Page 5 of Vacationing with the Mountain Man

His chubby little hand pointed at a yellow umbrella setup with a couple of chairs beneath it, various toys scattered around it. “Ellow.” Teddy said.

“Yellow umbrella. Got it.” I saw the little sandcastle next to their blanket, two pieces of its side by side, made by the bucket he carried. One had fallen over slightly. “I think I see it!” I teased as we got closer.

Teddy wiggled in my arms as soon as we reached their spot and I placed him down gently as he ran over to his castle. “Look, Mara!”

I giggled at the way he said my name and when Zane walked up next to me, he set my chair and book down. “He kept talking about you last night. Said to me, what’s pretty lady’s name? And that’s the best he could do. Mara.”

I laughed again. “It’s adorable.He’sadorable. You’re a lucky guy.”

“I think we’re all pretty lucky. I mean, Teddy and I met you, right?”

I waved a hand and elbowed him playfully. My cheeks were burning, much like my insides, coiling and building with pleasure. “I wouldn’t say that’s luck.”

“I would. And I’d like to be even more lucky. By asking you to spend the day with us, have dinner later, get some more ice cream dropped on your foot, you know, the fun stuff.” Zane winked and even more desire flooded my system, warning bells going off all over.

“Spend the day with you?” My breath caught in my throat. “But why?” The question was out before I could stop it, and I immediately wished I could take it back. I sounded like such an idiot.

Zane laughed, the sound low and deep in his throat, a sound I could certainly get used to hearing every day. “Teddy and I like your company. Why else?”

“You do?”

“Give yourself some credit, woman.”

He was right. I often sold myself short. I loved me, but I wasn’t always everyone’s cup of tea. I liked quiet nights at home and could go days without talking to anyone.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t find myself to be that entertaining.”

Zane’s eyes pierced my damn soul. “You’re an amazing woman, Xiomara. I hardly know you, but I already know that. Just from the way you are with my son.”

“Thank you. You’re not so shabby yourself.” I teased.

“Well, I do have a really cute kid, so at least there’s that.” Zane joked back.

“That seems to be all that’s going for you, hmm?” I elbowed him again.

Zane clasped a hand to his chest. “You wound me. You cut me deep.”

We both dissolved into a fit of laughter.

“Sandcastle, Mara! Sandcastle!” Teddy shouted between us.

“Okay, Teddy, I’m coming.” I said to him before looking at Zane once more. “Show me what you got, mountain man.” I grinned before plopping onto my ass in the sand and getting to work on a very important job.

Building a sandcastle with Teddy.

CHAPTER FOUR

Zane

Our dayat the beach was full of fun, laughter, and sunshine. After building sandcastle after sandcastle, we cooled off in the lake, Xiomara helping Teddy to learn the doggie paddle. He took right to her, like a moth to a flame, and the way she taught with so much patience and kindness made me believe she was meant to be a teacher.

After we had our fill of sand and sun, I took her back to our cabin in Appleridge for dinner. She insisted on helping, but I insisted she relax though Teddy certainly kept her busy.

I fired up the grill and was about to head inside to grab the hamburger patties in the fridge when Xiomara said, “Your place is nice. How long have you lived here?” She sat at the patio table on the back deck, coloring a picture with Teddy in one of his many coloring books.

“Born and raised. Haven’t left. I like the small town feel and how gorgeous it is up here. There’s lots to do with apple orchards in the fall, the lake in the summer, wildflower picking in thespring, lots of good sledding in the winter. Hell, I could go on and on.”

“That’s amazing. My hometown isn’t nearly as cool.”

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