Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
THREE
hawk
It’s not every day you see a purple-haired girl sneak up to your homestead, freak out, then run away faster than you’ve ever seen a person run before.
Although, I guess her hair is meant to be lavender, given her name.
She’s a bit of a cute one, which is an understatement. When I spotted her in that bakery, I was a little smitten. She’s got that lovely sun-kissed tan, and her body is as natural as nature makes them. All the right curves to make me go a little crazy about her. Especially the few times I caught her smiling. Damn, now that’s a woman.
Of course, I didn’t make any sudden moves then, because I thought hitting on a girl at someone else’s wedding was a bit crass. I guess others don’t think it is. Fox didn’t. Says I missed an opportunity, and people apparently hook up at weddings all the time, which I guess makes sense. It’s a celebration of love. What’s a good way to celebrate love?
Make more love.
I pack up the wood in my truck and head into my cabin to get the shower going. A quick shower before I roll on down to the farmers’ market, drop off some wood at Old Man McGuillicutty’s tavern, and get paid.
Mostly, I make my own way in life. With a little bit of help from Hunter and Bear, I set up my own cabin deep in the woods, far from the civilization of Evergreen Valley. It’s not like I’m some sort of total survivalist weirdo or anything like that. I still maintain an internet connection, have electricity and plumbing, and all that other good stuff that the modern world brings us. I just think it’s important to be able to take care of yourself and those around you.
I take my time in the shower. The temptation to, uh, relieve some stress is there. Seeing that Lavender girl is bringing me some weird thoughts. Womendon’t usually dance around in my head like this. After fighting myself a bit, I realize I should just get going.
Not too long after that bit of hygiene is done, I’m headed into the farmers’ market. I drop off my lumber to McGuillicutty, then go about my business.
I need to pick up some produce and spices to make that stew I’m planning to make. I’m not self-sufficient enough to grow my own carrots, yet. I am studying how viable my own little potato garden would be.
I pay my greetings to the various people of Evergreen Valley. Despite my remoteness, I’m pretty well-known throughout the town. The Moore family has been a pretty big part of Evergreen for over a hundred years, and my family is pretty vast. I’m surprised I didn’t run into one of my uncles when I dropped the firewood off at the tavern.
With a canvas bag full of vegetables, I head toward the part of the market that has more prepared foods. I could use something to take on the go before I head back home.
That’s when everything got a bit awkward for me.
Our eyes meet.
Lavender’s big, deep-brown eyes are staring right back at mine. She has that same terrified expression she had back at my cabin.
How do I keep running into this girl? I’m starting to think the universe is trying to tell me something.
Missing my first chance? Yeah, I misinterpreted wedding etiquette. That’s a good enough excuse.
Missing my second chance? She ran away as soon as she saw me.
If I miss this one, I’m just an idiot, and I don’t have any other excuses to hide behind.
So I go for it. I smile back at her, keeping it slight. She seems terrified, but it doesn’t appear to be one of those legitimate fears. Like, I’m not triggering any past phobias with my presence or anything like that.
“Hello, there,” I say as I walk up to her stand. The banner alongside the top of it reads Hannah’s Sweet Stop, which I realize is named after the other person at the bake shop I was dealing with the other day.
“Hi,” she says, seeming meeker and cuter by the second. She looks around and then gestures to some of the merchandise. “Would you like to buy a doughnut?”
The stand is filled with those, as well as muffins, cookies, bear claws, croissants, and countless other pastries I couldn’t tell you the name of. I take a gander at all of it, rubbing my chin. “I’m considering it, but the sweetest thing here is what I’m looking at right now.”
She turns an incredibly bashful red at my words. “I’m not for sale, sorry.”
“Didn’t think you would be. I’ll have to win over something so sweet in other ways.”
The way she’s cracking up. It’s so damn adorable. She regains enough composure not too soon after my words. “I don’t think we’ve gotten off on the right foot, have we?”