Chapter 4
ADAM
“Whoa there.” I catch the young woman who ran into me by the elbows and look down into her pretty but suspicious face, framed by wild locks of rich brown hair. Matching brown eyes meet mine. “You okay?”
She takes a step back, pulling herself from my grip, and her mouth flatlines.
Something about her response pings my interest. She huffs. “I’m really sick of people asking me that.”
That has a smile surfacing. “People have been asking you that a lot, have they?”
She rolls her eyes and folds her arms across herself, and I get a flash of her apron under her coat.
Ah, Bennett’s Bakery.
This must be Andrew and Mary’s daughter, Drew. The one who’s been away for a number of years. Five or six, maybe?
There was a whole mess she left on the heels of, if I remember correctly. I don’t recall the particulars, but it was bad enough to send her running.
I didn’t see her much when she was young, and that’s for the best because the woman standing in front of me pins me again with those sultry brown eyes, and I find that I like the fire in them.
How she’s not bending backward to kiss my ass right out of the gate.
A few Pinebrook citizens shoot her looks, so I pivot and get her walking again. She doesn’t object, and I take the small win.
Because I’m already intrigued.
Especially as her chin lifts when she takes notice of her audience. Mostly women.
They send her disdainful looks.
Then a couple of teen boys whistle at her.
I send them a pointed look, and they scamper away.
“Better be careful walking with me, the town will believe I’m corrupting you by dinner time. Especially since my type seems to be older, powerful men.”
That peaks my interest. Especially how blatantly she throws it out there. “I’m not worried about my reputation. You shouldn’t be either.”
“Mmm.” She rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe I’m back here. Again. I hate this town.”
And what exactly brought her back? I put my hand to my chest in mock offense. “You wound me.”
Those dark eyes flash up to me again. Is that a little spark of humor I’m catching?
“Yeah. Sorry not sorry. I know it’s your town and all.”
“It’s not just mine.”
“You own most of it, so it’s pretty much yours.”
“It was yours once, too.” Her parents have lived here their entire lives, so she must have grown up here as well.
Drew frowns. “Yeah. Pinebrook’s Princess. So good and pure that I couldn’t possibly be human. It’s suffocating you know. But maybe, you don’t. You’re a dude. A rich dude at that. You don’t have to be pure and perfect and everything everyone wants you to be.”
Her arms cross, and she turns back toward the in-progress Christmas pageantry. Red swathes her cheeks, and I like that on her all the more.
Who is this woman?
I mean, I’m remembering snippets of her now: Pinebrook Princess.
A sports star, the little girl who sat on the biggest parade float with flour on her cheeks and a gap-toothed smile.
Sweet. Innocent…the complete opposite of the woman standing in front of me.
“You’re right. That’s not something I have to worry about,” I say. Drew peeks over her shoulder at me, cheeks still pink, but the color is fading. “You shouldn’t have to either.”
When she turns back to me, it feels like a victory. Her pursed lips draw my gaze to her mouth.
Trouble. She’s absolute trouble. The best kind.
My hand finds the small of her back as we walk again, and I enjoy the way she lets me lead her.
I steer her toward the new food stand set up at the end of the square.
The woman who used to work in my dad’s kitchens when he operated the Lodge, Kathy, always wanted to own a small place with her kids, and she has that now.
I put up the capital for the equipment to get her started. Not a difficult decision since that woman can cook.
“This is new.”
“Yes. A lot of new things in town since you were last here, I suspect.”
The side glance she gives me pulls out another one of my smiles. “Yeah, I guess that happens. So, did you finally take over the reins for Daddy Lancaster?”
A laugh bursts out of me. “Daddy Lancaster?”
“What? I don’t know his name.” Her eyes glitter at me with mirth. My attraction to her blooms full force.
“Daniel. Daniel Lancaster. And yes, I’ve taken over.” It was an easy transition. Dad was ready to retire and enjoy his wealth somewhere in Colorado.
Her brows lift as she hums softly. My focus homes in on her mouth again.
She scans the menu, face serious, young, pretty.
More importantly, she’s not putting on any fake airs.
I find myself liking it.
I’m drawn to her and how expressive she is. How honest.
People are always trying to get something for me.
Or they are intimidated. Afraid to tell me what they really think. That’s not true here.
It’s intoxicating. Intriguing.
I’ll be no less honest with her.
I nod to Kathy as she opens the window, and I lean in to order two of her original burritos.
They’re packed full of flavor.
Drew will like them.
Kathy smirks as she peers over at her and lifts a brow.
I give her my charming smile in return and send her a wink.
Kathy shakes her head, takes my money, and bustles off to make our burritos.
Drew ignores me, intent on studying every word on that menu. Is she always like that?
Kathy hands me two foil-wrapped burritos with a small laugh under her breath.
I hand one to Drew.
Her eyes narrow at me, but she takes it.
Mine is unwrapped, and I take a bite before she’s caught up, but she does follow me as I start walking again.
“Why are you being nice to me right now?” I rather like the way she can meet my gaze and tell me what she thinks.
“Because you seem like you could use a bit of nice.”
That softens her up a little, and she takes her first bite. The flutter of her lashes is an absolute pleasure to witness. And the bliss she points in my direction guts me.
I want this woman.
“What were you doing before you came home?”
She eyes me some more, dissecting my motives. And she’s right to question my intentions because they’re selfish. “Event planning and logistics for authors. You know, setting up signings and meet and greets. Speaking engagements.”
“So finding venues, ordering catering,” I proffer because I could use someone like her to help. Maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to spend more time with her. I can invent some holiday events to keep her occupied.
“Setting up tables and chairs, getting banners, books, special prizes, sound systems, keeping readers entertained while the author is actually signing, keeping the lines moving, breaking down…”
The way she morphs into a professional has me grinning at her. “I’m guessing you don’t want to go back to working the counter at your parents’ bakery.”
“Not even a little bit.” The disdain in her pointed look speaks volumes. How old is she now…early to mid twenties?
A small panic spikes in my chest before it settles. I’m not sure it matters.
“I could use some help organizing the holiday events at the Lodge. If you’re interested.” Already, a list is forming in my head.
“You’re serious?” The incredulous tone of her voice tells me she doesn’t believe me.
“I am. I could use your skills at the Lodge. And maybe your attitude, too.”
Drew lights up a little, and I want to uncover whatever sent her running and why it kept her away for so long. It’s going to take some time. I want that time.
“What do you think? You can start tomorrow.”
The happy smile she gives me makes me want to find a way to keep making this happen. I’m pulled into her gravity.
“Well, well,” a snide voice chimes behind me, “look who’s back in town.”