Page 1 of Harvesting with Hayes (Mountain Men Fall Harder #4)

CHAPTER ONE

Hayes

“Yeah, I’m about to go check it out.” I said over the phone, my voice still scratchy from sleep.

“I hadn’t realized eighteen hours of driving would feel like ten thousand.

” I ran my hand through my hair, the past two days having gone by in a blur of driving and exhaustion.

From the upper part of Vermont in the small mountain town of Appleridge, down to Maple Falls, Tennessee, my father’s birthplace.

After meeting my mother here, he moved to Appleridge to marry her and start a life, but we’d visit often, especially during the fall season with the annual fall festival.

My father chuckled. “Stopping overnight was the right move, even though it took longer.”

“There was no way I was driving straight through. Dozing off while driving is some scary shit, Pops.”

“Tell me about it.” He grumbled. “That drive never gets easier. But listen, let me know if you need anything. I’m glad you arrived safe, son. And I can’t wait to hear about how our apple cider does.”

“Thanks, talk later, okay?”

“You got it.”

I ended the call, tossed my phone on the bed, and stood up and stretched. “I won’t let you down, Dad.” I said out loud to myself, hoping I wouldn’t fail at yet another thing in life.

After a three-hour nap, I was still tired, yet I had shit to do.

I came here to continue my dad’s annual tradition of selling at the festival, and to make extra money for the business.

Times weren’t easy lately, and it seemed to get harder and harder to find new customers in our small town.

Business wasn’t bad per se, but it wasn’t growing.

So, any extra money we could make was always helpful.

This was the first year I came here on my own.

My father’s health took a nosedive the past year, and it was hard seeing him struggle.

Between helping him, stepping in to take over the business, and my mother’s arthritis worsening, life wasn’t easy lately.

At first, I insisted on not going. Forget the tradition. Their health was more important.

But Dad thought the trip would help my morale, considering I’d only been home from my time in the military for a year, and I still felt like a black cloud hung over my head most days.

Distraction was a good thing. Distraction helped.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, I grabbed a bite to eat at the local diner in town and headed over to the festival grounds to claim my booth and drop off some cases of cider. It’d make my morning a lot easier if I got ahead now.

I parked my truck and hopped out, retrieving my dolly from the back and loading it up with cases. I pushed it towards the vendor check in, thankful I was familiar with the process. The kind woman behind the desk checked me in and let me know which booth I’d be using, along with a vendor guest pass.

It was easy to find my booth, the sign already in place that I sent in.

It displayed our business logo of a mug filled with apple cider, with the business name of Spicy Apple across the image.

The exact set up I requested with mugs, refrigeration units, and a chalkboard listing the various apple cider beverages and the prices had been brought to life, my vision coming true.

Mostly, I wanted to make Dad proud. I’d already failed in serving our country. At least I could run our family business correctly.

Wasting no time, I unloaded several cases of apple cider, making the trip to my car a few times. I checked the temperature of the refrigeration units, making sure I plugged them in, and they were working properly before filling them with cans.

With a quick glance at my completed work, I headed back to my hotel suite, ready for bed. The next two days would be busy and long and I needed all the beauty rest if I planned on surviving.

As I drove back, I took in the changing colors of leaves on the trees, the cool crisp breeze in the air. I loved this time of year, a break from the heat, and a time to enjoy nature’s brilliant process of shedding the old and growing the new.

Maybe I was here to grow and discover a new part of myself. Anything was better than what I’d already gone through.

The next morning, after a quick breakfast and shower, I pulled into the festival and let out a deep sigh, hoping to release the worries that plagued me all night.

I’d barely slept a wink and could already feel the tiredness pulling at the edges of my body, holding me under until I finally relented, letting it take me away into a sweet bliss like state.

But I refused to let it win.

I parked my truck and ambled my way over to my booth, rolling another full load in front of me. That should be plenty for now.

With the festival not starting for another hour, I roamed around and checked out the other booths, interested in what was there this year.

There was a booth called Harper’s Mosaics, a young woman smiling and laughing as she chatted about a painting in her hands, one I’m assuming was hers and she was trying to sell.

Another booth name Dixon Woodworks caught my attention, with a nice guy named Felix running the business and designing his own custom furniture pieces. His woodwork was impressive.

There was also a booth, Stella’s Pie Stand, full of delicious looking and smelling pies. A young woman stood behind the counter, a smile on her face as she cut up one of her pies. My mouth watered at the sight, and I promised myself at least one slice at the end of all of this.

Nothing beats a thick slab of pie and a frosty mug of apple cider.

The fall festival brought loads of visitors to town, along with the locals, and every fall activity you could think of was there to try.

From a pumpkin patch to a pie baking championship along with a pie-eating contest, to face painting, and a caramel apple dipping station where you could create your own yummy treat.

There were lots of carnival games and rides, bluegrass and bonfires, and plenty of food to fill your stomach.

The air was crisp and colored leaves scattered across the grass, the trees full of orange, brown, and red leaves. I loved watching the foliage change as we went from summer to fall and taking long drives to view the peak color changes.

I’d have to partake in some of the fun later.

As I turned to head back towards my set up, another stand caught my attention.

More like the gorgeous woman at the stand.

Without realizing, I pivoted and moved towards her instead, my feet suddenly having a mind of their own.

Her looks intrigued me, from her emerald green eyes to her long dark hair flowing down her back, to her sexy, thick, curvy body I suddenly wanted to do naughty things to. Very naughty things.

Jewelry lined both of her ears, and several bracelets and bangles adorned each wrist. Dangly pumpkins hung off her earlobes, and a bright smile lit up her perfect features.

I couldn’t help but stare, drinking in her every inch.

Her floral sundress, long and flowy, burgundy in color, caused her eyes to pop more.

The fabric showed off her every curve, and the neckline plunged downwards, revealing the creamy top swells of her breasts.

I swallowed hard. If I didn’t look away soon, my cock would say hello and not in a good way.

Tearing my eyes away long enough to read her sign- Serena’s Jewels.

Ignoring the warning bells ringing in my head, I strode over to her. “Hey, nice jewelry you’ve got here.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Thanks.”

“Did you make all of this yourself?”

“Sure did. It’s all handmade.”

“Wow. Beauty and talent? I must’ve struck the lottery.”

Serena threw her head back in laughter, the sound doing crazy things to my insides. “Thank you for the compliment. We need more nice guys like you around here.”

“Don’t make ‘em in Tennessee like they do in Vermont, hmm?”

“Ah ha. Should’ve known. Not a local. What booth are you running? Or are you just here visiting?”

I pointed to my stand a few hundred feet away. “Spicy Apple. Specialize in spiked apple cider. Come by and try some later, okay?” I shot her a wink and loved watching the redness darken on her cheeks.

“Okay. Good luck today.”

“Thanks, Serena. It’s Hayes, by the way. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too. I almost asked how you knew my name but duh, my business name.” Serena snorted. “Don’t mind me. Half the time I’m laughing at myself.”

“Yeah, maybe because all you do is make a fool of yourself.” A man came up beside us, a goofy grin on his face.

Shit, of course she has a boyfriend. Always too good to be true.

“Mmhmm, look who’s talking.” Serena quipped. “Hayes, this is my younger brother, Derek.”

Brother? Phew! Saved by the family.

“Hey, Derek. Nice to meet you. See you around.” I nodded towards them both and headed back to my booth, the festival opening its doors any minute now.

As I finished a few last-minute tasks, my mind and eyes kept wandering over to Serena. I had a direct view of her, and I couldn’t pull my eyes away for more than a minute.

Remember when I said distractions were a good thing?

I definitely didn’t expect one to show up in the form of curves, beauty, and an irresistible smile.

But one look and I was ready to give this woman my heart.

Shit .