Page 41 of Love Story

“Yeah, sure,” I said, leaning back.“Alongside the seasonal workers, people from town come over sometimes, and the guys help when they can.Well, Conor and Ryan, for sure.Haider’s more moral support than actual labor.”

Ben chuckled, his fingers brushing over the edge of the page.“What if I wanted to volunteer?”

I blinked at him, surprised.“You want to help?”

He nodded, then hesitated, his expression shifting as if he wasn’t sure how I’d take it.“I thought… maybe it could be a good way to learn more about Sam P—your great-great-granddad—I mean, if that’s okay.I don’t want to intrude.”

I stared at him for a moment, trying to figure him out.He was interested, but the idea of him helping out felt… strange.Not bad, just unexpected.

“If you’re serious, there’s a simple job you could do.Daily, if you wanted to, it’d last through the whole season—six weeks, give or take.”

Ben perked up, his eyes brightening.“What kind of job?”

“Checking the buckets,” I said.“We have the newer piping, but we still use a few buckets in some areas of the sugarbush, especially for tradition’s sake.Someone checks them every morning, empties them into the collection tanks, and ensures they flow right.It’s not hard, but it’s consistent work.”

He tilted his head, considering.“Every morning?”

“Seven days a week… six weeks… very early mornings,” I clarified with a slight smirk.“Sunrise, maybe a little earlier.You’ll be out in the cold, probably knee-deep in snow some days.And you’ll need to move quickly—it’s not a job for taking your time.”

“I can handle that,” he said, his voice steady, as if he were already convincing himself.

I raised an eyebrow, leaning forward.“You sure?It’s not glamorous.”

“I’m sure,” he said, nodding.“It sounds… good.Something real.”

Something about how he said that hit me, but I didn’t let it show.I just nodded back.“It’s not a paid job.”

“I don’t need a paid job.I need…” He stopped and dropped his gaze, and I wish he’d finished the sentence.

“Okay, then.Welcome to tapping season.”I extended my hand, and Ben took it, his grip warm and firm, but neither of us let go.

His hesitant gaze met mine, eyes wide, but something else was there—so sweet it made my chest tighten.The silence between us stretched, and yet it wasn’t uncomfortable.It was charged, like the crackle of static before a storm, a moment holding its breath.

Without thinking, I gave his hand a slight tug, a wordless invitation, my heart pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it.Ben stepped closer, his movements slow, as though he wasn’t sure of what he was doing, but I didn’t let go.His face was so close now I could see the faint freckles scattered across his nose, the way his breath puffed in the cold air between us.

And then, I leaned in the rest of the way.

Our lips met in a tentative kiss, barely more than a brush, but it sent a spark rushing through me as if I’d touched an open flame.His lips were warm, a contrast to the winter chill around us, and the way he leaned into me, hesitant but willing, stole the breath right out of my lungs.I pulled back slightly, my eyes fluttering open to meet his gaze.His pupils were dilated, dark with desire, and I could see my own longing reflected there.For a moment, we simply stared at each other, breath mingling between us and for a moment, nothing else existed—just the quiet, the cold, and Ben, his hand still in mine, grounding me and setting me alight all at once.

I felt a flush in my cheeks.Ben was a bit dazed, a shy smile playing at the corners of his mouth.For a moment, we just gazed at each other, the quiet of the office wrapping around us like a cocoon.

“I, um…” Ben started, then stopped.

“That was… unexpected,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips despite my attempt to remain professional.

Ben nodded; his cheeks flushed.“It was,” he said and seemed unsure, and he backed away a little.I tried not to be too disappointed.

“So,” he said, his voice husky.“About the bucket stuff, will I get training?I mean, I don’t know anything about… anything.”

“Five a.m.sharp, here, and I’ll walk you through it.”

He seemed both nervous and excited.“I’ll be here.”

I hesitated for a moment, knowing I should maintain professional boundaries.

“I should go,” he said.

“Okay.”

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