Page 8 of Heart of the Mountain
Even after a relentless workout in the home gym in my basement, I still feel the embers of anger toward whoever or whatever hurt her in the past. I can’t say for certain what her story is, and I sure as hell don’t deserve to know. However, I can give her a good meal – which I forgot to do last night – and then get her back to town.
The rich smell of coffee fills the kitchen, providing a momentary distraction from my thoughts. I busy myself with grabbing a mug and filling it with the elixir of life. Like all good coffee, the bitterness jolts me awake as soon as it hits my tongue.
Sadie’s blankets rustle slightly, and she rolls over, yawning as her arms stretch above her head. I take another sip of coffee while spying on her from my vantage point in the kitchen. Her emerald eyes blink a few times as she adjusts to her surroundings. A slight blush crawls up her neck and settles in her cheeks, making her look soft and cute and all sorts of things I would never say out loud.
Shut it down, I warn myself. Sadie is simply a young woman in a bad situation who needs help. It’s not like I’m going to keep her. Even if I did, I’m sure she’d leave me eventually.
My own mother couldn’t stick around for more than six months at a time. She often grew bored with small-town life and took off, only returning when she ran into trouble or ran out of money. My old man was so in love with her that he didn’t care how often she left or how long she was gone. I promised myself I’d never let a woman run my life like that.
“Is that coffee I smell?” Sadie asks the empty living room. I don’t think she can see me, so I don’t say anything for a moment. “I know you’re in the kitchen. I can see your toes peeking out around the corner.”
I move my feet further inside the kitchen, which makes Sadie laugh. It’s silly and ridiculous what that sound does to me. Screw coffee, this is all the kickstart I need for my day.
Fuck. I’m so fucked.
“Yes,” I grunt in answer to her question.
“Oh, thank God. I was worried I’d have to wait until I got back to civilization for my sweet, sweet caffeine."
I try and fail not to smirk at her reply.
Sadie pulls the blankets back and stands up, wobbling slightly on her sore ankle. I set my coffee down and step out of my not-so-subtle hiding spot, but she holds her hands up and shoos me away. I hesitate, part of me wanting to scoop her up so she doesn’t feel pain when she walks, while another part understands she wants her independence. I keep a close eye on her as she walks slowly into the kitchen, ready to catch her if she falls.
“Sit,” I practically bark at her when she’s next to the stools at the breakfast bar. Why does everything I say sound so harsh? She probably thinks I’m a grumpy asshole, which isn’t too far off from the truth. It’s for the best that she sees my true colors now, before one of us gets attached.
Sadie’s lips do that thing again. She’s smiling at me, a genuine, pure, playful smile, like she thinks I’m adorable. She told me that yesterday, but I thought she was making fun of me. Now, I see that Sadie truly isn’t offended by my nonexistent people skills or my uncouth grunts. She meant every word, and I’m not sure what to do with that information.
The confounding woman takes a seat and rests her elbows on the solid oak bar top. The sweatshirt she’s wearing is fartoo big for her, the sleeves covering her hands completely and leaving enough fabric for her to ball into her hands. It’s kind of… adorable. Dammit.
Instead of unpacking those feelings, I turn and pour her a cup of coffee. She takes a sip and immediately spits it out, coughing a few times before getting herself under control. I fill a glass with water and hand it to her, which she takes gratefully.
“Too hot?” I guess, hovering next to her.
I’m not sure if I should thump her on the back to clear her airway or pat her on the shoulder in an awkward attempt at comforting her. Ultimately, I don’t do anything, not trusting myself to touch her. I might wrap her up in my arms and bury my nose in her hair so I can smell my shampoo on her.
“The temperature is fine, but you must have gotten the portions wrong.” Her face scrunches up in disgust, and yeah, it’s fuckin’ adorable, too.
“The coffee is perfect,” I inform her. I take a big gulp of my coffee to prove it.
“I hate to be the one to inform you, but coffee is supposed to be a liquid. This, however…” She trails off and looks down at the offending drink, the corner of her lips turning down into a frown. “This is thick enough to chew.”
She stares at me with an accusing glare, and Jesus, I want to wipe that look off her face with a kiss so devastating she’ll never want to leave.
“How do you make your coffee?” I ask after clearing my throat.
“With fewer coffee grounds in the actual cup, for starters,” she says with a playful sparkle in her eyes. “At the very least, it needs to have milk and sugar. Preferably half-and-half with two pumps of hazelnut syrup.”
“Is that all?”
“And whipped cream.”
“Naturally.”
“I also love the raw sugar crystals sprinkled on top. They add a little crunch to my beverage.”
“Thought you didn’t like chewing your coffee.” I peer at Sadie over the rim of my mug, far too pleased at the amused look in her captivating green eyes.
“Okay, Mr. Sassy Pants,” she teases.
