Page 3 of Enamored with the Mountain Man (Mountain Men of Apple Falls #5)

CHAPTER THREE

Chase

Laineybug: I’m sorry, Chase, I hate to do this, but we can’t keep talking. I can’t keep stringing you along. You deserve to find your happily ever after. I wish you all the best and thank you for the fun conversation the past few days. Xo

I read Lainey’s message a thousand times. I couldn’t just stop talking to her.

Ugh, why did I think setting up a dating profile was a good idea?

“Da Da! Play!” Ivy waddled over to me with her toy piano.

“What music can we make?” I asked her and pressed a few buttons. I was hoping for a distraction, hoping I could forget about the way my heart slammed in my chest every time her name floated into my head, which was basically every damn second.

“Snackie, Da Da? Snackie?” Ivy tossed the piano to the side and climbed into my lap. “Milkie?”

“You want a snackie?” I tickled her belly, and she giggled.

“Yesssss!” Ivy slid off my lap and took off for the kitchen, stopping when she reached the gate. She shook it and yelled, “Da Da! Move! Da Da!”

I laughed. Demanding little toddler. “What do you say, Ivy?”

“Pweaseee and tank you!”

I ran over to her and scooped her into my arms, swinging her around in a circle. I blew raspberries on her cheek, and she giggled and patted my face with her little chubby hand. “Let’s get your snack and milk, then we’ll read a couple of books and take a nap, okay?”

Ivy nodded as I clipped her into her high chair and fetched some crackers and sliced strawberries. I poured her milk into a sippy cup and placed the plate and cup on her tray.

Yesterday, Ivy spent the day at daycare.

It was the first full day I’d been away from her since she landed in my lap at three months old, and her mother was walking out the door and never looking back.

But I powered through and used the time to start on my endless to-do list. The first task was tackling the damn grass.

I sat at the table while Ivy munched on her snack, and we sang about animal sounds. Since being a dad, I’d become a pro at multitasking and quickly sent a message to Lainey. I needed to get it over with before I lost my damn mind about it.

I planned out what I wanted to say, yet different words came out when I typed the message as if I had no control over it.

Hopelessfarmer: If you want a temporary fling, let’s do it. I’m in. We’ll tell my daughter you’re here to help with the farm. Sound good?

Before I could stop myself, I pressed send. It was a lie, but I couldn’t let her go. Not before meeting her first. It was selfish. It wasn’t my brightest idea, and I didn’t think she’d even go for it.

Yet when her message came through a few minutes later, my nerve endings went haywire. Calm down. This is just for fun, remember?

Laineybug: I’d love to…but I think with the emotional connection we’ve built so far, it wouldn’t be a great idea.

Hopelessfarmer: I used to fire people left and right at my job in the city. Trust me when I say I don’t form attachments quickly.

Laineybug: Are you sure? You promise no funny business, no falling in love, no proposals of marriage?

Hopelessfarmer: I promise. When can you get here?

I held my breath as I waited for her reply, my stomach aching at the lies I told. I hated not speaking the truth, but this woman was something special. How I knew before meeting her was beyond me, but I could feel it in my gut.

Laineybug: Impatient, are we? I can arrive on Sunday if that works for you?

Hopelessfarmer: Perfect.

Clicking out of the messages, I stared at my daughter as she shoved her strawberries in her mouth. “One at a time, sweetie.”

Sunday, she’ll be here Sunday! In two days!

Two weeks with her wouldn’t be enough, but I couldn’t be greedy. I was already being selfish, so there was no need to add more to it.

And when she pulled into my driveway late Sunday morning, I took a long look at her from my living room window, and instantly, my gut told me I was going to be anything but okay.

When I opened my front door, Lainey stood on the porch, sunglasses perched on top of her head, a beautiful row of white teeth on display. The pictures on her profile hardly did her any justice. She was gorgeous in person, beyond what I could’ve ever imagined.

“Lainey.” I breathed and did my best to keep my eyes on her eyes, though I desperately wanted to take in every inch of her delicious frame.

“Hi, Chase. Nice to finally meet you in person.” She held out her hand for a shake, and when I slid my hand around hers, sparks went off inside me. But instead of shaking her hand, I pulled her toward me and wrapped her in a tight embrace.

“I think we’re beyond hand shaking, don’t you?”

“Yes.” The word came out breathless and shaky, and as I released her, I saw a small smile tug at her mouth. Lainey was as smitten as I was. There was no denying it. “But you know, politeness and all…”

“Well, seeing as how you’re my lady for the next two weeks, I think a hug is acceptable.” I stepped back and waved her inside. “Come in. You must be exhausted from the trip. Ivy’s sleeping, but you can meet her after she wakes.”

As she walked by, I breathed in more of her scent, this time unable to resist checking out her curvy body.

It was perfect. No, she was perfect. Her curves were soft and luscious, her leggings and long sweater classy and relaxed-fitting, though they’d look better on the floor.

When my eyes reached hers again, she stood there with a huge smirk on her face. “Were you checking me out?”

I cleared my throat. “No, of course not. What kind of gentleman would I be if I did that?”

Her eyes raked down my body, and I melted under her intense stare. “Not a very gentlemanly one.”

I chuckled low, the sound growly. Where did that come from? “Let me show you around, then I can grab any bags of yours in the car?”

“Yes. I want to see this farm of yours.” She clapped her hands and wiggled her nose. Fuck, she was adorable and hot all at the same time.

“Prepare to be amazed. Not.”

She threw her head back in laughter as she followed me into the kitchen.

All I could think the entire time I showed her around was how she came here wanting only temporary. Little did she know, she was already my forever.

I felt it the moment she walked through my door.