Page 4 of Raised On It (Between the Pines #1)

Miles

I t’s only nine, and it’s already pretty clear I’m going to be nothing but a waste of space here today.

I’m distracted.

Twitchy.

I’m in my head yet not able to think a coherent thought to save my life.

“Peter, I’m gonna head to town. Be back later.”

“Sounds good. Still don’t know why you insist on coming in every day. I know it’s harvest, but we’re all good here, boss man.”

“Nice try. I can’t even imagine what kind of debauchery would happen if I didn’t keep you on your toes.”

He shouts something back at me, but I’ve slammed the truck door before actually hearing what he says.

He’s right. I don’t really do any of the real work around here anymore.

Hell, I don’t even do any of the paperwork now that I have a full-time accountant, but this place is my home.

My heart and soul are seared deep into the soil of this farm, and I can’t imagine my life without it in it.

It’s what I’ve done since I was a kid working for my granddad.

Today, I showed up as the sun came up, but I didn’t do shit.

Not much has gotten done since I looked into those dark brown eyes on Saturday night.

Eyes she tried to keep from meeting mine, but when they did, I saw everything in them.

From a fiery strength to a warm softness, those eyes have had me a complete and utter mess since.

Add to that everything we have going on with the business and I am useless.

Might as well drive into town and get some coffee. Sure, I have a thermos full of the stuff that I made at home this morning, but I need a distraction. Well, at least a different distraction. One that will pull my head out of my ass.

Besides, Brass Tacks has the best coffee in Eastern Oregon and is owned by one of my best friend’s sisters, so there’s always a pretty good chance for some sort of conversation popping up that could eat up a nice chunk of my time.

As if the universe has decided to jump on the Team Miles train, there’s an open spot smack dab in front of the coffee shop. Not that this is a bustling city but parking on Main Street in front of a local favorite like Brass Tacks is rare on a Monday morning.

When I push open the door, the bell hanging above chimes as it always does, but the static in the air is all new. I know instantly the distraction I’ve been trying to get away from is right here in the coffee shop I’d hoped to escape in.

I’ve barely moved my head to my right, and the damn ground below me sways slightly when the vision that is my mystery woman comes into sight.

She’s tucked away in one of the overstuffed brown leather chairs in the back corner, hair up in a high ponytail, face naturally fresh with barely an ounce of makeup, and with her casual jeans and T-shirt look, this woman is a wonder.

I know she said she’s from the East Coast, but I can’t imagine a woman as divine as her could be from anywhere other than the heavens above. I’m not a religious man, but I’m thanking the big guy upstairs for putting this heavenly creature in my path.

“Miles! What are you doing over there?”

Becks’ voice gets my attention, and I force myself to tear my eyes away from the angel in the corner and to the face behind the counter looking at me in a way that says what the hell is wrong with you.

Looks like I took two steps in the door and stopped in place and have been standing here staring at the new girl in town like a stalker. Luckily, she has earbuds in, and she didn’t hear my name called, and I’m able to reach the counter without being detected.

“Hey, Becks, how’s it going?”

Becks is family. My girl, Amelia, was a bit of a surprise to her parents, and Rebecca, or Becks as we all call her, her big sister, was almost ten when she was born.

She may not have been an official part of The Crew, but she was a big sister to us all.

She’s the stable one—married, two kids, running her own business and still taking care of anyone who needs her.

Don’t even get me started on her famous cheesecake.

She’s kind of like a superhero to all of us.

Not only can she do it all but she does .

“I’m good. Not distracted like some other people who think it’s good for business to stand still with his giant body blocking the doorway so nobody else can get in.” Her head nods in the direction of the blond beauty in the corner.

“Can you blame me? I mean, look at her, Becks. Have you ever seen anything like her before?”

Becks is five foot three if she’s lucky, so she has to hop up a little to lift herself up on to the counter to lean forward and place her hand on my forehead.

“Dude, what are you doing? ”

“Checking to make sure you aren’t ailing from a fever of some sort.” Her hand moves to my cheek. “You feel fine. Strange. Does this mean an alien has taken over your body?” She pretends to look all over my face. “Miles, are you in there?” She drops back down to her feet.

“Smart-ass isn’t becoming on you, Becks.”

“Sorry, I’ve just never seen you so taken by a woman before.”

“I know, it’s crazy, but the moment I saw her at the bar the other night, she had me out of my head.”

“No shit?” she whispers, looking as though she’s seen a ghost or something.

“Don’t be so shocked. Just because I get laid often doesn’t mean there isn’t still a heart beating in this extremely toned chest.”

“You are ridiculous. You want your usual?” she asks, exasperated.

All it takes is one of my egotistical comments to right the world again and have her focused back on why I’m really here.

Caffeine.

All I get is a black coffee so it only takes a minute for my cup to be poured, but I use every second of that time to watch her, and it’s the most entertaining minute of my life.

Mystery woman has her laptop fittingly on her lap and is so engrossed in what she’s reading she doesn’t seem to realize she’s destroying the straw in her iced coffee with the way she’s gnawing on it.

A few seconds later, she releases the straw and takes a sip.

This simple action has me getting a semi right here in the morning light with a crowd around me.

Damn, this woman.

She lifts her cup to take another drink, but something on the screen has her smiling and silently giggling.

Once the giggle stops, she brings the straw close to her lips that are now sitting slightly parted and her lower lip is screaming for me to bite it.

Finally, her chewed within an inch of its life straw makes it between her perfect pink lips.

Victory!

“Here’s your coffee, dummy.”

“What?”

“If she notices you staring at her, you’re just gonna creep her out. Take it down a notch, psycho.”

“You’re right. I’m goin’ in.”

“Not at all what I meant. Oh, the poor girl.”

Slowly, I approach as though she’s a wild bunny who might hop away if I get too close, too fast. She puts her cup on the table in front of her and there it is, her name.

Mason.

Not what I expected, but I like it. It fits her.

Taking the seat across from her, I don’t say a word as I wait for her to notice my presence. And when she does, it was more than worth the wait. When she sees it’s me, her dark eyes light up, and her lips start to curve upward, but then she stops herself, putting her armor in place.

A challenge. I like it.

Pulling out her earbuds, she looks at me but waits for me to speak.

The hours of recalling her face didn’t do her justice.

I stare back.

It looks as though we have a good old-fashioned standoff going on. Not how I usually make my move, but there isn’t anything usual happening here.

I guess the game goes on a little too long for her liking because she starts to put her earbuds back in, ready to ignore me, but I do win in the end because she speaks first.

“Nice to see you too, Miles.”

“Whatcha up to, Mason?”

“How did you…? ”

Nodding to her cup where her name is scribbled in black marker, I answer her question before she gets it out.

“Well played.”

Instead of putting her earbuds in, she untwists the cord nervously.

“So are you writing about the charming local stud you met at The Verdict the other night? Or are you already writing about the wedding day?”

“You are so stupid.”

My intelligence is being questioned for the second time this morning, and it’s still early. Damn.

“You kinda like it, though, don’t you?” I reply.

“If that’s what you need to tell yourself.”

“It will happen, Mason. There are forces in the universe that cannot be explained and, more importantly, cannot be denied. There isn’t anything either one of us can do about it.”

“What are you doing here this time of day on a Monday? Unemployed?”

She ignores my declaration. That’s fine. I’ll give her a break for now.

“Nope. Been at the farm since sunup. It’s just a few miles out of town. Thought I would take a little break.”

“Oh, that’s cool.”

“So, Mason, why did you leave New York City for our humble little town? I can’t believe it’s solely for book inspiration.”

“I just needed a change of pace and yes, a little bit of inspiration.”

“Seems like there are a lot of places you could have gone for inspiration.”

“Sure, but Eastlyn is just what I needed. My next series is going to be set in a small town, and I can’t think of a better place to find my muse.”

“Is that right?”

Her eyes roll, and she shakes her head, but she does laugh .

I’ll take that as success.

“The town is the muse I was looking for.”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

“Ugh. But seriously, when I met Katie, things just fell into place, and it’s as though it was meant to be. I already love it here. Everyone is so welcoming. The weather is a little warmer than I expected, but I think this is gonna be a great few months.”

“Well, my offer still stands if you’re looking for a tour guide.”

Unlike the first time I asked her, she doesn’t say no right away. I can tell she’s thinking it over by the way she chews on her bottom lip. Damn, she’s hotter than hell.

“Thanks again. It’s really nice of you to offer, but I think I’ll be okay.”

Rejected once again.

“Well, if you change your mind, just let me know.”

She nods and puts her earbuds back in, effectively ending our conversation.

She sits back in her chair, and when she realizes I’m not leaving simply because she’s dismissed me, she lifts her eyes and one eyebrow, asking what I’m still doing here.

We’re locked in on each other, neither of us wanting the moment to end, even if only one of us will admit it. When I see that sparkle light up her deep brown eyes again, I know this isn’t over.

She’ll change her mind.

Maybe not today, but eventually.

She knows it too.

She’s just not ready yet.

I’ll wait.