Page 4 of Candy Kisses with the Mountain Man
As I get closer I see there is an array of decorated cookies and other treats on offer. The whole thing is an explosion of color. But the most delicious thing by far, is Candy, her kissable lips, the way her whole face lights up and her smile is so genuine.
It shakes me to the core just how beautiful she is in the daylight. She must be tired, hungover, probably has a headache, but you wouldn’t know it. Working and talking with her customers seems to bring her joy.
The line in front of her trailer is dying down as I catch her eye. Pink fills her cheeks when she sees me and it is just adorable.
“Looks like business is good.”
She nods. “I think I owe you an apology for last night. I don’t normally do that sort of thing.”
I’m not sure if she is referring to the drinking, talking with a strange man in a bar, or the throwing up, but when she says, “You can have anything in the trailer, free of charge.”
I can only think of one thing.
I want Candy. I want to put my hands all over her body. I want to kiss that sweet mouth, hold her to me and make her moan out my name. My mouth goes dry as physical lust hits my body hard. It takes me a good minute to form an answer. And when I do, my voice sounds husky and raw.
“Just one black coffee.”
“I can do that.” She pauses. “But I can do something special. Carmel syrup? Whipped cream? I do a sweet gingerbread coffee that will get your blood racing.”
Her cheeky grin from the night before is back. And I don’t need one of her crazy drinks to get my blood racing. Just looking at her is enough to do that.
“Just black, thanks. Can you take a break?” She nods as she sets to making the coffee. She shuts her trailer window and sticks up a sign that says,Back in five.
I don’t want five minutes with her. I want to throw her over my shoulder and take her up to my cabin in the woods and spend a good forty-eight hours loving her. But I have to hold it in. Despite the heavy drinking, I have a feeling she is a nice girl. And nice girls like to be wooed.
Chapter 5
Candy
Last night I stepped outside of my comfort zone and paid for it by throwing up on the sexy, hot guy who seemed to like me. One night of being the girl who has fun, the girl having the moment, and look what happened. So when I snuck out of the Sheriff's office this morning I was swearing to myself that I would just play my role. The girl on the sidelines. It’s always worked for me. It’s always made me happy. It’s my half full glass.
But one look at Jackson and I’m throwing it all out the window. When he looks at me it makes my knees go weak. I feel giddy and girly and beautiful. Jackson makes me want to be that girl. The girl that gets kissed. The girl who is loved. The girl who is not alone.
It’s all I could think about as I set up my coffee trailer. Tired, hungover and my mind spinning with thoughts of Jackson.
It’s lunchtime and most people are settling down to eat something more substantial than cookies and cakes. There is no harm in having a little break and my hangover could do with a walk and some fresh air.
The wind is picking up and some dark clouds are moving in, but everybody seems so happy and festive. A temporary ice-rink has been set up, there is a kid’s Christmas craft area, so many stalls and a choir singing Christmas carols.
Jackson shakes his head. “This is usually a quiet little town, I don’t know where all these people come from.”
I laugh, “You don’t think it’s amazing that so many people come together to celebrate and enjoy Christmas?”
“Half the people are just here to spend money. And the other half are here to make money off those people.”
I shake my head, “That is such a grump view of things. Look at that craft stall over there with ornaments made from pine cones. I bet that lady loves making those and this is one of her only opportunities to show off her skills. Or the Christmas village, all of those little houses all lit up and bringing people so much joy. They aren’t even charging for that.”
“What about you? With your coffee and your cookies? Isn’t this just an opportunity to make money?”
I laugh. “You aren’t going to believe me but I see it as so much more than that. First off, I love baking. But also I get to bring people joy. The kids that can’t decide if they want a pink reindeer cookie or a sparkle cup cake. The husband who buys his wife a heart shaped cookie to say he loves her. The sisters who share a Christmas tree cookie. I get to be a part of all of that.”
I look up to see Jackson looking at me thoughtfully. “You live your life on the sidelines?”
I smile and nod. Usually I’m happy about my lot in life, but walking with Jackson, I can’t help but feel a little touch of sadness.
What I wouldn’t give to have him put his arm around me as we look into each other’s eyes and smile. For him to buy me an ornament to hang on the tree, just because he loves me. To be in the moment instead of outside looking in.
I give myself a little mental shake as we head back towards my trailer. He probably thinks I’m nuts. Probably feels obliged to check on me today because I was sick last night. And then there was that. People don’t get their perfect ever afters when they throw up on the guy. But just for a little moment, I allow myself to wish that things could be different.
