Page 9 of Made for the Mountain Man

"Thanks again," I say. "Wow, it's cleared out from this morning." I look around the coffee shop, surprised by how quiet it is.

"Everybody's over at the Quest and Odyssey event right now," the dark-haired woman tells me. She continues when I give hera blank look. "It's some kind of renaissance-themed day with wood cutting, games, and even a joust."

"Like with horses?" I ask, although I guess it's not unusual to have horses in the mountains.

"They're using kids' bikes," a deep voice adds helpfully. The guy handling the register puts my tea on the table in front of me.

I look up quickly and back at my cup, mumbling a thank you as he heads back to the front.

The dark-haired woman nods and smooths the hair on the toddler's head. He reaches for her with his chubby hands, and she kisses his little fingers. "This one's about ready for his nap, so we'll head over there too while he sleeps in his snuggly."

"Are you visiting or from here?" the blonde woman asks. "I'm Paige, by the way. This is my sister, Addy, and my nephew, Teddy." She tickles Teddy's little tummy, and his giggles peal through the shop.

It's contagious, and I laugh despite my sadness. "I'm visiting. And I'm Violet."

"Hi, Violet," Addy says.

"Are you both visiting or from here?" I ask.

"Visiting," Paige says at the same time as Addy responds, "I live here."

Paige glares comically at her sister. "Addy and I came here for one day to hike a little over a year ago, and she fell in love with a sexy mountain man."

Surprised, I swallow my tea and splutter. "Sorry, I...um...sort of fell in love with my own mountain man here."

Addy grins at me before wiggling her eyebrows at her sister with a knowing look.

"Seriously?" Paige exclaims, rolling her eyes. "Is there something in the water, or what?"

Addy laughs. "Paige, when you meet your guy, it's going to hit you like a ton of bricks, and you won't be able to imagine your life without him."

Paige snorts. "No thanks." Turning to me, she asks, "So, when's the wedding, Violet? I made Addy wait twenty-four hours before she got married. Do you need a friend to demand the same?"

"No wedding." I take a deep breath, smiling sadly. "I can't uproot my life to move here for a guy. Even a sexy mountain man who might be my soulmate." I shake my head as they look at me with sympathy. "Besides, I blew it with him," I admit quietly.

Addy frowns uncertainly. "I can tell you one thing about the men in Duhring Park. Once they have you here, they don't like letting you go."

"She's right, Violet. I barely see my sister now that Danny's sunk his claws in." Paige pouts. "Addy barely gives me the time of day. Duhring Park produces cavemen, I tell you!"

Anyone paying attention can tell that Paige is all talk. The way she looks at Addy with pure sisterly affection gives me a pang of guilt as I think about my friends. I know they were trying to help. They didn't want me to avoid something incredible because I refused to try. And if that isn't the story of my life, I don't know what is.

The thing is, I'm not excited about another office job in project management. I'm a capable worker if I have a reasonable boss. And no men around. But it's not my passion. The real problem is that I've made decisions for so long based on what Ican'tdo that I haven't taken the time to figure out what Iwantto do.

I realize with sudden stark clarity that I'm doing the same thing with Brooks. I convinced myself he wasn't a real option, then suddenly, he was, and I told myself no.

Another round of shrieks from Teddy snaps me back to reality.

"Come on, little man, Auntie Paigey is going to snuggle the shit out of you."

Teddy babbles at his aunt as she straps him into the sling Addy hands her.

"Let's keep working on the nickname, Paige," Addy says to her sister before turning to me. "It was nice meeting you, Violet."

Paige waves as she heads out the door.

Addy leans closer and adds softly, "And if he's worth his salt, he won't let you get away that easily. I hope to see you around." She smiles kindly at me before following Paige and Teddy out the door.

Thinking about what Addy said, I gaze out the window and startle. Like some kind of neon red blinking sign of fate, Brooks hobbles across the street, heading directly for the coffee shop.

---