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“It’s okay,” she replied quickly, folding her arms across her chest. “Let’s go back and find my brother.”
When we located James, we found Liam patiently coaching Ethan at corn hole, and following their impromptu race the girls had returned to the craft booth and were working diligently at painting birdhouses a lurid shade of pink. James stood between the two spaces, monitoring both pairs.
“If you like, I can take over,” I offered. “So you can go enjoy some of the festival?”
“Don’t worry about it,” James waved me off. “The kids are entertaining themselves. It’s really no problem at all.”
“I just feel bad, leaving you to watch my kids like this.”
James smiled. “Pro tip? When someone offers to help with your kids, always accept.”
“Unless they’re a creeper,” Ellie interjected.
“Yes, obviously, that is the exception,” James agreed.
“Duly noted: Always accept help except from creeps. Got it.”
“Come on, I’ll show you the rest.” Ellie tugged my arm, and we waved goodbye to James as she steered me up the hill.
By the time we finished the full tour, it was nearly time for my shift at the grill. James and I got to work slinging hot dogs and hamburgers by the dozens, and Ellie entertained the kids for the rest of the afternoon.
And it finally hit me: that sense of community, of belonging, that I’d missed ever since leaving the Air Force. There was an intangible quality about it, something difficult to explain to someone who never sought it out, never craved that feeling of being part of something bigger.
But here I was, a million miles from my life in the military, and I found it all the same.
I couldn’t help but wonder if that was more to do with Aspen Ridge or Ellie Tremont.
Chapter8
Ellie
* * *
Monday following the Fall Fest, I was on edge as I settled into my office, and it took me a few minutes to realize that I was nervous to see Jake. Something changed yesterday; perhaps it was in the works for a while and I just didn't realize it. Or maybe we just connected in a way we hadn’t before. He was far more relaxed, more open with me, than he’d been since we met. I could easily say being around his kids humanized him. There was no Captain Stuffed Shirt in sight when his kids were around, just a dad who clearly wanted the best for his children.
But even I knew it was more than that.
I’d done my best to keep him out of my head and at arm's length since he started, but now I questioned if that was really what I wanted. He clearly didn’t have it out for me the way I’d first thought. He’d made that abundantly clear by trying to find middle ground between me and my dad instead of just barking orders like I’d expected. Granted, I’d kept my distance mainly because I knew Dad would disapprove of me being involved with someone that I worked closely with.
And when he almost kissed me yesterday… heat rushed to my cheeks just remembering it. The intensity that made my breath catch in my throat was back. Even though it would have been a disaster if my dad got wind I was making out with Jake in the middle of the festival. In that moment I sincerely didn’t care.
I wanted him.
On the plus side, we wouldn’t be working closely for too long. Dad already told me he intended to place Jake under James in the Mountain Ops side of the house after he was done ‘coaching’ me. I was happy the plan to introduce Jake to James at Fall Fest had worked out so smoothly. It never hurts to know more people, and with the two of them being single dads, it couldn't hurt to have each other to lean on.
And that gamble had swiftly paid off—I caught them exchanging numbers before the party broke up yesterday. Hopefully sooner rather than later Jake would work in a different building, and us being involved would no longer be a problem. So, fair to say the potential conflict of us being the same part of the business and in a relationship was moot.
As if summoned by my thoughts alone, Jake ducked his head into my office. He had finally dispensed with his habit of knocking and standing in the hallway, waiting for permission to enter. Instead, he grinned and walked in after only a slight hesitation. I couldn’t help but notice how well the Aspen Ridge polo hugged his wide shoulders and clung just slightly to his muscular chest. Honestly, he put everyone but a few of the groundskeepers to shame in terms of physique, and those guys worked outside all day.
I shoved down the flutter of heat that tickled my chest and smiled in greeting. “Long time no see. Did you have a good night?”
“Oh yeah,” Jake laughed, taking his seat. “Ethan passed out before we even got off the property, and they were both asleep by the time we reached my parents’ for dinner. They scarfed down some food, and then it was all I could do to keep them awake long enough for a shower. Slept like the dead.”
Jake’s cologne wafted its way over to my seat, and I resisted the urge to close my eyes and breathe him in deeply.
“I’m no expert, but I’d consider that a successful day.”
“Definitely. Thanks again for suggesting we go. I probably would have skipped it otherwise. And thanks for introducing me to James. Olivia has basically adopted Ava, and I’m pretty sure Liam has taken my place as Ethan’s hero.”
