Chapter Eight
“Rise and shine, Magpie. The snow has stopped. It’s time to head out.”
Maggie groaned, pulling the covers over her head. The room was warm, and the bed was comfy. Why did he have to go ruin it by reminding her of the freezing snow waiting just outside? Couldn’t she just stay in bed all day?
“Come on, sweetheart. We got to move if you want to open your shop on time.”
“I’m not your sweetheart, Colton Denning,” she grumbled through the covers at the door.
She could hear him chuckle on the other side.
“I’ve got fresh coffee.”
If only coffee would work this morning. “Give me ten minutes.”
“You got five.” The sound of his footsteps retreated.
Stupid man.
It was his fault she was so tired and grouchy this morning. All that teasing and flirting yesterday had wound her up tighter than a pair of skinny jeans. Then he had to go be all sweet and concerned. Offering to call a tow for her. Drive her into town.
Why couldn’t he just be an asshole so she could hate him?
And then there was the proximity. Bad enough she had seen him nearly naked yesterday morning, but last night, while watching the movie, Colton had been so close. Sure, the couch in the cabin was really small and more of a love seat. Awfully convenient excuse. With the heater running full steam and the fire roaring away, it had been toasty warm inside last night, but she’d still kept that throw blanket wrapped around her like armor against him. Still, she remembered the warm, firm press of his thigh against hers, and the strong, lean muscles of his arm casually laid across the back of the couch behind her.
Her hormones had been raging so much she’d almost accepted his offer of sharing the bed. Somehow, she’d found the sanity to decline. No good would come from giving in to her stupid childhood crush.
Deep down, in her heart of hearts, she feared it wasn’t just a childhood crush. She was afraid it might be much more than hero worship or silly puppy love. If it was, and she gave into it—and he didn’t feel the same—it would crush her worse than Miles had.
For her heart’s sake, friendship was all she could offer. Probably all he wanted anyhow. The cowboy was smart, successful, and sexy as hell. He could have his pick of women. Why would he want a mousy little baker covered in more flour than foundation?
Realizing two of her allotted five minutes were already gone, Maggie begrudgingly tossed the covers back and rose. She wore a long, dark T-shirt that she’d found in the dresser. It smelled like Colton. Another reason she had tossed and turned last night. Smelling the man had invoked all kinds of fantasies that kept her hot and bothered, all night long.
Stripping off the shirt, she tossed it on the bed and reach for her clothes she’d thrown onto the floor the night before. She dressed quickly, not bothering with makeup since she had none here. She had her hair braided without even realizing she’d done it. It was automatic. Pulling a hair tie out of the front pocket of her jeans she fastened the end tail.
Hesitating at the door, she glanced to the bed.
One beat.
Two.
Oh, why the hell not.
Rushing back, she grabbed the T-shirt, balled it up, and stuffed the material in the inner pocket of her jacket, next to Gran’s recipe box. Hoping it wasn’t too noticeable, she headed back to the bedroom door. Just as she grabbed the knob, it swung open.
“Jeez, I was coming right out. Impatient much?”
Full, sexy lips smiled, and her stomach dipped like the first drop of a roller coaster.
Stupid stomach.
He held out a travel mug of what she prayed was coffee.
“I was hoping to catch you naked.”
At his wink, she gave him a playful shove and pointed to the mug. “That better be coffee.”
He handed it over. “It is, and seriously, we need to get going. The weather report says there’s another storm headed this way in about two hours.”
It would take them an hour alone to get off the mountain.
“Just let me hit the bathroom, and I’m good to go.”
In less than five minutes, they were in Colton’s truck, headed down the mountain. The radio played static intermixed with bits of country when the signal was good. Maggie sat in the passenger seat drinking her coffee, glad he had suggested she ride with him. The road turned icy overnight, but he was handling it like a pro. She would have been white-knuckled, praying every second of the trip. Snow may be pretty, but the stuff was hazardous.
A little over an hour later, they arrived back in Peak Town. The streets were plowed, but the town had seen some of the snowstorm, too. Small drifts were piled next to where the streets and sidewalk had been cleared. The sun was out, melting the snow, but there were dark clouds on the horizon. Doomsday clouds, as she now thought of them.
It’s springtime, dammit!
Colton pulled up in front of Cupcakes Above the Clouds and put his truck into park, leaving the engine to idle.
“You want me to call Pete about your car? It’s really no trouble. I have to talk to him about a new timing belt for Dade’s truck anyway.”
She wanted to say no. She could handle it on her own. But, with having to find a new distributor, going through Gran’s recipes, and prepping for the blogger, she was a little overwhelmed. Would it really hurt to let a friend help out?
“If it’s not too much trouble. I’d really appreciate it. Tell Pete to call me when it’s fixed.”
He grinned. “You got it, Magpie.”
Rolling her eyes, she opened the truck door and slid out. She paused before closing the door. “Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?”
What? Where the hell had that come from?
She had just blurted it out without thinking. By the look on his face, Colton was as shocked as she was. “I—I was thinking I’d make you dinner.” I was? “To thank you for—you know. Saving my life and everything.”
There, that sounded reasonable and friendly. Not pathetically lustful at all. Just making dinner for a friend to thank him for his help.
Colton recovered from his shock and smiled like he had just won the lottery. “Sure, Magpie. I’d love to.”
Again with the nicknames. Maybe this was a bad idea. Too late to take it back now. “Six thirty okay with you?”
“Perfect. See you then.”
“Bye.”
Slamming the truck door, she turned and ran up the stairs toward her apartment. Her face burned. What the hell had she just done? Only an hour ago she’d told herself not to get involved with the tempting, flirtatious cowboy. Hadn’t she agreed that it was a potential mistake that could rip her heart out?
Yes, she had.
So, why did she feel like a giddy schoolgirl whose crush had just checked the yes box?