Merry With A Milkman (Love Beach, Holiday Collection)

Three

three

Tegan

T he morning after the first successful small business meeting I’m still flying high. Being able to help others brings me joy and fulfillment. To release that overflowing happiness I dance around the store in preparation for opening. Noah just stares at me, shakes his head, and returns to the chocolate room. Once our part time sales person arrives, I leave the store in her capable hands and head to my section of the candy kitchen behind the glass wall.

I’m delighted with my accurate, initial impressions of the meeting attendees. Some are already giving up on their plans. Having ideas is easy. But not everyone understands or is willing to do the hard work to create a successful business. Hard work is definitely the key.

There were a couple more who will stick it out a bit longer. I admire their determination although I’m not sure it will remain strong in the long run.

others I’m confident have what it takes. A couple who plan to open a food truck, Boots of course, and Rhone Landon.

Rhone. Keeping my mind from visualizing the handsome cheesemaker has proven difficult. Disrupted my sleep. Intrudes when l least expect it. During the meeting I had a hard time focusing on his business plan and not his strong features or long, sexy fingers. I’ve never thought of fingers in that way. It’s far too easy to imagine those hands on my body.

Rhone is the first man since college who’s inspired more than just a passing interest. Now I can’t even recall my last boyfriend’s face. During the night I even considered what it would be like to give Rhone my v-card. He could well be the man I’ve been waiting for.

Just thinking about him makes me clench my thighs and wish I could slip upstairs for a little ‘me’ time. That doesn’t mean I’ll jump into bed with him if given the opportunity. Doesn’t mean I won’t either. I’m certainly not rejecting the possibilities.

No time for daydreaming. The holidays are fast approaching and I need to finalize my ideas for some special candies. While my brother is the chocolate guru and can create just about anything with our family recipes, my talent lies more in creating new flavors of taffy, fudge, or hard candies.

I set the smallest copper kettle to low heat and add the contents of the last container of milk from Landon Dairy’s highland cows. Richer in fat than regular cow’s milk, I’m using it to make Scottish tablet, a creamy almost fudge-like candy. I’ll cook this down slowly and add sugar to create a sweetened condensed milk.

I’ve asked for additional cream with hopes of churning enough butter for my next batch. Running my tongue along the inside seam of my lips, I imagine how using the highland milk for each ingredient will alter the flavor from my initial practice batches where I mixed milk sources.

I glance at the clock. We don’t get a delivery every day from the dairy, but since both Noah and I have plans using goat’s milk, we’re getting an extra delivery today. Maybe I can ask the delivery guy some subtle questions about Rhone.

After adding sugar to the softly simmering milk I need to keep an eye on the kettle while the liquid reduces and the sugar caramelizes the mixture to a thick, soft golden brown. This is a good time to plan the discussion topics for the next meeting.

But when the chime from the back door startles me from my mindless staring at the simmering milk, I have to accept the reason for my distraction. Before I react, Noah strides through the kitchen, motioning that he’ll meet the delivery.

Good thing since my condensed milk is the perfect color and consistency. It would have overcooked had the bell not brought me back to real time. The few highland cows at the dairy don’t provide enough milk for me to be wasting a drop. Switching off the kettle, I tip the mixture into a waiting container and carefully scrape the kettle clean.

Distraction is a danger in candy making. Besides ruined product, not being aware of the boiling hot syrup is asking for serious burns. I’ve got a few small scars on my arms to prove that fact.

Carrying a heavy crate of glass containers, Rhone follows my brother into the kitchen. Distraction personified. His muscles bunch and strain the fabric of his tee shirt as he sets the crate on a counter. Then he turns and our eyes meet.

I may never breathe again.

“Tegan,” my brother starts, “This is Rhone Landon. He’s taking over deliveries from the dairy while their regular driver recovers from an accident.”

Unable to find words or pull my gaze from Rhone’s, I nod.

Rhone’s slow nod matches mine. “We’ve met.”

Sensing Noah’s interest I force myself to look at him. His lips twitch before his grin broadens. “Good. I’ve got to get back to the office. Would you take care of the delivery?” Then his lips move silently forming the word ‘driver’.

Scowling at him only makes Noah laugh and I send a silent plea to the universe that Rhone didn’t see the interest that my brother suspects in my expression. Thankfully Noah leaves the kitchen without comment although I hear his chuckles and know he’s on the way to tell his wife I’ve finally fallen.

Have I? With a mental shrug of my shoulders I acknowledge there’s definitely lust involved. I may not have been with a man in that most intimate way yet, but my sex drive is damn healthy. Just thinking about Rhone makes me hot and needy.

But fallen, as in the terms of the big ‘L’ word? Isn’t it too soon to tell? I only met him at the meeting. With other people around. I’ve always been so sure of my emotions, knowing what I want or don’t want from the men I’ve dated.

Now I’ve gotten myself confused and I’m standing silent in the middle of the shop’s candy kitchen, unable to look at him again. I don’t know what to say.

“We should get this milk under refrigeration,” Rhone says.

There’s a slight hitch in his voice, a subtle lowering of tone that sends sparks of awareness dancing over my skin. Blinking, I focus on him. “Yes, of course. This way.”

It’s only five steps to our tiny walk-in cooler. He clears his throat as he follows me. “I was here yesterday. Noah showed me.”

I spin to face him. “You delivered yesterday? I didn’t see you.”

He glanced through the window toward the sales area of the shop. “I asked Noah a couple of business questions and he gave me a quick tour. You were busy with customers.”

“Oh. Yesterday was a busy day. There was a bus tour stop in town so we had a lot of out-of-towners stop in for sweets.”

“Is that a regular occurrence? The bus tours, I mean.”

“We’ve only been here since June, but we’ve had at least one tour every month. More now that the weather is a little cooler. Love Beach caters to tourists.”

“Then I’m hoping my cheese shop will become a popular stop. Both for tourists and locals. I thought I was in a good space, but after what you said at the meeting, I still have a lot to learn. I have so many ideas I’d love to run past you.”

“That’s what the meetings are for.” Although I wouldn’t mind having a private session with him.

His shoulders lift with his deep breath. “I hate waiting until next week. Any chance I could pick your brain over coffee sometime?”

“Tonight?” pops out of my mouth before I think better of it.

He looks as surprised as I feel then he gives me a grin. “What time?”