Page 6 of Mixed Up with the Mountain Man
"Not everyone's," Juniper protests, then looks me up and down with obvious approval. "Though I have excellent instincts about these things. And honey, if you've got this one looking at you like that, you must be something special."
Heat floods my cheeks at her directness, but Leo just laughs, clearly unbothered.
"Table for two?" Juniper asks, already leading us to a booth by the window.
Over pancakes that could convert a health food fanatic, Leo tells me about the town's residents. The way the community rallies around each other. The festivals and traditions that bind everyone together. I find myself fascinated not just by the stories, but by the way his eyes light up when he talks about this place.
"Sounds wonderful," I say, and mean it. "Very different from Vancouver."
"Different how?"
"In the city, you can live next to someone for years and never know their name. Here, it sounds like everyone's connected." I reach across the table, covering his hand with mine. "You really love this place."
"I do. Love the work, love the community, love the way life moves at a pace that actually lets you live it." His thumb traces circles on my knuckles. "Could be yours too, if you wanted."
The suggestion sends a thrill through me that has nothing to do with the coffee. "What would someone like me do in a place like this?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I've always dreamed of opening a bookstore. Somewhere cozy, with comfortable chairs and really good coffee. A place where people could browse for hours, where the community could gather."
"Murphy place on Maple Street's been empty for two years," he says thoughtfully. "Perfect location. Even has an apartment upstairs."
The fact that he's already thinking practically about my pipe dream, that he can envision me having a place here, makes my heart race. "You're dangerous."
"How so?"
"You make impossible things sound reasonable. Make me want to believe in fairy tales."
His hand tightens on mine. "Maybe they're more possible than you think."
"Leo." His name comes out breathier than intended.
"Say yes."
"To what?"
"Everything. Stay another day. Let me show you the building. See if maybe this crazy thing between us is worth exploring."
I look into his forest-green eyes and see my future reflected there—a life I never imagined but suddenly can't live without.The smart thing would be to leave now, before I get in too deep. The safe thing would be to go back to Vancouver and forget this ever happened.
But I'm tired of smart and safe. I'm tired of living someone else's version of my life.
"Yes," I whisper.
His smile is blinding. "Good. Because I'm never letting you go."
four
Leo
TheMurphybuildingisperfect for her.
I watch Emma move through the empty space, her eyes bright with possibility as she traces the built-in shelves with reverent fingers. Dust motes dance in the afternoon sunlight streaming through large windows, and I can already picture her here—surrounded by books, helping customers, building the life she's always dreamed of.
With me.
"It's too perfect," she murmurs, running her hands along the smooth wood. "Like it was waiting for me."
