Page 6 of Her Grumpy Alpha

“Six years ago. But I would recognize her anywhere.”

Abraham raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the unexpected turn of events. “James, this might be a chance to reacquaint yourself with her. It’s as if fate has brought you here. Especially if you didn’t tell her where you lived. She must have had no idea, but she ended up here anyway. What if she is a relative of Ol’ Man Wade? Wouldn’t that be something?”

I nodded slowly, my thoughts in turmoil. I had often wondered what had become of Sadie, but life had taken us in different directions, which was expected after a holiday fling. Now, with her standing just a few yards away, the past and present collided in a dizzying whirlwind.

“Maybe you’re right, Abe,” I replied, my voice holding a hint of uncertainty. “I never thought I’d see her again.”

“Do you think she will recognize you?”

My heart stopped dead for a moment before it hit me that I wasn’t alone on that night. Sadie shared the connection with me too. Sure, things went a little sideways in the morning because I was all consumed by everything Blackpaw and the territory wars that we were in the middle of then. It ruined a lot of my vacation, and unfortunately, I never got to see her again, but I was sure that she would still remember me in the same way that I remembered her.

As I gazed at Sadie from the car, a whirlwind of memories and emotions swirled within me. The unexpected encounter stirred something deep inside me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a chance to rekindle a connection that had never truly faded.

“I think so,” I whispered back, my heart thundering painfully against my rib cage as the nerves got the better of me. “I guess there is only one way to find out.”

Abe patted me on the shoulder reassuringly. “Then go for it. Go and see her. Go and see if this is something meant to be.”

I smiled at Abe, grateful for his advice, as always. He seemed to know what was best for me, and he always had my best interests at heart. With a determined but cautious heart, I stepped out of the car, ready to face the past and perhaps discover what the future held in store.

THREE

SADIE

As I watched over the children playing in the yard of the preschool, a sense of contentment and fulfillment filled my heart. The past couple of months had been a whirlwind of hard work and determination, but seeing the children’s laughter and happiness made it all worthwhile.

I didn’t know what to do when I first inherited all this land from Uncle Wade. I was at a crossroads with my life, still wanting to leave Memphis but not quite sure where I wanted to go. I certainly hadn’t planned on moving to a small town like Maple Creek, but actually I was kinda loving it. The people were kind, and I felt at home.

Mom loved it too. Maple Creek had become a new home for both of us, and it was heartwarming to see that my mother had found her own happiness in this tranquil town. She had always been supportive and adaptable, with a warm and welcoming spirit.

Mom had started a home business making herb-infused soaps and lotions, a venture that had flourished and taken up over an acre of the land on our property. Her herb garden, greenhouses, beehives, work sheds, and a small stone cottage had become a bustling corner of our property.

She loved having the preschool children around too, and the allure of her herb-infused creations had drawn the curiosity of many young ones in the neighborhood. Mom’s little stone cottage had transformed into a haven of magical potions, as she often described it.

Her love for herbs, bees, and the earth had a touch of something almost witchy and New Age, and her affinity for all things natural had deepened in Maple Creek. She had also developed an extraordinary talent–the ability to work with and handle bees without ever being stung. It was a unique trait that left many in awe and admiration.

As I stood on the porch, my eyes wandered over to the garden, where my mother was tending to her beloved herbs and beehives. Her presence in our lives and in this community was a symbol of adaptability and a reminder of the beauty that could be found in the simple joys of life.

“Mom, look what me and Tommy can do,” my son called out to me as he ran around the yard with his new friend and our dog, Mookie. “Look how fast we can go.”

I laughed and nodded at my son, grateful that all of this had worked out well for him as well. That was why I wanted to open a preschool on the land, so I could care for him. Ever since he was born five years ago he had been the most important thing in the world to me.

“Looking good,” I called out playfully to him. “You are both so fast.”

He grinned from ear to ear, making my heart sing with joy. It was all worth it to see my son smiling and happy like this. It made everything perfect.

“Sadie?” a voice said from behind with a mixture of surprise and pleasure. “Is that you?”

I turned to see who was talking to me, and I was immediately stunned to the very core. At first, my mind struggled to process what my eyes were seeing. It had been six long years since I’d last seen this person, and I was taken aback by his sudden appearance.

Tall and imposing, he was the very definition of a mountain man, but his appearance held a certain dapper charm that was unusual for this rustic town. He had an aristocratic air about him, a presence that was hard to ignore.

His close-cropped hair was a striking salt and pepper, and his intense, deep set light brown eyes seemed to hold a world of stories and experiences. It was a gaze that drew me in, and I found myself caught between the surprise of his presence and the intrigue of his appearance.

As the seconds passed, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of shock, curiosity, and a rush of emotions I thought were long buried. The man standing before me was James, the man I stumbled across in Cancun and had one hell of a magical night of fun with.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, the weight of his presence sinking in. My heart began to race, and I was filled with a sense of astonishment and uncertainty. The six years of separation had been long, but the feelings we had shared remained etched in my heart.

“James?” I replied, barely able to contain my astonishment. “I can’t believe it’s you. I never thought I’d see you again.”

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