Page 6 of Her Protective Lumberjack

“Morning,” he says, those sexy brown eyes lingering on me. “Want some breakfast?”

“Sounds good.”

He takes a step toward me. “Toast? Pancakes? Cherry pie?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Cherry pie?”

“Town specialty. Can’t come to Cherry Hollow without trying a slice of cherry pie.”

“For breakfast?”

Trace nods. “Breakfast, lunch, dinner, you name it. Cherry pie is its own food group out here.”

I smile despite myself. “Cherry pie would be great. Thanks.”

“I’ll go warm us up a slice.”

Trace’s broad back retreats into the kitchen, and he re-emerges a little while later holding two generous slices of cherry pie. It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted—sweet and flaky—and when Trace offers me a second helping, I don’t hesitate.

“This is incredible,” I say, devouring another forkful of warm, sugary goodness. “Wow, if I lived here, I’d eat this for breakfast every morning.”

Trace’s lips quirk into the hint of a smile, his eyes twinkling, and I hurriedly look down at my plate. I’m convinced that if I look at him too long, he’ll see my feelings written all over my face.

“Any idea what you want to do while you’re here?” he asks as I spoon the last of the cherry pie into my mouth. “Afraid it’s pretty quiet, not exactly Phoenix.”

“I didn’t have time to pack much,” I say, biting my lip. “Just some clothes.”

“Well, what do you like to do back at home?”

“Paint.” I think longingly of all the art supplies sitting in my bedroom back in Arizona. “Watercolors, mostly. Or acrylics. But I didn’t bring any?—”

“I’ll take you into town,” Trace says immediately. “Buy you some paints and anything else you need.”

I blink at him. “Oh, you don’t have to…”

“I want to. Let’s go.”

His words are so decisive that I feel a sudden urge to wrap my arms around him. I want to be closer, to lose myself in his powerful embrace. Being near this rugged giant makes me feel invincible, like nothing in the world can hurt me. He feels so safe. So strong.

“Thank you,” I say as he ushers me out of the cabin and into his truck. “This is so nice of you.”

“Don’t mention it, Chloe.”

My name on his lips is like heaven, and I shiver slightly as we drive through the woods, heading for Cherry Hollow. Trace makes driving look like the sexiest thing in the world, his broad shoulders filling the truck. I press my legs together, trying to quiet my racing thoughts, when I feel my cell phone buzz in my pocket. Immediately, I pull it out and click on the notification.

Back in Phoenix, working hard to make it safe for you to come home. Love you, Coco. Take care of yourself.

My heart sinks, and just like that, I’m back to feeling like the worst daughter in the world.

4

TRACE

The rideto Cherry Hollow is nearly impossible. How the hell can I focus on the road when this gorgeous girl is sitting beside me? She’s wearing another pretty blouse and a pair of blue jeans that stretch deliciously around her thick thighs.

God, she’s perfect.

I barely slept last night. I spent hours pacing the cabin, keeping an eye out for intruders and thinking about Chloe’s gorgeous curves, her angelic face. The fierce protectiveness I feel toward her kept me awake until morning, but the cabin stayed quiet. Hopefully, that means Will Mercer doesn’t know she’s in Colorado with me, but I’m not taking any chances. I’ll stay up every night if I have to.

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