Page 34 of Where the Music Grows

“In a tiny house,” Aggie adds. “She’s our resident minimalist.”

Jack’s gaze flickers to me. “Cool.”

Why does that one word make my face warm?

Aggie puts the kettle on. “Jack’s camping out by the creek. Playing at The Hollow Log a few nights a week.”

I stay in the kitchen, putting maximum distance between me and Mr. Charming Musician. “So you’re the musician everyone is talking about,” I say.

“Uh-oh, is that a good or bad thing?” He chuckles.

Damn. How is this guy so attractive? I look at him and try to see what it is. I mean, yeah, he’s handsome, but honestly, he’s not like a supermodel sexy. But it goes deeper than that. He’s got effortless charisma. That crooked little smile is a legit panty-dropper. I bet he’s got a woman in every little town he stops in. There’s just something about him that makes my blood heat.

“I think good,” I say, remembering he asked a question.

He grins again. “Cool.”

“I didn’t know you had live music, Aunt Aggie,” I say.

“I usually don’t, but Jack is a musician. I caught him in the woods playing his guitar and just knew he needed a stage.”

“And how’s it going?” I ask him.

“Good.” He rubs the back of his neck. “People seem to like it.”

“He’s being modest,” Aggie says. “We’ve had to add extra chairs.”

Jack ducks his head, but not before I catch his pleased smile.

Damn it. Humble and talented.

“I’ll get us something cold to drink,” Aggie says, leaving me stranded in awkward silence with Jack.

“So,” I say. “Where are you from?”

“Up north. Dairy country.”

“And you just...left?”

“Something like that.”

Aha. A story there. Not that I care. Not that I should care.

Aggie saves us with glasses of iced tea. “Jinnie runs the best bakery in three counties.”

“I believe it.” Jack’s smile returns. “Those muffins saved my life.”

I sip my tea to hide my stupid smile. “They were about to go stale anyway.”

“Still.” He holds my gaze. “Thank you. You have no idea how that little bag of goodies saved me. You and your aunt are clearly cut from the same cloth. Good people. I owe you both. A lot. Thank you.”

My stomach does a weird flip.

This is bad. This is very bad. The last thing I need is to get all hung up on a man. I’m steering clear of men. Especially those who are too cute for my own good.

“I should get going. Just wanted to drop those off.”

Aggie frowns. “You just got here.”