Page 4 of Griffen the Mountain Man
The woman Beckett teased me about.
The one he said is interested in me.
“Hey,” I say awkwardly. My steps slow once the gold- and red-leaved branches overhead provide some shade. “This is Greta's basket, right?”
“Yeah, she wanted me to set it up because of her bad knees. It's tough for her to get up and down on the ground.” Heidi lowers a navy blanket and pats the corners down before removing containers of food from a basket resting against the tree.
My brow wrinkles in confusion as I process her explanation.
“Seems like an odd place to choose for a picnic. The dirt is hardpacked and knotted with tree roots.”
Heidi looks around. An adorable pucker pulls to the center of her forehead, and my fingers twitch to smooth the wrinkle.
“You know what? You're right. There are plenty of picnic tables she could have chosen instead of the grass. That's odd, right?”
Suspicion seeps into my gut.Grandpa, no,I moan internally.
“Did Greta say how long she'd be?”
“Nope, just that she would be a little late because she had to go to the bathroom.”
This time I moan out loud.
“What's wrong?” Her gaze sweeps behind me, realizing someone else is missing from this equation. “Where’s your grandpa?”
“Probably laughing his ass off with Greta because this is a setup. My grandpa gave the same bathroom excuse.” And now it makes sense why it's my favorite food in that basket rather than his.
Her blue eyes widen in shock. “A setup? Between us?”
If I already didn’t believe Beckett when he said Heidi was interested in me, her pure astonishment at the thought of us being on a date would have quickly snuffed out the idea.
She’s not excited or eager.
She’s shocked and unsure.
What the hell have you done, Gramps?
CHAPTER FOUR
HEIDI
Humiliation floods my system.I’m going to kill Greta.She's teased me about staring at Griffen—no matter how hard I try to not let my eyes drift his way—but to work together with his grandfather for this little ruse is beyond embarrassing.
Staring down at the blanket covered with Tupperware dishes full of what I’m guessing areGriffen'sfavorite foods, a sense of panic sets in.
My teeth nibble my lower lip as I contemplate our options. Follow through with the impromptu date, or part ways with a basket of too much food for one person?
“What should we do?” I ask.
Griffen's amber gaze bounces between me and the spread before us.
He clears his throat then gestures toward the food. His shaggy hair flops forward with the motion, tempting me to brush it back and test the softness. “No reason this should go to waste. Their plan might have been ridiculous, but no harm, no foul, right? I don't mind sharing lunch, if you don't.”
“No, of course not! I'm Heidi, by the way.” I hold my hand out to shake, and he gingerly takes it. The warmth of his palm engulfs mine, although he barely holds it before dropping it like a hot potato.
I scrub at the thigh of my jeans to dispel the lingering sparks from his touch, and he hones in on the movement, stern lines forming around his mouth.
Fuck…It probably looks like I think he has cooties or something.
