Page 1 of Burly Lumberjack

CHAPTER 1

OPHELIA

There you go,” I say, setting Jax’s breakfast in front of him. Turning to Leesa, I ask, “Do you need a top-up on your coffee? Or some pie?”

Leesa shakes her head and laughs. “It’s a little early for pie, Ophelia, but thanks. If I have any more coffee and I might launch into space.”

“Thanks, Ophelia,” Jax says, picking up his silverware, but he looks toward the door to The Busy Bee Diner when the bell jingles. “Shoot. There’s Jake—I need to talk to him about the new cabin. Be right back. Ophelia, don’t let Leesa touch my breakfast. She may say she’s not hungry,” he jokes, smiling at Leesa like they’re sharing a private joke. He grabs his coffee and heads to Jake’s booth.

The second he’s out of earshot, Leesa leans forward, dropping her voice to a low whisper. “You know, you should really work on your poker face.”

“What?” I blink at her, unsure what she’s talking about.

She gives me a long, slow smile. “The way you blushed earlier, when Jax said he recruited Rowan to help fix your porch. Ophelia, you were practically vibrating.”

I busy myself wiping the already-spotless counter. The morning rush at The Busy Bee Diner is nearly over, but I like to keep busy. “You’re imagining things.”

“I’m not. You’ve had a thing for Rowan Nelson since the first day he came here,” she teases, leaning forward on the counter.

“I havenot,” I fib, feeling my cheeks burn with a blush.

“Ophelia Hopper,” she chides me, though she’s grinning. “I’ve seen you stare at him. You look at him like he hung the moon, and you want to spend some quality time with him, if you catch my drift.”

My mouth falls open, scandalized. “Leesa!” I mean, she’s not wrong, but I thought I was masking my feelings better than that—alotbetter than that.

“Don’t worry.” She smiles, clearly enjoying herself. “It’s mutual.”

My heart skips. “What?” How could Leesa possibly know something like that? I wonder if she really knows or if she’s just overstating things to make me feel good. This wouldn’t be the first time she’s tried to set me up with someone. I don’t know when it started, but I’ve seen her trying to matchmake more than a few women in town.

“Oh, sweetie. Rowan’s not exactly subtle. He’s quiet, but when you’re around, he only has eyes for you.” She lifts her mug again and sips. “I may have convinced Jax to volunteer him to fix your porch. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to spend time together…alone.”

My stomach flips. “Are you setting me up?” I’m not sure how I feel about this. On the other hand, we’re talking about Rowan…so maybe I should be thanking Leesa. She’s right that I’ve had a massive crush on Rowan for a while now. But he barely talks to me, so I never even considered he might be attracted to me.

She shrugs and winks. “Maybe. Do you not want me to?”

I look away, staring out the diner window and wondering if I should say yes. “He’s just being nice. I mean…it’s just a porch.”

“You know it’s not just a porch. I’m just helping the inevitable happen sooner,” Leesa says, her voice so quiet I need to lean in. “Men like him keep quiet for too long and risk losing a good woman when she gets tired of waiting. And that’s a damn shame, because I see how he looks at you.”

I don’t answer. Because in my heart, I know she’s right. Rowan moved up on the mountain several months ago, and he comes into the diner often, even if he never says much. He’s never been anything but kind, but he’s always stirred up feelings in me that make me want things I don’t even know how to express. I’ve hoped he felt the same way, but that’s just me wishing and hoping. My pulse flutters wildly at the thought that he’ll come to my little house.

I exhale, the words trembling on my lips. “I admit I’m attracted to him, Leesa. Like…just one look at him, and it’s like my whole body wakes up.”

A satisfied smile spreads on her face and she leans back in her seat at the diner counter. “That’s the kind of thing you have to grab and hold on to.”

By the timeRowan is due to arrive at my house, I’ve vacuumed twice, cleaned the windows, and refolded the guest towels even though he probably won’t even come inside. I’ve cleaned like I’m expecting royalty. Still, I can’t help myself. Rowan is going to be here, at my house. If he ends up coming inside, I want everything to be perfect.

I put on my favorite blue dress and check my reflection in the mirror. Turning to check how I look, I smooth the fabric over my hips. I try not to feel ridiculous. This isn’t a date. This isn’t a fantasy. Except… Rowan coming to my house kind ofismy fantasy…or at least the beginning of it.

I set out a pitcher of iced tea and make sure there’s lemon in the glasses. I smooth the porch cushions, sweep again, then try to stop pacing. But my nerves flutter beneath my skin like bees in a jar.

The sound of tires crunching gravel drifts up the hill catches my attention, and my breath catches in my throat as I watch Rowan drive up. I wipe my hands nervously on my dress and step out onto the front steps as Rowan parks his truck near the edge of the driveway.

He steps out of his truck, and I forget to breathe. His jeans cling to his thighs, his dark T-shirt hugs his chest and emphasizes more muscles than I can count, and he has an old Army cap pulled low over his brow. Watching him stride toward me, I squeeze my thighs together as the space between my legs flames to life.

“Afternoon,” he says, voice low and rich. He rubs his dark beard as he looks up at me, and I practically melt into a puddle in front of him.How does he affect me so strongly?

“Hi, Rowan,” I manage to say. My knees tremble as he walks closer to me. “Thanks for agreeing to help out.”

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