“It’s all right, he dodged her touch,” Betty tries to reassure me.
Damn it. Clearly I’m giving a lot away from my expression. I hate how expressive of a face I have. Normally it doesn’t matter, but I think that’s all about to change.
“He is a good-looking man,” Jen mutters. I’d glare at her, but I can’t take my eyes off the screen.
He says something that sends Mindy into a fit of giggles, and I clench my fists.
“We need to remember he’s here to ruin this town,” I remind them both and maybe my heart too. It actually feels kind of funny right now.
I recall how both Wilder and Connor said what they felt when they met Evie and Bri. That there was a tightness in their chest and a feeling that something settled into place. I’d heard Mom and Dad talk about it too. Heck, most people in our small town talk about it.
On the video, I see Walker suddenly look up right at the camera. He smirks, and butterflies explode inside my stomach.
I’m so screwed.
Chapter Four
WALKER
After I’m finally able to politely get away from the woman at the car rental place, I make my way up to Bear Mountain. It’s not that far, but with the windy roads, it takes a while. At least the view along the way is beautiful. In fact, this might be the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. No wonder this is such a well-kept secret, because it feels almost untouched by people and businesses.
A little voice in the back of my mind reminds me that that’s exactly what I’m here to do. I ignore it as I keep on driving and looking around at all the magical scenery.
I was raised in Florida, where I spent my life trying to outrun the heat and the humidity. As soon as I got out on my own, I went north in search of cooler temperatures. What’s strange to me is that no matter how many times I relocated, nothing ever felt like home. Which is how I ended up in my shoebox apartment with nothing personal and only a few items in my possession. I never realized how out of place I’ve felt all this time until coming here to Bear Mountain.
The closer I get to the town, the happier I feel inside, maybe even lighter. How was my life so heavy before while up here in the clouds it feels like I could walk on air? It has to be the altitude that’s messing with me.
Once I get close to the top, there’s a large plateau and what looks like a downtown area. There are several shops and homes nestled into the mountains, and it’s designed like a small city. Everything you could ever need is right here, and as I park my rental car and get out, I see just how charming it is.
Sure, a corporation could come up here and expand, but why would they want to when this is so damn perfect? I glance around and decide that in order to find Natalie Thompson, I need to make a friend that will give up her information.
I’ve been through my share of small towns trying to close deals, and I know there are a few places that will always give the gossip. The beauty shop, the diner, or the—
“Bingo,” I say to myself as I spot the bakery up ahead.
Nothing gets people talking like desserts and coffee, and I bet I can find out what I need to know there.
When I make my way over to the little shop, I see some of the cakes in the window, and my mouth waters. How long has it been since I’ve had something homemade like this? My stomach growls, and then I decide this is less about research and more about my hunger.
The little bell over the door chimes when I walk inside, and the smell of hot chocolate and sugar overwhelms me. I close my eyes and breathe it in, thinking it might be the best thing I’ve ever smelled in my life.
There’s a nudge against my leg, and I look down to see a big dog rubbing against it. He’s solid but looks like he’d be the kind of lazy dog you could cuddle with and take a nap.
“Hey, big boy,” I say as I lean down and scratch him behind the ears. He looks up at me with big brown eyes, and I smile back at him. “Aren’t you a sweetheart?”
“Bear,” I hear someone hiss, and I look over to see there’s a lady sitting at a table trying to call the dog. “Bear, come back here.”
“Sorry, I think he likes me.” I smile at the woman, but she looks at me then down the hall behind her quickly.
“Bear,” she hisses again like she’s going to get in trouble if he doesn’t listen to her.