Page 14 of The Mountain Man's Valentine Baby

The next two hours pass by quickly. He’s easy to talk to and asks me plenty of questions. He asks me what I love about living in Nashville, where my favorite restaurants are, and what I enjoy doing when I’m not busy managing my clients’ careers.

“I do a little bit of crochet,” I explain. “I brought my project bag with me in the rental car. I always have at least a couple of projects I’m working on at any given time.”

“How did you get into it?”

“When I first started managing Zac’s career, I was with him on the road. I would get bored and restless traveling all day. Finally, I took up crochet. It kept my hands busy while I was on calls.” I dip one of the truffles into a toasted coconut mixture that Jasper prepared. “What about you? Do you have any projects you do for fun?”

“I think I mentioned I’m an artist.”

“Oh, yeah, Da Vinci level if I remember.” I wonder for a moment if I should tell him how often I’ve thought back to that night since I met him. It felt so significant. Now that I’m pregnant I understand why. It was the start of the most precious gift of my life.

He chuckles. “Yeah, well, that’s kind of my full-time job. I draw stuff on paper, and some people think it’s worth money.”

“And what you’re not saying is that you’re very successful in the art world.” This truffle gets rolled in toasted pecans. I had no idea there were so many ways to top truffles until today. According to Jasper, the possibilities are endless.

He tips his head. “How did you know that?”

“My most successful clients usually downplay their accomplishments. They’re very humble people,” I explain. “When you’ve achieved a certain level of success, you don’t feel the need to brag. Your work speaks for you.”

“Like Zac,” he supplies.

“And you,” I say softly.

“And me,” he finally agrees gruffly, rolling the final truffle. The collection of sweet treats goes back in the fridge to harden for a few more minutes.

“What’s next in our Valentine’s Day celebration?” I ask him, getting into the spirit of this now.

“Now, we’re making paper hearts. Wait here.” He returns a few minutes later with reams of scrapbook paper in various colors and patterns. It makes sense now that he’s an artist. That explains how his home feels so cozy. He has an eye for making things fit together.

“Why are we doing this?” I ask after he handed me scissors and showed me how to cut the squares into intricate little hearts.

“You’ll find out in a little while,” he replies taking a seat beside me on the floor. The fire crackles cheerfully as we work, getting little paper clippings on the hardwood planks that he tells me not to worry about.

I kind of like the mystery of what we’re doing. Hanging out with Jasper is fun, and I’m glad I don’t have any work this weekend. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to catch up on when I return to the office. But for now, I’m tucked away in this quiet little cabin in the middle of the forest.

“Tell me a secret about yourself,” he says after we’ve been working for a few minutes. “Something no one else knows.”

I think for a moment. “I can’t stand the sound of silence when I’m alone. I always have music playing. Your turn for a secret.”

“I have your red dress from the night we were together. Still smells like you.” He glances back down at the heart he’s cutting a little too quickly, his skin turning pink beneath his beard.

I can’t help but find his embarrassment endearing. Maybe that’s why I admit to him, “I still have your flannel shirt. I wear it every night. Sometimes, I even touch myself when I do.”

He chuckles. “I like your secret.”

I’m about to tell him that I’m keeping this shirt, too, the one he must have put me in last night, but he looks up and glances out the window. “The snow has stopped. It’s time.”

Chapter10

Jasper

The visual of Thea wearing my shirt and touching herself has me biting back a groan. I want to push for everything with her, but I already came on too strong on the porch. I thought when I held out the ring that she’d say yes.

We were strangers, but on the night we met, my soul recognized hers. All it took was one look and I was completely gone for the curvy bombshell in the red dress. Now I need to convince her to trust that what we have is real and worth taking a chance on.

When I finally realize the wind has stopped howling, I look up to see the snow is easing. There are a few flakes fluttering about. It’s the perfect time to put my plan into action. “The snow has stopped. It’s time.”

She frowns at me. “Time for what?”

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