Falling For You (Honey Leaf Lodge #1)

Chapter Six

Owen

I stared at Violet, her gorgeous brown eyes and long, dark hair cascading down her back, and guilt pummeled deeply into me. But there was something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

This entire thing was turning messier than I could ever have imagined, and it was all my doing. I should have ignored her when I was at the Medowski property and left the Hungry Buck when her group managed to find the one place in town whereI wanted to have a peaceful dinner.

But what did I do instead? I bought her entire table drinks. I surprised even myself with that move.

Then I got up the courage and wandered to her table and disrupted her plans for the night.

Sure.

She threw some not-so-subtle digs in my direction, but I didn’t take the bait. Instead, I sat down across from Violet and made her talk.

And this morning?

Sunflowers?

I didn’t even know who or what possessed me at this point. To say I was acting entirely out of character was an understatement. It felt like I was under some kind of spell, unable to resist her charm.

The last twenty-four hours felt like an out-of-body experience, with absolutely foreign feelings. To top it off, Violet just fluttered around and got into business that was never hers to begin with.

I looked at the barista studying me intently and nearly broke into a cold sweat.

This was so unlike me. I couldn’t care less about women and relationships. I had important things to focus on to grow my business, and relationships always caused drama.

Always.

Or worse yet, I might fall into the trap one day like my brother did and propose. The thought made me shudder.

“I’m Abby. Welcome to Buttercup Lake,” she said. A man walked out of the back room and glanced at us, immediately smiling once he saw Violet.

There was something about Violet that just did that to people. She had a way of drawing you in, making you forget your troubles for a while.

“That’s Abby’s husband,” Violet whispered. “He did the remodel.”

I nodded, not bothering for a name. I wouldn’t be here long enough to care. But looking around the coffee shop, I had to admit he did good work. I didn’t know what it looked like before, but this fits the area’s vibe. The walls were adorned with vintage signs, and old fishing lures and fishing poles hung on the back wall.

Stained wood strips covered the walls with the windows that overlooked the sidewalk. Several shelves behind the cash register had glass jars filled with coffee beans, and a large chalkboard featured the store’s drinks. A beautiful wood carving of an enormous coffee bean centered it all.

A massive stone fireplace sat in the corner, crackling softly with logs as several customers drank their beverages around it. Several wooden tables with colorful and mismatched chairs peppered the space. We’d definitely need to mimic this feeling when we opened one in our resort.

Violet was chatting with Abby as the man wandered back out of the room. I scanned the menu to see various items, such as the Lumberjack Latte or the Moose Mocha. It was all these little things that really made a difference. If we could somehow incorporate this hometown feel, we really had a shot at becoming the destination of the Northwoods.

I glanced down at a glass cabinet along the counter thatcontained cinnamon rolls the size of pancakes, muffins as tall as a skyscraper, and scones filled with fruit, and my stomach growled.

Violet whipped around and arched her brow. “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Didn’t you want something to drink?” She laughed with a bemused look in her eyes. “Or has this small-town feel punched you right in the gut and made you sick?”

“Oh, right.” I smiled and nodded, ordering the Lumberjack Latte before slipping cash on the counter.

I didn’t understand how this tiny woman could make me feel so small with a look in her eyes or a one-liner rolling off her tongue.

And I really didn’t understand why I kept coming back for more. I had work to do, and the biggest project of my life wasat stake.

In normal circumstances, I might even consider her annoying.

But getting a bird’s-eye view from a local only helped my cause. We’d been working on this development for over a year, and we were finally in a position to make a move. This was all part of our research.

Only research.

Violet chatted with Abby while I walked to the end of the counter and waited for our drinks to be called. Abby eyed me behind the counter as she handed Violet her drink.

Violet thanked her and found a table while I waited for mine.

I couldn’t believe what I saw when Abby handed me my drink. The cup was twice the size of most large cups, and the outside was printed in buffalo plaid.

“Wow. This is… something.” My eyes widened as Violet snickered behind me.

I turned, holding my monstrous drink, while she shook her head.

“What did you expect with a name like Lumberjack?” Her brows cinched together.

I laughed and slid a chair out from the table. “Fair point.”

“Observations are everything,” she teased.

She wrapped her hands around the steaming latte she’d ordered, lifted it to drink, and looked at me over the rim.

Her eyes twinkled with something mischievous as she set her drink back down. “I hope you don’t think I’ve forgotten.”

“Oh, heavens. I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Something about her persistence was alluring but also worrisome. I didn’t need the town to get into an uproar and stop our plans.

“It’s only a matter of time before I’ll find out what you’re doing here.” She winked at me and slid her feet under her chair.

“I fully believe it.” I nodded. “But until then, why don’t you tell me about coming here to live after city life?”

She thought about her words carefully. “It’s what I needed.” She pointed her long finger at me. “But you, I don’t understand what someone like you is doing in a small town like this.”

“Oh, just enjoying the peace and quiet. Not everyone is cut out for small-town life, but I think it’s starting to suit me.”

Her brows arched. “How long have you been here?”

I leaned into the back of the chair. “Two days.”

She smirked and chuckled. “Two days? Wait until you’ve been here two weeks. I guarantee you’ll want out of here as fast as possible.”

“What are you telling me? I don’t look like a calm guy into peace and tranquility?”

She laughed a little harder and shook her head. “No, not really.”

“Okay. Then what do I look like to you?”

“Like someone who’s trying too hard.”

I clutched my chest. “That stings. It really does.”

“Am I wrong?”

Abby called out the name of a breakfast sandwich, and Violet hopped up. She always seemed to flutter everywhere, even back in her cabin, while looking for something.

She zipped back with her croissant and egg sandwich and sat in her chair. “This will give me the energy I need for the rest of my day.”

“What do you have planned?”

Violet looked at her phone. “Well, in about two hours, I need to start preparing the lunches for our guests.”

“You make all those?”

She scowled. “Why does that surprise you? We’re a family-run operation. It’s not like we have a team of chefs on hand.”

“No…” I scratched my chin. “I just don’t know what I thought.”

Violet took a deep breath. “It’s something I love to do.”

“Your lodge gets really great reviews. They always mention how tremendous the food is.”

Her brows knitted together. “What made you look at our ratings?”

My jaw tensed, and I glanced down at my drink.

How could I have been so careless?

“Like I said, I’d considered staying at Honey Leaf Lodge.”

She nodded and glanced out the windows.

Violet brought her gaze back to mine. “Why are you holding out on me? What’s the big deal?”

“I’m not trying to, but I promised Mr. Medowski that I wouldn’t mention anything.”

“Until a week from now.”

I nodded. “Technically, six days now.”

Her smile faltered slightly. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”

Shaking my head, I looked at her closely. “I never should have been so…”

“Salty? Rude? Rigid?” she offered.

I laughed and nodded. “Yes to all the above.”

“It definitely made an impression.”

“Not a good one, I see.”

The left side of her lip curled into a half smile, and she shrugged. “I’m trying to work through it. After all, I do love sunflowers.”

“Maybe under this gruff exterior, I’m just a big softie.”

She threw her head back in laughter, and I scowled. I didn’t think it was that funny.

“Doubtful. That’s a stretch.”

I took a sip of my drink. “I’m offended.”

“I doubt there’s much that would offend you.” Her eyes locked on mine, and that same feeling of intrigue and longing shot through me with a vengeance. None of it made sense. I never fell for the wiles of a beautiful woman.

I studied Violet briefly and realized she’d already summed me up. The worst part was Violet was probably right.

Kindness never got me far.

Hard work and dedication got me plenty.

But this whole thing that was happening here was perplexing.

She could care less whether I came or went, yet I kept popping up in her world, and I knew better than to do that.

But it was like I couldn’t stay away from her beauty and feistiness.

“You might be surprised,” I told her softly.

She looked taken aback by my sudden change as her eyes narrowed on me.

“You’ve just got this look,” she said quietly.

“What’s that?” I shook my head.

She leaned closer and let out a sigh. “Like you’ve seen too much for someone our age, know too much.”

I straightened in my chair. “Hmm. That’s interesting.”

She nodded. “It’s just something I sense. You have the brooding thing down, and the grumpiness has to be second nature, but I think there’s a reason it all exists.”

“Can’t fool you, can I?” I laughed, shaking my head.

“Or I’m just a fool and try to see the good in people more than I should.” She chuckled and nodded. “Yeah. That’s probably what it is.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Tell me, Violet. Are you like this to every man you meet or is it just me who brings it out of you?”

Her eyes lit up, and she nodded. “Honestly? Just you.”

I nodded and took another sip of my drink. “Ah, good to know.”

“You asked,” she said, chuckling. “I’m nothing if not direct.”

“I can tell that.”

“Yeah, I’d imagine so.” She toyed with the wrapper from her croissant sandwich. “I just don’t like to be played a fool.”

I nodded, fiddling with my cup lid. “I don’t think anyone would.”

She nodded, smiling. “I suppose you’re right.”

“So, you moved back to the family lodge for what reason, Violet?” My eyes stayed on hers, and I felt that familiar charge run between us.

Violet tucked a dark piece of hair behind her ear, and she let out a sultry sigh. “I got tired of being unnoticed and alone.”

I nodded. “You strike me as someone who doesn’t want to go out often.”

She laughed. “Yeah. I went out all the time for years in Chicago. I’m over it. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel alone when I did. I could be in the sea of people at the latest and greatest bar openings and still not be seen or heard. I’d much rather go back home to my small cabin in the middle of the woods than my small apartment in the middle of cement.” She shrugged. “I mean, it was fun and exciting at first, but it got old.”

“I get that.” I pushed my lips together into a scowl.

“Do you, though?”

“I spend most of my nights in hotel rooms. These next few weeks just happen to be here, but I rarely get to spend consecutive nights inmost places.” I shrugged.

“Even your own home?” Her brows lifted in surprise.

I nodded, smoothing my palms over my chin. “Yeah. I’m rarely at my house in Connecticut.”

“I guess that could make most people a little grouchy.” Her eyes locked on mine, and I smiled.

“Yeah, I suppose so.”

She glanced at her phone and hopped up from the chair with her drink. “I have to get to the store so I’m not late for my job, but maybe I’ll see you around, especially if you’re still snooping around Mr. Medowski’s.”

My chest tightened at the thought of her finding out why I was truly here, but as her gaze stayed fastened to mine, I knew I had to tell her before she found out in the papers.