Kaitlyn pulled the magazine out of the mailbox on Monday and hugged it against her chest. This was it! Josie had only come up with the idea a short while ago and already it had become real. She pulled the magazine away and started reading the cover as she hurried back toward the B&B.
“Walking and reading is a dangerous sport, you know?” Mitch said, sneaking up on her as always. She only jumped a little this time. She guessed that meant she was getting used to his presence. But her breath froze in her lungs when she looked up. She’d never get used to those hot chocolate eyes or that barely there grin buried under a short, sexy beard.
“It’s here,” she said, unable to contain her enthusiasm. “The article about Sweetwater Springs.”
“Oh yeah?” He stepped closer to read over her shoulder.
“America’s Most Romantic Holiday Retreats,” he read, his breath tickling her ear.
She swallowed and stepped away from the large, beautiful man who was making her heart beat in triple time. “I’m going to go inside and have a hot apple cider. Want some?”
He gave her a strange, amused look. “Mable was always forcing that stuff on me during the fall and winter months. Not my cup of tea, you might say.”
Kaitlyn climbed the steps, aware that each one put her butt at his eye level. She climbed more quickly. “I found my grandmother’s secret recipe tucked away in one of her cooking books the other day. It’s actually very simple to make. And once I have a cup in hand, I plan to read this article until I have it memorized. Then we’re going to finish fulfilling its promise.”
“Oh, we are, are we?”
She glanced over her shoulder. His teasing tone matched the look in his eyes. She was glad he wasn’t fighting her on this anymore. He’d done everything she’d asked and more, and they already had one satisfied guest. Paris had ventured out this morning to work at Dawanda’s Fudge Shop, per her recommendation. “Yes, we are.”
A few minutes later, with her cup of hot apple cider and a notepad in hand, she leaned over the article on the kitchen counter. It was mostly a fluff piece, painting a picturesque town, which wasn’t an exaggeration by any measure. Sweetwater Springs did have beautiful rolling mountains and natural hot springs that could be found by a simple hike through the pine-filled woods. She hadn’t seen the springs yet but they were in the brochures on display at the B&B’s front entrance.
Her gaze moved from the article to Mitch’s lower half. The rest of him was currently hidden behind the refrigerator. He was fixing a slow leak from a loose water line to the ice maker. She’d checked out his backside before but now she stared unapologetically.
Her cell phone rang beside her, and she jerked upright. She placed it to her ear. “Hello?”
“Well, what do you think? Can Sweetwater Springs and your little B and B live up to the promise?” Josie asked.
“Oh, definitely. The town was never a concern. And Mitch and I have already fixed a mile-long list of things here at the inn. Actually, he fixed most of them and I’ve done all the decorating.” There were only a few little tweaks left to make and the place would be perfect.
Kaitlyn dragged her gaze back to the article. “The only thing I’m missing is the Christmas tree.”
“No tree? The perfect holiday getaway demands a tree, Kaye,” Josie said. “And not one of those artificial ones.”
“Of course it does. I’m sure there’s a farm or something around here.” But how would she get it back to the B&B in her small car?
Mitch straightened from behind the fridge. “Merry Mountain Farms sells the best trees,” he said. “Sorry. Couldn’t help overhearing you.”
“It’s okay. I’m talking to the friend who wrote the article,” she told him.
“Oh, he sounds sexy,” Josie purred into the receiver. “No wonder you have such a crush on him.”
For a moment, heat crawled through Kaitlyn’s skin. Until she remembered that Mitch could only hear her half of the conversation and not Josie’s. Thank goodness. “Merry Mountain Farms. Good to know. I’ll try to check it out later this week.”
Josie cleared her throat. “Okay. I just wanted an update. The tension between you two can be felt all the way in New York. So please don’t let me interrupt you jumping his bones.”
Kaitlyn choked. “That’s not…I’m not.”
“Just keep me updated. I’m expecting a windfall for the B and B.”
“I hope so. You can come visit it for yourself anytime, you know.”
“Tempting,” Josie said. “Maybe I will if I can ever get out from under these deadlines.”
After a minute more, they said their goodbyes and disconnected.
Mitch stood and stared at her. Josie was right. The sexual tension could be sliced with a nail file.
“I, uh, need to take off early this afternoon. I’m taking my mom to an appointment in town.”
“Oh.” Kaitlyn nodded, surprised at the disappointment settling over her. She’d gotten used to having him around all day, and now during the nighttime too. She liked having him here.
“Will you be back tonight?” she asked, trying to keep the hope out of her voice. She grabbed her cup of cider and took a sip.
He nodded. “Yeah. I’ll take you to get that Christmas tree if you want.”
“Really?”
“Sure. I’m afraid if I don’t, I’ll find you out in the woods with an axe.”
She placed her hands on her hips and feigned insult. “I’m perfectly capable of using one, you know.”
“Of course you are. But humor me and let me take you to get a tree anyway.”
Kaitlyn had to admit spending time with Mitch was even more exciting than picking out a real live tree. All she’d ever had were the small artificial kind that sat in a corner of her room.
“Who will watch the inn though? I can’t just leave this place. We have a guest now.”
“My mom used to come by for Mable and Henry all the time,” Mitch told her. “She won’t mind at all.”
Kaitlyn blinked, unable to think of any excuse to say no. Not that she wanted to refuse the invitation. “Wow. Problem solved. I’d love to go tree hunting with you, then.”
“Good. It’ll be fun.” He turned back to the refrigerator and began shimmying it back into its place against the wall.
It wasn’t a date, she told herself as she watched, ignoring the flurry of anticipation falling over her like the first winter snow. Definitely not.
* * *
Mitch was glad he’d told his mom he was taking her to her doctor appointment this afternoon. Because the more time he spent with Kaitlyn, the harder it was to keep his hands to himself. And now he’d promised to take her Christmas tree hunting tonight. It was like he lost his mind whenever she was around.
He pulled into his mom’s driveway and honked the horn. Her appointment was at 3:30 p.m., and there was no time to meander. She better not have changed her mind, he thought. He’d go inside and carry her to the appointment kicking and screaming like a toddler if he had to.
He relaxed when he saw her open the front door and head out, dressed in a heavy coat and pale-blue knit hat.
“You didn’t have to do this, you know?” was the first thing she said upon opening the passenger side door of his truck.
“I know that’s what you think but you’re wrong. I’m your son, and I do have to do this.” He watched her buckle herself in and then reversed back onto the street. “Especially since you’re not taking care of yourself.” The night she’d passed out on the bed hadn’t been a fluke. He’d witnessed her dizzy spells several times since then. There were other symptoms too. She was pale and had a few bruises.
“Who are you to talk? What about that time you sprained your ankle a couple years back and wouldn’t go have it checked out?”
“It was a sprain, Mom. I know how to treat a sprain. And a sprain is no big deal.” He glanced over and pinned her with a stare. He hoped to God his mom’s condition wasn’t a big deal either, he thought as he returned his attention to the road.
“So, how’s the B and B coming along?” his mother asked, changing the subject.
Mitch blew out a breath. “Good. Kaitlyn got her food-handling license, and the inn passed inspection last week. It already has its first guest too. Speaking of which, I have a favor to ask you.” He saw his mom perk up in the seat beside him. She lived to help others.
“Oh?”
“I need to take Kaitlyn to get a tree tonight. Do you think you could watch the inn?” Mitch doubted any medicine the doctor offered today would be as good for her as this request.
“Well, of course I can. I’ve always loved working at the B and B—you know that.” His mom’s tone of voice was suddenly upbeat and cheerful.
“Not work,” he clarified. “Watch. Feet up. TV on.”
His mom didn’t argue but she didn’t agree either. “Your dad used to take me to get our Christmas trees. Do you like Mable’s granddaughter? Is she pretty?”
Mitch groaned as he pulled into the physician’s parking lot and cut the engine. “Don’t make me regret asking you.”
She turned in her seat and pointed a finger at him. “Only if you promise not to try to go in the examining room with me. I’m a grown woman, Mitch, and there are some things a mother doesn’t want her son hearing about her body.”
He frowned. “How am I supposed to know what’s going on with you if I’m stuck in the waiting room?”
She shrugged. “I guess you’ll just have to trust that I’ll tell you.”
A growl emitted from deep in his throat. He trusted his mom but he didn’t put it past her to keep things from him. Judging from the stubborn lift of her chin, he could see he wasn’t winning this argument though. “Fine.”
He opened his door and got out, meeting her around the back of the truck and walking toward the small doctor’s office, which was in a string of other businesses. “But you’ll tell me everything.” He wasn’t asking.
His stern tone of voice and demeanor seemed to be lost on his mother as he held the office door open for her and she walked in ahead of him. “Of course, dear.”
* * *
Later that afternoon, Kaitlyn set out a dish of sugar cookies and accommodations for hot tea in the dining room.
“Did you get a lot of work done?” she asked Paris, as he walked in the room to peruse the selection.
“Mostly. Dawanda kept interrupting though.”
Kaitlyn giggled to herself. “She didn’t serve you a cup of cappuccino, did she?”
“She did. Apparently, my fortune couldn’t be read. She said it was the first time that ever happened.”
“That’s strange.”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure I buy into cappuccino readings anyway.”
Kaitlyn was surprised that part of her did believe. There was something about how seriously Dawanda took the reading that chased away Kaitlyn’s doubts. “Well, I can promise a distraction-free evening for your work if that’s what you want.”
“Thanks. Mind if I take a couple of cookies up to my room?”
“Of course.” She turned as the phone rang on the wall. “Excuse me.” The landline phone was the one that guests would use to make reservations. She crossed her fingers at her side in hopes that it was a potential customer and not a telemarketer as she went to answer. “Hello. Sweetwater Bed and Breakfast. How can I assist you?”
“Yes. Hi there. I’m Marvin Krespo,” a man’s voice drawled. “I was hoping to make a reservation for me and my wife. You got any rooms open?” he asked.
“Yes, of course. When will you be coming?”
“Tomorrow if you have vacancies. My wife doesn’t think I’m romantic anymore. She said I need to step up my game or else.”
Kaitlyn’s mouth fell open. “Um, well.”
“I doubt that means she’ll leave me, but she likes to withhold my favorite foods and sex when she’s in a tiff.”
“I see.” Kaitlyn cleared her throat. “Well, tomorrow will be fine. We’ll have a room prepared for you.”
“Great, darling. See you soon.”
Kaitlyn hung up and went to retrieve her appointment book nearby. She scribbled in Mr. and Mrs. Krespo’s names.
“Will you be needing anything else tonight? Dinner?” Kaitlyn asked as Paris headed toward the stairs with a handful of cookies. She wasn’t planning on cooking full meals every night for her guests but since there was just one, she didn’t mind.
“No. I thought I’d head out later and explore more of the area.”
“Okay. Well, I’m actually heading out myself. Mitch and I are going to pick out a Christmas tree for the inn. His mom will be watching over the place if you need anything.”
“I should be fine. Don’t worry about me. Enjoy your date,” he called before disappearing up the stairs and into his room. Before she had the opportunity to correct him. Getting a tree together was simply part of her arrangement with Mitch. The inn needed one, and she couldn’t do this on her own.
Even if it wasn’t a romantic arrangement, she still needed to look nice before heading over to Merry Mountain Farms, she decided. She checked her watch. Mitch would be coming back soon. Her heart did a little dance. Stealing a cookie from the tray, she hurried to her room to change.
An hour later, Mitch walked into the inn. Beside him was a slender woman with long, gray hair and a huge smile.
“You must be Kaitlyn Russo. I’d recognize you even if Mitch hadn’t told me you’d taken this place over.” Mitch’s mom wrapped Kaitlyn in a warm hug. “Mable was always showing off the pictures your parents sent her way.” The woman pulled away and looked at Kaitlyn. “My, you’ve grown into such a beautiful young woman.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Hargrove,” Kaitlyn said, almost at a loss for words at the heartfelt greeting. “And thank you so much for agreeing to watch the inn tonight.”
“Please, call me Gina. And I’m happy that you gave me something to do.”
“As if you sit around twiddling your thumbs all day,” Mitch said sarcastically behind her.
Gina rolled her eyes. “If you listen to him, I work myself nearly into a grave.” Her smile fell. “Oh, I’m sorry. That’s so insensitive of me, considering your grandmother just died.”
Kaitlyn shook her head. “It’s fine. Please make yourself at home. We won’t be gone long.”
“And no cleaning,” Mitch bellowed as he ushered Kaitlyn out the front door and into the driveway where his truck was still running. He opened the passenger side door for her and then reappeared in the driver’s seat.
“Your mom seems really nice.”
He nodded. “Oh, she is. Nice and stubborn, if you ask me.”
“Did everything check out at her appointment earlier?” Kaitlyn asked, even more concerned now that she’d met Gina.
Mitch cranked the engine. “Dr. Jacobs ran some labs. We should get results sometime next week. Until then, Dr. Jacobs said for her to rest and take a good multivitamin.”
“That’s always good advice,” Kaitlyn said.
“Assuming Mom actually listens to it.” He glanced across the seat as he came to the stop sign at the end of Mistletoe Lane. “Now, what do you say we go pick out a Christmas tree?”
Kaitlyn grinned. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you sound a little excited yourself.”
“What can I say? I’m a man. We like to hunt and gather.”
Something about that made Kaitlyn’s blood heat. He was a man, for sure. Big and strong, doing exactly what he was made to do. And she absolutely was not going to kiss him again tonight. Their kiss at Silver Lake had been a mistake. One that shouldn’t happen again.