Page 10 of Snug with the Mountain Man (Fall for a Mountain Man #12)

Chapter ten

Ford

You’d think sleeping with a woman like Maisie Carter would calm the storm in my chest. It doesn’t. If anything, it kicks it into a higher gear.

I’m not the kind of man who talks about his feelings.

Never have been. I keep my head down, fix things, work with my hands, grunt my way through conversation if I have to.

But ever since I pressed Maisie up against that kitchen counter and listened to her moan my name, I haven’t been able to think about a damn thing else.

Except, what happens when the whole town finds out? Which, in Pine Hollow, doesn’t take long.

By the time I grab coffee and head to the hardware store the next morning, two old women are whispering by the register, and Hank gives me a thumbs-up like I just won a trophy.

Hell, maybe I did.

“About time,” he mutters as he hands me a cup. “That girl’s always had a thing for you.”

I stare at him, stunned. “How the hell do you know that?”

He shrugs. “Maisie used to sit at the old diner and stare at you when you’d come in for lunch. Damn near tipped her root beer once tryin’ to get your attention.”

I blink.

Hank winks and walks off.

The air outside is sharp, mountain-cold, but my neck is hot as I step into the street. I pass Bonnie’s flower shop just as she flips the sign to Open. She spots me instantly and grins like she’s been waiting for this moment her whole life.

“Ford Kane,” she says as I approach. “You have something to tell me?”

“Do I?”

“Oh, don’t play dumb. Everyone’s talking.”

“Gossip moves faster than wildfire around here.”

She leans against the doorframe, eyes twinkling. “So? Are you and Maisie a thing now or what?”

I hesitate. Not because I’m unsure, but saying it out loud means making it real. Means taking that flicker of heat between us and setting it loose in the world.

But when I close my eyes, I see her smile. Hear her laugh. Feel her soft breath against my neck.

“Yeah,” I say. “We’re a thing.”

Bonnie squeals. Squeals.

“I knew it. I knew it. Maisie Carter and my grumpy brother? It’s about damn time.”

“She might come to her senses any day now.”

“Nope,” Bonnie says. “You’re stuck with her. This town loves her. If you make her happy? They’ll love you too.”

“I’m not worried about the town.”

She cocks her head. “What are you worried about then?”

I take a long sip of coffee. “Messing it up.”

Her smile softens. “Then don’t.”

I snort. “That easy, huh?”

“Loving someone is the easy part, Ford. Letting yourself be loved back? That’s the hard bit.”

She pats my shoulder, then slips inside her shop, leaving me standing there like a man trying to catch his breath.

The cider festival is in full swing by the time I spot her.

Autumn has wrapped itself around Pine Hollow with golden leaves in the trees, pumpkins stacked beside the town square, and laughter floating on the breeze.

Booths line the sidewalks, along with tables offering hot cider and homemade donuts and other things I ignore because I can’t take my eyes off Maisie.

She’s standing near a fire pit with Bonnie and a group of women I half-recognize, most of them new to town and married already.

Maise is holding a steaming mug in gloved hands, her cheeks pink from the cold.

That worn-in plum sweater she’s wearing is the same one she used to wear in high school, a little snugger now in the best damn way. Her nose crinkles when she laughs.

I push through the crowd, weaving around hay bales and kids chasing each other with candy apples, until I’m standing right behind her.

Bonnie spots me first. Her smile tilts.

Maisie stiffens when my arm slips around her waist, but only for a second.

“Hey,” I murmur.

She leans into me, turning slightly. “Hey.”

“You okay?”

She nods, but her smile’s tight. “I’ve been getting looks.”

“Good ones?”

“Mostly. A few look curious.”

“They’re just wondering if I’m worthy of you.”

She chuckles softly. “Are you?”

“Probably not,” I admit. “But I’m not going anywhere.”

Her eyes flick over my face. “You mean that?”

“I do.”

The wind picks up, rustling the leaves around us. Music plays somewhere in the background, twangy and sweet. Kids are laughing nearby, cider steaming from cups, donuts disappearing in powdered sugar clouds.

I could’ve pretended we were just a fling, just something casual in the woods. Let the town guess. But she deserves more than guessing.

I tilt her face up to mine with a gloved hand, stroke my thumb over her cheek.

“Ford,” she whispers, barely audible over the music.

I kiss her. Right there, in the middle of the cider festival, in front of everyone. It’s not a shy kiss. It’s slow and sure. A kiss that says I’m yours.

When I pull back, she’s wide-eyed. Breathless.

The crowd hasn’t exactly stopped, but there are murmurs, a few whistles. Bonnie is clapping like it’s the best day of her life.

Maisie blushes hard. “You just kissed me in front of the whole town.”

“Damn right I did.”

“You’re not scared?”

“I’m terrified,” I admit. “But not of them. Just of losing you.”

Her face softens. “Then don’t.”

“I don’t plan to.”

She leans in, lips brushing my jaw. “I wore this sweater on purpose, you know.”

“The plum one?”

“Mmhmm. Thought maybe it’d remind you of how much I used to want you when I was younger.”

“Maisie,” I growl, low and hot in her ear. “Used to want me?”

“I’ll always want you.”

I glance around the square. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Now?”

“Before I drag you behind a hay bale and give them something to really talk about.”

She bites her lip, giddy and glowing. “You’re getting cocky.”

I drop my hand to her lower back, let it slide just a little too low. “I’ll show you cocky.”

Her eyes go wide again, and then she smiles. “About damn time.”