Christmas with the Mountain Man (Log Cabin Christmas)

Chapter 2

Tate

“I’m sure I saw her looking in our bins. Jesse’s running around town wearing a hood so she’s not spotted again.”

Benson takes his shot at the pool table with more force than is needed. Everyone I see these days wants to talk about the reporter girl.

“I assure you I’m keeping an eye on her.” I try to reassure Benson. Benson and I have become friends since he came to town but he doesn’t have a huge respect for rules. If the blue-haired reporter was to overstep the mark, especially if it hurt Jesse in any way, I have no doubt Benson would take matters into his own hands. The man can get awfully protective about his woman.

And I’m not lying about keeping an eye on the reporter. And when I’m not watching her, I’m thinking about her. I’ve not felt this mixed up since I came home from the army. When I left, I thought I was meant to be something great. But by the end of my deployment all I wanted to do was come home. I want to be around family and friends. I like walking the street where I grew up and have so many memories. I like things to be familiar, routine, just as they have always been.

At the same time, I can’t help feeling like something is missing. I want a family of my own, a wife, kids, lots of presents around the Christmas tree and a house full of noise. Arguments, laughter and love. Just as it had been when I was a kid.

But it’s pretty slim pickings here in a small town when it comes to finding love. And even if I did meet someone, I’m not sure they would want to be with me. I’ve been through hell. And okay, I’m doing good, but not everybody can understand the baggage you carry with you after serving in the military. Certainly not some big city reporter, no matter how much I might think about her.

It doesn’t matter that when she smiles it makes me want to laugh. It doesn’t matter that my hands itch to feel the shape of her curves. She may be cheeky, may have even flirted a little, but there is something else in the way she holds herself. The girl has a wall up I recognise. She is trouble with a capital T.

The radio on my belt buzzes and I take the call.

“Disturbance over at town hall.”

Jackson, my fellow Deputy Sheriff and cousin, perks up. “I wonder if it’s our new reporter friend? I’ll take it if you like.”

“No.” That came out a little too forcefully. “You’ve had a drink. I’ll go check it out.”

Jackson shrugs and orders another round from his brother who is behind the bar. In a small town like this, everybody is related, or knows someone who is related. It’s how I like it. It’s how I know exactly who is probably causing trouble at town hall and I feel a rush of excitement at the thought of seeing Miss. Lacey lane again.

I park up in my truck and see old Mrs Waite on the street waving at me.

“Sorry to call you out Tate. It’s probably just a racoon or something. I just happened to go into the back office where we keep the records and I heard something outside the window. I thought I’ll give you a call just in case.”

“It’s okay Mrs. Waite. No problem at all. You wait here and I’ll go check it out.”

Walking into the back office I shine my flashlight to the window and I’m greeted by the face of Lacey.

I let out a laugh, I can’t help it. More than half way up the wall is a small window that opens at the top to let air into the room. And wedged in that window is Lacey, half her body inside with her ass and legs hanging out for all the world to see.

“What on earth are you doing?”

“I’m fishing for trout. What do you think I’m doing? I’m stuck!”

.

I walk closer as she tries to wiggle to get free.

“Are you hurt?”

“No. But I can’t move. I thought I could fit and now I can’t seem to get in or out.” “You scared poor old Mrs. Waite. Why were you trying to get in here?”

I move my torch around over the room full of filing cabinets.

“That’s a reasonable question. But can you help me get out of the window before the interrogation begins?”

You’ve got to admire a girl who can be cute, pissed off, helpless and demanding all at the same time. After a few minutes of pushing and pulling I tell her to sit tight (which gets me a growl from her) and head outside to assess the situation from there.