Page 21 of Igniting Sparks

We’ll ignore the decidedly dirty things I want to do in tandem for the moment.

Mina bends over to adjust her socks, once again offering an almost illegal view of her body. I swear, she doesn’t own a skirt or shorts bigger than my hand, and I like to tell myself that she’s wearing them for my benefit.

Delusional? Oh yeah, we’re toeing that line daily.

“What’s the plan, Mr. Hammond?” Mina asks, her eyes bright.

“Don’t start with that shit. I already feel ancient.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “Figured I’d show you the greenhouses and gardens before hiking up to the overlook. The farm butts up on public land, so there are acres to explore, but the overlook is a nice mile and a half. You up for it?”

“Absolutely.” Mina grabs her ankle, stretching out her legs. “It’s a great way to get in my cardio.”

I can think of a far more fun way to get your heart pumping, gorgeous.

“Are you okay?” Mina asks, her gaze flitting to me as she continues her stretches.

“More than. Let’s go.”

Mina is full of questions as we tour the ground, ranging from the age of the farm to the flower varieties blooming in the greenhouse. She seems genuinely interested in my life here, and I’m happy to oblige her. The farm is one of the few places I truly feel like myself, where I can let my guard down and simply be.

I’m not a showman like Ash, and being around too many people exhausts me. Besides, no one can compete with my brother’s larger-than-life presence. I learned that fact early on and accepted my lot as the quiet Hammond.

Or, as Therese put it, the peacekeeper. She’s not wrong. I spent years putting out the emotional fires my brother lit, intentional or not.

But here I’m just Braden, and with Mina, that somehow feels like enough.

We’re both winded by the time we reach the summit, but as usual, the view is worth it.

Mina perches on a rock outcropping and throws her hands and face up to bask in the afternoon sun. “It’s perfect. I’ve never been up here before.”

I settle next to her, shading my eyes from the sun as I scan the horizon. “There are a bunch of spots like this along the ridge. Each one better than the last.”

“How can it get better than this? You, me, a sunny day and the best view in town.”

“Are you always this optimistic?”

She rocks against me, giving me a gentle nudge. “Maybe you bring it out in me.”

“I doubt that.”

“Don’t.”

That one word stops me cold. People say things to make others feel good all the time. It’s the delicate symphony of the social order. But Mina’s compliment feels genuine.

And I’m not sure what to do with that knowledge. Mainly, because I feel it, too.

“I’ve lived in Sparkwood my whole life, and I’ve seen maybe ten percent of the area. My entire life revolved around dancing—studios, rehearsal halls—not much else.”

“Now’s your time, right? I know every mile of these mountains. All the secret spots.”

Mina grins at me. “You’re going to be busy, Braden. My fiancé, my landlord, my tour guide. Any other hats you care to try on?”

Jesus. That comment went right to my dick.

“I’m not touching that one,” I reply with a nervous chuckle, running a hand over my beard.

“Beep.” Mina imitates a game show buzzer. “Sorry, sir, but that answer is incorrect.”

Damn it, what this woman does to me. “I need a better one. Is that what you’re telling me?”