Autumn Bliss

by Stacey Joy Netzel

  “Mondays and Tuesdays are my days off.”

  The volunteered information surprised her—and also explained why she hadn’t seen him the past couple days. “Thursdays for me.”

  “Just one day?”

  “Gotta pay the bills,” she quipped. Which was true, especially after her three-hundred plus car repair bill. “I got my car back, by the way. They replaced the starter.”

  That got her a nod.

  “Did you do anything fun?” she asked. “On your days off, I mean.”

  He simply shook his head, his attention still on the glass case between them. So somber. Made her wonder if he even knew how to have fun.

  She gave him another moment, then asked, “See anything you want?”

  His gaze flicked up to hers for a brief, heart-stopping second, then returned to the pastries. Had the slight color in his cheeks been there before?

  Before he could give her an order, an older couple entered the shop and approached the counter. Levi stepped aside with a gesture indicating they could go ahead of him. The gentleman murmured a thank you, and the woman gave him a smile before stepping forward.

  “Good morning, Mallory,” she greeted.

  “Betty, John, good to see you this morning.” They’d insisted on first names the second day into their stay. “What can I get for you today?”

  They requested flavored coffees and two cinnamon rolls, then chatted while Mallory got their items together.

  “We’re going to take a walk around the lake to enjoy the warm weather. As big as the lake is, John thought a late-morning treat would be nice.”

  “Smart man. I’m sure winter will be here before we know it, so now is the time to take advantage.” Mallory tucked a couple napkins, wet naps, and forks into their bag. “There’s a swing on the opposite side where you can sit in the sun for a while.”

  “I thought I spotted one out the window of our room,” John commented.

  Betty had stepped a bit closer to Levi, and she indicated the jar on the counter filled with slips of paper and chocolate. “I wanted to ask you about this yesterday, but you were so busy I didn’t get the chance.”

  “That’s a goodwill jar.” She noticed Levi glance over before returning his attention to a small rack of magazines against the wall.

  “What is it for?”

  “A way to spread good news, or cheer someone up if they’re having a bad day. Guests can take a message or leave a message, or both if they’d like.”

  Betty’s eyes twinkled with her smile. “I love that.”

  “There’s pen and paper right there. You just write a message, or something that touched you, or made you happy. I added the chocolate because even if the message doesn’t do the trick, everyone can be thankful for a little treat in their day.”

  “Now who’s the smart one,” John quipped with a wink.

  Mallory grinned. “I can’t take all the credit. I read about it in a magazine and thought it was a neat idea. I also have one at home, and if I’m having a bad day, I take the slips out and read them to remind me of all the good things in my life. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference.”

  Something her mother had never been able to embrace.

  “So true.” Betty beamed at her and turned to her husband. “Let’s do both, John, and we’ll read them when we reach the swing.”

  Mallory rang up their purchases and slid them across the counter. The older couple finished their messages, taped a piece of chocolate to each one, then dropped them in the jar after selecting their own to take on their walk.

  “Thanks for coming in,” she said. “Enjoy your day.”

  “You, too, dear.”

  Levi moved forward as they left, and she gave him another smile. Odds were sooner or later he’d break down and return it.

  Today did not appear to be that day, so she prompted, “What can I get for you?”

  “Butch wanted a coffee.”

  Was that the only reason he’d come inside?

  Squashing an immediate rush of disappointment, she moved across to the machine to pour, since she knew what Santa Butch preferred. “And for you?”

  After a long moment, he requested a small pumpkin spice latte. She set both drinks on the counter, then took out a bag and selected a cherry turnover and an apple crunch bar. Santa’s pastry choices were as set as his coffee selection, so she had no doubt Levi would get the apple bar.

  His eyebrows drew together when she set the bag next to the cups, and then he reached into his front pocket.

  Guessing what he was going for, she shook her head and pushed the items toward him. “Nope. Put it away. Santa doesn’t pay here, and yours is on me.”

  “I’d prefer to pay.”

  She figured she could argue back and forth with him, or she could end it quick. Bracing her hands on the counter, she met his gaze and kept her voice friendly, yet firm. “Fine. But then I’m going to pay you for the ride the other morning.”

  His jaw tightened. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “And you could’ve dropped me off in town like I’d asked.” She canted her head to the right and narrowed her eyes in genuine consideration. “Why didn’t you?”

  The question clearly caught him off guard. Something flashed in his eyes, then his gaze dropped while he shoved the money back in his pocket and picked up the items on the counter. “Thank you.”

  He turned to leave, and it wasn’t until he’d almost reached the door that she thought to call out, “Have a good day, Levi.”

  Then she leaned against the counter and willed her pulse to return to normal. Her mother would be so disappointed in her. Not interested was nowhere to be found.

  Chapter 4

  Thunk.

  The solid strike of steel against wood reverberated up his arms and into his shoulders a second before sinking into the chunk of wood, splitting it in half. The sharp blade buried in the wide stump underneath, and Levi gave a swift downward jerk of the handle to dislodge the forged steel head.

  “You could’ve dropped me off in town. Why didn’t you?”

  He slammed another log end up on the stump and swung again, because the answer wasn’t one he wanted to spend any time thinking about.

  “Have a good day, Levi.”

  He shouldn’t like how his name sounded in her voice.

  “Levi.”

  He shouldn’t, but he did. And he’d been hearing it over and over in his head since walking out of the lodge yesterday. Damn Butch for suckering him into getting the coffee. He’d come back and caught the sneaky bastard drinking from a thermos tucked behind the driver’s seat in his truck.

  Thunk.

  Yes, he’d just called Santa Butch a sneaky bastard and he wasn’t sorry for it. He’d heard rumors of the wily old man’s matching-making shenanigans and wanted no part of it. He wasn’t looking for a woman in his life, nor would he be anytime soon.

  A half-hour later, he heard an engine and spotted Mark Riley riding the four-wheeler toward him on the two-track, dirt trail that led from his cabin to where he did a majority of the wood cutting for the lodge. Duke and Daisy loped ahead, tongues lolling from the sides of their mouths.

  He swung the splitting maul one more time before leaving it buried in the stump in front of him, tossed the pieces he’d just split into the back of his pickup, then wiped the sweat from his forehead on his arm and waited for his boss to arrive. Daisy pranced up to him for a rub behind the ears, but Duke hung back, keeping his usual distance.

  The only man Levi had ever seen the male husky willingly approach cut the engine on the four wheeler.

  “Morning,” Mark greeted.

  Levi tugged off his work gloves and glanced at his watch to see it was almost ten. “Hey. How was Milwaukee?”

  “Things went well.” He swung his leg over the seat and came to stand by the tailgate. “I secured some more funding for next year’s Wounded Warrior week.”

  “Good.”

  Mark looked a
round, his gaze shifting from the work he’d been doing to the gas-operated log splitter sitting silently nearby. Yeah, he knew Levi used the manual labor as a stress reliever. Those sharp brown eyes missed nothing when it came to his command.

  The major had led their unit in the army, and he knew the man still took his welfare personally, even though as civilians they were now considered equals. After what he’d done for him, Levi didn’t think he’d ever feel his equal.

  “Everything okay?” Mark asked.

  “Yup.”

  He held his gaze for an assessing moment, then nodded and glanced toward the wood again. “I notice you’ve got the shed up front filled, and the backup shed behind the barns.”

  “Cabins are stocked as well.”

  “You’ve been busy.”

  “That is what you pay me for.”

  Mark smiled at the wry comment. “And I appreciate all your hard work. Which is why I’m here to pass something by you before I make a decision.”

  Levi arched his eyebrows in silent inquiry.

  “Janelle has been busy while I was gone, too. Mallory has apparently come up with a brilliant idea for a fundraiser—you remember me introducing you to Mallory Parker, right? New coffee shop manager?”

  His gut had tightened at the mere mention of her name. How was it three weeks ago he hadn’t even known about her, yet now she occupied his thoughts for more time each day than he was comfortable with?

  He nodded in response to Mark’s question, and his boss continued. “She’s offered to organize the fundraiser without overtime pay, but in exchange, you’d get a new neighbor in the cabin next to yours.”

  “She’s moving in?” He couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice.

  “If you don’t have a problem with it,” Mark confirmed. “She’s been staying with her brother for the past few weeks because her apartment was in that building in town that was just condemned.”

  Great. He lowered his gaze to his gloves. As it was now, without Butch’s interference, he could avoid the coffee shop, or find something to do in a different area of the grounds when she went for her walk at lunch, but to have her living next to him?

  To see her that much, and be that close to her every day would be akin to torture.

  The moment the thought registered, his heart started racing and he stiffened against the tailgate. Stupid comparison considering he knew the true meaning of the word. Not to mention, that close to her was actually separate cabins with a hundred yards of forest between them.

  Swallowing hard, he forced his muscles to relax and lifted his gaze to Mark’s as he shrugged. “It’s really no concern of mine where she lives. You’re going to rent the place out eventually anyway.”

  “True. But like I said, I wanted to run it past you first. She even said she’d find someplace else if you weren’t comfortable with the arrangement.”

  What the hell did she know about what he would or would not be comfortable with? Why would she even care?

  Because she’s nice. With her warm smile, and eternal optimism, and that damn goodwill jar that he’d wanted to dip his hand into.

  Levi appreciated the consideration from Mark, but wasn’t about to let him or Mallory Parker know he had issues with her being close enough to start invading his dreams. Sometimes those dreams were nightmares, and that was the last place he wanted her.

  “You do what’s best for the lodge.” He stroked Daisy’s head when she nudged his hand for more attention. “Whatever that is, I’m fine.”

  The major accepted his assurance with a nod. “Is the cabin ready?”

  “Heat is hooked up. The tub is operational, but I still have to install the shower. And both bedrooms still need to be painted. I can have it done by Tuesday.”

  “All right. I’ll let Janelle know it’s a go.” He gave Levi one last look, then headed back to the four wheeler. “Oh, and we’re having a staff meeting tomorrow afternoon at four to discuss the fundraiser. I’d appreciate it if you could be there.”

  He watched Mark leave, the dogs once again leading the way. Then he went back to chopping wood…until every last log was split.

  * * *

  Friday morning, he considered another one of those pumpkin spice drinks, but maintained his distance from the lodge until precisely four o’clock. Arriving at the conference room for the afternoon meeting, he slipped in the back and leaned against the wall near the exit, arms crossed over his chest. Mallory stood at the front of the room with Mark and Janelle, looking quite sophisticated in her black turtleneck sweater, slim gray skirt, and black knee high boots.

  He listened to the impressive presentation she’d put together, all the while noticing how beautiful she was with that dark hair framing her face before cascading over her shoulders. Her smile was as bright as ever, her excitement tangible as it spread through the room while she explained her plans.

  Yet, for all her enthusiasm, every so often that smile wavered just the slightest bit. As if she were keeping it in place by sheer willpower. Made him wonder how long she’d been up the night before as she pulled everything together.

  Once she finished, she turned the meeting back over to Mark and Janelle.

  “If anyone has any connections they think could help, please see Mallory in the gift shop,” Janelle informed everyone. “She’ll be running point on all of this. Also, before you leave, please look over the signup sheets for anywhere you’d be willing to volunteer. We’ll need a committee for decorations, games, vendor booths—”

  As she ticked off the different areas the employees could help out, Mallory spread some sheets of paper and pens along a table set up near the door.

  “With everyone pitching in wherever possible, the first annual Whispering Pines Fall Harvest Festival will be a success that will bring people back year after year,” Janelle concluded.

  Chatter broke out amongst the employees, and Levi turned for the door.

  “Jenkins.” Mark’s raised voice carried over the din, and he paused to glance toward the front. The major motioned for him to join them. After a quick glance in Mallory’s direction, he made his way through the group lining up to review the volunteer sheets.

  “Sounds good, doesn’t it?” Janelle asked.

  Levi nodded as he slipped his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

  “With the wood caught up, we’ll need some portable booths built that can be reused each year,” Mark said to him. “I’d like for you to work on a design with my brother Eric, and also help Mallory with whatever she needs for the festival these next few weeks.”

  From the corner of his eye, he saw her head swing around in their direction. Looked like the request was news to her. Was she happy about it? Hard to tell without turning to look directly at her, and he wasn’t about to do that.

  Whatever was best for the lodge, hadn’t he said that? Time to back it up.

  He fought the tension stealing through him and nodded his agreement. “I can get started tomorrow.”

  He hightailed it out of there, his reluctance to work side by side with her completely thrown off balance by an unexpected surge of eagerness. It’d been years since he’d looked forward to anything more substantial than a hot cup of coffee in the morning or a steaming shower after a hard day’s work.

  Outside, the barns drew him like a magnet. Spending time in company of the animals always soothed his nerves. The horses came first, and he took a good half-hour grooming a bay rescue gelding that had arrived the day before. The malnourished Quarter Horse was starved for attention and leaned into every gentle brush stroke.

  After giving him a carrot from the treat bin, Levi left by way of the small animal barn. A week old litter of kittens took up another ten minutes of his time, then he walked home along the narrow paved road that led from the lodge to the rental cabins of Whispering Pines. Duke and Daisy joined him, but eventually the huskies became distracted, sniffing in the woods and remained behind.

  Once past the newer builds, the road became a di
rt track, curving around the far side of the lake and leading to the final two structures he’d been renovating. They’d been set apart from the others, farther around the back side of the lake for additional privacy, which made the second one a virtual haven. No one bothered him back here, affording him the peace to keep his anxiety at bay.

  That would change in a few days—

  The sight of Mallory’s maroon vehicle parked outside the first cabin contradicted his thought and kick-started his pulse.

  So much for a few days. Apparently, she wasn’t waiting until he finished the rest of the cabin before moving in.

  She was bent over, leaning inside the open rear door as she struggled to maneuver a box from the back seat without success. His gaze flicked down to the material stretched across her backside, then shifted lower still to her long legs in those sexy boots. Physical awareness tingled to life.

  Keep walking, man.

  Except, she wasn’t giving up, and neither was the box. He blew out a silent sigh before striding forward.

  As he drew closer, he could hear her talking to herself—swearing at the box, he realized. The crunch of his boots on the dry leaves must’ve alerted her to his approach because she whirled around, her brown eyes wide at the sight of him.

  Relief filled her expression. “Oh, hey, it’s just you.”

  Just you? “Who else would I be?”

  “No one. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone, that’s all.”

  He gestured toward her car. “Need some help?”

  She glanced at the box, then shook her head with that familiar smile. It faded faster than usual. “Thanks, but I don’t want to bother you.”

  “Too late.”

  Her attention snapped back up and he glimpsed confusion in her eyes. Shit. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud, especially since the truth was it’d been too late from the moment of their introduction.