Page 9 of Craving the Lumberjack

Our parents are quirky and decided to name us after the month we were born in. Obviously, I was born in June, Autumn was born in October, and poor Icelyn was born in December.

She was called Icy or Ice Queen growing up, so often that she now embraces the nickname and refuses to date. She spends her free time fostering cats and other animals.

If it weren’t for the bakery, I’m afraid she would end up a crazy cat lady living deep in the mountains with hundreds of felines running through her cabin.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

“She said you’d better let her take over the lemon cookies so you can be at the register when your boyfriend and that demon child show up for their special cookies.”

“He’s not my boyfriend. And Molly isn’t a demon.” I scowl at Autumn and her weird sense of humor. “She’s a sweet kid who lost her parents and is being raised by a guy she barely knows, who just married her nanny and is having a baby of their own.”

“Feisty.” Autumn laughs as she playfully snaps my butt with a dish towel. “For someone who claims he’s not your boyfriend, you’re quick to defend his family.”

“Quit touching her ass with that towel. Do you want the food inspector to close us down?” Icelyn rips the cloth out of Autumn’s hand, causing her to laugh even harder.

“You mean the same sexy food inspector who looks like he should be chopping wood instead of handing out code violations?” Icelyn’s cheeks turn a deep shade of red at Autumn’s teasing. “I bet you would love for him to punish you for violating his rules.”

I should feel guilty for taking so much pleasure in Autumn changing her target from me to our oldest sister. As the youngest sister, I’m usually the one they pick on.

“Do you ever take anything seriously?” Icelyn pushes past me, shooing me out of the way as she slips on a pair of oven mitts, expertly pulls the trays of perfectly baked lemon cookies out of the oven, and places them on the cooling racks.

“Never. Life is too short to be serious.” Autumn smiles as she places the small cookie box I carefully packed earlier today into my hands. “Now, get out there and maybe say more than two words to him. It’s not like you to be so tongue-tied about anything.”

She’s right. Autumn is the jokester, Icelyn is the serious one, and I’m the talkative one. “I was thinking about asking him to the summer festival tomorrow.” I bite my lower lip—a nervous habit I’ve been trying to break without any luck—and wait for them to tell me I’m a fool.

“I think that’s a great idea. Besides, you don’t want to die a virgin, do you?” The truth in Autumn’s words stops me in my tracks.

I glance at Icelyn just in time to see the sadness in her eyes before her gaze shifts back to her usual icy blue coolness that only reinforces her title of ice queen.

The three of us are closer than ever now that we moved to Temptation Ridge and started our business, Mountain Morsels. The fact that we all know we’re virgins isn’t a surprise.

With a nod and renewed confidence to ask Brooks to the summer festival, I tighten my grip on the box of goodies for Brooks and Molly and step back from the kitchen, using myshoulder to push open the swinging door that leads to the front of the bakery and take my place behind the cash register, relieving Brynnlee, our full-time front counter help.

“It must be almost four o’clock.” She steps away from the cash register with a knowing smile, giving me space to place the cookie box under the counter before I take her place and start taking customers’ orders.

Am I really that obvious?

Before I can think about who else might know about my secret crush on Brooks, the line of customers in front of me grows longer. I nervously glance at the clock above the front door, noticing I still have five minutes before Brooks usually arrives.

If I can move the customers through the line quickly, I’ll have plenty of time to talk to Brooks and invite him to the festival.

I take order after order, silently praying for an end in sight so that when Brooks walks through the door, I can take the time to talk to him instead of just saying, that will be seven dollars.

“Welcome to Mountain Morsel. What can I get you?” I smile at the young man at the front of the line. I’ve seen him in the bakery a few times. I think his name is David.

“Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to go to the summer festival with me tomorrow.” There’s a slight wobble in his voice that pulls at my heart.

If I weren’t already half in love with Brooks, I might consider his offer. But I’m head over heels for Brooks; I can’t imagine dating anyone else. Still, I don’t want to hurt David’s feelings.

“I’m sorry, David. I already have a date.” It’s not exactly a lie. As soon as Brooks picks up his cookies, I’m going to ask him out.

“I figured. A woman as pretty as you probably has all the guys falling at your feet.” With a sad smile, he places his order.

Still in shock over his sweet comment, I go through the motions of collecting his payment and giving him his change before he steps aside, waiting for Brynnlee to finish boxing his order.

My heart races when I see Brooks and Molly step to the front of the line. I was so busy trying not to hurt David’s feelings I didn’t notice them come in. But before I can say anything, Cassi Martin, with her perfect hair and perfect body, steps in front of Brooks, stopping his movements.

“Brooks, hon, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the summer festival with me tomorrow.” Her perfect fake eyelashes flutter prettily as she waits for his answer.

I can’t take my eyes off Brooks, even holding my breath, waiting for his answer. Out of the corner of my eye, I think I see Molly shake her head and pull on his arm.

The silence stretches out, making my heart thump so loudly that I’m almost sure the entire room can hear it racing, until the one word I never thought could tear my world apart escapes from Brook’s mouth.

“Sure.”