Falling for Finn (Maplewood Falls #1)

Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

FINN

Once I’m at the cottage, I unload Oakley’s bags while she chats with my grandparents. I wanted to give them privacy and also needed time to clear my head.

When I’m inside, I walk by the six boxes she shipped. They all weigh a ton, like her suitcases. Not sure why a painter needs this much shit for one project. Seems like overkill to me.

I’m already counting down the days until she leaves so I can go back to focusing on my shit instead of being her damn babysitter. It’s only been a couple of hours, and her snarky attitude is already making her a major pain in my ass.

After everything is settled, I lock up, then drive the five miles back to the inn. I was gone for thirty minutes, which should be plenty of time. However, my grandparents could talk for hours if you let them.

When I walk inside, I find Grandma and Oakley chatting at the dining room table while Grandpa writes in his notebook. Oakley glances over her shoulder, and the smile melts off her face when she sees me.

“Speak of the devil,” Grandpa says.

“Nice to meet you, Finn .” She stresses my name, something I didn’t share with her earlier. Not necessarily on purpose, but she never asked.

I grin, but her sarcasm isn’t lost on me. This celebration is important to my family and me. Still, I’m stuck dealing with her because they know I’m as dependable as the old truck I drive.

My younger cousins Sebastian and Jessa would be more than capable of escorting Little Miss City Girl around, but my grandparents insisted I do it since I know how everything works around here. They want her to get the true orchard experience, but she’s only going to slow me down during a time when I’ll be busier than ever getting things ready for the celebration.

“We told Oakley you’d be showing her around,” Grandpa tells me.

“Right. Well, speaking of…” I look at my watch, hoping someone gets the hint.

“Looking forward to learning all about the farm from you,” Oakley says sincerely, but I hear the hint of amusement in her tone. She knows I’m not happy about it.

Spending time with her is going to be torture. I hate that I find her attractive when I shouldn’t. Not only because she’s at least a decade younger than me but also because she’s only here for a week and a half. I also can’t imagine we have anything in common. She’s sunshine on a winter day, and I’m too coldhearted to give her the time of day. Shitty relationships with even shittier breakups will do that to a man.

“Would you like to take a quick tour of the inn?” Grandma asks her, ignoring my eagerness to leave.

“Absolutely,” Oakley says, and it feels like she did that just to piss me off. As they move toward the stairs, her long, flowery skirt sways when she walks. The bracelets on her wrists clank together as she swings her arms, and she flashes a knowing smirk when she looks at me over her shoulder.

Once they’re out of sight, Grandpa stands and gives me a pointed look. “Be nice. She seems sweet.”

I glare in response. “This is business. I’m not here to be her friend.”

He pats my shoulder. “I know how rough around the edges you can be, so remember you’re representing the family, and she’s our special guest.”

“I told Grandma several times that I wasn’t the right person for this job. I’m swamped. Jessa would’ve been better at chauffeuring her around. They could exchange beauty tips or whatever. We have nothing to talk about.”

“You’ll talk about the farm,” he states matter-of-factly. “Plus, your grandmother is never wrong. She picked you for a reason.” Grandpa shoots me a wink just as the phone rings. He goes to answer it, and I take the opportunity to step outside for some fresh air.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to see a text from my best friend.

Levi

I’ll make it to the celebration, so save me some of your mom’s apple pie!

Of course that’s all he’d be excited for.

Finn

Great. Mom will be happy to see you.

Levi

If you need any help getting anything together, let me know. I have some free time next week.

Finn

Appreciate that, man.

Levi

So how are things going with the painter?

I told Levi earlier I had to drive to the airport to pick her up, and I’ve been dreading doing it all week with my already busy schedule.

Finn

Don’t even ask.

Levi

That bad, huh?

Finn

Yes. She talks a lot and dresses like a hippie. I’m surprised she doesn’t go by the name Sunflower or some shit.

Levi sends me a laughing emoji.

Levi

Is she pretty?

I roll my eyes because I’m not even surprised he’d ask that.

Finn

Yeah, I guess. If weird clothing and makeup are your type.

Levi

Sounds to me like you already have a crush.

Finn

Shut the fuck up.

Levi

Looking forward to meeting her next weekend. That’s if you haven’t run her off by then.

That makes me laugh. Levi’s known for being a bucket of happiness, and I’m his opposite. But I’m more of a realist and prefer structure. Levi’s always been more adventurous and a risk-taker.

However, after my nightmare breakup last fall, I’ve been working more days and longer hours to avoid thinking about it.

My ex and I dated for five years. I believed I’d spend the rest of my life with her until she blindsided me. Whenever I brought up marriage and our future, she’d change the subject. She eventually confessed she wasn’t ready to settle down, and when she did, she wanted to move to the city.

She knew the farm was my home and livelihood. I never want to leave.

But then she wasted years of my life hoping I’d change my mind.

And now, I’m done trying.

Being single isn’t the worst thing. I have the farm and my family, and that’s enough for me.

After another fifteen minutes, Oakley and my grandma come outside. Oakley meets my eyes with a smirk, and my traitorous heart hammers in my chest. A weird underlying current streams between us, but I ignore it and turn my head.

My grandma continues talking her ear off, and Oakley politely listens to every word. “You’ll be staying at a small cottage behind Finn’s house. He’ll drive you here for meals. There’s a bakery on-site, and the fridge and pantry are stocked with plenty of food as well. Please feel free to help yourself to anything you’d like.”

“Thank you so much,” Oakley says, making Grandma smile wide.

“If you find that you need anything once you get settled, please let us know. Finn will be more than happy to help you, too.”

I resist the urge to scoff at my grandmother volunteering me.

“Will do. Thanks again for this opportunity. I hope I can do the farm justice. What I’ve seen so far has been awe-inspiring.”

“Oh, I have no doubt your creation will be incredible.”

“Ready?” I ask, knowing if I don’t pull her away now, Grandma will talk until the sun sets.

Oakley nods, and we walk to my truck.

“Do you want to stop by the bakery?” I ask as we open our doors. It’s within walking distance, so it wouldn’t take long.

“Nah. I’m pretty tired and need to unpack so I can set up my supplies tomorrow.”

“Yeah, you’ll want to rest up. We start bright and early around here.”

She takes her phone out and snaps pictures of the scenery and buildings between yawning and fighting the urge to close her eyes. The three-hour time difference between California and Vermont will catch up to her by morning.

Soon, I’m driving down the road where she’ll be staying. The cottage is close to my place but far enough away to give us each some privacy. It’s set out from the hustle and bustle of the orchard for a reason. When business partners or family friends visit, this is where they usually stay if the inn is booked.

“This is it,” I say, pulling up to the one-bedroom cabin filled with all her shit.

“It looks lovely,” she tells me. “Nice and quiet too.”

I unlock the front door for her, then hand over the key. “Don’t lose this.”

“I won’t.”

I turn to leave once she steps inside.

“That’s it? You’re not even going to say good night?” she asks with a bite in her voice.

Spinning around to face her, I shrug. “Did you expect me to stay and read you a bedtime story?”

She crosses her arms. “It’d be the most I’ve heard you talk all day.”

I ignore what she says. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover tomorrow, so don’t keep me waiting in the morning. Six o’clock comes quickly.”

Oakley places her hand on her hip, her bracelets clinking as they slide down her arm. “Getting up that early isn’t my vibe, and I don’t like being rushed.”

“And I don’t like being late or behind. Not all of us are on vacation for ten days.”

“Vacation? This is far from that.” She shoots me a death glare as if I’ve offended her. Without waiting for a response, Oakley walks inside and slams the door.

I’m not here to entertain Miss Sunshine, and she needs to know if she’s following me around, I’m sticking to my schedule. There needs to be boundaries between us, and they need to stay strictly professional. It wasn’t lost on me how she eye-fucked me at the airport. Smart and confident women are my kryptonite, and Oakley Benson is no exception.