Page 43 of Forbidden to Fall

Maybe it was because I was so focused on proving to Ryan that my relationship with James was purely business, but the way his fingers slid down my shoulder made the skin under my shirt tingle.

The door shut behind us as we stepped into the kitchen, and he set the bag on the counter.

“That’s the maple we didn’t need last night,” I said—very unnecessarily since it was the same bag he’d brought it in. “Thanks, by the way. For bringing it.”

He turned on the tap at the sink. “Of course.”

It was quiet for a few seconds as I got on my apron.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I glanced at him in surprise and found his eyes on me as he rubbed his hands under the stream of water.

It wasn’t a polite question. It was in direct reference to what had happened in the parking lot.

“Yeah,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “Are you?”

“Yeah.”

Another silence.

“I’m really sorry,” I said.

He turned the water off and grabbed a hand towel. “It’s not your fault. It was bound to happen one way or another.”

“Maybe so.” I went to the cupboard and got out the ingredients for cookies. “But I think it would’ve gone at least slightly better if he hadn’t come right when…” I stopped myself. How was I supposed to finish that sentence? Right when you were fondling my hair? I cleared my throat and set down the bag of sugar. “He’s extra uptight because of my crush on you.”

“What?”

My hand gripped the sugar bag, my back to him. I was doubting my ability to be professional more and more every second. Talking about the old crush you had on him was probably top of the list of things you didn’t say to a business partner.

But it was too late now. I forced a laugh and turned to look at him, using the back of my hand to brush the bangs out of my eyes. “What do you mean what?”

He stared at me. Stared like he was seeing someone new.

I let out a breathy, incredulous laugh. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know.”

He said nothing.

What? That crush had all but consumed me. I’d barely survived, and he hadn’t even been aware?!

“Well, that’s encouraging, at least,” I said. “I didn’t make a total fool of myself, then.”

“When was this?” He was still watching me.

I laughed again. Maybe to keep from crying? “Um…only most of my life? I mean, just until…” Again, a sentence that didn’t have a palatable ending. “Anyway, I assured Ryan that we’re two adults, fully capable of a professional relationship.” I looked at him. “Right?”

“Of course.” He turned and set the towel on the peg, but he was frowning.

“Oh! I had an idea this morning that I wanted to float by you. I’ve been trying to think of ways we can get the farm more business and sell more maple, and I was wondering if we might partner with Horseshoe Holler.”

He searched my face briefly. “Partner how?”

“Well, they offer trail rides, which are incredibly popular during leaf peeper season, and I think there might be some real interest if there was a package people could choose where their trail ride stopped at the sugar shack. They could do a maple tasting and a short tour or something. Obviously, we’d have actual maple syrup for sale, but we could display the baked goods as well.”

He was quiet.

“Just an idea,” I said, hoping he’d feel free to shoot it down if it was dumb.