Chapter 3
When I got off work and decided to pop into Peaks for a beer, the last person I expected to stumble upon was Paige Wilson. I could never forget my hot childhood babysitter, but it had been so long since I’d seen her or thought about her, I hardly recognized her.
Last I heard, she’d moved to Phoenix. Her family and mine were close friends back in the day, and her dad worked closely with my family’s business, Cooper Construction . It made sense why she was back in town, with the news about her father.
I felt like an asshole for trying to turn on the charm with her when she was battling real life shit, but I was a natural flirt, so I hadn’t thought twice about it.
Suddenly changing my tone from flirty to serious, I added, “I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I know you have probably been hearing that a lot since you’ve been home, but please let me know if there is anything my family or I can do to help.” She let out a laugh and my brows furrowed in confusion.?
Maybe a tear, a shrug, or a nod of the head… but a laugh? Her laugh wasn’t carefree or fun; it was sad, forced, and uncomfortable.
“Sorry… I don’t know what’s gotten into me. For a minute there, my mind was somewhere else entirely.” I couldn’t help but wonder where her mind had gone, if it wasn’t on the death of her father.
I suddenly wanted to know everything going on inside her head. There was some mystery behind her gorgeous green eyes, and I could tell she’d been through a lot in her life. More than anyone at her age should have gone through. Not just with everything going on currently, but there was a wall up. She was guarded. Don’t ask me how I knew all of that in one conversation with her, but somehow, I just knew. I had a talent for reading people, and Paige Wilson intrigued me.
She reached out and placed a hand on my arm. “I have some grocery shopping to do,” she pointed in the direction she was originally walking, “so I should get going. But it was really nice to see you again. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”?
Before I could respond, she had already turned around. Her dark brown locks were tied up in a messy bun on the top of her head, and her hips swayed in a pair of incredibly tight jeans. Distance grew between us as she headed down High Street. Before she could get too far, I hollered her way, “See you around, Paige!”?
I still had goosebumps from where she wrapped her fingers around my arm for the briefest moment, and it had me thinking I really did hope I’d see her around.
I was already headed to Peaks , but with my mind now preoccupied by a gorgeous brunette, that beer sounded ten times more necessary.
I was on a mission as I headed toward the end of the bar, where I spotted my favorite bartender, Sophie, working. She saw me right away and placed an ice-cold pint of Coors Light in front of me without even having to ask.
I hung out at Peaks quite frequently, as did everyone else in this town. I hated cooking, and it was a great place to wind down after work for a drink and some dinner.?
After taking a long pull of my beer, I couldn’t help but let out a big sigh.
“Long day at the office, Declan?” Sophie leaned against the bar, batting her eyelashes and twirling a strand of her short blonde hair, her cleavage pushed up just enough to get attention from every male in here. I was sure her appearance earned her a pretty penny at the end of each shift, but she wasn’t going to get that attention from me. Sophie was a gorgeous girl, but it was never like that between the two of us.
“Yeah, you could say that. I couldn’t be happier that the seasons are changing and I’m no longer sweating my ass off at work, but the early wake-up calls are brutal.” I didn’t feel the need to mention my run in with Paige outside had my head in a fog, so I played it off as another hard day at work.
“Well, what do ya say we cheer you up with another beer and some BBQ wings for dinner? I know they’re your favorite.” Sophie always had a flirty, upbeat tone to her voice. Living the life of a bartender trying to make one tip at a time would do that to you. She knew our relationship was just friendly, and I wasn’t attracted to her in that way. Sophie had always been a good friend, and that was helpful when it came to remembering what I liked to eat and drink at the bar.
Plus, she was twenty-two—a little young for my liking. I may only be twenty-five, but I felt a lot older most days, more mature for my age.
“Yeah, Soph, that would be great, and another beer when you get the chance, please.” I drank the first one much quicker than I anticipated.
I finished up my second beer and my dinner, threw some cash on the bar, and said my goodbyes before heading out to my truck. I had an early morning wake-up call for another day at work, so I headed down High Street toward my house on Cherry Creek. I’d never get tired of living in a more remote location compared to other homes around here in the Peaks. I guess there were perks to working in construction and having the ability to build your own house.
My brother and I grew up with toy hammers and screwdrivers. We were always destined to work in the construction industry. The goal was to take over the family business the day my dad retired. But for now, I’d just carry on managing the residential side of the business until I was told otherwise.
Just ahead was my ranch-style home, sitting on the creek. It was quiet enough to hear the water hitting the rocks and the insects chirping at night. I built my dream home only a couple of years ago. At the time, it was just a run-down barn, and now, it was a beautiful modern home by the water, like I’d always wanted. Four bedrooms, a wraparound deck I could watch the sunset on, and plenty of floor-to-ceiling windows that gave it the most incredible view, no matter which direction you looked. It was one of those homes you’d see featured on some house flipping show with the before and after results.
I always anticipated staying here for a while. Possibly forever.
I had never really thought of leaving this small town. My family was here, I had a great job, and I loved the intimate feel of it all. Needless to say, I had plenty of space for more than just myself. I wasn’t sure I wanted kids just yet, but I knew I wanted a woman to help fill the silence. Maybe a few dogs. I just needed to find that someone to share it all with, but in a small town, dating was harder than you’d think.
Not knowing why, my mind wandered back to Paige and our run-in earlier. Maybe it was because I knew what was going on with her family, and it made me desperate to help.
Maybe I wanted to help pick up the pieces.
I’d always been that way—someone who wanted to fix people.?Help them. Comfort them.
It’s why my past relationships always failed. Eventually, I’d be walked all over because I spent so much time and energy pleasing the woman I was with that I’d forget about myself and my needs in the relationship. I wasn’t sure why I was that way, but then it clicked… I’ve always taken more after my mother in that helping people had become second nature to me. Mom was a people pleaser and a “yes girl”, always wanting to help and never denying anyone, even if it meant she was exhausted and overwhelmed with a to-do list the length of a CVS receipt.
Wanting my mind to be anywhere else, I shook all the thoughts of failed relationships and Paige Wilson out of my head. I looked down at the creek; it would soon freeze over when we got our first snow, which would be any day now.
Before I went inside, I decided to take a cold plunge down in the water with hopes to clear my head. Another perk of living in the mountains without a neighbor in sight: I could skinny dip in the creek with no eyes on me.
I reached behind my head with one hand and grabbed the fabric of my shirt, stripping it off in one fell swoop. My shoes were kicked off one at a time before I unzipped my dirt-covered jeans from the day. I grabbed the waistband of my pants and boxer briefs and pulled down the rest of my clothing all at once. The air was already cool against my bare skin, but I knew the water would be even colder.?
I braced myself and took a deep breath, knowing how the water would feel the moment I touched it. Like hundreds of needles pricking at my skin.
With zero hesitation, I walked right out to the middle of the creek where the water was the deepest, fully submerging myself. I took a large inhale, filling my lungs with air and holding it, as I plunged under the icy cold water.
I held my breath under the water as long as I could, eventually popping up with a large exhale as I gasped for air. My head shook back and forth, releasing water from my dirty blond locks as I made my way out of the water to grab my discarded clothes and head up to the porch where I always kept dry towels.
My body craved sleep. With another early morning wake-up call in my future, I made my way inside. After my dip in the creek, I opted out of a shower tonight. I would take one in the morning before I left to pick up Myles at my mom’s house before work.?
Sleep was all that ran through my mind.
I threw my dirty clothes in the hamper and didn’t bother putting on any new ones before sliding into bed. Nothing could beat the way the silk sheets felt against my bare skin. That feeling of relaxation I’d been chasing all day hit the second my head touched the pillow. Before I knew it, every thought from the day drifted away.
My parents’ house wasn’t too far up the road from where I lived on Cherry Creek. I always enjoyed being out in the open without neighbors right next door growing up, which had influenced me to build my own house where I did.
Normally, when I arrived to pick up my brother, I’d honk to let him know I was there. But this morning, my mom texted me to come inside, that she needed help with something. Not sure what that something could be, since Myles was here and could easily help her out. But just like her, I was a people pleaser, and if someone needed help, I didn’t see why I should say no.
Especially if that person was my mother.
I parked the truck in front of my parents’ modern log cabin, taking in the beauty of it all. It looked like it belonged perfectly here within the mountains, with rows of pine trees surrounding it.?
Heading for the front door, I walked up the stairs that led to the expansive patio. Once inside, I was greeted with the most amazing smell of my mother’s baking. My stomach growled. I was so worried about getting over here and helping my mom that I forgot to grab the usual protein bar this morning.?
“In the kitchen, honey!” I heard my mom yell.?
I wandered in through the open cabin and took a minute to appreciate the massive antler chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceilings. My mom had impeccable taste in home decor. My family had always been in the business of improving homes. Us guys would do the exterior work, constructing the homes, and my mom stayed busy working on glamming up the interior.?
“Mom, it smells amazing in here.” I greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “What do you have in the oven? And what are you willing to give me?” I rubbed my stomach as my mouth started to salivate.?
“I’ve got casseroles baking and just took out some fresh blueberry muffins. Help yourself, honey. I’ve made more than enough.”
I grabbed a muffin and let out a satisfied groan. “I’m so glad I woke up a few minutes earlier this morning if it meant having some of your homemade muffins for breakfast,” I mumbled with a full mouth.
Smiling softly at me, she said, “I actually need a favor from you… If you wouldn’t mind dropping by after work and picking up some of these casseroles and muffins, I need them to be dropped off at the Wilsons. I’d do it myself, but I have a completely booked afternoon.”?
Well, that wasn’t what I expected my mom to need help with. Maybe changing the oil in the car or switching out a light bulb on the vaulted ceilings.
But I couldn’t be mad about it. Another reason to run into Paige wasn’t something to be upset about.
“Anything for you. You know I’d love to help. It’s a shame to hear everything the Wilsons are going through right now. I actually ran into Paige downtown yesterday. She looked good, considering…” I cringed the moment her name slipped out of my mouth, because I knew it meant my mom was going to pry.
“She looked good, huh?” Mom looked back at me with a crinkle between her eyebrows. “You know her father just died, and it may be a bad time to be checking her out.”
Yeah. Thanks, Mom, for the reminder. Now I felt even more like an asshole.
She had always been real with me. No bullshitting when it came to her. My mom was the most honest and blunt woman I knew. But now I felt the need to cover up the fact that I had indeed checked her out as she walked away from me yesterday.?
“You know what I mean. She looked good considering everything that just happened. I wouldn’t have even expected to see her out and about the day after the news broke. But I’d love to drop by and help out the family with some meals for the week.”
Mom gave me that look, like she knew something I didn’t, when she hummed, “Mhmm,” under her breath before getting back to her tasks in the kitchen.
Myles came around the corner, ready to head to work. He swiped a muffin for himself, and we both gave Mom a kiss on the cheek. I told her I’d see her after I was clocked out for the day.?
After I got off work, I dropped Myles off and grabbed the care package my mom had put together. Sweat formed on my forehead as the nerves ran through me with the anticipation of seeing Paige again. The windows were down, and the cool air swirling around calmed me as I made my way toward The Wilson’s house.?My hands gripped the steering wheel as I cranked up the radio, blaring Animals by Nickelback through my truck speakers. I didn’t know what I would be walking into by showing up at her house, knowing her family could be there.
Care package in hand, I made my way up the gravel driveway and rang the doorbell, waiting for someone on the other side to answer. I felt like a selfish asshole for wanting it to be Paige.?
Moments went by with no answer. Looking around, I saw a couple of cars in the driveway, so I knew someone had to be home. I lifted my hand to ring the doorbell again, and I was just about to touch the button when the door cracked open.
I released a relieved breath. Paige stood there, dressed like she had been lounging around all day, cleaning maybe. Hair thrown into a pile on the top of her head, skin-tight black leggings, and a small white T-shirt that slipped off her shoulder just enough that I noticed there was no bra strap in sight.
So fucking gorgeous it took my breath away.
I swallowed the lump building in my throat and hoped that she hadn’t just noticed me slowly checking her out.?
By the look on her face and the way she crossed her arms over her chest, I had a feeling I had been caught.?I was definitely going to need to practice self-control when it came to her and my wandering eyes.
“Declan?” she said with a question in her voice, probably confused why I would be making a house call after our run-in downtown yesterday. I stood there holding on to the stack of meals my mom prepared, sporting a boyish grin across my face.
“Hey, gorgeous. Mama Cooper sent me to drop off some food for you and the family. Didn’t think you’d see me again so soon, did you?” I shrugged my shoulders, weighed down by a week’s worth of food, and attempted to read her body language.
Her confused expression slowly turned into what looked like relief, and the tension visibly left her body. Her shoulders dropped, her eyes turning soft, and she backed up, widening the doorway.
“Would you like to come in and give me a hand with all of that?”
I’d like nothing more.