“No way. And you wonder why Todd is crabby? I say an alpaca name that’s far more suitable would be Butterscotch or—”
“You want to name a male Butterscotch?” Chance stopped in his tracks and turned around for a second time. I almost had the feeling he was finding excuses to get close to me.
I shrugged. “Better than Jerry.”
“Is it really, though?” he asked, closing the gap between us in the already small space.
“Yeah,” I said, not realizing it would come out quite as breathy and needy as it did.
“Curious.” His eyes narrowed on mine, and I wanted to know what was running through his head.
“What?” I asked, resisting the temptation to slide my lips against his.
Chance was less than a foot away, and every single nerve ending in my body was lighting up like the Christmas tree at my shop, and for that reason I needed to be careful. I saw how that ended up. I didn’t need to end up looking like my poor, torched tree before dinner.
“I think you might be a little more captivated than you initially let on,” he whispered, boxing me in as I pressed my back against the wall more to brace myself than anything.
“With alpacas?” I nodded. “I’m a complete animal lover. If it has fur and four legs, I’m on it. It’s the rest of society I’m not so sure about.”
“Really?” He ran his fingers through his hair and roughed it up. “You mean like people you’re not sure about?” He caged me in with both arms, and my knees went weak with anticipation.
“Yup.” We stayed in the hallway not moving a muscle in either direction, which was making my life almost painful. He brought his mouth dangerously close to mine, but instead of a kiss, I got a whisper.
“I have to agree with you on that one. Most people are suspect.” He spun around and walked away, and I was certain I could sense him smiling.
This man knew exactly what he was doing.
I took a second to get my bearings.
Two could play that game.
We’d made an agreement. He was my key into the male psyche. I didn’t need him turning this whole thing around on me.
So what if he was attractive?
I could resist him.
I followed only a couple more steps to a set of double doors that Chance pushed open.
The library was beautiful. A desk centered the room, but shelves wrapped around all the walls. No wonder Jewels fell for Jake.
Jake’s voice came from nowhere, and I spun around, not seeing him anywhere.
“Mom’s on the phone. I told her Maddie was here and she had a question for her.”
I glanced at Chance who was walking over to the desk where the phone was blinking.
“Okay, I’ll grab it.”
“Is he talking through the phone? It sounded like his voice was coming from behind me?”
Chance pointed over my shoulder and I saw a tiny little speaker.
“The whole house is wired for intercom.”
“Aww. Gotcha.” I nodded as Chance put his mom on speakerphone.
“Hey, mom. Miss me already?”
“Actually, I’m rather enjoying the peace and quiet.” Hildie laughed into the phone and I hid a smile. “Is Maddie there, by chance?”
“You don’t want to talk to me?”
“I talk to you plenty,” his mom teased, and Chance shook his head.
“I seriously can’t catch a break.”
“Hi, Hildie.” I walked over to the phone so I wouldn’t be hollering. “Again, thank you so much for the lavender. I just can’t tell you how much I appreciated the quick delivery.”
“Oh, anytime, dear. So, I wanted to invite you and your sister to the farm for the holiday. I heard from Holly your parents are on a cruise, and we’d love to have you both over. Our little farm actually puts on quite the show for Hound Island. We have a couple guest cottages that are already filled up, but we do have room at the house. Between sleigh rides, gingerbread house contests, fireworks, and Santa, it’s always a good time. The festivities begin Christmas Eve and go until the day after Christmas. What do you say?”
I froze in place at the invite. The thought of spending that much time with Chance was definitely enticing, and I’d have plenty of time to ask him questions and see him in his environment, not that I thought he was a zoo animal. Plus, I would have my sister with me so it wouldn’t be quite as intimidating.
“Dear?” she asked again, and Chance laughed.
“Oh, sorry. Yes, I’ll ask my sister. It sounds lovely. I’ll let Chance know whether or not we can make it.”
“Sounds splendid. Well, enjoy Chance’s hot dog and I’ll talk to you soon.”
Chance hung up and I stared at him.
“How did your mom already know about the hot dog challenge?” I questioned.
“Beats me. Maybe my brother mentioned it.” Chance scooted a little closer and leaned back against the desk, facing me. “You know, I’d love to have you at the farm for the holidays. We could get to know each other a little more.”
“I. . .” My teeth sank into my bottom lip and his gaze followed.
“I think you’re at a loss.”
“At a loss?” I whispered.
“I’m not fitting into your plan.”
I drew in a deep breath. “I just don’t see how this could work. Even if you weren’t fully cooperating as my guinea pig, I’m on Fireweed Island and you’re on Hound Island, possibly on your way to Portland. Why get my hopes up?”
“You didn’t strike me as a pessimist.” His brow arched slightly and his hands clasped my hips, pulling me in a few inches. “I mean anyone who rocks a Santa sweater with googly eyes can’t be a pessimist.”
“I’m not. I’m an eternal optimist once my plans are in place and my goals are set.”
His smoldering gaze lingered on my mouth before looking back into my eyes. It felt like my entire world was spinning being so close to him and wishing for something so nonsensical as what was laid out in front of me.
“I have a confession,” he murmured, leaning forward and bringing his mouth close to my ear.
“What’s that?”
“I always love a challenge, and you’ve presented several.”
Chapter Seven
I sat in Jake’s kitchen, resting my elbows on the sprawling granite island in the center of the room, watching both Chance and Jake scurry around. I could get used to this view.
“Isn’t that the best beer?” Jewels asked, pointing at the dark ale in front of me with only a few sips left.
“A little too good.” I grinned.
“No such thing. Will you and your sister be coming to Hildie’s?” Jewels asked, sitting on one of the plush velour stools next to me.
Obviously this had been a family discussion prior to my arrival, and it made me wonder just how much of this encounter had been planned out. It also made me wonder if they knew of the proposition Chance had accepted.
“I don’t know. I hope so. It sounds like fun. I’ll text my sister later.”
Chance’s eyes flashed to mine, and my entire body warmed.
“I hope you do.” He grabbed a set of stainless tongs and clicked them in the air before turning around.
A nervous excitement pulsed through me.
“You should text her now,” Jewels pressed. “It would be great to have you there. It would be a nice change. Dealing with these two becomes exhausting.”
I could tell she was only marginally kidding.
“Okay. Sure. Why not.”
Unsure of whether it was the beer or Chance altering my decision-making skills, I slid off the stool and located my purse over on the back counter. After fumbling around in my bag for a few seconds, I found my phone and saw a text from Holly.
I feel like Nick has something up his sleeve for Christmas!
A smile coated my entire expression. It was so sweet to see my sister’s happiness explode, especially near the holidays.
But it also told me she’d h
ave absolutely no desire to go to Hildie’s for the holiday and I didn’t blame her. She had Nick.
I texted back quickly.
If you’re trying to get something out of me, it’s not going to work. I’d never tell you Nick’s secrets…
It was also fun to torment her a tad.
I looked over at Chance, happily grilling the bratwursts, and a completely unfamiliar and exhilarating sensation filled me up. I wanted to see him again, and I hadn’t even left yet.
That solved it.
I was going to be impulsive.
I was going to go to the farm by myself and would let Holly spend her first Christmas with Nick alone, but it was nothing to tell her over a text. I’d tell her at the shop.
“So the brats are done just about to perfection,” Chance announced.
I brought my phone with me.
“What did your sister say?” Jewels asked.
“I decided to just talk to her at the shop, but I have a feeling she’d like to spend the holidays with Nick. At least that’s what her text led me to believe.”
Jewels crinkled her nose and shook her head. “Bring him too.”
“I was actually thinking maybe I’d just come and let those two spend some time together.”
Chance spun around, his eyes connecting with mine, and I felt my heart take a little tumble. He looked genuinely excited.
“Really?” he asked.
I nodded. “We’ll see how the bratwurst turns out, but I think it sounds like a lot of fun.”
“Who knew so much could ride on one simple meal. Jake, get the sauerkraut.” He grabbed a platter and piled the bratwursts on top.
“How many did you think I’d eat?” I asked, laughing. There had to be three bratwursts for every person.
“I know that they are just that good.” He winked, and I felt my plans to keep him at a distance flying right out the window.
“Hildie is going to be so excited,” Jewels gushed. “Can I text her to let her know the good news? The more females at the house, the better.”
I laughed, feeling more and more confident with my decision by the second. I always loved hanging out with Jewels and this would be great, no matter what happened with Chance.
“We can all go together,” Jake added.
My cynical mind panicked slightly. What if things went south, and I couldn’t get off Hound Island? Ferry service wasn’t as frequent on the smaller islands, especially during the holidays.
“Now you’re showing off your chopper?” Chance shook his head.
“A helicopter?” I choked out.
I knew Jake had one, but I didn’t expect to have to fly in it.
“It makes getting back and forth between the islands way simpler. No ferry lines or missed connections,” Jewels assured me. “I was nervous too, but now I can’t imagine any other way.”
“I can always take the ferry with you,” Chance added, setting the platter of bratwursts and toasted buns on the island between us.
“No, I mean that’s really kind of you to offer.” I swallowed my fear and nodded. “I’d love to ride in the chopper.” I finished off my beer and set the empty bottle on the counter. The ale was one of the island’s local brews and went down a little too easy. It didn’t help that Jewels made us a gingerbread shot to start off the evening.
“Would you like another?” Jewels asked as Jake already slid one over.
“Thanks.”
My phone buzzed and it was my sister again.
You’re rotten.
“Did you ever put my number in your phone?” Chance asked, coming around the counter.
“I haven’t had a chance.”
He clutched his heart. “I never know where I stand with you.”
“You know precisely where you stand with me.” I grinned and continued. “If that bratwurst tastes halfway as good as it looks, I’ll let you put your number in my phone.”
Jake laughed and slapped his brother’s back.
“Finally a woman to put you in your place.”
I giggled and watched Chance lean over the counter and push the platter closer.
“Do you trust me to make you a dog?”
“I suppose,” I answered.
Jewels laughed and nodded. “A girl as leery as me. Love it.”
“I’ll win her over yet, and one day, we might even advance to a non-chaperoned date.” Chance laughed.
“You can dream.” I smiled.
Chance decorated my bratwurst as if it were a piece of art before placing a large scoop of potato salad on my plate and placing the dish in front of me.
Jake fixed Jewels’ plate and then his own as Chance stood at the end of the island.
I desperately hoped this bratwurst was the best in the world.
“Hildie just texted back,” Jewels told me, looking at her phone. “And she’s quite happy.”
I smiled and took a bite of the sausage, and he was right.
“Your sausage beats Billy’s without a doubt.”
Chance’s lips rounded into a gigantic smile, and he sat back on the stool, folding his arms across his chest. “So does that mean I can finally get my number in your phone?”
I slid my phone on the counter in Chance’s direction and happily took another bite and washed it down with the local ale.
“There. All set.” He slid the phone in my direction, and I glanced down at my phone contacts, expecting to see Chance Harlen, but instead saw Weiner Man Extraordinaire listed as a favorite.
“Dear Lord. What did you put in her phone?” Jake laughed. “She’s grinning like the Cheshire Cat.”
I jokingly rolled my eyes and flipped off my phone. “Am not.”
“Chance strikes again.” Jake chuckled. Reaching for Jewels’ hand, he squeezed it, and turned his attention back to me. “If my younger brother gives you any trouble, let me know.”
“Will do.” I happily polished off my bratwurst and eyed the platter.
“Another?” Chance asked and I sheepishly nodded.
Between cheese sauce, Santa sweaters, and an appetite like a lumberjack’s, I was bound to scare Chance off anyway.
“So what made you choose Fireweed for your tea shop?” Jake asked as Chance fixed another bratwurst for me.
“I just fell in love with the people—”
“Although most people she’s not fond of.” Chance flashed a wry grin.
“Not all people are bad,” I corrected. “And Fireweed somehow seems to have the best of them.”
Jewels chuckled. “Isn’t that the truth? I go over to the mainland and can’t believe the crabbiness and the rush of living.”
“Speaking of crabbiness, Chance said you had a crabby alpaca named Todd?” Relieved I could shift the conversation away from the real reason I came to Fireweed.
“That we do.” Jake nodded and grimaced. “He’s not to be trifled with and if you even look at his lady, he won’t have it.”
“His lady?” My brows rose in surprise.
This sounded like quite the soap opera.
“Dotty,” Jewels added.
“Aww. Todd and Dotty.” I smiled just thinking of those two wandering off toward the sunset together.
“Todd is the leader of the alpacas, or so he thinks,” Jake informed me. He spotted my empty beer. “In all honesty, I’m the leader of the alpacas.”
“In your dreams.” Jewels giggled.
“Would you like another?” Jake asked, pointing at my ale.
“I probably shouldn’t. I have to be at the shop early.”
“Oh, we can always get you home via cab,” Jewels assured me, but I knew the state of our cabs on Fireweed. It could be an awfully long wait. “Or you can stay in one of the guestrooms.”
“Sounds like the best plan to me,” Chance said and my cheeks flushed.
“I’ll take another.”
What was the worst that could happen?
“But on Fireweed, a cab ride is always iffy and a wild ride,” I added.
&nbs
p; Chance opened his mouth to say something but quickly slammed it shut.
I knew exactly what he was going to say and hid a chuckle.
Maybe it was okay to just loosen up a bit for once. The unexpected was kind of fun. I’d already managed a delicious dinner with friends and now a magical holiday was in store.
“While I might be the sausage king, you definitely know how to make the best potato salad,” Chance told me.
“You really do,” Jewels agreed, putting more on her plate.
“Thanks. It’s my mom’s recipe.”
“So your parents are on a cruise?” Chance asked, already knowing the answer.
“Yup. They’ve been together forever, but recently things had gotten a little . . . flat in their relationship.”
“Oooh.” Jake nodded.
“They both got so caught up in living separate lives—thanks to my dad’s job—that my mom nearly had an affair.”
Jewels gasped.
“With a bird,” I added. “She fell in love with her pet bird, Muppet.”
Chance traded a nervous look with Jake.
“See what you got yourself into?” I teased. “My family is eccentric, to say the least.” I took another sip of ale, feeling beyond relaxed. “My poor dad was almost displaced by a cockatoo. When they all came for a visit at Thanksgiving—”
“Bird included?” Chance’s brows pinched together, making him look even cuter.
“Yes.” I nodded. “When they all came out, we saw my dad just getting left in the dust. Nick actually helped bring them back together.”
Jewels smiled. “I heard a little bit about that.”
“So basically you just never know what you’re going to get with a Wildes.”
Chance laughed and shook his head. “I didn’t even think about your infatuation with all things wild and your last name.”
I hadn’t either, probably because I wasn’t really fascinated with anything too wild or out of the ordinary until Chance and that was still questionable.
“I’ve got an idea. Let’s do a word game.” Jewels twisted her mouth into a wicked grin. “One word to describe your personality. I’ll start. Dreamer.”
This was a game I could get behind.
“Organized,” I said proudly.
Chance at Love on Mystic Bay (Island County Series Book 6) Page 6