Page 7

An hour later, I waited on the front porch for Bowen to arrive, pacing the length and counting the wood slats like I had so many times before while waiting for the bus as a little girl.

Old habits die hard, I guess.

A truck rumbled in the distance. Lights tore through the gray fog and tires rolled over the gravel.

And then he was there. The handsome lumberjack. Waving wildly out the window.

CHAPTER FOUR

Bowen

The thought of waiting through the storm to see her again was too much to think about.

But getting snowed in together…

Hell yeah.

I cleaned my cabin from top to bottom and stopped by the market to load up on food. I made sure I had enough to cook dinner and breakfast for a couple of days, along with snacks and drinks.

If things went my way we wouldn't be leaving the cabin for a few days.

I showered, trimmed my hair and beard, and dressed in the nicest jeans I owned. Time seemed to tick by slowly as I counted the hours until it was time to pick her up. The snow hadn't started yet, but the sky had turned gray and cloudy, the feel in the air.

When I pulled into the farm, I spotted Giada pacing the porch, her beauty striking me all over again. She gave me a little wave as I waved my arm out the window. My stomach clenched and I bounced in my seat. What was this woman doing to me?

I threw the truck in park and hopped out. “Hey you.”

“Hi.” She smiled shyly and bit on her bottom lip.

“You look beautiful.” I took her hand in mine, warmth traveling up my arm despite the cold air. I led her over to the passenger door and opened it, helping her inside. I took her bag and placed it on the floorboard beneath her feet.

“Thank you. You're such a gentleman.”

I brought her hand to my lips and kissed the back of it softly. “You haven't seen anything yet.”

Closing the door, I hurried back to my side and slid in behind the wheel. “You ready for an adventure?”

Giada nodded. “Let's get out of here before my family comes out asking questions.”

I grinned. “They loved me.”

She chuckled. “You're not wrong.”

I clasped my hand around hers. “I like being around you.”

“I like it too.” She looked away quickly the flush back on her cheeks. I loved it.

“So you grew up around here I take it?”

“Actually we moved here a few years ago after my parents bought over the farm. It was always their dream to own one. Took a lot of saving up but they did it. As soon as my younger sister, Giselle, finished elementary school, we came here, not too far from where we lived before.”

“So everyone pitches in with the farm then?”

“Yep, we all do. My sister and I stay in the separate cottage, out by the apple trees. But everyone else lives in the main house. Georgie is a mama’s boy so unless he finds a wife, he's not going anywhere.”

“Can't say I blame him. It's tough out in these streets. I inherited my cabin from my grandmother, so I lucked out. But rent is steep these days.”

“Yeah, I know. Hence why I haven't left either.”