Andsweet mother of lumberjack fantasy,there he was.
Ben Jensen in a black thermal shirt, a gray beanie tugged low over his hair, and jeans that should not legally be allowed to fit that well. His eyes were still heavy with sleep, his voice gravelly as he said, “It’s not even six.”
I grinned. “Good morning, sunshine.”
He blinked at me, then at the coffee. “You bring offerings?”
“Peace offerings,” I said brightly, thrusting the mug forward. “Hot coffee. Cream, no sugar. And this—” I held out the muffin. “Still warm. Blueberry. I used the good cinnamon.”
“You said we’d leave at eight.”
“Yet, you’re up.” I grinned.
He took the bag, sniffed the muffin, and grunted in approval. “Bribery.”
“Absolutely. And a little bit of pre-hike butter-based seduction.”
He choked on a laugh and rubbed the back of his neck, looking way too good doing it. “Should I be worried?”
I shrugged innocently. “Only if you hate muffins. Or me.”
His gaze flicked to mine.
Held.
Lingering just long enough to make the air between us heat up again.
And that’s when I did it. I looked at his lips.
Again.
Damn it.
They looked just like they had last night, all soft, sure, and very capable of turning my brain to static. I blinked, shook my head like I was trying to reboot, and stepped back.
“No kissing before caffeine,” I muttered.
“Is that a rule?”
“Foryoursafety.”
He smirked, took a sip from the mug, and closed the door behind him. “Lead the way, innkeeper.”
We made our way downstairs, past the still-dark kitchen and through the side entrance. Outside, the morning air was brisk and smelled faintly of pine and dew. I unlocked the driver’s side of my beat-up, seafoam-green truck and gestured with a grand sweep of my arm.
“Your chariot awaits.”
Ben stared at it for a long moment.
Then he tilted his head. “That’s a truck?”
“She prefers the term ‘vintage rustic transport unit,’ thank you very much.”
“It has rust.”
“She hascharacter.I call it patina.”
He walked around to the passenger side, eyeing the faded bumper stickers, one of which saidDon’t Rush Me, I’m Local,and another with a suspiciously aggressive goose on it.
