Page 2 of Frigid Mountain Man (Cold Mountain Nights #12)

CHAPTER TWO

Jules

“Who do you keep looking for?” My sister, Natalie, asked me for the millionth time in the past hour.

“No one. What are you going on about?” I rolled my eyes at her as we waited in line for another carnival game.

It was almost seven o’clock but felt much later, the day long and tiring.

Especially for my four-year-old son, Leo.

I could tell by the number of tantrums and the severity, each one a tad worse than the one before.

One more mishap and it would be complete meltdown city.

So maybe the hot mountain man from earlier wouldn’t disappear from my thoughts. He was attractive, enchanting, and damn could he smile. He also had a way with kids, or Leo at least. Most men wouldn’t bother with a screaming four-year-old mid tantrum.

And maybe I was looking for him. But only to sneak a glance. Was that so wrong?

Damn my sisters for knowing me too well. They never missed a beat.

“Your eyes keep scanning the place. Don’t act like I don’t know how you are,” Natalie said, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. A move she’s done since we were little, and it still annoyed the shit out of me.

“Maybe because there’s many people around and our children are here?” I motioned to the three little ones playing ring toss, both of my sister’s husbands helping while the three of us stood back and watched.

Natalie, my eldest sister, was married to Steve, and they had two kids, five-year-old Bella and three-year-old Peter. The second oldest is my sister Isabella, or Izzy, for short. She’s married to Will but has no kids yet and hasn’t said if she wanted any.

Then there was me. The baby of the family who had a kid at nineteen and now rocked the single mom life. But I wouldn’t change a damn thing. My son was everything I needed and then some, even if his father wasn’t around.

The jerk took off as soon as I told him the news and still had yet to come around.

But it didn’t matter, as there was plenty of love to go around in my family.

Our parents were still happily married and in love, and my sisters and I visited them on the regular.

That’s what I wanted. A happy marriage, like my parents and my sisters.

My son deserved a dad, a man who would care for him as his own.

“Why would she be looking for someone? That makes no sense, Nat.” Isabella, the ever reasonable one, tried to diffuse the situation like she always did.

“Yeah, exactly. That makes no sense.”

Natalie gave us both the stink eye and crossed her arms over her chest. “I know what I saw. Including when you were talking to a guy earlier.”

I laughed. Dammit, she saw me.

My older sister was nosy as all hell, but she meant well. Most of the time. “You mean the guy in line for food? He was helping when Leo was losing his shit overseeing the horses.”

Izzy’s eyes lit up. Great, now they’re on the same side. “A guy? Do tell!”

“There’s nothing to tell. Except there’s no way he’s from around here or I would’ve remembered.”

Izzy clapped her hands so loud I jumped. “Oh snap! We’re onto something here, Nat! I feel it in my bones.”

“I knew it. I so knew it. C’mon, sis, what’s his name?”

I looked between them and shook my head. “You two are ridiculous.”

“Why? Because we want our sister happy and in love? I know how much Todd broke your heart. But that was four years ago. You got a lovely son out of the deal. Now let’s find you a new man to share your life with.” Natalie said, while Izzy nodded in agreement.

The mere mention of Todd’s name left a bad taste in my mouth. But my sisters were right. He didn’t take up space in my mind anymore and without him, I wouldn’t have my adorable son.

Yet who I brought around him was important. Dating took up a lot of time, time I never seemed to have. Between work and my child, and regular old life crap, there wasn’t much time left for me.

“Thank you to both of you. But I’ll find someone, the right someone, when I’m ready. He needs to be right for Leo, too. Not just myself.”

Izzy wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You’re such a good mom, Liv. Leo is a lucky boy.”

“Thanks, Iz. He’s got two pretty amazing aunts, too.” I smiled at Natalie who watched her own kids, a fondness in her expression. “Nat’s got me beat on the mom front, though. Have you seen the dog and cat pancakes she makes? Leo never shuts up about them.”

Natalie beamed at me. “They’re pretty cool, right?”

We spent another half hour at the carnival games before calling it a night.

“See you in the morning!” I said to both of my sisters as we hugged and kissed goodbye.

Once I put Leo to bed, I planned on taking a warm bubble bath, pouring myself a glass of wine, and binge reading the latest psych thriller novel I couldn’t get enough of.

The morning came quick when you had to drag ass out of bed and get your pie shop going.

My sisters and I ran our own little diner called Sweet Temptations, and we opened every day of the week.

The menu was only pies, all different varieties, from sweet to savory.

Customers could enjoy a slice there, take one to go, or buy whole pies.

With Thanksgiving only a couple of months away, our busy season was fast approaching.

With so many pie orders, I’ve hired others to help with baking and packing instead of trying to do it myself.

It was a lot, but it had become such a family affair with everyone pitching in, that things went a lot smoother.

I baked the pies and created the menus, Isabella ran the front end, taking orders, serving slices, and running the register, while Natalie ran the business side of things, with the accounting and inventory tasks belonging to her along with ordering supplies and keeping us well stocked.

After a few kinks, we were off and running and more successful than we could’ve ever imagined.

As I sunk beneath the warm bubbles, my phone buzzed with a text. The group chat with my two sisters, aptly named Three crazy brunettes, popped up.

Natalie- I did a little digging. His name is miles Anderson, and he was just hired as the new lumberjack on the ranch. Maybe take Leo to see the horses?!

Isabella- Good work, sis. I agree on the horse idea

Me- Will you two give it a rest? I’m not using my son to go spy on a cute guy

Natalie- He’s not just a cute guy

Isabella- Yah dude he’s your future

I nearly spit out my sip of wine.

Me- Night ladies love you

I couldn’t help but laugh at their antics. I knew I’d never hear the end of it tomorrow.

But what if I brought Leo to see the horses and so happened to run into Miles? What’s the worst that could happen?

Sleep didn’t come easy, and neither did the next morning. After lots of coffee and several Leo tantrums, we made it to the shop on time. Now let’s hope I could focus on my menu instead of the very distracting mountain man I wanted to learn more about.

“Okay, but just a quick visit. I’ve got dinner in the crockpot love.

” I ruffled Leo’s hair and buckled him into his booster seat.

It had been a long, busy Sunday at the shop and I’d rather head straight home, but my son wouldn’t stop talking about the horses.

Hopefully, this would help him chill out about it.

“Ah ha! I knew you would relent.” Natalie laughed from behind me before pulling me in for a hug and giving Leo a proper kiss goodbye.

“Leo wants to see the horses. Nothing more.” I retorted, though I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

“Yes, the horses. Mmhmm. Text me later.”

“Nope! Bye!” I teased as I climbed into my car and started it up.

“You better!” Nat called.

I wiggled my fingers at her and drove off toward the ranch.

The horses were by the fence closest to the road and I easily pulled over in front of them, setting my car in park. We lucked out tonight and I said a quick prayer to the horse gods for looking out for me.

“Horsies mama! Horsies are right there!” Leo clapped his hands excitedly and the look on his face was worth it enough, no matter how tired I was.

After taking Leo out of his booster seat, I carried him over to the horses. Two black beauties stood strong and tall, one with a white mane and tail and another with gray hair.

“They love to eat carrots. We’ll have to bring some.” I said to Leo’s cute face, his eyes lit up with so much excitement and happiness.

“And sugar cubes?” Leo asked and I chuckled.

“And sugar cubes. They need a treat like us.” I said. I smiled at My smart boy. I guess he was paying attention to the show about horses.

“A treat!”

“You know what else they think is a treat? You visiting them.” A familiar voice came from behind us and when I spun around, there was Miles.

The so hot it should be illegal mountain man I couldn’t stop thinking about.

“Look mama! It’s the guy!” Leo pointed.

“Leo, it’s not nice to point.” I said, while pushing his hand down.

“The guy? How sweet. It’s miles actually.” He laughed.

I giggled. “Sorry, straight out of the mouths of babes, I guess.”

“It’s cool. I never gave you, my name. Couldn’t resist coming back, hmm?”

“Not when my son loves horses.”

“You know, the ranch offers horseback riding. Even for kids his age. Maybe he’d like it.”

“Oh, nice to know, thanks. I’m Olivia, by the way. This is my son Leo.”

“Nice to meet you both.” Miles tipped his head my way. “Well, I’ve gotta get back to work. Enjoy your time.” He walked backwards before turning and strutting off. One more turn up ahead and he was gone from sight.

I needed more.