Page 3 of Harvesting with Hayes (Mountain Men Fall Harder #4)

CHAPTER THREE

Hayes

The woman I hadn’t stopped thinking about all day stood before me, a sweater now wrapped around her tightly, the tip of her nose slightly pink from the chilled air.

It must’ve dropped at least ten degrees since the sun had set a couple of hours ago and I had pulled on my flannel and beanie cap, despite the big crowds keeping me on my toes.

“Hi.” Serena smiled shyly as she stepped forward. The closer she got, the faster my heart raced.

What is this woman doing to me?

I swallowed hard and gripped the counter in front of me. “Hey, you. Did you have a good day?”

“I did. Thanks for asking. And you?”

I chuckled and waved my hand behind me. “Well, considering I came with forty cases and am now down to five, I’d say I did pretty well.”

“Great. How about I add to the success and order a spiked cider?”

Tingles ran through me. I ignored them.

A woman hadn’t ever made me feel this way before. Why her?

“Coming right up. Mind if I share one? I was just about to close for the night.” The question slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

“I’d love to.” Serena answered. If my question surprised her, she didn’t show it.

“Great.” I closed up the booth, the way my father had shown me so many times before, and grabbed us each a can, popping the tops on both before handing her a can.

Serena sipped her cider, and her lips puckered, but then smacked. It was my new favorite thing about her. The sudden urge to kiss her was almost too much to ignore, but I focused on sipping my drink instead. “Like?”

“Yes, I do!” Serena gushed. “Honestly, I was afraid to tell you I’m not a big apple cider fan, but my brother was going on and on about it earlier and my dad talked so highly of you, I knew I needed to try it. I’m glad I did.”

I could listen to her talk all day, her voice like a balm to my battered soul. “Sounds like I’ve got the family approval already.”

Serena’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson red, and I loved the effect I had on her. It made me wild with need. I couldn’t remember ever feeling this intense before, but dammit, I liked it. No loved it. Possibly obsessed with it. But I only felt this way around her. Why?

“Maybe they aren’t hard to please.” Serena giggled and sipped more of her cider.

“Have you walked around much?”

“Not yet. Usually, I’ve lapped this festival several times by now, but working a booth is different.”

“This is your first time selling your jewelry?”

“Yep. At least here, anyway. We have always come as a family since I was a little girl. Never thought I’d be brave enough to sell my jewelry. But I sold almost every piece so that must be saying something, right?”

“Almost every piece?! I’d definitely say that says something.”

“I’d love to walk around, though. You down?”

“Sure. Let me grab us a couple more ciders. You know, for the road and stuff.” I grinned. Serena’s face crinkled with laughter, and I added it to the list of my favorite things about her.

“Sure, the road.” Serena hiccuped and her hand flew to her mouth as her eyes grew wide. “Shit, sorry!”

I laughed. “Are you a lightweight?”

Serena drank more cider. “Guess that’s for you to find out. C’mon, the festival isn’t waiting for us.” She skipped ahead and nearly tripped over her own two feet but caught herself just in time.

“Uh oh. Already can’t handle your cider?”

“Let’s just say…it’s been a while. And this is fantastic.” Serena finished her can.

My mouth fell open. “Damn, woman. I still have half of mine left.”

“Try and keep up, will ya?” Serena held out her hand for another cider.

“Yes, master. This can’t be your first time trying my family’s cider, right?”

“Actually, it is. Most of the time, I grab a some of the fall ale specials that are around, but for some reason, this year, I had a craving for the cider.”

“It wouldn’t have to do with a handsome guy running it or anything.”

“No, of course not. Let’s go play Ring Toss!” Serena pointed to the row of carnival games ahead and took off running like a little kid. I hurried after her, my kid like happiness bubbling up from somewhere inside me.

Five rounds later and Serena walked away with the largest stuffed unicorn they had.

As the night went on, we drank more cider, played more games, and ate some fried dough. It was nearing the end of the evening, and I didn’t want it to be over. Spending time with her made me feel alive. In so many wonderful ways.

How could I just ignore that?

“Phew! What a night!” A now very drunk Serena shouted as she danced around, nearly falling on the ground.

I laughed and slipped my arm around her waist. She immediately wrapped her arms around my neck. “Thank you, Hayes. I think I’m a little drunk.”

“A little?” I teased.

“A little, yes.” She slurred her words and swayed to whatever music played around us. “I need to show you Lookout Rock and Osprey Lake! Let’s go!”

“Whoa, whoa, slow down there. I don’t think you’re going anywhere tonight but home to bed.”

“Boo, that’s no fun.” Serena’s face crumpled but in less than a second, she was over it. “I know what’s fun!” She declared.

I froze, afraid of what she might say next.

But it wasn’t what she said.

It was what she did.

She kissed me.

Right there, in the middle of the Maple Ridge Fall Festival, in front of anyone and everyone, without a single care in the world.

One kiss and everything around me fell away.

All the pain, all the struggle, all of it.

Gone in an instant.

One kiss and she healed my soul.