Page 13 of Unwrapped By the Grumpy Mountain Man
"He's..." I search for the right words. "Intimidating. Tall, yeah. Built like a brick wall. Dark hair past his collar, full beard, tattoos everywhere."
"Sounds dangerous," Ivy raises an eyebrow.
"He tries to be," I admit. "But then you see him with his girls, and it's like watching a grizzly bear cuddle kittens. He's so gentle with them, Ivy. The way he touches their hair or responds to their needs without them even asking. It's..." I trail off, not wanting to admit how that combination affected me.
"Hot," Ivy finishes for me. "The word you're looking for is hot."
"It's not just about him being attractive," I protest weakly. "Though he definitely is. It's about solving both our problems. He needs a wife to help with his custody case. I need money to save Mom's house. It's practical."
"And the fact that you can't stop blushing when you talk about him is just a bonus, right?" Ivy teases.
I'm saved from responding when the bell above the door jingles. A little girl with dark brown curls skips in, bundled in a pink puffy coat with mittens dangling from the sleeves.
My heart stops. "Oh my God," I whisper, grabbing Ivy's wrist across the table. "Don't look."
Naturally, Ivy immediately turns to look. "What? Who is it?"
"I said, don't look!" I hiss, sinking lower in my seat. "It's Lucy. Hudson's youngest."
"The cute one in the pink coat?" Ivy asks, not even trying to be subtle. "Which means..."
Right on cue, Hudson walks through the door, flanked by Silvie and Angie. My breath catches in my throat. He looks even better than yesterday—if that's possible. His dark hair is slightly damp, pushed back from his forehead, and his beard is neatly trimmed. He's wearing a flannel shirt under an open jacket, and the sleeves are rolled up just enough to show his tattooed forearms. My body reacts instantly, a warm tingle starting low in my belly and spreading outward.
"Daddy, can I get a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows?" Lucy is asking, bouncing on her toes at the counter. "And cookies? Please?"
"One cookie," Hudson says, his deep voice carrying through the bakery. "We're having lunch soon."
"Okay, but can Silvie and Angie get one too?" Lucy negotiates, making me smile despite my nervousness.
Hudson rubs his beard, pretending to consider. "I suppose that would be fair."
I watch him interact with his daughters, noting how Angie stays close to his side while Silvie maintains a watchful eye on Lucy. The family dynamic is clear—Hudson is their rock, Silvie is the miniature adult, Angie is the quiet middle child, and Lucy is the fearless baby of the family.
"You should go say hi," Ivy whispers, nudging my foot under the table.
"I can't just?—"
"If you want to be his wife, you need to make an impression." Ivy gives me a pointed look. "Be the woman those girls need. Make him see you as the solution to his problems."
She's right. Hiding in the corner isn't going to save Mom's house. I take a deep breath, straighten my shoulders, and stand up.
"Wish me luck," I murmur.
"You don't need it," Ivy says confidently. "Just be yourself. The rest will fall into place."
I approach the counter just as Ava is handing Lucy a hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream and marshmallows. The little girl's eyes light up when she spots me.
"Yay!" she squeals, almost spilling her drink in excitement. "Daddy, look! It's the cookie lady!"
Hudson turns, and for a split second, something like panic flashes in his eyes before he schools his expression. "Violet," he says, my name rough on his tongue. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Small town," I smile, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach when his dark eyes meet mine. Up close, I can see the flecks of amber in them, like hidden gold. "Hi, girls."
Angie gives me a shy wave, while Silvie narrows her eyes suspiciously. Lucy, unbothered by her older sister's attitude, grabs my hand with her sticky fingers.
"Are you getting cookies too? Daddy says we can each have one even though we're having lunch soon."
I kneel down to her level, charmed by her enthusiasm. "I already had a scone, but I hear they have the best Christmas cookies in town."
