Page 11 of Mountain Gift

"Well, I'll be just across the hall if you need anything," I say a bit awkwardly as I bite my lip. "Goodnight."

Surprisingly, Boone doesn't seem to feel nearly as awkward as I do. Instead, he just smiles at me.

"Goodnight, baby," he says. "Sweet dreams."

I can't sleepthe whole night.

Boone's presence in the house overwhelms me. Each time I shut my eyes, his face appears in my mind, making it utterly impossible to rest.

When I finally drag myself out of bed in the morning, fatigue hangs heavy on my shoulders, and I am filled with a familiar uncertainty again—cold feet.

I decide to shake off my unease with a quick shower, hoping the warm water will wash away my doubts. Afterward, I get dressed and grab a granola bar from the kitchen counter, my appetite practically non-existent.

Boone is still asleep upstairs. Or at least, I think he is. So, I decide to scribble a note to him telling him he doesn't need to drive me to work after all. Then I leave the note on the counter where he'll be sure to see it and slip out of the house, leaving behind the warmth of the kitchen and the man who has managed to unsettle me so.

As much as I like Boone, I can't take the bait.

I'm a single mom with a young daughter. I can't just invite a strange man into her life unannounced. There's a process to this. A series of boxes and milestones to be checked off to keep both of our hearts protected.

That's more important than anything else in this world.

Including the way I feel for Boone.

Once I’m outside, I hop in my car and head to work. The city streets are alive with activity as I make my way to the café. As soon as I push open the door, the scent of fresh coffee and baked goods hits me. It's already bustling inside. I tie my apricot-colored apron around my waist, take a deep breath, and plunge into the fray. It's going to be a busy day.

"Hey, Caroline," our line cook says, dinging the little bell by the kitchen. "We got some new customers at table thirty-two. That's yours, right?"

I plaster a smile on my face. "Yep, that's mine today. I'll head right over."

With a nervous breath, I head around the dividing wall and out into the dining room again to table thirty-two. I whip my pen out of my apron pocket and thumb to a new page of my pad.

But as soon as I lay eyes on the man sitting at my table, my pen slips from my hand, falling to the floor.

Boone Pierce is sitting at my table. He’s wearing a thick flannel shirt peeking out from under a heavy-duty parka, a knitted beanie perched on his head, and gloves resting on the table. His eyes, as blue as the winter sky, meet mine, and a slow smile spreads across his face.

How in the world did he get here so fast?

"Boone?" I say, sounding surprised and a little breathless.

He grins, rising to his feet. "Morning, beautiful."

"I... um... can I take your order?" I manage to ask, flashing a shy smile.

"How about a bagel and some coffee?" Boone replies, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Sure thing," I respond, making a note on my pad before heading towards the kitchen.

Once I'm out of Boone's line of sight, I lean against the cool wall, my heart pounding in my chest. I'm at a loss for words, my mind still trying to process the fact that Boone is here, at my job, of all places.

A part of me is flustered, another is thrilled, and yet another is terrified. Boone has a way of stirring up emotions I thought I had locked away. I need to pull myself together, for my sake, for my daughter's sake.

A few minutes later, I walk back to Boone's coffee with a hot pot of coffee and two bagels.

"I'm surprised," I say, trying to keep my tone casual as I pour coffee into his mug. "I thought you were still asleep."

Boone chuckles, the sound low and gravelly. "I'm surprised to see you here, too." He gives me a teasing look. "If I remember correctly, I thought I was supposed to be taking you to work."

I feel a rush of embarrassment wash over me.

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