Eli (Getting Woodsy #2)

Chapter 1

ELI WOODMAN

My hands push through the burning in my shoulders as I knead the dough for a special batch of bread I am going to make for my mom’s Sunday family dinner later this week.

I could have easily tossed it into a mixer and let the machine do the job for me, but I woke up a little high strung this morning.

Something feels off and it’s irritating me.

So much that my employee and best friend, Tessa, announced she was going to take her lunch break early and that I should be in a better mood by the time she came back.

But that’s her way.

Tessa is a trip.

We’ve both been born and raised in Moonlit Pines. But where I left and served a six-year stint in the Army, she never did. When I returned to our hometown, it was her idea to put the baking experience I had as a cook in the Army to use and open up a bakery.

At first, I thought she was fucking insane. I was no baker. Not really.

But when she offered to help me out, I really looked at my life.

I wasn’t happy, and I barely had hours as a part-time logger.

The ski resort by the lake was barely holding on and not hiring.

I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

With her help and support, I took a chance.

We started off small with a booth at the local farmer’s market.

To my surprise, week after week, we would sell out. I should have known better than to question her. Her ideas were usually right on the mark. Other than the one time she dared me to split a bottle of tequila, she was always on the money.

But something is bugging the hell out of me today, and I have no idea what the hell it is.

I’m fine.

My life is fine.

The bakery is in the black and thriving as we supply baked bread to the surrounding restaurants as well as sold out almost on a daily basis in our store.

But life is a little boring. Stagnant, a voice in the back of my head perks. I shake it away as I work the dough. Taking my frustration out on it.

Stagnant is a good word to describe my life lately. Nothing much has changed. Other than my older brother Reed finding the love of his life, everything else is the same.

My mom is still as meddlesome as always, trying to push Tessa and me together, which will never happen.

She’s the second sister I never wanted. My actual sister Eden, is still as crazy as ever, getting into some kind of trouble or wild hair up her ass about helping someone or something.

Protesting god only knew what. My other brother Owen is the same tech hermit he’s always been.

Nothing has changed.

Other than Reed finding his one.

His one.

I work the dough as my thoughts move to how happy he is.

He actually leaves his house and workshop now.

My recluse of a brother who would only go to town if it was a dire emergency actually gets out.

He actually fucking smiles and jokes around now.

He almost reminds me of the man he used to be before he joined the Army.

Hell, he is in a better mood now than even that younger version of himself had ever been.

If I have to admit it, I’m a little envious of him.

Of how happy he is. Not that I have any kind of feelings for Camila.

She’s his perfect match. It’s more like wanting my own other half.

Someone to share my life with. Someone to talk to at the end of the day.

I laugh at myself thinking that stupid thought. I’m not a talker.

The bell chimes, and I put the dough to the side as I make my way up to the front of the shop.

“I’ll be right there,” I call out as I wash my hands.

My head still filled with stupid notions about what my life needs. I just need to go to the brewery and hook up with a tourist. It’s been a while, more than a while, since I had any kind of anything in my life. The bakery and early hours keep me busy and out of trouble.

Not only that but hooking up with tourists for a weekend got old fast when I came home from serving my time in the Army. It didn’t call me like it had when I was in my twenties. I have never been the relationship type of guy, but I wasn’t a player either.

Though recently, I was more monk than anything, according to Tessa.

I walk out, wiping my hands with a hand towel, completely oblivious to the customer who is in the shop. If I were paying attention, I would note the scent in the store that rises over the baked goods. Like spun sugar and warm vanilla swirled with apples and cinnamon.

And I would know my life is about to change.

“How can I help ya?” I ask, looking up for the first time. My steps falter beneath me, just like my heart does in my chest.

Right at the counter of his bakery stands an angel.

A real life, living and breathing angel. Long dark hair cascades over her shoulders like a dark chocolate waterfall. Her hair is thick and shiny and makes my hands itch to touch and stroke. I want to play with it until she falls asleep in my arms.

If that’s not enough, her eyes… Jesus, her eyes render me fucking mute. Beautiful mint-green eyes framed by long dark lashes lock with my dark ones, and for a moment, all we can do is stare at one another. Her skin is a golden tan that makes me want to bask out in the sunshine with her.

We’re both caught by surprise.

“Hi!” She smiles, breaking the weirdly comfortable silence between us.

“Hey,” I coax out of me as I look down at her. Goddamn. The closer I get to the counter, the more I realize my sweet angel is the sweetest of all fairies.

Tiny, probably not even five feet, with the perfect curves.

Curves I want to memorize with my hands.

I want to take hours, fuck that, days, shit, years learning.

That body is all wrapped up in cute, faded jeans that have tears on the knees and thighs, and a tee shirt that says something about reading a last chapter.

“Are you okay?” she asks. I clear my throat realizing I have been staring at her like some kind of creep.

“Yeah.” I run my hand over my head and wince, realizing I’m still wearing a fucking hair net.

Great first impression, moron. I rip it off and stuff it into the back pocket of my faded jeans.

“Sorry about that.” I look down at my feet and back at her, and fuck if it’s not like seeing her for the first time again.

Warmth spreads through my chest and to every end of my body.

“Uh, how can I help you?” I ask, trying to keep my wits about me.

No woman has ever had this effect on me.

Ever. She looks at me for a moment as her smile grows, and I feel it in my fucking soul.

A voice in the back of my head growls mine, and I swallow hard.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“I was hoping I could get some directions.”

“Directions?” Shit. Is my angel a tourist? Of course, she is. She has to be. I have lived in Moonlit Pines almost my entire life. I would know her if she was a local.

“Yeah, I’m so sorry. I think I got a little turned around. I’m looking for—" she says the address, and I still before repeating it back to her. “Yeah! That’s the place. Are you familiar with it?” Am I familiar with it? That’s my brother’s place. My very engaged, about-to-be-a-father older brother.

What is she doing looking for his place?

“That’s my brother’s place,” I share. Her eyes widen, and then her smile broadens, making her eyes glitter up at me.

“Reed is your brother?” she asks and looks like she’s about to bounce with joy. Her enthusiasm is almost contagious. The only thing holding me back from joining is the jealousy I feel she’s in town looking for him and not me.

“Yeah, question is, how do you know him?”

“Oh!” Her eyes widen, and she shakes her hand before extending her hand. “I’m Stella. Stella Torres, Camila’s best friend.”

Shit. She’s Cami’s friend. The one from back home Cam misses like crazy. The only family Cami has. Normally, this is a huge red flag saying she’s off limits, but I’ve never felt this way about a woman.

“Hey.” I wipe my suddenly sweaty palm on my jeans before taking her hand in mine.

The moment our hands touch and we’re skin to skin, it feels like a current of electricity pulls me in closer to her.

Her hand is tan, darker than mine, and damn if I don’t instantly love the contrast. Everything about us seems to be the opposite.

Her hand looks so tiny and delicate engulfed by mine, and my mind is bombarded by other images.

How my body would cover and devour hers.

“I’m Eli.” I clear my throat.

“Eli?” she repeats without blinking, and I nod. But before I can ask her anything, she pulls her hand out of mine and I have no choice but to let her go. “So, since you know where I am going, any chance you can tell me how to get there?”

“I got you one better.” An idea is forming in my head, hoping to get more time with her. I know Camila’s missed her friend, but I’m going to steal as much time with her as possible. “How about I take you?” I offer.

“Take me?” In more ways than one, and every way you will let me.

“Yeah, it’s still snowy out there.” I pointed, never happier we had some snow a week ago.

“Oh! Right, umm, okay, but how will I get my car?”

“I’ll drive you back,” I offer quickly, loving my idea more and more. Each and every minute I can spend with her feels like a win.

“Okay. Thank you.” She smiles. Just then, the bell rings overhead. Tessa walks in and looks at both of us before her eyes find me.

“Hey! You cool now? Or you still chewing everyone’s head off?” Tess is a wild card. I groan. That’s the last way I need Stella to see me. I don’t want her thinking I’m some grumpy asshole.

“Was he okay with you?” she asks Stella even though I’m sure Tess has no idea who she is and probably thinks she’s just a customer.

“Uh, excuse me?”

“He’s been a total bear all day!” Tessa’s eyes move to the counter, and I know exactly what she’s thinking.

“Really? You didn’t help and take her order?

” She turns to Stella, who now looks like she doesn’t know whether to laugh or be scared.

“I am so sorry about him. Have you been waiting long?” Tess asks but doesn’t let Stella answer.

“Let me wash my hands, and I got you.” She smiles and winks at Stella, and Stella laughs.

Her laughter makes me feel… happy.

It’s soft and melodious. Almost sounds like the bell over my shop door. And now I know I’ll only ever think of my girl’s laugh when someone walks in. My girl? Melodious?Jesus. Have I been hit in the head?

“Oh, umm, thank you. I should probably take something to their house, huh?” She looks up at me with wide green eyes that remind me so much of my favorite ice cream flavor.

“I’ll pack it.” I quickly spring into action, and I know both of them are looking at me, so I introduce them. “Tess, this is Stella, Camila’s best friend,” I share. Tessa’s eyes go wide, and she shoots me a look, letting me know I gotta give her more info later.

It’s scary how well we know one another.

“Hey! Stella! Yes! Cami has told us so much about you!” She shakes Stella’s hand, and Stella blushes. “She’s seriously missed you. I’m Tessa, by the way. This guy’s best friend and business partner.” I shoot her a glance and roll my eyes.

Tessa seriously never quits when she has something in her head. And this is her new thing. She wants to be my business partner so we can open a new location a couple towns over.

“I’ve missed her, too,” Stella notes softly.

There’s something in her gaze that makes me frown.

She shakes her head as if getting rid of whatever thought made her momentarily sad, before meeting my eyes.

“So, what’s good?” she asks as she looks at the breads behind the counter, and when our eyes meet, she licks her lips.

“Camila loves the banana bread,” I point out, and Tessa says something under her breath. “I recommend the cranberry walnut sourdough.” I point to the new loaf I added to the menu.

“Okay. I’ll have a loaf of each, a dozen assorted muffins, and—“She looks around, and her eyes widen when she’s notices the fresh cinnamon rolls. “Half a dozen of those.” She points, and I nod, making quick work of packing her order.

“Anything else?” I ask. She shakes her head. Her hair moves back and forth and completely mesmerizes me.

“No, thank you. How much do I owe you?” I shake my head. Her eyes widen.

“It’s on the house,” I tell her because there’s no way I will take money from her.

“I couldn’t—“

“You can and you will.” I wink and turn to Tess, who’s pretending to wipe down the tabletops of the couple of tables we have for customers who like to hang and eat here. “Tess, I am going to drive Stella over to Reed’s place.”

“Oh.” I swear her brows hit her hairline, and if I weren’t so on edge, needing to be alone with Stella again, I would laugh.

Thankfully, she recovers from her own surprise quickly and nods.

“That’s good,” she says with a knowing grin, crossing her arms in front of her.

Yeah, she’s loving this, and I am going to, too

“You okay closing?” I ask and again take Tess off kilter. Her eyes widen as she realizes I plan on staying out for the rest of the day, but she quickly hides it. I don’t blame her. I’ve never left early. Not once since we opened the doors a couple years ago.

“I got it, boss!” she assures me before turning her attention to my girl. “Stella, it was really great meeting you. I hope we can hang out. Maybe we can all go get drinks.”

“All but Camila,” Stella corrects, and they laugh softly since Cami is expecting my niece or nephew.

“I’d like that,” my girl adds, and I frown.

I don’t want her going to the brewery or the biker bar in town unless I’m next to her, and even then, I know I’ll be fucking tense worrying about every man in there checking her out.

Coveting what’s mine. Coveting what’s mine? Jesus, what is it with me today?

“How long are you planning on staying in our little mountain town?” Tessa asks, and I swear I could kiss her for it. I want her to say forever.

“I’m not really sure,” Stella answers. I feel my frown growing into a scowl. Damn it.

Why isn’t she sure?

Why didn’t she say she would stay forever? With me?