Page 6 of Fired Up By the Mountain Man (Fall for a Mountain Man #1)

Erika

The town center is an absolute explosion of fall colors.

The streets are covered in hay and pumpkins.

There are scarecrows dressed in reds and oranges, garlands of orange and green leaves strung between light posts.

The smell from the food trucks is mouth watering, over on the stage a band is setting up and everywhere couples are smiling and the happy squeals of children fills the air.

There is a huge crowd. We enter on the east side where all the stalls have been set up.

There are crafts of every kind, people selling jams and honey and muffins and all sorts of wonderful food and Carter insists we try everything.

And he makes me laugh by suggesting all the things I could sell at my shop.

Like I could be the town supplier of acorn necklaces or candy corn banners.

“Sure sales might be slow but you’d make a killing in October!”

Or that I set up a shop selling pillows or signs. Or both, but everything single thing in the store has ‘It’s Fall, y’all’ printed on it.

Or my favorite suggestion was that I have a scarecrow dress shop.

“We could become known as the town with the best dressed scarecrows! People would come from all over the world to see it!”

Further on there is a hay maze, a pumpkin patch and a big, orange bouncy castle.

There is face painting, a petting zoo with donkeys and pigs and goats.

And everywhere people smile and wave hello.

As a fireman and a Kingsley brother, it seems Carter is well loved in this town.

But I’m surprised how many people give me a warm welcome.

“Welcome back, Erika.”

“Glad to see you.”

“How’s the family?”

Nobody seems shocked to see me with Carter, though I have a feeling they will all be talking about it later.

Carter’s is a calming present next to me, despite the fact that he is so damn sexy it makes my heart race.

At one point he asks a passerby to take our photo.

Posing by an old retro truck filled with pumpkins, and next to a scarecrow, with hay all around us, the festive feeling in the air, he puts his arm around me and holds me close.

His scent is warm and intoxicating. I like the way it feels with his arm around me.

How I fit snugly against him like it’s meant to be.

As we make our way over to the rides and games, Carter insists we have a go at apple bobbing.

Normally I would be self conscious about getting down on my knees and looking like a fool.

But with Carter and his infectious smile, I give in and we laugh at how ridiculous it is.

Our faces dripping with water he comes up the winner with a big grin and an apple between his teeth.

Laughing, he helps me to my feet and hugs me to him.

It feels so good being with Carter, though a part of me still feels out of place. I can’t help wondering if I would have experienced this kind of happiness in high school if I had been one of the cool kids? Is this how they feel all the time? Just so light and happy?

Meeting Carter’s fellow firefighters helps ease some of my thoughts.

They are a crazy, rowdy bunch of men. Each one of them is damn sexy, but they are all different.

Some of them have Carter’s easy charm but a few of the others I can relate to straight away.

How they hold themselves back, like they are a little damaged by life. I can understand that feeling.

High school for me was the worst. I’ve never quite gotten over it.

You would think being here, in my home town, during the Fall Festival, the sexy sexy and charming Carter Kingsley by my side.

An onlooker might think I am over the trauma of high school.

But I only have to turn around to find Missy Impleton hanging off Carter to know that the wound is still fresh.

In school Missy was the worst. Beautiful, popular and a bully with a mean streak.

Seeing her now, dressed in a tight orange corset with a bat perfectly placed to accentuate with B-cup breasts, black tights and a smirk on her pretty face that tells me she knows exactly what she is doing, hanging off Carter like they are a couple.

I see red. I feel like my blood is boiling.

“Little Erika Buggles? I didn’t know you were back in town.

Aren’t you cute in your sweater. It’s so…

.bulky.” She gives me a sickly sweet smile like she hasn’t just insulted me in front of everyone.

Around me I’m vaguely aware of the firefighters stepping forward ready to intervene.

Carter detaches himself from Missy and moves to my side.

But I don’t need them. All of the rage from my teenage years is back. But this time I’m not hiding. I’m not walking away. Instead I take a deep breath and a step forward.

Carter’s big hand is on my arm. But there’s no need to hold me back. I’m not going to fight her. “Missy Simpleton? I just love your corset. That bat makes you look so…. Tacky.”

Missy’s mouth drops open with surprise. But my elation doesn’t last long. One moment I’m standing there beaming at being able to stand up to my bully and the next I’m drenched with Pumpkin Spiced Latte.

Sputtering, I let out a low growl. Now Carter has to hold me back. Half the guys are telling Missy off, while the other half of these big, sexy firefighters are dabbing me with their shirts and asking if I’m okay.

But it is Carter, with his arm around me, who lifts me up and simply carries me away from the crowd. Putting me on my feet he gently wipes some of the liquid off my cheek. His look concerned.

“Are you alright?”

I nod. Still fuming.

“That Missy is more trouble than you. She’s always hanging around. A bloody firefighter groupie.”

Hearing that cools my temper. In fact I feel cold and visibly shiver. Carter takes off his coat and lays it on my shoulders as I wonder if he and Missy ever dated. It makes me feel sick just thinking about it.

Carter lifts my chin up so he can look into my eyes. Searching for something. I want his arms around me again. I want that happy feeling from earlier today.

“Let’s get out of here, hey?”