Page 13 of The Mountain Man's Unexpected Bride
Brock gives me a look that I can't quite identify, and I start to feel that familiar pit in my stomach again. I spend the rest of the way thinking about our picnic and my hope that it brings us closer together.
Our first stop is the grocery store, and I get to meet Cassie, who apparently is in charge of keeping our fridge full of goodies. I'm a little surprised that Brock introduces me as his 'friend' and not his fiancé. After he introduces me the same way to several more people, I know I have to speak up.
I see a small coffee shop next to the grocery store and point Brock to it. He puts our picnic groceries in the back of the truck, and then we walk over to the shop. It's called Over the Roast and the quirky name enchants me.
It takes me a bit to decide between all the options on the menu, but when the waitress takes our order, I look at Brock and push myself to tell him my feelings.
"Brock. I need to ask you something."
"I'm an open book to you, princess."
"Why are you introducing me as your friend instead of your fiancé?"
I swear he blushes at my question, and I wonder if I've embarrassed him.
"I want to give people time to get to know you before I announce that I'm engaged."
A horrible thought goes through my mind.
"Are you already seeing someone here in town?"
"No. No. Nothing like that. It's just that people here know me and…"
"And you're ashamed of having to have a mail-order bride."
"Um…"
"Why did you get a mail-order bride?"
"That's complicated, and I don't want to get into it here. Let's just enjoy our coffee."
He takes my hand in his and places a warm kiss on it. It takes me off guard, and I let part of my bad mood fade away.
"I guess we should become friends before we get married. It might be better for our relationship."
Not that I know much about relationships. All I've ever read are Cosmo articles when my step sisters got tired of the magazines and threw them out. Once they found out I was doing it, though, they dealt with them in a different way so I wouldn't get distracted from my duties.
Brock doesn't say anything in response to that statement; he just starts sipping his coffee when the waitress brings it to us.
"You know the original Over the Roast is located in the town that neighbors ours. It's called Woodland Falls, and they do amazing things with their Christmas decorations. I'll take you, come December, so you can see it transform into a winter wonderland."
"That sounds like fun. Do you decorate for Christmas?"
"No, but maybe this year we can do it together."
His words make me feel warm all over. Doing things together seems like a dream come true. Yes, it's a recent dream, but a dream nonetheless.
"When my parents were alive, we'd have these amazing Christmases full of presents and joy all around. I treasure those memories."
"I'm sorry about your loss, princess."
"I got to mourn my mother, but as soon as my father passed, I was put to work and was chastised if I was seen crying. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough for getting me out of there."
Brock lifts my chin and pulls me in for a kiss. This one is light and gentle, his warm lips tasting of the coffee he's drinking, but it still makes my body react in unfamiliar ways. My heart beats faster, and there are butterflies in my stomach.
He pulls away too quickly for my liking and leans back in his seat. I pout slightly, then realize that I no longer have to merely react – I can actually initiate things. And that's exactly what I do. I want to experience more of what his touch makes me feel.
I put my hand on his neck and pull him to me. The kiss I give him is not light and gentle, but passionate and needy. When we pull back, Brock is smiling at me, and I have the decency to blush at my reckless behavior.
