Page 12 of Unwrapped By the Grumpy Mountain Man
I spot Ivy at the counter, chatting with a woman I recognize as Miss Dorothy's granddaughter, Ava. The beautiful woman with dark curls and warm brown skin is carefully arranging what looks like Ivy's famous spiced apple cookies in the display case.
"There she is," Ivy says, waving me over. "I was just telling Ava about your pie-making skills."
"Nowhere near as good as Miss Dorothy's," I say, joining them at the counter. "How is she doing? I haven't seen her in a while."
Ava's smile falters slightly. "She had a heart attack three days ago. She's stable but still in the hospital."
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," I gasp, my hand flying to my chest. "I had no idea."
"She's tough," Ava says, her voice strong despite the worry in her eyes. "Already bossing around the nurses and demanding we keep the bakery running exactly as scheduled. Says Christmas waits for no one, not even cardiac events."
That sounds exactly like Miss Dorothy. The woman has been a fixture in Eden Ridge for as long as anyone can remember, her bakery the heart of the town.
"My brothers and I are taking shifts until we figure out a longer-term plan," Ava continues, sealing up the display case. "But Grandma would kill us if we closed, especially during Christmas season."
"Let us know if you need any help," I offer. "I'm pretty decent with a rolling pin, and Ivy here is a baking goddess."
"I might take you up on that," Ava smiles gratefully. "Especially with the Christmas rush coming. People around here act like they've never seen gingerbread men before."
Ivy finishes arranging her last batch of treats, labeled with the words ‘Sweet Ivy’s’ in neat handwriting.
"Two peppermint mochas and some of those gingerbread scones?" Ivy asks, already pulling out her wallet.
"Coming right up," Ava says, moving to the coffee machine.
Ivy links her arm through mine and guides me to a small table by the window. "Alright, spill everything. Your text lastnight was criminally vague. You've been practically vibrating since you walked in."
I glance around to make sure no one is within earshot before leaning in. "I went to see him yesterday."
"Hudson? The recluse?" Ivy's eyes widen. "You actually drove all the way up there?"
"Yep." I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. "And it was... interesting."
"Interesting is never just interesting," Ivy says, accepting our drinks from Ava with a quick thank you. "Details. Now."
I take a deep breath and tell her everything—how Hudson tried to close the door in my face three times, how I forced my way in, the electricity when we touched, and most importantly, the surprise arrival of his daughters.
"Three girls?" Ivy whispers, clearly shocked. "He has three children? And he's looking for a mail-order bride?"
"He wasn't," I clarify, warming my hands on the mug. "His lawyer placed the ad without his permission. He was furious about it."
"So the money isn't real?" Ivy's face falls. “There goes our solution to save the house.”
"No, it's real. His lawyer set aside the funds. Hudson just doesn't know what to do about any of it." I take a sip of my mocha, the peppermint cooling my tongue. "But I think I can convince him."
"Vi, if he doesn't want to get married?—"
"He needs to," I interrupt. "For his daughters. He's trying to get full custody, and apparently being married would help his case."
"And you need the money," Ivy adds softly.
I nod, staring down at my mug. The foreclosure notice burns in my memory. "Four months behind, Ivy. Dad's completelydropped the ball, and I can't make enough with my freelance gigs to catch up. This could be the only way."
"What's he like?" Ivy asks, studying me carefully. "Besides the obvious hot mountain man aesthetic."
"How do you know he's hot?" I challenge, though I can feel heat creeping into my cheeks.
"Because your eyes get all dreamy when you talk about him. And you wouldn't consider marrying someone you aren’t attracted to, even for fifty grand." Ivy grins wickedly. "Is he tall? Muscular? I bet he has that sexy lumberjack vibe."
