Country Wishes

by RaeAnne Hadley

  I don’t know what top to wear, but with the bombastic jeans and lingerie, I think my top needs to be neutral. A plain white tee and a baby blue cardigan. No, not the cardigan. I turn on the heat to add a few degrees and start cleaning the kitchen and living room. Do I even have something to drink? I ran out of wine last night. Damnit. I have, milk, rum and Coke, that’s all. The last two will have to do.

  What seems like just a minute later, the sound of a knock on my door tells me that Jace is back.

  I run to the door, flip my hair to the side and open the door.

  There he is, beautiful Jace and piles of takeout food. His dark hair is freshly styled giving him a clean and decadently sexy look. Let’s just say that I have never seen him like this. He’s stunning. His pale green eyes are locked on mine. Who is this man? I break the eye contact because I’m not ready to deal with this.

  “Wow, are you really that hungry?” I ask taking the boxes from his hands to give him room to take off his boots and coat.

  “Well, I didn’t know what to get and the weather is going to get worse apparently so I figured at least, you’ll have dinner ready tomorrow night and wouldn’t have to go out into the storm.” He follows me to the kitchen, I know because I can feel the heat emanating from his body behind me.

  “Worse? This morning, we were surrounded by green and now, everything is covered in a thick blanket of white fluff. How much worse will it get?” I place the food on the table.

  “We’re in Colorado, so who knows?” He laughs. “They said it could be over a foot of snow by sunrise and possibly two feet by tomorrow night.”

  That sure will make my day interesting. “I’ll need to buy winter boots and snow pants to get to work tomorrow.”

  “I think the city will be mostly shut down.”

  “Maybe but trust me, people are still going to want their key lime pies, fresh breads or cupcakes.”

  “Yeah, those things are hard to live without.” He smirks. “Are you hungry now?” His raspy voice was so damn sexy.

  I will eat anything if he keeps talking to me like this.

  “I... uhh... I am.” I blush. “What are we eating?”

  “There’s a Napolitano pizza, salad, lasagna and tortellini in a spicy tomato sauce. Oh, and garlic bread.”

  We sit at the table facing each other. It’s as if there was a bonfire sparking to life under the table. His voice, the close proximity of us being alone, it makes me want things I’ve never thought I would again. I’m curious to know more about him and to find out more about his motives. I mean, he has been there for me more than once. This is our first official dinner date though.

  I watch him as he opens up the bags of food. My eyes carefully taking stock of his face, eyes, lips, nose, even his hair.

  When I was married to Derek, I never fantasized about another man. Here I am now, divorced and lusting for the firefighter I’ve gotten to know over the years as he came to the bakery every few days.

  “Are you okay? Your cheeks, well your whole face has turned red.” He chuckles quietly.

  “I’m burning up. I mean, I tried to clean up before you got here. It was a real workout, trust me. Let’s eat now, pizza?”

  He nods and opens the box to give me a slice.

  “There you go.” Jace smiles as he removes a couple of pieces for himself and sets them down on his plate.

  “It’s quite the coincidence that we happened to be at the same hiking spot today.”

  “It isn’t really a coincidence. Three days ago, when I was at the bakery and asked what you had planned for your weekend, you mentioned it.”

  “And so you came to find me?” I ask chuckling.

  “It didn’t happen exactly like that, but I watched the weather forecast this morning and I was pretty surprised to see that they were expecting snow tonight. I drove by your place and your car wasn’t there. I figured you had decided to go regardless.”

  “I had no clue about the weather.” Next time, I’ll make sure I check.

  “I decided to skip the gym and go to Bear Lake.” He shrugs as if it made him uncomfortable to admit he had been looking out for me.

  “Next time, I’ll be more careful when you warn me not to do something.”

  A quick blink followed by a quirky smile. “It’s okay.”

  The pizza smells so good, I devour it. “That’s amazing.” I say about the pizza. In all the years I have been in Hopeful, I’ve never had it before.

  “You’re amazing.” He says, meeting my gaze above the pizza box.

  I straighten up in my chair wanting him the repeat what he has just said, but I’m pretty sure I heard him right.

  “Amazing, huh?” I ask not meeting his eyes.

  “Yeah. That’s what I said. Ever since I moved into this town, I’ve noticed you.” He moved into this town, just few months after I did. He’s been paying attention that long?

  “Why is that?”

  “First, I thought you were beautiful but the more I got to know you the more I wanted to be around you.”

  “That’s a lot to take in.” I don’t know if I’m hungry anymore so I set the piece of pizza I was holding on my plate. “So now that I’m divorced, you decided to try and get closer to me? Is that your plan?” I’m still trying to figure him out.

  His mouth full, he shakes his head. “No… it’s not really the plan. I thought I was in love once and it didn’t work out. I never got into a serious relationship afterward. Work became my main focus and that was great for years, but I would like to get to know you more on a personal level, maybe even become friends.”

  “I work most of the time. My life is pretty boring. I don’t believe I would bring much excitement to yours.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. It isn’t what I meant to say at all. I sigh.

  I keep picking around at the slice on my plate. We are basically staring at each other while eating. It’s weird but I don’t know, I feel like we need to get through this awkward phase.

  “I’m sorry I don’t have any dessert.” I’m the baker and I don’t even have a cake at home for dessert, how is that even possible?

  “That’s fine. I think I had enough anyway.” He rubs his flat belly. “We should do this more often.”

  “I think I have an idea but it requires a small walk outside. Are you ready to face the storm?” I can’t hide the excitement. It’s something I have never done before.

  He frowns but I can see that he’s going to say yes. “Yeah okay. Let’s go.”

  My winter boots are a must and I’m thankful I found them right away. I had no idea where I had put them after moving here. To be honest, I was convinced I had left them at the house. It’s one thing I won’t have to buy again. That’s always a good thing.

  "You should wear a scarf and hat too. It isn’t pretty out there.”

  “What about you?” I grab my black beanie and slide it over his hair. “Sorry for messing up your hair.”

  “So that’s how it’s going to be then?” He said with a twinkle in his eye.

  He grabs my Avalanche beanie from my favorite hockey team and slides it over my hair.

  I laugh. “I think we’re all set now.”

  Locking the door behind us, he waits for me down the stairs. When we step outside, it’s like a slap in the face. “Oh geez, it’s cold.”

  “I told you.” Jace says holding my hand firmly.

  My nipples poke out even though I have my winter jacket on. No winter attire can prepare me for this polar vortex nonsense. This is real winter, no doubt about it.

  “This way.” I say with my teeth chattering.

  “Are you taking me to the bakery?” He asks as if he didn’t already know.

  “Maybe.”

  It’s obvious that I’m taking him to the bakery because everything else is closed right now. It’s getting late. We already have snow up to our calves. I can only imagine how it’ll be in the morning.

  When we get to the bakery, he takes the keys from my ha
nd and unlocks the door.

  “Let’s keep the front light turned off. I don’t want people to think I’m open.”

  “You want to keep me all to yourself, huh?”

  That right there makes me forget how cold I am. The conflagration is back and I don’t know how to control it.

  “Jace, do you always talk to women like this?” I ask going toward the back of the store.

  “Bexley, have you seen me with any women around town before? I bet the answer is no.”

  When I think about it... no, I have never seen him with a woman.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I love being with a woman as long as it’s the right one.”

  Still burning... temperature rising.

  “What are you saying?” I think Jace wants me. It can’t get any clearer than that.

  “If I wasn’t clear enough earlier, I’ll try to shed some light on the subject. I want you. I want to be the man in your life.”

  “Jace... I... I just got divorced a month ago. It might be too soon.” It’s clear that my body reacts to him whenever he is near me, or whenever he sweet-talks me. The physical attraction is so strong that my inner self is already kissing him, devouring him. He is like a fine pastry. Pure decadent perfection. Jace is probably the only man that deserves the award of being compared to better than sex cake. I can’t think about that now, it’s too much all at once. I mentally facepalm myself. This is crazy and I’m an idiot. My body is reacting to him like a cat to catnip. Yes, it’s that bad.

  “Every time, I walk into the bakery, you come alive. Your smile is different when it’s directed at me. Don’t think that I’m that self-confident, the guys told me at the station.” He blushes.

  “It’s true. I mean, it’s impossible to stay unfazed by you. You are hot, sweet and so much more.”

  We’re in the kitchen with just the security light on. The darkness envelopes us like a velvet curtain.

  “I want to kiss you so bad.”

  Ja...Jace is sweet talking me again with that super sexy and hoarse voice. God! Fire alert, FIRE ALERT. Four alarm blaze has just ignited.

  “Jace…”

  I forget who I am and what I’ve been through. The divorce, Derek who was supposed to be the love of my life. In the here and now Jace King is standing right before me. He has been thing I look forward to the most ever since he started coming here for cupcakes. The few minutes we spent together exchanging pleasantries were always a tonic for my mood. I’ll never forget that one day when I signed the divorce papers and I broke down in the middle of the bakery. The arms that supported me were his, the chest I leaned my head against was his and the cologne I hoped to smell again was... his. Maybe all this time, without admitting it to myself, my heart was already slowly falling for him.

  “Why don’t you?” I whisper.

  “Bexley.” Both of his hands came up to my cheeks. The cold coming from his hands seemed to calm the fire spreading at lightning speed throughout my body.

  When his lips touch mine, it shocks me. The best way to describe the feeling would be, drinking a two hundred dollar bottle of priceless wine after drinking only box wine from the market all my life. Jace is one of those one in a million, maybe a little sweet at first but he leaves my mouth wanting a whole lot more type of guys. The simple way his lips seem to mix with mine, or how we move seamlessly together without any awkward moments, like we’ve been doing this all of our lives. It’s flowing like the blood burning in my veins.

  “Don’t stop.” I blow out a quick breath. My hands grab his winter jacket and I make damn sure he isn’t moving.

  “Bex.” Jace moves his lips against mine once more. “We have all the time in the world.” Maybe we do. Right now, I don’t see the point of stopping the best kiss I ever had.

  “You don’t understand.” I can’t wrap my head around what is happening right now. It’s surreal but a tiny part of me knew this would happen tonight.

  He smiles, not that I see it per say, but I feel it on my lips. “Trust me, I do.” Rubbing his lips against mine again, I take the opportunity to kiss him. He shifts his body and wraps his arms around me. I melt against him as our lips are lost in what seems to be way too intense of action for the bakery. The fire has reached my lips and has reached his. Sucking gently on my lips, I feel his arms holding me tighter in his embrace. The weight of my body is resting on him, I’ve lost control of my emotions and lost track of time, I’m focused entirely on that moment we’re spending together.

  Jace moans against my lips. The soft caress of his thumbs on my cheeks calm the fire and he lets go of my mouth.

  “I promise I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.” His voice does nothing to cool down my desire for him.

  “You’ve already done a lot to make me happy over the past few weeks.” The appliances he found for me, the numerous visits to the bakery and today. “You saved me today, you know?”

  “You would have made it home, you’re a fighter but I’m glad I was able to be there for you.” He smirks. “So what’s for dessert Chef Dunn?”

  “Hmm… I can get you a cupcake or maybe a piece of cherry pie. You are free to take whatever you want.”

  “Can I have you?” Then he starts laughing as the blush stains my cheeks. “Can I have a vanilla cupcake with your dark chocolate icing?”

  He will have me when the time is right. For now though, I’ll give him as many cupcakes as he desires.

  “Alright...” I unzip my jacket, wash my hands and get him a cake from earlier today out of the refrigerator.

  When he walks out the door tonight, I hope this won’t be over. If I let him into my life, and my heart, it has to mean something.

  Chapter Three

  Between the two of us, we have eaten five cupcakes in the past hour. I’ve even let Jace ice one for me. He picked a chocolate cake and milk chocolate icing. He put twice the amount of icing on the top of the cupcake but that’s okay. It was a sweet moment between us.

  “I think I’ll have to let you get some sleep pretty soon. You’ll have to wake up in a couple of hours to open the shop.”

  “I know.”

  “Come on, I’ll walk you home.” He offers me his hand.

  “Can we go for a small walk first? The first snowfall of the year, and with it being only a week before Christmas. I’m feeling festive.”

  “A small walk sounds good after all the cupcakes I had.”

  I laugh. Three cupcakes is enough to mess up a diet plan or whatever he’s doing to stay in shape. Firefighters need to be strong and healthy, right? I mean, I might have felt his body against mine once or twice, he’s muscular and perfect in every way. So I doubt three cupcakes will kill him.

  We get our winter attire back on. He’s still wearing my black beanie which I think is adorable.

  “Ready?” He asks gallantly holding out his arm for me to take.

  “Yes, sir.”

  I close the bakery knowing I’ll have to be back in less than five hours. It’s okay though because I’m having a really good time and sometimes living in the moment is all I should care about.

  We once again brave the storm. “Holy crap, this is why I should move to the south.” There is at least one more inch of snow on the ground. This is insane.

  “Have you always lived in Colorado?” I can tell I make him curious.

  “I have moved so many times in my life. It’s the first time I have lived in a city more than five years. I think Hopeful is where I belong, even if I have an ex-husband I would rather never see again.”

  “That bad, huh?” We start walking toward the wishing well and it’s just a few minutes short of midnight in the middle of downtown.

  “Well, let’s just say l wish I hadn’t married him so young.”

  “I was married once too. It didn’t even last a year. We were only together for a couple of months when I thought we were meant to spend our lives together. We moved here before getting married because that’s what she wanted and when we split, she left a
nd I pretty much never heard from her again until she needed me to sign the divorce papers. She was wild and untamed. She wanted to see the world and be able to travel at the drop of a hat, and I wanted a career and stability, and to lay down some roots and I couldn’t follow her traipsing around the globe. It taught me a lesson.”

  “Yeah, it taught me a lesson too. How to survive with an alcoholic husband. I thought I was handling everything until he got busted with a DUI. That was a slap in the face.” For the second time tonight unless I lost track, Jace holds my hand. There’s so much meaning behind the simple gesture. It calms me and I think he knows it.

  “Enough about our past. You are getting all riled up.” He whispers in my ear. The husk of his tempting voice is so close to my ear that goosebumps spring all over my body.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t want to ruin our night.”

  “It’s far from ruined, I think it’s perfect.”

  “It would be perfect if my eyelashes weren’t transformed into Popsicles.” I laugh.

  “You are beautiful.” He says looking at me like I am some kind of precious cupcake.

  “You aren’t so bad yourself.” I wish I could have said something better. Jace is gorgeous and we all know it. “I’ve always thought you are a handsome man.”

  He starts laughing. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  “You know you are hot. You are the hottest bachelor in Hopeful.”

  “Hopeful is a small town, I’m not fighting too hard for my throne but I’ll take it as a compliment.” He smiles, clearly embarrassed.

  We get to the wishing well and we both bend down to look inside. Apart from all the snow that has drifted down, there’s nothing to see. I try to see if I feel any magic or a strange feeling whatsoever but I don’t. It’s quiet and peaceful. At this time of night, everybody is home and the storm makes everything seem even more serene.

  “Do you believe what they say about it? One of my clients told me we are allowed one wish.” I ask.

  “I’ve never heard about it or ever wished for anything.” He runs his strong hand through his hair and stuffs the beanie back on his head, he seems like he is completely baffled about the well and the legend behind it.