Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“Come on, boy, I think your owner is trying to get me to stop petting you,” I tease, but the woman at the table doesn’t look happy.
“He’s not mine, um, he’s just not supposed to talk to strangers,” she rushes to say as Bear plops down at her feet while still looking up at me longingly.
“That’s smart,” I say and then wink at Bear.
When I walk up to the counter, there’s an older woman behind it who seems a little frazzled. “What do you want?” she says quickly then swallows. “Sorry, how can I help you?”
I try to give her my best charming smile, but she’s not having it either. Looks like this place might not be welcoming to strangers after all.
“What’s your favorite?” I ask, and my question surprises her.
“Um, I guess the scones?” She says it like a question then lets out a breath. “Actually, it’s the eclairs but they’re too many calories for my hips.”
“Now that just can’t be true,” I say, and this time I lean over the counter and put my elbow on the glass. “In my opinion, a woman shouldn’t deny herself the things that make her happy. And that includes dessert.” When I wink at her, I see her cheeks turn a little pink, and she tucks her chin to hide it from me. “How about I buy one for me and one for you? That way I don’t have to eat alone and you can have your favorite treat with me.”
She looks hesitant, like she’s thinking it over, and finally nods. “All right, but don’t try to sweet talk me. I’m a married woman.”
“I wouldn’t dream of taking another man’s love away from him.” I put my hand on my heart. “One day when I find my bride, I don’t plan on ever letting go of her.”
“How romantic,” I hear the woman at the table sigh dreamily.
“How about some hot chocolate?” the lady behind the counter says, and I nod in agreement.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say and she goes to get it for me.
Once again, I feel Bear nudge my leg, and I reach down to pet him while I wait for my food and cocoa.
“He really is a sweet dog,” I say to the woman at the table.
“He’s usually a pretty good judge of character,” she says and then narrows her eyes on me.
“Here you go,” the woman behind the counter says.
When I take the treats, I hand over my cash and leave a little extra in the tip jar. Just as I’m about to take a bite of the éclair, I hear footsteps coming down the long hallway.
“Betty, you’re out of paper towels in the—”
The woman stops short when I look up and our eyes connect. The eclair is still hovering just in front of my mouth, but I’m frozen solid by the connection. I don’t know who she is or where she came from, but the sound of my heartbeat is so loud in my ears that it drowns everything out.
“Shit,” she says slowly before the woman at the table jumps up and grabs her by the arm.
“We gotta go,” the woman says and drags her and Bear out of the bakery as fast as possible.
I’m shocked into place as I watch them go, but as soon as the bell chimes, I’m snapped out of it. They’re already walking away from the store as I turn around and blink a few times.
“What was that?” I say to myself.
“That was Bear Mountain doing what it does best,” Betty answers, and I look up.
“What?” I’m so confused and it feels like I just got off a boat with how dizzy I am.
“You’ll see,” she says cryptically as she takes a bite of her eclair and winks at me.
Chapter Five
NATALIE
“What the hell happened back there?” Jen asks.
“I don’t know.” My voice comes out all high-pitched and panicked.
I tell myself not to glance back at him, but I can’t help myself. When I do, I see he’s staring right after me with a slow smile on his handsome face. I don’t know what comes over me, but I give him the finger.
“Natalie Thompson,” Virginia scolds me as she’s coming out of the diner with the rest of the knitting club ladies.
“Sorry!” I shout as Jen tries to hold in her laughter but fails miserably.
I'm walking like my ass is on fire, and this is all Walker’s fault. I know Virginia is gonna call my mom and snitch on me. Then my poor mom is going to be stuck on the phone with the woman. That’s why I’ll get in trouble. Not for flipping the bird but because Virginia is a busybody. Damn it.
I was stunned into place when my eyes locked with Walker’s. I still can’t get over that he’s here. When I’d been in the bathroom at the bakery, I’d been practicing giving that man a piece of my mind in the mirror. All that went right out the window when he was standing in front of me. Thankfully Jen was there to get my booty out of there.