Page 1 of Wild for the Mountain Man
CHAPTER ONE
Ayra
“Yoo-hoo, El! It’s me!”Fellow Halloween lover and one of my closest friends, Gracie, exclaimed as she walked through the front door, carrying a box in her arms. She plopped the box down on the counter and looked around. “It’s finally opening day! I’ve been dying to see this year’s new stuff.”
“Hey girl! Nice to see you. I wish I could say I have lots to show you but only a few new things came in. I had to do some re-budgeting.”
Gracie’s face fell. “Oh no. Is everything okay?”
“Kind of. I mean, business is good. Not great, but good. I could use some help with my online shop. But what I’m most worried about is my new landlord. Not only did he raise the rent, but he’s a bit of a grump. He didn’t want to rent to me for only a month when the previous guy didn’t care.”
“Is he from around here? Because everyone knows you open once a year in this exact spot for only the month of October.”
“I don’t know. We’ve only messaged back and forth a few times. But I’m not letting it dampen my spirit, so let’s have thebest opening day party yet!” I said with more enthusiasm that I felt.
No. I wasn’t letting this grumpy guy ruin something I counted the days down for.
Gracie rounded the front counter and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “It’ll be okay. You’re getting more popular every year. And I’ll help you with your online store. I took an online course.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Just buy me a muffin.”
“Already done.” I motioned towards the back where there was a small kitchen, break room, and storage room. “There’s a tea waiting for you too.”
Gracie’s eyes lit up, and she hugged me. “I knew there were reasons I love you.”
I laughed. “What’s an opening day without Ruby’s apple cinnamon muffins?”
“There’s a new bakery in Apple Falls that recently opened. One baker does insane cakes. Like those you see in the food competitions. Pretty tasty cookies, too.”
“Gracie! Are you cheating on Ruby?”
“Never! It’s called expanding your horizons.” Gracie grinned before disappearing towards the back.
After a sip of my pumpkin spice coffee, I went back to setting up. I liked to make the opening day a big deal, with free candy and apple cider.
The bell on the front door chimed, and my head snapped up. Shit, I meant to lock it after Gracie came in. Besides, I wasn’t expecting anyone for another hour.
My eyes landed on another set of eyes, bright piercing blue ones. Above the tables and displays of product, he stood tall, whoever the man was, and I swallowed hard, his wide frame filling my door frame.
Who is that?
Dirty blonde shaggy hair covered the top of his head, with a bit of gray coloring at the temples, and the sides trimmed short, along with a full, light brown beard. I imagined the sexiest smile I’d ever seen on anyone’s face, yet he didn’t sport a smile. Whoever he was, he looked annoyed.
His tight jeans hugged him in all the right places and his flannel, with the sleeves rolled up, and his fully inked forearms, made my head fill with dirty fantasies. He’d definitely be able to toss me around the room and then some.
He definitely was older, I’d guess, in his thirties, but my twenty-five-year-old didn’t care. It pumped like it was fifteen.
“Can I help you? We’re not open yet.” I pointed to the sign on the window.
He looked at it and shrugged. “Why’s the door unlocked, then?”
“Sorry, did you need something?” I avoided his question and his panty melting stare. Why it turned me on I had no clue because his cold grumpy vibe sure wasn’t.
“Yeah, I wanted to come by and introduce myself. Name is Walker. Walker Augustine. I’m your new landlord.”
My stomach dropped to my feet.
