Holiday Memories with the Mountain Man (Christmas in Appleridge #4)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Renata

Click! Snap!

“Great job! Remember, big smile!” I said as I snapped a few more pictures, getting in as many as I could before the child had enough. Which we were inching closer to with every passing second.

“Awesome! You’re a superstar!” I finished with my client, the final picture taken. I led her over to her parents, both of them smiling ear to ear as they chatted about which pictures they liked.

“Mommy, is Santa almost here?” The little girl asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.

“A few more days, sweetie.” Her mom wrapped her arm around the child’s shoulders and said thanks to me one last time before the family filed out of the studio.

I sighed and took a swig from my water bottle. It had been a long day and thankfully, it was over in a half hour. Only one client left and I’d be free, on my way home to change in my pjs and crack open a bottle of wine with my bestie, April.

She was coming to my place tonight, something we traded off on, exchanging going to each other’s places.

Whoever’s place we met at bought the wine and supplied the snacks.

This morning, I slid in two bottles of red wine, sliced up the cheese, and made a quick batch of our favorite chocolate snack mix.

I melted peanut butter and chocolate together along with some butter and tossed Chex cereal with it.

After they were coated, I added powdered sugar, again coating them, and making a puppy chow style mix.

I added chocolate candies, chocolate-covered pretzels, and chocolate-covered peanuts.

As it showed, I loved chocolate. I always had some type of chocolate candy on me, whether in my purse, my pocket (often times melted), or in my lunch bag.

I clicked on my schedule on my computer.

Currently, I was working for a photo shop, snapping Christmas photos.

It was a side gig I picked up during the holidays every year for cash.

While I made a decent wage with my own photography business, it was nice having extra money during this time of year.

My eyes scanned the screen. 4:30 pm: Zion Hooper

My eyes nearly fell out of my skull. That can’t be right.

I clicked on the green box and opened the information tab. Zion Hooper booked a thirty-minute session, Christmas photos.

What? Zion booked an appointment with me? But why?

And why didn’t anyone tell me? Is he back in town?

He must be home for the holidays…

Zion was my best friend April’s older brother.

And I had been madly in love with him for years.

Without anyone ever knowing.

A knock sounded on my studio door and I jumped. He’s here…

Nerves blasted through me.

Why? Why did he schedule an appointment with me? He never had before.

If this was some sort of prank, I’d be pissed especially when I could’ve been on my way home already. But I’d laugh it off because it was him. Zion. The boy I love.

I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. “Come in!” I called.

Dottie, the front desk receptionist, peaked her head around. “Your four thirty appointment is here.”

“Thanks, Dot. Send him on in.”

Dottie followed my orders and stepped aside, Zion appearing in front of her. He walked inside, his eyes on me, and a smile on his face.

Zion wore an ugly Christmas sweater, this one complete with bells, lights, and tinsel. “Hey, Renata. How are you?”

I swallowed hard. Just the way he said my name melted me into a puddle on the floor. “Hi, Z. A little strange seeing you here.”

“Is it?” He asked as he sauntered towards me, his strides confident yet casual. “Can a guy not get a Christmas photo shoot done?”

“A guy can do whatever he wants.” I placed my hand on my hip, popping it out to the side. “But you’re not usually in Appleridge. What kind of photo are you looking for?”

“Just a head shot, you know the standard package or whatever.” Zion grinned and his intense gaze bore into me. “I’m home for the holidays. Actually, it might be a little longer than that.”

My heart picked up speed. “Oh yeah? How long?”

“Forever.”

My eyes caught his and all the air rushed from my lungs. “What?” I choked out.

“Yeah. It seems there’s some business I needed to take care of. I was also offered a steady job with a plumbing company in town with a package of benefits too good to turn down.”

My insides went haywire.

He was here for good?

How was this happening?

He hadn’t lived in Appleridge in a few years, moving away for a job and plumbing classes at a local trade school. He visited, sure, but I barely saw him.

My love for him never stopped, though.

It kept beating his name, day after day, night after night.

There had always been something between us. A spark we never acted on, unspoken words, and hidden feelings.

So to find out he was back…

“Wow. That’s great, Zion. I’m happy for you. I’m surprised April didn’t tell me.”

“I told her not to.”

He stood beside me now, so close I could touch him if I wanted. I could feel his warmth, and breath in his scent, woodsy, musky, with a small hint of mint.

“Why not? You wanted to surprise me here?” I let out a soft, anxious chuckle.

“Sort of.”

I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t play these mind games.

“I’m glad to see you back home. Why don’t you go sit on the stool and we’ll start with some head shots?” I said, hoping to ignore the building sexual tension.

Nothing could happen between us. Nothing.

It would never be worth risking my friendship to April.

Hence why being around him became increasingly difficult. When he left town, I was devastated yet relieved at the same time, hoping my desire for him would wane.

But it never did. It only got less intense.

Until now.

Zion did as I asked, taking a seat on the stool and turning to face me. The air around me eased slightly. But not enough, my breathing still tight.

His effect on me was uncanny. And it drove me fucking wild. In both good and bad ways.

We’d never confessed our feelings to each other. Hell, I still didn’t know if he liked me. Nor had I ever told anyone how I really felt about him.

I focused the camera, busying myself with it like I needed to change a ton of settings when in reality, it was ready to go.

Zion balanced on leg on the stool, his legs relaxed, his hands crossed together in his lap. He smiled, his dark brown hair smoothed back, his brown beard neatly trimmed.

His full, muscular frame filled the space around him and looked like a giant teddy bear. A very lovable, cuddly type that gave the best hugs.

I should know. I’d had a bunch of them before.

“You ready? Smile big.” I said from behind the camera and just as it snapped the photo, Zion said, “I came back to town for you, Renata. I’ve been in love with you for years now. I love you. And I want to be together.”