Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Paisley
Saturday mornings at the bakery were crazy busy, with customers, bakery orders, and cake orders coming in and going out left and right. None of us stopped moving or even sat down for a second, but the best part? How quickly it went by.
When the breakfast and lunch rush were over, we started cleaning and prepping for the Sunday morning craziness. Thankfully, we closed by noon on Sundays, so it wasn’t as busy as Saturdays.
“Ha! See! I told you, P!” Ruby exclaimed as we restocked the front cases. “Happened quicker than I thought.” She winked at me, a playful grin on her face.
“Whoa, slow it down, nothing has happened yet. It’s just a date.”
“Okay, so let me get this straight. You brought him the tray of coffees and sandwiches the other day and you two had a moment like you said right?” Ruby closed the glass sliding door on the case and opened the one next to it.
I nodded.
“How did you feel when you looked at him?”
I shrugged, trying to play it off, trying to act like nothing was happening, but I couldn’t lie to save my life. It was written all over my face.
Smitten. I am totally and utterly smitten.
“Well?”
“Like any other guy.” I mumbled.
Ruby burst with laughter. “You are so lying. You felt something you never felt before. Am I right?”
I rolled my eyes in a playful manner. “Okay, okay, fine. It was like this insane urge to kiss him, this attraction that took over my entire body, and in the three short days since meeting him, he hasn’t left my thoughts. It’s quite annoying, honestly.” I teased, Ruby eating up every word.
“Your face tells me you love it.”
I laughed. “I’m looking forward to our date. I haven’t been on one in so long. I have no clue what to wear.”
“Just be yourself. Comfortable, casual, whatever makes you feel good.”
“Thanks, Ruby.”
“After restocking, you’re free to go. Gives you some extra time to get ready.” Ruby checked her inventory list on her clipboard, her eyes scanning the paper. “I want lots of details tomorrow, so be ready.”
“You’re the best. And of course I’ll have the gossip. What’s a small town without a little bit of gossip?”
“That’s right, girlfriend.” Ruby smiled as she walked by me. “I’ve taught you well.”
She disappeared into the back, and I went back to cleaning and restocking supplies for the Sunday rush.
The doorbell chimed above the door and a group of older men walked in, newspapers in their hands.
I took their orders and while I made their drinks, they stood around talking loudly and gesturing with their hands.
“Yeah, yeah, down by the old river road at the bottom of the mountain. They were working on some poles, doing routine maintenance, and one man fell, but thankfully, his harness caught him. Still going to have some bruising, though, maybe a broken rib.”
“Wow, that’s terrible. Good thing they’re harnessed.”
The men continued their conversation, switching topics to the weather, but my mind rushed a mile a minute, still stuck on the same story.
Working on the poles, a man fell, bruising, maybe a broken rib.
I hoped it wasn’t Isaiah working on the poles today.
That would be awful. But I couldn’t think that way.
I had to think positive. I had a date to get ready for.
Before Isaiah left the bakery the other day, he asked for my phone number, punching the numbers carefully into his phone before sending me a text. “Now you have my number.” He said. “I’ll text you with the details.”
The next day, he texted me for my address and said he would pick me up at six for dinner.
I scrubbed, exfoliated, shaved, and pampered every part of my body to prepare for him and also picked out a flowy sundress, with a jean jacket, and a cute pair of black boots.
When six o’clock rolled around the night of, I was ready. I sat on the couch, squeezing my hands together, as tidal waves rolled through my stomach. Why was I so damn nervous? I’d already met the guy.
I couldn’t sit still. I paced the floor, his handsome face lingering in my mind.
But soon, it became later, and later, and by six thirty, I sent him a text.
No response.
The seconds melted into minutes and by seven o’clock, I ripped off my jean jacket and boots.
As I threw them across the room, my phone buzzed.
Isaiah: I need to cx, im so sorry I will explain everything
I stared at the message, rereading it a hundred times.
Why did it take him so long to cancel? I didn’t know whether to be disappointed or hurt or just plain angry.
Hurling my phone onto the couch, I marched to my bathroom, my arms crossed over my chest, huffing the whole time.
I washed the stupid makeup off my face wondering why I even put the shit on in the first place when I hated wearing it and pulled my hair into a ponytail like I always wore it instead of down around my shoulders.
I changed into my pajamas, slathered on a face mask, slipped into my slippers, and padded back to the living room.
I sat and stared at the wall, which only irritated me more.
I gave in and turned on the TV. My fingers squeezed the remote, and I wanted to chuck it across the room and watch it break into a million pieces.
The local news channel was on, and the headline caught my attention.
“Earlier this afternoon, a local electrical pole line worker fell from the pole he was working on, but because of the safety of the harness, he didn’t hit the ground and instead was left hanging next to his truck.
His partner helped him down, and he went to the hospital to check for injuries.
Thanks to the harness as this story could’ve been much worse. We’re rooting for you, Isaiah!”
Isaiah? Did the news just say Isaiah?
No way. It couldn’t be.
Before the news moved onto the next story, they flashed an image of the electric company’s logo, and I jumped to my feet. That was the same logo I saw on Isaiah’s truck. They must be talking about the same Isaiah.
And it would make sense why he cancelled our date.
Which meant…
He was at the hospital!
I shut the TV off, quickly dressed and washed the mask off my face, grabbed my things, and ran out the door. There was only one local hospital around, and it was in the next town over, Apple Falls. I raced there as fast as I could and rushed inside.
“Hi, I’m looking for an Isaiah. He came in today for a fall.” I said to the woman at the receptionist’s desk.
“Do you have a last name, dear?”
Shit. “No, I’m sorry, I don’t. He works for the local electric company. I saw on the news the guy working on the poles fell.”
“Oh yes, Isaiah Hoffman. Are you family? We are only allowing next of kin at this time.”
Shit again.
The woman stared at me, waiting for an answer. I had to think quick.
“I’m his wife.” I lied. Ugh. Maybe in my dreams…
The last thing I wanted to do was lie, but I needed to see him. Make sure he wasn’t hurt.
“Okay. He’s in room five twenty-four.”
“Great, thank you!” I trotted over to the elevators, sliding into one already open. The button for floor five was already lit up and when it stopped on my floor, I slipped out, my eyes scanning the walls for room numbers.
Moving down the hallway, a sign read Rooms 1-25 this way.
I landed on room five twenty-four a few minutes later and a chill ran through me. What if he was here with his family? Or his friends? How did I know he even wanted me here? I mean, we hardly knew each other.
I shook out my hands and paced back and forth in front of the door. I should go. Why the hell did I come here? This was stupid.
As I turned to leave, the door opened, and a nurse stepped out. “Oh, hello, miss. Are you here to see Isaiah?”
“Yes.” I squeaked, though I really wanted to run out of there. “How’s he doing?”
“Good. So far, all the tests are normal. We’re just waiting for the MRI results. He’ll be happy to see you. He could use some company.” The nurse smiled before walking off.
Has no one come to see him?
My heart lurched.
Something else I had yet to learn about the mountain man.
I touched the doorknob, took a deep breath, and opened the door. Isaiah sat straight up in his bed, leaning back against some pillows, with only a hospital gown on, but otherwise, looking perfectly normal.
Ink covered his arms and legs, bare skin I hadn’t seen before, and my attraction grew tenfold.
“Hi.” I said softly.
His head snapped my way, and his sad, worried face morphed into one of happiness. “Paisley? How did you know I was here? I’m sorry I missed our date. I fell and I only recently got my phone, but I couldn’t make calls. I was afraid you might be upset with me.”
“It’s okay, don’t worry about it. I’m just so happy you’re not badly hurt.” I rushed over to his side, unable to help myself, needing to be closer to this man. This man with big hands I wanted all over my body and sexy lips I wanted to kiss and taste.
“A few bumps and bruises, but so far, everything checks out. How did you find me?”
“After I got the text you cancelled, I turned on the TV, needing a distraction. The local news was on and they reported about it. I had also overheard at the bakery earlier today about a man falling. When the news said your name, I knew it must be you.”
“I’m sorry. The first thing I planned on doing when I got out of here was calling you to explain.” Isaiah stood up and closed the distance between us. “It all happened so quickly.”
“Shh, don’t worry about it.” I leaned closer, desperately wanting him to kiss me. “I’m happy you’re okay. Besides, the night isn’t over, exactly. We could always have our date in the hospital cafeteria.”
He chuckled. “Funny. Something tells me you deserve way more.” Isaiah grinned, but then his face turned serious.
“Since the moment I saw you, Paisley, something inside me told me you were the one for me. An urge to protect you, to love you, to care for you took over. I can’t get you out of my mind and it’s killing me not kiss you right now. ” His eyes searched mine.
I swore my heart literally stopped.
Yes, please! Kiss me, kiss me, I’m begging you!
I nodded once and his lips were on mine with no hesitation.