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Much later, when I got back to Jess’, my stomach full of proper home comfort food, a little basket was sitting on the front step.The tempting scent of chocolate wafted out of it.A note was tucked under the dishcloth covering everything, and I slipped it out, unfolding it to read:
A welcome to Redwing Falls gift - cookies!
Because I know Jess only stocks freezer crap and let’s be real, that stuff is not food.
Jenny x
A smile tipped up my lips, and I was grinning hugely before I knew it.I checked my watch.It was after eight o’clock.
Too late to ring the bell now and say thanks; Toby would probably be asleep or very close to it.But I’d go over tomorrow.
I could text Rick and convey thanks that way, but…
I wasn’t going there.Rick Callahan was an inviting rabbit hole too dangerous to disappear down.Evenifhe was interested, and it was a very big if considering the impression I must have left this morning, a rebound fling was a bad idea.
It didn’t mean I couldn’t fantasize about it.I’d have to be blind not to moon over him, but that’s where it had to end.
I let myself into Jess’ house and dug into the basket.
The cookies were melt-in-my-mouth delightful, the chocolate still warm and a little gooey.As I boiled water for tea, I looked out of the window to see what looked like Rick’s shadow in the opposite window.Broad chest, wide shoulders, moving around and maybe making dinner.One of his other two signature dishes?I imagined him frying and stirring, tasting, his tongue flicking out over his full lower lip, and my stomach flipped.
For a moment, I thought about going over, but in reality, he and I were just two strangers.He lived next door to mycousin, not me.In three weeks, we would be an ocean apart again.
ChapterFour
I was up early the next morning, and spent a half hour lounging in bed, replying to comments on a recent video.I’d have to upload something soon, and remind viewers and subscribers that orders were closed while I was away.
My phone pinged again with a message from Lara Han, daughter of the couple who owned Lucky Star, the one Chinese place in Redwing Falls.We messaged back and forth for a bit.She and her brother Marcus were around my age and we hung out when I was here four years ago.
The sound of vehicle doors being opened and closed stirred me into finally getting out of bed, and when I looked out of the bedroom window, I saw Rick loading his van with bags of tools.He bent over and I admired his ass in his worn, dark wash jeans.
My God, he should be a model.I wondered idly if agencies knew he existed.Someone should tell them.
On impulse, I cracked the window open.“Morning!”
He spun around before catching me in the window.The morning sunshine kissed the bridge of his nose.It picked out the gold in his yellow hair, the thick strands ruffled by the breeze, or his hands.
I’d certainly like to getmyfingers in it.
“Mornin’,” he called up, a smile kicking up one corner of his mouth.
“Tell Jenny thanks for the cookies.”
His smile widened.It was devastating.“I will.Thank God you came.I couldn’t keep eatin’ ‘em.I’d need new jeans once a month.”
“Well, it’s a shame for you that I’ll be trying out lots of new recipes while I’m here, then.”
Rick shook his head, chuckling.“Bigger jeans it is.I gotta get to work, building spindles on a staircase today.Customer wants ‘em shaped like willow tree trunks.”
“Rather you than me.”I winced.“Baking is my thing.”
“So I’ve heard.Can’t wait to try some,” he added, and grinned up at me.
I felt heat creep up my cheeks at his words.Flirting?Was he actually flirting?Surely, I was imagining it.My stomach flipped at the thought of feeding him a bite of cake, his lips brushing my fingertips as he ate.“Um….Well, have a good day!Enjoy the staircase!”
I shut the window and pressed my hands to my face, hoping that I’d just die of embarrassment.
Enjoy the staircase.
