Crushing on Kate
Page 19
“Sorry I took so long,” she finally said. “I wanted to freshen up a bit.”
He shook his head like he was shaking himself out of a trance. “Don’t apologize. Come sit.” He motioned toward the wooden stool on the opposite side of the bar from where he stood.
She took the seat and let her backpack fall down her shoulder then rested it in her lap.
“Let me put that over here,” he said, and she involuntarily hugged the bag closer to her chest. Everything she owned was tucked behind the worn material and well-used zipper. It wasn’t much—some clothes, toiletries, a few keepsakes. Junk to most people, but it was all she had.
“I won’t steal it. Promise,” he said and there was an innocence about him that calmed her wariness.
With a deep breath, she held the bag out to him. He took it with one hand, his muscles tightening beneath his shirt as he held his other arm out at his side. “I’m going to put it right here,” he said, making a show of placing the bag on the far side of the counter then releasing it and walking back toward her.
Relieved he didn’t mention the weight or question her about what was inside, the tension that began to pull at the back of her neck eased. He didn’t even make her feel like she was crazy for being so protective over a backpack. It was silly, but that alone made her think Mason was a good person. She only wished that she was right, and the Mason she met today would be the same man a few months down the road.
“Ready to get started?” he asked, and she nodded. “I currently have five beers on tap. A wheat, a pale ale, an IPA, a brown ale, and a porter.” He pointed to each tasting glass as he counted them off.
She didn’t want to interrupt him, but she probably could have guessed without him telling her. Each type of beer had a specific shade and scent that she had always been good at detecting.
“The rotation will change seasonally, but the IPA, Hippity Hop, will be a staple.”
“I like the name. Any reason why you chose the IPA?” she asked, feeling comfortable enough now to speak freely.
That dangerously attractive smirk appeared. There was a gleam in his eyes that caused the dark green to lighten. “First beer I ever made. I’ve perfected the recipe over the years, but...”
“It has nostalgia,” she said when he shrugged off the rest of the sentence. She noticed he did that—shrugged instead of finishing his thoughts. It amazed her that she knew already what he was about to say.
“Exactly,” he said then pushed the first glass toward her. “This is a blueberry wheat.”
She picked the glass up and sniffed it, definitely catching a strong scent of blueberries. She wondered if it the taste would be strong up front or become more noticeable on the backend. She took a sip and was surprised at how good it was. She was an IPA girl, but this beer was made well. The blueberries didn’t overpower and left a nice subtle taste on the tongue, making her want to go in for another sip.
“This is dangerous,” she said. “One of those beers that tastes so good you don’t realize there’s alcohol in it.” She could see the pride overtaking his features. “What else do I need to know about it?” She took another sip then put it down, knowing she had four others to taste and not wanting to get tipsy. She needed to remain professional.
“The blueberries I picked myself at my parents’ farm. I try to use all locally grown ingredients.”
“Your parents’ farm is just an added bonus then.”
He nodded. “Definitely doesn’t hurt.”
“You’re close with them?”
“I am.”
A sad smile formed on her face while envy rushed through her. She always wondered what it would be like to grow up in a big family—to have a built-in support team of people who were always there for you. Growing up in foster care she never stayed in a place long enough to get the chance. That was until Francine took her in. But even then, it was just the two of them. Now with Francine gone she was back to dreaming about a big family she would never have.
“Are you not close to your family?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the old antique tub that sat below the taps.
She stared at the beer in front of her, debating on making up a lie like she usually did or to come out with the truth. In the end, she decided on the truth, she was sick of hiding behind lies.
“I never met my parents. I was put up for adoption, but for some reason no one wanted me, so I got stuck in the system. Bounced around to a few foster homes. Finally, when I was fourteen, I got placed in a good one. But my foster mom died a few years back.”
“So you’re completely alone in the world?” he blurted, and she almost winced at the straightforwardness, but she didn’t and she was proud of herself for that.
“I have myself. Some days it’s enough.”
“And the other days?”
She shrugged while she ran her finger around the bottom of the glass stem. “Lonely,” she finally said, but added with a reassuring smile, “But those days always pass.”
“You picked the right town then,” he said with a smile.
“Excuse me?” What did the town have to do with anything?
“Let’s just say it’s impossible to be lonely in Red Maple Falls.”
~End of Excerpt~
Grab your copy today!
Other Books by Theresa
Red Maple Falls Series
Mad About Matt
Crushing on Kate
Moments with Mason
Catching Cooper
Hung Up on Hadley
A Bride for Sam
Dreaming of Daisy
Charmed by Chase (Book 1 of the Marshall Family)
Blindsided by Brooke (Coming November 2018)
Willow Cove Series
Her Forbidden Love Match
His Not-So Small Town Girl (Coming September 2018)
The Again Series
(Never) Again
(Once) Again
Written with Cassie Mae under the pen name Tessa Marie
Broken Records
Acknowledgements
Cassie is the best. – Cassie wrote her own acknowledgement again and I’m keeping it again. But this time I’d like to add Cassie, editor extraordinaire, awesome formatter, and the best friend a girl could ask for, this series would never be if it wasn’t for you. Thank you.
Mom you know the deal. Thanks for everything! Your faith in me continues to hold strong and that’s where I find my strength to keep writing. Love you!
My friends and family, thank you for your constant support. I can’t express how much it truly means to me.
Eric, thank you for bringing me home cupcakes and always making sure there is milk in the fridge for my coffee. Thank you for believing in me and right now for cooking dinner after a long day at work so I can get this book finished. I couldn’t ask for anyone better!
To my readers, thank you for taking a chance on Kate and Caleb. I hope you loved them as much as I loved writing them. It’s because of you that I am able to do what I do and there are no words to show my gratitude. Stay tuned because there is a lot more to come from this small town!
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About the Author
Theresa Paolo lives on Long Island, NY with her fiancé and their fish. She is the author of NA and Adult contemporary romances. Her debut novel (NEVER) AGAIN, released in Fall 2013 with Berkley (Penguin) and the companion novel (ONCE) AGAIN released Summer 2014. Mad About Matt, the first book in her new Red Maple Falls series, released March 2017.
She loves to write heartfelt romances with a dash of fun and a side of spice. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, brewery hopping, daydreaming, wasting
time on Pinterest, or can be found chatting away on Twitter and Facebook. She also writes YA romance under Tessa Marie.
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