And a long, cold shower.
Chapter 5
Sela
“Would you like a reusable bag to hold all of your crafts? Just one dollar, and it’s for a good cause.” I flashed a friendly smile as if this was the first time I’d said those words instead of the thousandth. It wasn’t a glamorous job, selling the bags made by the women and children at the shelter that sat between Holiday Grove and the town of Adventure, but it was for a good cause.
The Craft Fair was in full swing by the time noon rolled around. I moved from aisle to aisle, starting with the food vendors, where people sold artisan jellies and jams, butter, bread, and even cheese from a local goat farm. Later, I moved to the section where blankets and rugs, clothes, and even shoes were sold by local artisans. The craft jewelry section took up two full aisles and had the most foot traffic. After I sold out of the bags for the third time in an hour, I moved on.
“Sela!” The voice was slightly familiar but too far away to recognize. “Sela, wait up!”
I turned to see Krista rushing toward me in her neat pink wool coat and tidy jeans. Her cheeks were flushed, but her smile was wide. “Hey, Krista. What’s up?”
She held up one finger while she caught her breath, still smiling as she took in my appearance. “You look lovely today.”
“Thank you,” I replied sincerely. I hadn’t put much thought into my outfit today, other than staying warm against the windy chill in the air, but the pumpkin hoodie dress was adorable—at least, I’d thought so when I bought it on clearance last Christmas.
“I just wanted to thank you for sending Brock my way. He’s handsome and single, you know.” There was a sparkle in her eyes, that matchmaking twinkle I’d seen for years. “He’s been divorced for a long time, and he’s moving here, Sela.”
My lips twitched at her overt matchmaking attempt. “Thanks for the biography. He said he was looking for a place in town, and I just gave him your number.”
“And I’m glad you did. He’s got money to burn, and I’m excited to get into it.” She wiggled her brows for emphasis. “But he is really hot and rich. Very rich.”
“Thanks, Krista.” It was best not to engage when the matchmaking started, or else they’d think you were on board with it. For once, I wasn’t. Brock’s relationship status was irrelevant to me. Like I told him, he was heartbreak, and I’d already surpassed my limit for lifetime heartbreak.
Krista wasn’t deterred by my lack of interest. She just kept her smile in place. “Talk soon, Sela. Enjoy the Fair.”
I turned back to my volunteer task and happily chatted with the people of Holiday Grove, the regulars who just wanted to check in and thank me for pitching in. “It’s so nice to see young people staying involved,” the mayor had offered with a kind smile. I offered up tidbits of history for the tourists who wanted a bag as a souvenir for their time in my quirky hometown.
I loved this town. It was safe, and I was comfortable here, even if I wasn’t sure what I’d do to earn money when I was thirty-five, forty, or fifty-five. There was nothing wrong withwanting to stay in Holiday Grove. Who said the big city was so special compared to a town where people showed up to help out when they were needed? This place was home, and I loved it.
Maybe you need to be uncomfortable to figure out the rest of your life?That nagging voice in the back of my mind had said this same thing time and again, but I knew that wasn’t it. At least, not completely. Maybe I needed to do something new, to get out of my comfort zone, but that didn’t mean I needed to leave Holiday Grove.
I just needed to get out there, figure out what I wanted to do next, and then just do it.
Maybe you’d have better luck in the big city,that same voice urged. No, it taunted. I shuddered at the thought that my future was someplace I didn’t want to be. Of course, that was when Mr. Tall, Dark, and Deadly Handsome strolled up, looking totally irresistible in dark jeans, a green sweater, and a black peacoat that made him look like he’d stepped off the cover ofEast Coast Outdoorsmanmagazine.
I turned away so I could catch my breath before he got any closer. There was something about Brock that unsettled me, and I needed to keep my head on straight when he was around.
“Sela, we meet again.” His deep voice sent another shudder rippling through my body, so viscerally deep I had to dig my heels into the ground to make sure I didn’t float away on a cloud of lust and desire.
He’s just human,I reminded myself and turned slowly. Nope, he was definitely superhuman. Hot, deliciously so, and charming.And smiling—goodness gracious, that smile should come with a warning label.“Brock. Hey.”
“You look festive. And beautiful.” His nostrils flared with that telltale mark of arousal that sent another shiver through me.
I put a hand to my cheek because it was suddenly very hot out here. “Thank you.” I motioned to his body. “You look too good.”
He laughed, the sound rich and deep. “There’s another one of those un-compliments.” He didn’t seem offended but rather amused.
“Sela, there you are!” Edith’s voice was loud despite her small, almost frail frame. “You’ve done such a good job today. We’re almost out of bags.” She turned with a bright smile for Brock. “Hey there, handsome.”
“Mrs. Rockwell.”
She blushed, actually blushed, and put her hand to her chest. “Call me Edith, please.”
“You look like autumn today, Edith. Lovely.”
See? Too damn charming but genuine about it, which was annoying. “Handsome and charming.” She shook her head, echoing the same sentiment I’d just been feeling. “Anyway, I’m officially relieving you of duty so you can enjoy the Fair.”
