Page 4 of Enamored with the Mountain Man

I looked at her with curiosity. She’d never mentioned anything about wanting to own the studio or even some of it, though I’d thought about making her a partner before. “Really? I didn’t know you were interested in buying it.”

Caitlin shrugged and sipped her wine. “I’m not. But if you decide to sell it, I will be. I love the studio and plan on working there for the rest of my career. I wouldn’t be able to see it get sold to someone else.”

I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Aw, Caitlin. You’re amazing. But honestly, I’m not leaving the city. I can’t see myself living the small-town life. But we can talk about making you a partner if that’s something you’d be interested in.”

Her eyes widened. “I’d love to.”

Later that night as I climbed into bed, exhausted from the day and full of my large meal, I checked my messages on my phone, and saw several from Chase.

Hopelessfarmer: I hope you’re having a good day. I can’t stop thinking about you.

Hopelessfarmer: Here I am thinking about you again.

Hopelessfarmer: Wow only an hour later and I’m messaging you again. Okay, I’ll get ahold of myself now. Text me later.

Hopelessfarmer: Sorry, just one more. I finally mowed the grass! Thank you for the motivation.

My heart pounded in my chest. I ignored the notifications all day, hoping I’d hold off, and I did, but now reading these messages…this man couldn’t be real, could he?

He wastoo damn sweet.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the attention. But maybe Caitlin was right. It wasn’t fair to string him along. I needed to find someone who wanted temporary, too. And I needed to find him fast, considering I only had three days left at the studio and my time off began.

I’d break the news to him in the morning. In the meantime, I settled in for a little chat, holding on to my fantasy just a bit longer.

CHAPTER THREE

Chase

Laineybug: I’m sorry, Chase, I hate to do this, but we can’t keep talking. I can’t keep stringing you along. You deserve to find your happily ever after. I wish you all the best and thank you for the fun conversation the past few days. Xo

I readLainey’s message a thousand times. I couldn’t juststoptalking to her.

Ugh, why did I think setting up a dating profile was a good idea?

“Da Da! Play!” Ivy waddled over to me with her toy piano.

“What music can we make?” I asked her and pressed a few buttons. I was hoping for a distraction, hoping I could forget about the way my heart slammed in my chest every time her name floated into my head, which was basically every damn second.

“Snackie, Da Da? Snackie?” Ivy tossed the piano to the side and climbed into my lap. “Milkie?”

“You want a snackie?” I tickled her belly, and she giggled.

“Yesssss!” Ivy slid off my lap and took off for the kitchen, stopping when she reached the gate. She shook it and yelled, “Da Da! Move! Da Da!”

I laughed. Demanding little toddler. “What do you say, Ivy?”

“Pweaseee and tank you!”

I ran over to her and scooped her into my arms, swinging her around in a circle. I blew raspberries on her cheek, and she giggled and patted my face with her little chubby hand. “Let’s get your snack and milk, then we’ll read a couple of books and take a nap, okay?”

Ivy nodded as I clipped her into her high chair and fetched some crackers and sliced strawberries. I poured her milk into a sippy cup and placed the plate and cup on her tray.

Yesterday, Ivy spent the day at daycare. It was the first full day I’d been away from her since she landed in my lap at three months old, and her mother was walking out the door and never looking back. But I powered through and used the time to start on my endless to-do list. The first task was tackling the damn grass.

I sat at the table while Ivy munched on her snack, and we sang about animal sounds. Since being a dad, I’d become a pro at multitasking and quickly sent a message to Lainey. I needed to get it over with before I lost my damn mind about it.

I planned out what I wanted to say, yet different words came out when I typed the message as if I had no control over it.

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