11. Aspen

Chapter 11

Aspen

“Whoa,” I breathed out, taking in the mountain of brand-new toys inside the church’s meeting room.

Every year, the ornament donations went toward funding Christmas gifts for a handful of families in need, but I’d never seen this many. Usually, it was two or three toys per child, and any money left over was split between the families to help get them through their rough patch.

Rose was off to the side, sorting the massive haul into piles for wrapping before distribution.

I walked over to her, my curiosity getting the better of me. “Are there a lot of children to serve this year?”

She spun around, a wide smile splitting her face as she pulled me into a hug. When we broke apart, she replied, “Only ten.”

I gestured around. “This seems like too much for ten children. I’m sure their families would much rather have the financial support than a houseful of toys.”

“I agree, but we have your new beau to thank.”

My brows rose sky-high. “Excuse me?”

“His donation last night exceeded that of the rest of the town combined.”

I’d been coming to this event and wrapping gifts since I was a teen, so I had a ballpark figure in my head of the average annual donations total. If Mac had doubled it, that meant he’d handed over thousands last night. For the struggling families of Rust Canyon, that kind of money was life-changing.

Rose must not have noticed I was reeling at this discovery because she continued to blow my mind when she said, “I was set to go shopping this morning but got a call that there was a delivery for me at the post office that required a signature. Imagine my surprise when all of this was waiting when I arrived.”

My jaw hit the floor. “Mac gave you money and sent all these gifts?”

Head bobbing, she was unable to contain her excitement. “Can you believe it?”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure I could.

The Mac I knew in LA didn’t care about other people. At least, that’s how he played it off.

But he seemed different out here. Like last night, when he shared that he didn’t want anything to do with a corporate job or continuing his family’s legacy.

My throat closed up when I recalled how adamant he’d been that my design skills were superior to his. It had meant a lot coming from him, especially after the intensity of our head-to-head competition at school these past few years.

I didn’t know how to handle the kind, thoughtful version of Mac, which was apparently who I’d unknowingly brought to Rust Canyon.

And that’s exactly why I was running on so little sleep that it felt like my eyes were full of sand. I’d laid awake for hours after he said those words, running them over in my head a million times, trying to figure out a hidden motive. When I couldn’t pin one down, I gave up, rolling out of bed and tiptoeing out of the cabin.

Rose placed a finger to her lips as if to signal shh . “The note with the delivery mentioned he wished for his donation to remain anonymous. The only reason I mentioned it was because I assumed you already knew.”

What in the world? Why wouldn’t he want credit for such an incredible gesture?

Why did I get a feeling I didn’t know Macallan Blaze at all?

The wrapping took much longer than expected due to the surprise truckload of toys Mac had sent. My stomach rumbled since it was well past lunchtime.

Mama gave me a knowing grin on our way out to the parking lot. “Why don’t we stop off at The Range and grab some sandwiches to go.”

My mouth filled with saliva just thinking about my favorite pulled pork sandwich from the restaurant on Main Street. “Yes, please.”

We made it two steps outside the building before I came to an abrupt halt.

Leaning against my brother’s truck, looking more handsome than ever, was Mac.

A corner of his lips quirked up at my surprise. Lifting his Aviators, he tossed me a wink before lowering them again.

Mama bumped shoulders with me. “Looks like you found yourself a new lunch partner. See you at home, honey.”

Before I could protest, she was gone, and my only option of getting home today was the man standing twenty feet away, staring at my stunned form with amusement.

You can’t hide forever.

Releasing a slow breath, I put on my big-girl panties and stepped closer to the man who could make my head swim and my heart flutter with a single kiss.

He uncrossed his legs and stood up straight when I reached him. “Afternoon,” he drawled with a fake country accent.

That was enough to lighten the mood, and I laughed at how ridiculous he sounded. “Please tell me you aren’t talking like that around town.”

“What? No good?” The cheeky grin on his face told me he knew exactly how terrible the imitation was.

“Truly awful.”

“Eh.” He shrugged, his smile never slipping. “Gave it a shot.”

I eyed the vehicle behind him. “My brother know you took his truck?”

The playful act dropped in an instant. He cringed, shifted on his feet, and peeked over his shoulder before turning back to me. “Uh, I was kinda hoping those ‘sheriff godfather’ privileges were transferrable.”

“Seriously, Mac? You stole it?” My voice rose in pitch with each word.

He scoffed. “Of course I didn’t steal it, Aspen.”

Heat rose to my cheeks at having judged him so quickly. In my defense, he was playing it off like he had, in fact, boosted Tripp’s car. What was I supposed to believe?

He removed his sunglasses, his gaze searching mine. “Do you really think that little of me?”

Reminded of his selfless act for the less fortunate in the town I called home, I hung my head in shame.

“I’m sorry.” It was no excuse for jumping to conclusions, but I explained, “I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”

His hum had me peeking up, and even though I saw the truth in his eyes, he didn’t utter a word about my sneaking out. I thanked the Lord above for that small mercy because I still hadn’t sorted out how I felt about anything that had transpired this week. Until I did, I wouldn’t be ready to talk about it with the person who created the swirling confusion deep inside me.

“What are you doing here?” I desperately needed a change of subject.

“Oh, you know . . .” Mac’s tone was back to carefree and light. “Took a little stroll down Main Street. Made about fifty new best friends.”

Now, that sounded like the Mac I knew. Even if it sometimes rubbed me the wrong way, I could admit he had an outgoing personality.

“I’ll bet you did.”

He ticked off names with his fingers. “You’ve got Rita at the coffee shop, Denny down at the bookstore, and Harriet over at the drugstore. I popped into The Range, and my knees almost buckled at the scent of barbequed meat, but Naomi told me they wouldn’t be open for another half an hour and to come back later with my girl.” Rubbing a hand over his midsection, he let out a pornographic moan. “Haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. Wanna go?”

If not for the fact that there were only a handful of eateries around town, I might’ve deemed it a sign that Mac asked me to have lunch with him at my favorite restaurant. That pulled pork was calling my name, and I wasn’t sure how long it would be before I’d get another chance to enjoy it.

So, even though I was apprehensive about spending more time alone with Mac, I rounded the hood of Tripp’s truck. “Sure. Sounds good.”

Mac obscenely smacked his lips, sucking his fingers deep into his mouth and licking off every last trace of leftover barbeque sauce.

My giggles at his display couldn’t be contained. “People are staring, you know.”

“Let ’em look!” he declared. “These ribs are orgasmic, and it’s a compliment to the chef that I make my pleasure known.”

Both hands flew to my cheeks, which I was sure were flaming at how easily he compared the food to the height of sexual pleasure.

“Careful. You’re in the Bible Belt, and there are kids around. Don’t wanna lose all your new besties by pissing off the God-fearing folks of this town.”

He raised an unimpressed eyebrow at my attempt to get him to tone it down.

“Naomi!” he curled his fingers in a come-hither motion toward the owner standing near the hostess stand.

Lips folded inward from attempting to fight a smile, she eyed his practically licked-clean plate. “Food to your liking, Mac?”

The glasses rattled when he dropped both forearms to the high-top table. His tone grew conspiratorial. “Tell it to me straight. The secret ingredient. It’s crack, isn’t it?”

I wanted to crawl under the table and die; I was so mortified. But Naomi’s head dropped back, and her howling laughter was so loud they probably heard it out on the street.

First sex, and now drugs. What’s next? Rock and roll?

When she recovered, she placed a hand on his shoulder like he was one of her regulars. “That’s mighty high praise, to hear you’re addicted after one taste.”

“Naomi. I’ve never tasted barbeque sauce like this. I didn’t want to waste a drop!”

Maybe she did put crack in there because he was acting strange.

“Oh!” His dark eyes grew large. “You could bottle it and sell it to stores around the country. I’ll help you!”

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Time to shut this down. He was making promises he wouldn’t be able to keep. We were leaving for LA in a few days, and he’d never set foot in this town again. My reputation was the one that would take a hit when he failed to deliver.

“We’ll take the check, Nay.” I smiled politely at her.

Ducking her head, she took the hint, but she winked at Mac before she left the table. “Hot sauce. That’s what gives it that zing.”

He snapped. “That’s what it is! I couldn’t put my finger on it. Was gonna keep me up all night, I swear.”

Naomi shook her head at his antics as she walked away, but I couldn’t stop gaping at the man sitting opposite me.

He was giving me whiplash.