Tempting the Mountain Man (Sweetheart Falls)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

GABE

T he saw buzzes loudly as I guide it through a thick plank of wood, but my thoughts keep drifting to Polly and our upcoming date tonight. The fair, the band, the possibility of...more. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this kind of anticipation about a woman. I can almost smell the sweet scent of her perfume, a spicy cinnamon that reminds me of the apple turnovers I’ve become addicted to.

“Earth to Gabe!” Chuck’s voice cuts through my reverie, sharp and sudden. “You trying to saw your hand off or what?”

I blink, reality snapping back into focus. The saw has drifted dangerously close to my fingers, and a rush of adrenaline spikes through me as I realize how close I came to injury. “Fuck,” I mutter, switching off the power tool and taking a step back. My hands tremble slightly, and I shake them out in front of me. “Got distracted.”

Chuck grins. “Don’t have to ask who’s on your mind,” he teases. “Thinking about your hot date tonight?”

Heat creeps up my neck and spreads to my cheeks. “Maybe,” I admit, unable to keep the smile off my face. Before I nearly sliced off my fingers, I was wondering if she’d wear jeans, so I could see the curve of her ass, or if she’d wear a pretty sundress.

“Man, you’re more worked up over Polly than you were over Sarah.” Chuck’s voice is quieter as he leans against a nearby beam and watches me. “Polly must be something special. I only know her in passing, and that she makes damn fine cakes and pastries. She’s always seemed like a good woman.”

“She is,” I say without hesitation, surprised by the force in my voice. I’m transported back to the bakery for a moment, seeing Polly’s warm smile and hearing her laughter. The way her eyes crinkle at the corners when she’s truly happy, the gentle touch of her hand on my arm when she’s emphasizing a point. It’s hard to believe that a few days ago, I never wanted to get close to a woman again. But Polly...she makes me want to take that chance, to consider opening my heart again.

“Well, don’t let me keep you,” Chuck says, breaking into my thoughts. He pushes off from the beam, making a shooing motion with his hands. “Go on, get out of here. You’ve got a lady to impress. I can finish this up.”

I check my watch, surprised to see how late it’s gotten. “Thanks, Chuck. I owe you one.”

“Nah,” he waves me off, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Just name your first kid after me, and we’ll call it even.”

I laugh, heading inside for a shower and shave, and clean clothes. I spend more time getting ready than I have in years. I iron my shirt, smoothing out every wrinkle with meticulous care. I look in the mirror, adjust my collar for the tenth time, and laugh at myself. Who would have thought Gabe Hunter would be primping like a teenager before a first date?

But it’s more than that. I want to impress Polly, yes, but it’s not just about looking good. I want her to see the best version of me, the man I am when I’m with her—the man I want to be because of her. Because when I’m with Polly, I feel like I might have another shot at love in my future.

The drive to Polly’s place feels both too long and too short. My palms are sweaty on the steering wheel, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I rehearse what I’ll say when I see her, then immediately forget it all when I pull up and see her step out of her house.

She’s breathtaking. Her hair falls in soft waves around her face, catching the golden light of the late afternoon sun. She’s wearing a sundress, a delicate floral print that shows off her curves in all the right ways. But it’s her smile, bright and a little shy, that knocks me off my feet. Her eyes hold a vulnerability, a hint that she’s as nervous and excited as I am.

“Wow,” I breathe heavily, standing straighter as she approaches my truck. “Polly, you look amazing.”

A blush brightens her cheeks, and she ducks her head slightly. “Thanks,” she says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You clean up pretty nice yourself.”

As we drive to the fairgrounds, we chat easily about our days, the bakery, and the cabin project, but the undercurrent between us makes every word feel significant.

“So, how’s the new cinnamon roll recipe coming along?” I ask, genuinely interested. I love hearing about her work, the passion she puts into every creation.

Polly’s eyes light up. “Oh, it’s getting there! I think I’ve finally nailed the perfect balance of cinnamon and sugar. You’ll have to come by and be my taste tester again soon.”

“Twist my arm.” I laugh. “You know I’d never turn down one of your creations.”

Her smile softens. “I appreciate that, you know. How supportive you are of my baking experiments. Not everyone gets why it matters so much to me.”

I glance at her, noting the slight waver in her voice. “Hey, it matters because it matters to you. And for the record, I think it’s incredible how much care and creativity you put into your work.”

The fair is a riot of color and sound as we arrive. The smell of popcorn and cotton candy fills the air, mingling with the distant strains of music and the shrieks of people on rides. Polly’s eyes light up as she takes it all in, and I feel a surge of affection for her childlike wonder.

“Where to first?” I ask, enjoying the way her hand feels in mine as we walk through the entrance. Her fingers fit perfectly between mine.

“Oh, everything!” she laughs, the sound bright and joyous. “But maybe we could start with some games?”

We make our way through the fairgrounds, trying our luck at various booths. At the ring toss, I watch Polly’s face fall as her rings clatter to the ground, missing the bottles entirely.

“Here, let me show you a trick,” I say, picking up a ring. I demonstrate the proper flick of the wrist, the angle to aim for. “It’s all in the timing and the follow-through.”

Polly’s brow furrows in concentration as she tries again, mimicking my technique. This time, the ring clatters around the neck of a bottle before settling into place. Her delighted laughter makes my heart soar.

“I did it!” she exclaims, turning to me with shining eyes. She wraps her arms around me in a spontaneous hug and my heart thumps so hard I don’t know if my chest can contain it. I hug her back, savoring every moment of her soft curves pressed against my body. I shift my legs when she steps away, trying to fight the boner building in my jeans.

“You’re a natural,” I grin, squeezing her hand. “Now, let’s see if we can win you that big teddy bear.”

It takes a few more tries, but I win enough points for the grand prize. When the carnival worker hands Polly the enormous stuffed bear almost as big as she is, her face lights up with pure joy.

“Oh, Gabe,” she breathes, hugging the bear to her chest. “Thank you!”

She beams at me, her eyes soft with affection, and I feel ten feet tall. At that moment, I’d win her a hundred stuffed animals to see her joyous smile every day for the rest of my life.

As the evening progresses, I find myself more and more drawn to Polly. The way she throws her head back when she laughs, the competitive glint in her eye when we’re playing games, the soft touch of her hand on my arm as we walk...it all feels so natural, so right. We try our hand at the strength test, Polly cheering me on as I swing the mallet. When the bell rings at the top, her victory dance is so adorable I pull her into a hug and lift her off the ground.

We stop to grab some corn dogs and lemonade, and find a bench to sit on. As we eat, I notice Polly’s expression grow more serious, a hint of nervousness in her eyes.

“Gabe,” she says, her voice soft but determined. “Can I ask you something?”

I nod, a sudden tightness in my chest. “Of course. You can ask me anything.”

She takes a deep breath as if steeling herself. “What are your plans for the future? Are you planning to stay in Sweetheart Falls?”

The question catches me off guard, and I hesitate. The truth is, I haven’t thought much about the future lately. I’ve been so focused on the present, on helping Chuck with his cabin and looking forward to seeing Polly every afternoon.

But as I look into Polly’s eyes, seeing a flash of vulnerability, maybe even fear at my silence, I realize something important. The idea of leaving Sweetheart Falls, of leaving her, feels wrong.

“I’m not sure,” I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. “For a long time, I was focused on getting through each day. But now...” I pause, reaching out to take her hand. “I don’t see any reason to make a change right now. I like it here. The town, the people, my work. And...I like you, Polly. A lot.”

The relief on her face is immediate, and a surge of warmth blooms in my chest.

“I like you too, Gabe,” she says softly. “I guess I was worried that you might not be planning to stick around.”

As night falls, we make our way to the concert area. The band is already playing, the music pulsing through the air. Without thinking, I turn to Polly and hold out my hand.

“Dance with me?”

Her smile is answer enough. After she puts the bear down next to us, I pull her into my arms, and the rest of the world fades away. The music, the crowd, the twinkling lights of the fair—it all becomes background noise to the sound of Polly’s heartbeat against my chest.

We sway together, and I’m acutely aware of every point our bodies touch. The curve of her waist under my hand, her tantalizingly curvy ass that I dream about every night, the softness of her cheek against mine, the way her fingers play with the hair at the nape of my neck. Being with Polly feels like coming home. She makes me want to have a permanent home.

As the song draws to a close, Polly lifts her head from my shoulder, her blue eyes meeting mine. At that moment, I can’t resist anymore. I lean in, one hand cupping her face gently, and kiss her.

The world explodes into sensation. Her lips are soft and warm against mine, tasting faintly of lemonade and something uniquely Polly. She responds eagerly, her arms tightening around my neck as she presses closer.

The kiss deepens, becoming more passionate, more urgent. I pour everything I’m feeling into it—my attraction, my admiration, my growing affection. When we finally break apart, we’re both breathless.

“Wow,” Polly whispers, her eyes shining in the dim light.

“Yeah,” I agree, unable to form a more coherent response. My heart races, and I’m lightheaded in the best possible way.

As I look at Polly, her luscious lips swollen from our kiss, her cheeks flushed, I’m struck by a sudden realization.

I’m head over heels in love with her.