It was a relief to hear that, but for some reason he had a feeling she was only saying it to pacify him. She needed to know that her time here was limited. She needed to find a new place to live preferably one with walls.
“The winter’s coming, and if I had to guess it’s only a few weeks before we get our first snow,” he said.
Nobody could survive out in the elements come winter. Once the snow started, it wouldn’t give up, dumping feet at a time. She couldn’t survive those types of conditions and Mason wasn’t going to give her the option of trying.
“I’m working on it,” she said, but there was a crack in her voice, which didn’t make him feel very confident about it.
“My sister-in-law, Shay, the cupcake lady. She’s looking to rent out her grandparents’ house.”
Cassie shook her head, a stray reddish brown strand falling in her face. He wanted so badly to reach across the seat, close the gap between them and push the strand back into place, but he controlled himself. The last thing he wanted was to scare her and honestly, it would kill him to see her as fearful as she was last time. What the hell had happened in her life that caused her to go from this beautiful carefree woman to a timid wounded animal. What kind of monster could do that to her?
Anger surged through his veins as several possibilities formed in his head. He took a calming breath, letting the unsettling thoughts fade and his anger subside before he punched the steering wheel and scared her. It was the last thing he wanted. Instead, he wanted to comfort her, to protect her. To let her know she could trust him.
She tucked the strand of hair behind her ear. The smile from earlier was completely gone, her lips pressing into a sad thin line. “I can’t afford a house. I can barely afford…never mind.”
Never mind. He wondered what she was going to say and why she thought better not to say it. If anyone understood keeping to themselves, it was him, but he hated when other people did the same. He wanted to know what she was thinking. Wanted her to clue him in on a little more of her situation. Like what brought her to Red Maple Falls? What happened that she was here now living at a campsite? Carrying around a backpack that she guarded with her life?
Mason knew when to ask, and he also knew when to keep his mouth shut. This was one of those times when keeping his mouth shut was for the best, so he followed his gut instinct and didn’t push for more answers. “You never know. Shay’s desperate. Really just needs someone to look over the place. Let me talk to her and see if something can be worked out.”
“All right.” There was absolutely no fight in her voice.
“Really?” he asked. He expected her to be more resistant to the idea. She was fiercely independent, refusing car rides until he wouldn’t take no for an answer, always carrying her own bag, living alone in the middle of nowhere.
“You can talk to her. See what she says. I’m desperate enough to hope for a miracle.”
“Lucky for you, miracles are my specialty.”
She rolled her eyes. “You did not just say that.”
“Oh, you bet your ass I did.”
When she laughed, it was like he’d won first prize at a beer competition. It felt like the biggest victory, and the tension that had been pulling tight across his shoulders eased.
He put the truck in reverse and floored it away from the campsite.
“Where are you going?” she asked, grabbing onto the seat and looking around.
He could see the panic starting to form in her eyes and took his foot off the accelerator. He never wanted her to think that she didn’t have a choice with him. He might annoy her until the point she accepted his assistance, but he would never force it on her.
“I’m hungry, and if I had to guess, you are, too.”
“I have—” Her words froze when he glanced over at her shaking his head.
“You’re not eating out of a package tonight, and you sure as hell aren’t cooking your own food.”
“I don’t have the money.”
“Good, because you’re not paying.”
“I couldn’t ask you to.”
“You didn’t. I’m offering.”
He spun the truck around to face the street and stopped. “But if you want to get out, I’m not going to force you to come. You always have a choice. But know that if you don’t come, you’ll be missing out on an awesome meal… not to mention, the pleasure of my company.”
The corner of her mouth twitched and though it was a welcoming sign, he wished she would let her smile spread freely. “How can I say no to that?”
“You can’t.”
“Okay, but when and if I’m finally settled, I’ll pay you back.”
“When you’re settled, cook me dinner, and we’ll call it even.”
She smiled. “I can do that.”
“Good.”
He pulled out onto the main road, heading for Calhoun’s, the local bar—and only bar—right on the edge of town that also served the best burgers.
“Please tell me you eat meat,” he said; if she was a vegetarian, she wouldn’t have many options to choose from at the bar.
“Is an IPA hoppy?”
The beer reference made his chest swell unexpectedly with heat. A beautiful girl who was smart and funny, but who also made beer references? He thought he’d died and gone to heaven.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said.
“Nothing better than a good beer and a good burger.”
He grabbed his chest. “A woman after my own heart.”
= A smile pulled wide across her face, making Mason fall for her even more.
Calhoun’s was packed out as much as any place in Red Maple Falls could be on a random week day. Mason pulled his truck into an open spot and turned to Cassie.
“Ready to have the best burger of your life?”
“Wow, those are pretty high expectations there.”
“I have formed my opinion on heavy research and data.”
“I don’t doubt that,” she said. “But with all the research and data collection wouldn’t it be more of a fact than opinion?”
“Technically, but everyone’s taste buds are different, so I had to take that into account. Plus, some people have no idea what a good burger is, and even though they shouldn’t count, it wouldn’t be accurate if they didn’t.”
“Well, I can tell you I have a pretty good idea what makes a great burger, and my expectations are at an all-time high right now.”
“You’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
“If I’m not I don’t want you blaming my taste buds. We all know my taste buds don’t lie.”
The way she could taste a beer and detect every subtle flavor, he couldn’t argue with her on that. “Let’s go find out,” he said as he slipped out of the driver’s seat. He rounded the truck to her side, but she had already jumped out. He shut the door and let her lead the way, following closely behind. He went to rest his hand on the small of her back, but fought the urge.
Inside, voices boomed as a hundred different conversations were going on. Declan, the owner, moved around the bar, taking orders and sliding beers across the surface. Calhoun’s was the first establishment to offer Mason’s beer on tap, and Mason couldn’t be more grateful to the man.
Declan waved a tattooed arm in Mason’s direction. There were a few seats open at the bar. Mason nodded an acknowledgement and went to walk over when Cassie froze in place. He had no idea if something in here triggered something in her mind, but before he could ask, she took a deep breath and started to move. He guided her over to the open spots and slid onto the stool, holding his hand out to Declan.
Declan shook it, slapping his other hand on top. “Good to see you, brother,” he said, a faint smile showing beneath his dark beard. He had a scar that started at his cheek, but disappeared beneath the scruff. Mason had always wondered how he got it but had never asked.
“Declan, this is Cassie, she’s new to the area.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Cassie,” he said, hol
ding out his hand.
Cassie hesitated and, while most people might not have noticed, it was a red flag in Mason’s mind.
She accepted his hand and gave it a quick shake before dropping her hand back to her lap. “Nice to meet you.”
“What can I get you two?”
“We’ll take two pints of Hippity Hop and two bacon cheeseburgers.”
“Extra pickles,” Cassie said. “If that’s all right.”
“You heard the lady,” Mason said.
Declan finished filling the two pints and placed the glasses in front of them. “You got it. I’ll get that right out to you. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Will do,” Mason said as Declan headed back to the kitchen. Cassie sat with her head down, fidgeting with her fingers. “You okay?”
She looked up, plastering a fake smile on her face. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You’re acting weird.”
She dropped her hands to her side. “Sorry. There are a lot of people in here. I’m not used to crowds.”
Mason was a bit perplexed by Cassie’s response. She seemed to have no problem with a crowd in the tasting room on a busy Saturday. Plus, she said she’d worked in a restaurant with craft beers, which certainly must have drawn a crowd on some nights. Besides crowded wasn’t exactly a term used for any of the establishments in Red Maple Falls, but Calhoun’s sat right on the edge of town and brought people in from the next town over as well. It was about as crowded as you could get in the area.
However odd her answer was, Mason decided not to make an issue of it. She was obviously spooked by something, and he would rather not make things worse for her by questioning further, “We can go if you want.”
“Oh no! It’s all right. I’m already getting used to it. Besides, I need to taste this amazing burger you’ve been raving about.”
“Okay then.”
“To good beer and good burgers,” she said, holding her glass up with a smile.
Mason wasn’t fooled. He could tell it was forced, see the tension in her shoulders and in the way she held her glass. She said she was okay, but she wasn’t. He didn’t know why she felt the need to lie to him.
Chapter 9
Mason could smell Sweet Dreams Bakery before he could even see the storefront. The mouthwatering scent of cupcakes and pastries floated down the street like a guiding path to the bakery’s front door.
He walked in, trying to fight the sudden urge to order one of everything, and went right to the counter. He nodded to Shay, his sister-in-law and mother to his future niece or nephew, and she smiled big at him. Her brown hair was pulled to the side and braided, and she wore a pink and white frilly apron that matched the décor of the bakery perfectly.
As he approached, she snapped her fingers and pointed at him. He stopped in place, staring at her in confusion. “What’d I do?”
“You have to try my newest cupcake. I was going to surprise you for your birthday, but who was I fooling? I’d never last the month. Besides, they’re so good I’m adding them to my rotation.”
Before he could say anything, she disappeared into the back where the kitchen was. Louise, who had worked at Sweet Dreams Bakery from the beginning, gave a wave to Mason. She was a pretty girl with dark brown hair—that was currently braided in a crown on her head—and big brown eyes that looked cartoon-like. She was also extremely bubbly and always had a massive smile on her face.
He nodded in response.
“She’s been working on this cupcake for over a week.”
“Why would she do that?”
“Do you not know her at all? She’s only your sister-in-law. God forbid it’s not perfect, which it was three times ago.”
“I heard that,” Shay said as she came back holding a plate with a delicious looking chocolate cupcake. “Besides it wasn’t perfect. It is now. At least I think it is.” She held it up to Mason’s face. “Isn’t it amazing?” she asked.
“It’s a cupcake,” he said, and she rolled her eyes in response.
“It’s not just a cupcake. It is a chocolate stout cupcake with a salted caramel buttercream.”
“There’s beer in this?” he asked, pointing at the small cake with piqued curiosity.
“It’s your beer in it. The growler you gave Matt? I kind of stole from him and worked my magic with it. What are you waiting for? Eat. I need to know if it’s as good as I think it is.”
“I already told you it is,” Louise said from behind her.
“Your opinion doesn’t count. I sign your paycheck; you’re biased.”
“You’re carrying his brother’s offspring. I think that makes him biased, too.”
“He doesn’t mix personal life and business, and this is business.”
“She has a point,” he said.
“I do. Now eat.”
Mason had no doubt that the cupcake would be good. He didn’t think it was possible for Shay to make anything that wasn’t amazing, but he’d be lying if he wasn’t a bit skeptical as he brought the cupcake to his mouth. Mixing beer in cake mix was a bit out there. But when he took a bite, any reservations he had were lost to the moist, chocolaty goodness.
“This is damn good,” he said before taking another bite.
“I told you!”
“You really want to put this in your rotation?”
“Absolutely. I’m thinking Fridays, as a prelude to the weekend.”
“I like it.”
“I still need to run some numbers to see how much beer I’ll actually need, then we can talk about you giving me a good deal.”
“I’m not going to charge you.”
“Of course you are.”
“You should get some perks for having to sleep with my brother.”
“Trust me, that’s perk enough.”
Mason held up his hand. “Set myself up for that one.”
“That you did.” Shay motioned him over to the side as a customer came in. She offered a friendly hello, but let Louise take care of their order. “So what brings you in here today?”
“Are you still looking for someone to rent your grandparents’ house?” he asked, jumping right down to business.
“Why? You know someone?”
“I might.”
“Who?”
Mason looked at his sister-in-law then at the small tables and chairs behind them. “Shouldn’t you be sitting?”
“Not you, too. I’m pregnant not injured. I’m fine. Continue.”
Mason raised an eyebrow in her direction.
“Your brother is driving me nuts. ‘Don’t lift that, don’t stand on that.’ I’m short. What does he want from me? Sometimes I have to stand on a chair to get something off the top shelf. It’s not like I’m standing on the edge of an eighty-story building.”
“He’s just worried.”
“No, he’s an idiot.”
“He wants to keep you safe.”
She let out a loud sigh. “I know, and I love that he cares so much. It’s just…”
“Overwhelming.”
“A bit.”
“I’m sure you’ll find a way to deal with him.”
She smiled. “I always do. Okay sorry. Back to you. House is still available. Who did you have in mind?”
“The girl I hired to run the tasting room is in need of a place.”
“Is she trustworthy?”
“I don’t think she’s a serial killer.”
“Not a serial killer, okay good. Cross that off the list. If you vouch for her that’s all I need.”
“I do.”
“Okay then. When does she want to look at the place?”
Mason took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. He hated asking for anything, but Cassie needed a place to live, and Shay had an empty house just sitting there.
He pushed his pride aside and went for it.
“She doesn’t have much. Financially, I’d say she doesn’t have a pot to piss in. Not sure what she’d be able to pay you.”
“I see,” Shay said.
“I thought I’d give it a shot; maybe if you were desperate enough to get someone in there.”
If it was a few months ago, he’d offer Cassie the loft above the brewery, but he had since moved in, wanting to be as close to his business as possible. He’d even offer to pay her rent, but all his funds were tied up in the brewery at the moment.
“Tell you what,” Shay said, “tell her to come by the house tomorrow so I can meet her. Give her a tour.”
“What about rent?”
“I think we’ll be able to work something out.”
“Shay, you’re the best.”
“I know,” she said with a smile. “And because of that, I’ll take the first batch of beer I need for free.”
“Deal.”
***
Cassie didn’t have a car so when Mason told her that Shay was willing to meet her at the house, she had no idea how she was going to get there, but then without a moment hesitation, Mason held out his keys.
“You have a license?” he asked as he dangled the keys in front of her.
“I do.”
“Good. Don’t hit anything,” he said, then handed her a piece of paper with an address and directions.
“Wait, you’re not coming with me?” she asked, trying to quench the anxiety of having to meet someone new on her own. Though, Shay wasn’t exactly a new person. Cassie had met Shay briefly at the opening, and she seemed really sweet.
“I have some things to finish up here. Unless you need me to go with you?” he asked, his eyebrow arching in that adorable way it did when he was waiting on a response.
She knew if she said she wanted him to go he would drop everything, that was the type of guy he was proving to be, but she didn’t want to inconvenience him. There was no reason why she couldn’t go alone.
“No, that’s all right. You go do what you have to do.”
“You sure?” he asked, and she liked that he cared enough to double check.
“I’m sure.”
“Shay doesn’t bite unless you get too close to her batter… then she might poke an eye out with one of her spatulas.”
“Good to know,” she said with a smile. “I met her for a few seconds, but you’ve told me enough about her that I feel like I know her.”
Moments with Mason (A Red Maple Falls Novel, #3) Page 7
