ask, hearing her grunting like she’s in pain.
“Have you ever tried to put snow pants on over normal pants?” she asks, her voice aggravated.
“Uh, you’re supposed to take your pants off first,” I tell her. “Makes life a lot simpler.”
“I know that now, thanks for the tip.”
“I’d offer a hand, but I’m not sure Alpine Falls is ready for that scandal.”
“Would you even fit in the dressing room?” she fires back. “Better still, do they make stuff in your size?”
“Nope, and nope. I get all my clothes specially made.”
“Well, lucky you.”
I smirk as she flings the curtain back. Yes, Doris sat me in what’s known as ‘the boyfriend’ chair not far from the changing rooms. Lord knows I didn’t think I’d be spending the better part of my day sitting outside a women’s dressing room, but here we are.
Once Dad gives an order, even I comply. But realistically, Sadie needs to change those damn shoes.
She looks like a gorgeous little elf. I hide my smile behind my hand as I lean forward.
“Well?” she demands, doing a little turn. “What do we think?”
The outfit is cute, and I don’t say that lightly.
The farm’s custom color, like the sweater, is dark blue, with our logo on the front.
Of course, her weatherproof jacket will need to have the logo embossed, which shouldn’t take too long.
Maybe a few hours. I can swing by later and pick it up.
She has a matching pair of blue waterproof pants and giant insulated, waterproof snow boots.
“We have hats and scarves to match back at the farm,” I tell her.
“That isn’t an answer, Mr. Lawless.” She does a turn. “Do I look like a snowman?”
Mr. Lawless? Why do my insides do a dance when she says that?
“You look warm, which is the goal.” Is the only answer I feel is appropriate to give.
“I don’t get why the colors can’t be pink, or even red, it is Christmas time after all.”
“The uniform is all year round,” I remind her. “But don’t worry, my sister will give you a Santa hat closer to the holidays, she loves to go overboard with the decoratin’.”
She stops her twirling to glance at me. “I take it you don’t like decorating?”
“I get roped in every year,” I sigh. “We have a friendly feud with the ski resort. Every year we enter the light display competition, it even makes the news. All the money raised goes to the local hospital. We like to try and outdo each other, but Mr. Mackie — one of the locals in town — goes overboard with his neighbor. This year, I’m sure we have it in the bag, they won’t see it comin’. ”
“What?” she whispers. “See what coming?”
I tap my nose. “Can’t be givin’ away trade secrets.”
“Ugh.”
“I take it you’d like to volunteer to help? Though I don’t know how those stilettos would go on the roof, it could be a challenge.”
“I only wore those on the plane,” she huffs. “And now there’s this vicious rumor circulating that the ‘new girl from New York’ is tottering around in skyscraper heels and inappropriate outerwear; for heaven’s sake, it was a cute sweater and jeans combo, one I happen to like.”
She’s making headlines for all the right reasons.
“With no jacket, you’ll freeze to death. I’ll pick it up this afternoon once they’ve embossed it.”
“Thanks,” she sniffs. “I did have a jacket, but Bailey said it wouldn’t cut it. I didn’t have time to shop.”
Maybe after getting fired, she didn’t have the funds. She also mentioned something about her dodgy roommate. “This is all covered by the farm,” I tell her. “So you don’t have to pay anything.”
She blinks a few times. “That’s generous.”
“Not really. We’re not in the habit of letting our staff freeze to death. Bad for business.”
She narrows her eyes. “Was that a joke? Wow, you’re warming up to me, what else do you do for fun around here?”
I chuckle. “You saw bison burger on the menu, I’ll give you a clue what we do for fun.”
Her face turns to horror as she faces me once more. “You wouldn’t.”
“It’s wild country out here, Manhattan. You’re not in New York City anymore.”
“Are you going to keep calling me that?”
“If you’d like me to.”
She shoots me a glare that doesn’t last. “Funny.”
“So, we’re good to go?” I nod to her attire.
“Not until you tell me if I look ridiculous.”
I fold my arms over my chest, secretly liking the fact she wants my opinion. “Why does it matter if you do or don’t? You won’t freeze, isn’t that more important?”
I think I really annoy her, because she shakes her head, jabbing a finger at me. “I’m not taking fashion advice from a man wearing plaid.”
I look down at myself. “Fine by me… wait — what’s wrong with plaid?”
She looks up to the ceiling, then shakes her head. “I can’t think of one thing right with it, so there’s that.”
“Luckily, you don’t have to wear it, or we’d never hear the end of it.”
She glances down at herself. “Are the ski pants really necessary?”
My eyes lower to her ass like they can’t help themselves.
I don’t know how she makes ski pants look attractive, but she does.
Her cute butt fills them out just nicely, and I wet my lips like they, too, have a mind of their own.
“I don’t think they’re optional in a storm, unless you want to get frostbite on your ass. ”
Her lips part and her eyes widen at the same time as I snap my eyes back to hers. I wave my hands in the air like I didn’t just get caught gawking. “Just sayin’.”
“Since you’re my boss, I guess I have to do what you say, right?”
Is she challenging me? I give her a deadpan look.
“While we’re at work, yes, but if you don’t want to stay warm and dry in said clothes supplied by Lawless Farms, then I can’t make you.
Just don’t come cryin’ to me when you’re called out to the clearing and you come back frostbitten with fingers and toes missin’.
” I hold her mittens in the air. “And you keep leavin’ these lying around. ”
“Shoot.” She leans toward me to take them from my grip, but I hold them higher so she can’t reach. Then, because I’m an ass, I stand, knowing she has no chance of ever getting them.
“Zane,” she complains. “Quit fooling around, this isn’t funny.”
I love how our banter is strangely normal, even though I’ve only known this woman for a few hours. “I need those hands in good working order,” I say. “No good leavin’ mittens roamin’ around town when it starts to snow. You heard what my dad said about the storm comin’ in.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“You know, they make those mittens for kids that have the loop between both arms so they don’t get lost. You should pick up a pair.”
She looks like she’s about to give me the finger, but instead, smiles tightly, thinking better of it. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” She turns swiftly, flinging the curtain behind her as she enters the changing room once more.
“You’re welcome,” I call after her.
It’s the second time today I’ve found her mittens, and it’s the second time today my heart skipped a beat when she narrowed those baby blues at me.
Keep it together, hotshot.
Sadie is the shiny new toy in town, that’s all it is.
Which reminds me, I’d better warn her about all the guys around here who’ll no doubt hit on her the second she steps foot into one of the bars in town.
My watering hole, Whiskey Business, ain’t no place for a lady, but I’m sure Sadie is too much of a snob to show up there in her Manhattan high heels.
I smile at the thought. Maybe this holiday won’t be so bad after all.