Page 26 of A Sudden Romance

The Stones were in and out of his kitchen all the time. One or more of them often sat at the island watching him, commenting on what he was doing. But the Stones weren’t mere “people.” They were family. “I think I can.”

“All right, then. If you’re selected after we’ve tasted your food, you’ll have to submit one thousand dollars with an entry application. That ensures only serious applicants willing to invest in their talents show up, and it helps us provide supplies for the event while our sponsors fund the competition reward. The winner in the local competition takes home fifty grand and qualifies to join the June event in Vegas. The winner of that event gets their own restaurant built in a place of their choosing.”

His palms sweated. He thrust his hands under his thighs and nodded in what hopefully looked like calm thoughtfulness. What if he could win both? The chances of that were almost as slim as Iris falling hard for him.

But... What if?

“So...” Grey rocked back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. “Iris told you about the event? What exactly did she say? Is she still at The Peak?”

What was with the personal questions? Sabastian stiffened. Yep, that was male interest glinting in Grey’s eyes.

“Where does she want me and my business partner to meet with you? I assume she’ll be there?”

His questions had Sabastian second-guessing the whole thing, but he couldn’t disappoint Iris when she had faith in him. And he needed this opportunity to step out of his comfort zone. So he’d better agree to meet him. “I can make it anywhere convenient for you in the area or even Denver.”

“I’d prefer to come to The Peak. I’d like to see Iris anyway, so please make sure she’s there the day we show up—it can be any day this upcoming week. Call my secretary to finalize the timing. You’ve got my card. We’ll let you go now.”

And that was that.

Now, two days later and a nervous wreck, Sabastian twisted his knit cap in his hands as he waited for Iris at the bottom of the hill. The scent of pine hung thick in the refreshing mountain air, and sunlight shimmered on snow-dusted blue spruce and evergreens while leafless aspens cast skeletal shadows over the landscape.

He could’ve waited for her in his warm house a stone’s throw to his left. But he’d rather not risk her coming inside lest she saw Pride and Prejudice, the only fiction book on his shelf. He’d recently heard her chatting with Regina about how much she loved the story.

Preferring reality to fiction—okay, so his fantasy love life with Iris didn’t count—he’d still bought the book in the local bookstore and finished the story within twenty-four hours. All the while thinking about Iris. His situation might be similar to the fictional story, but Iris didn’t hate him like the heroine had the hero.

It was already Friday, almost a full week since she arrived Monday afternoon. The last few days felt longer with his mind a whirl of hopes. Would Iris soon be seeing him as a potential for romance? If not, he needed her to put an end to his misery.

In random moments, he imagined she’d stared at him with desire, the same longing burning in his heart. During several kitchen encounters when she helped him fix breakfast, she’d sucked in a breath the moment their hands brushed. Her touches still lingered long after they weren’t together. Her sweet and spicy rose scent lingered as well. He could almost smell her still, even now.

Soft snow scrunched under his boots as he walked toward a blue spruce, adjusting his winter hat to get some air on his head. He didn’t wear a scarf because he was already hot in the jacket.

While he doubted Iris was going to be much help cutting the trees, he loved spending time with her. Lately, she knew how to get him to loosen up. She’d even gotten him talking and saying more than he’d tell anyone—but that was because he wanted her to know him, to see the real him, not just the family chef.

His gaze flitted to the Stones’ sports complex on the north side behind the main house, and he caught a figure so slender he didn’t have to look closely to know that it was her.

His palms started sweating, and he yanked off his gloves, shoving them in his jacket pockets. Then he shuffled his feet, torn between running to her and pulling her in an embrace in greeting or standing here. Needing to do something, he walked toward the sled they’d use to carry the cut trees.

Crouching, he snatched the sled’s rope handle. He could get her another sled for the other tree, but he doubted they’d be cutting any trees while so much snow dusted the pines. They may need a couple of more days of sunshine to be able to select the perfect trees. The forecast tomorrow predicted mid fifties with sunshine. Not enough sun not to wear a coat, but enough to melt off snow from the branches.

“Hey there, mountain man.” Her cheerful voice rang out. His stomach fluttered, and her presence dominated the mountain property the way it did his kitchen or car.

Just great. Even in the comfort of his house, she was all he could see, and he fantasized about them being a family someday.

“Hello, mountain girl.” He tried to stay cool, but his voice sounded gravelly, not the way he preferred to sound. At least, her broad smile didn’t show any indication she was concerned about his greeting.

Dressed in designer jeans and a long teal ski coat with the faux-fur trimmed hood snuggled around her delicate face, she looked warm and ready for the day.

“Where are your gloves, mountain man?” She wiggled her gloved fingers in his face. “If you freeze up here, I don’t think I can carry you back to the house.”

“That’s why I have this.” He motioned to the sled, then pulled out his gloves, and jammed his hands into them.

“Wait.” She slid her phone from her coat pocket, then brandished it in a twitchy wave. “Stay right there. We have to start taking our reunion pictures for the album.”

Sabastian crossed his arms, unsure how else he could pose.

“Come on.” She reached out with her gloved hand to uncross his hands. “I’m not taking a passport photo. Relax. Let’s see that smile.”

Easy for her to say when she was always relaxed. But she batted her eyes at him, snapping one close-up after another. “I’ll keep taking your photos until I see a smile.” She scooted three steps backward, her phone shutter clicking.

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