CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Ally

I wake up to an empty bed and my heart drops for a second before I roll over and find a hand scrawled note on the pillow next to mine.

On a top-secret mission…see you at the festival. xo.

I smile to myself, thinking about Mason and his muscular hands writing out an x and an o. Mason Landry is a softie, much to my surprise, and I'm not complaining.

My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and when I pick it up to see who's calling, I just about leap out of bed with excitement when I see Spencer's name on the screen.

"Look who finally returned my calls," I say, my tone more light-hearted than my words. I always understand when Spencer is too busy to talk, and there are never any hard feelings toward my best friend.

"Not my fault you call me at outrageous times. I couldn't not call you back after that text you sent. I need to know what the fuck is going on with your boss ." She just about shouts into the phone.

"Jesus, Spence, I'm still waking up over here." I rub my eyes, my vision clearing.

"Well holy shit, Ally. Last time we talked, you were adamant that Mason was off limits."

"He was off limits. I mean, he's still off-limits. He's still my boss. And my fake boyfriend? I don't know what we are."

"How do you feel about it?" I consider her question. I don't know how I feel about Mason, but something that feels like optimism blooms in my chest. Which is more than I could say three weeks ago when we met at Thistle + Thorne. I want to see where it goes, if only because I have a dangerous amount of curiosity. From what I've seen so far, I know we could be great together. If our sexual chemistry is any indication, we could be downright explosive. My breath catches as my heart flips over in my chest just thinking about the last twenty-four hours with Mason.

"I feel … good." I don't have a better word to explain how I feel yet.Good. Grounded. Solid.

"Tell me something I don't know. You just got railed by Dr. Big Dick. Of course you feel good ." Spencer cackles on the other end of the line, and I can't help but laugh with her. I'd be content getting railed by Mason for the rest of my life. That's a terrifying thought. There's no way Mason has even entertained the idea of an actual relationship, let alone allowed his mind to go down the path of forever.

"I don't know. Mason has surprised me. He isn't who I thought he was. He's sensitive, and kind—"

"—and has a massive dong," Spencer cuts in. "Speaking of, is this something that runs in the family?"

"Get your head out of the gutter, you perv." I giggle. "And how could I know that? Come to Heartwood, and I'll introduce you."

"Deal. Listen, I gotta run here. Hot date with some Dutch guy, I'll tell you later." I'm not surprised that Spencer has found herself a guy in Amsterdam already. People love Spencer wherever she goes.

"Be safe, Spence." I wish her well on her date—which, let's be honest, is more of a hook-up—and click off my phone. My heart dances in my chest thinking about today, about the Harvest Festival, about talking to Spencer, and about Mason. Giddy. I feel giddy. I stare up at the ceiling and smile to myself. Today is going to be a great day.

"Whatever happened to that guy from the bar?" Poppy asks, arranging potted plants on little stands around her booth. It's still early, but I wanted to get down to the town square as soon as possible to make sure that it looks perfect for the Harvest Festival.

I take a long sip from the coffee Poppy poured me from the large metal carafe at her coffee stand, trying to avoid the question for as long as I can. I look around, surveying the town square, which has been completely transformed. The festival hasn't opened yet, so I take the moment to appreciate the quietness before the chaos. Poppy's booth is in amongst other vendors from the town. Next to the row of booths with Poppy's tent, I can see Grady setting up the grill to prepare it for the first few visitors getting lunch.

The signs that Mason and I painted are on display, along with scattered hay bales, pumpkins, and sunflowers. The Lumberjack Games have all been erected in the centre of the square, a smattering of logs and tools dotting the grass. That idea had been Mason's contribution, and it had been a tremendous hit. Tickets to the festival sold out in a day. I turn back to Poppy and fiddle with a potted plant that she left on the table.

"Nate. He's still hanging around," I admit. "He seems to think that if he just holds out for long enough, I'm going to reconsider and go back to the city with him."

"And are you? Considering it, I mean?" Poppy looks up at me with raised eyebrows. She doesn't know the full history between Nate and me. I've alluded to some of it on our morning coffee dates before I go to work and while Poppy opens up the café. But I've left some details of my relationship with Nate hidden. I want a new beginning, and that can't happen if everyone already holds preconceived ideas about me. Despite Nate's best efforts, I've tried my best to keep these parts of my life separate.

"No. God, no." I shake my head and make a face like I've just tasted something awful. I have no plans to leave Heartwood now. Especially not with recent developments with Mason. Whatever we are, whatever our relationship is now, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least curious to see where it goes. I like the version of Mason that I've come to know over the last couple of weeks. The feeling that I get when I'm with him confirms that there are fewer feelings between Nate and me than originally suspected.I look at Nate, and my heart does nothing. In fact, I think it retreats so far inside my chest it becomes fused to my spine. Mason, though. When I look at Mason, it jumps up and down like a kid in a candy store. There's only one name for that feeling, and I don't want to say it out loud. Not until I have a better idea of where Mason stands.

"Well good, because we enjoy having you here." Poppy is referring to the town, but then she corrects herself. "I enjoy having you here."

I give her a warm smile. I enjoy being here, too. Heartwood had started as a temporary hideout, a place to get away from prying eyes and B-list celebrity gossip. The reality show turned my life into something I was not expecting. Truth be told, I wasn't expecting to feel as at home as I have in Heartwood, either. I've been able to do the job that I love, helping people and feeling valuable again. It also helps that a smoking hot doctor is fucking me every day and night and that I might be falling for him. There's no place else I would rather be than here in Heartwood.

"Ally!" I whip my head around at the sound of my name. I'm hoping it's Mason. I haven't seen him yet and with the first few festival goers showing up, I'm getting impatient for him to arrive. But the voice that I hear is smoother, the way a snake is smooth, and my heart sinks when I turn and see Nate walking toward me instead. He always seems to show up whenever I'm talking about him. It's as if I could summon him like a demon from the underworld. I shudder at the sight of him. Of course, he's wearing a tailored suit. To a Harvest Festival. Like a stuck-up prick. I plaster on a blank expression.

"Nate." My friendly tone changes as he approaches. Poppy looks away and down at her plants as if they're about to tell her some fascinating gossip, trying to seem disinterested in my and Nate's conversation. Although I know Poppy, and her face gives her away that she's still eavesdropping.

"The place looks great." The comment comes out flat, like it's just a necessary part of the conversation. It doesn't matter how Nate would have said it; his compliments never sound genuine. I nod in thanks anyway. I put a lot of hard work into the festival and it clearly paid off if Nate is noticing. If only Mason were here to appreciate it with me. I quickly survey the festival grounds over Nate's shoulder to see if I can spot him.

"What can I do for you, Nate?" My tone is impatient.

"I've got two plane tickets, Al. One with your name on it." He holds them up.

I bristle at the nickname. I hate when he calls me that. It makes me sound like a Muppet. I huff a long sigh and glance around me. Mason isn't here yet. Why isn't Mason here yet? The festival is about to start and I could use my fake boyfriend, or, real boyfriend? I'm not sure, but I need him right about now.

"Well, you wasted your money on that one."

"Money is no object in this case, Al." He flashes me a sleazy grin and the sight of it makes me nauseated. "I've let you have your fun and play your little game, but once you're done with this little charity case, you need to make your decision."

My stomach flip-flops. I need to give him a definitive answer, one that he may not even accept.

"Once the fundraiser is over." It's only just starting, and the schedule has it running into the early evening. I can buy myself some time, if not to come up with a better plan, but to delay the inevitable confrontation that's making my hands clam up. Where is Mason? What good is a fake boyfriend anyway if you can't sic him on your ex?

"End of the day today. Oh, and by the way, Lucia is here, too. Apparently, she wants to help me with my case to bring you home. Something about a contract with the network that you are also in breach of." Oh God. I had forgotten that the network also wouldn't let me go without a fight. I've done my research, though, which is what Nate hasn't considered. He's always been one to underestimate me, and I know that the network doesn't have the hold on me he thinks they do.

"Let me enjoy the day, Nate. I'll come and find you after the festival. We can talk then." Nate shoves his hands down in his pockets, a smug look crossing his face.

"Oh, we will talk, Ally. You can be sure of that. There will be no more delaying this."

I set my coffee down and help Poppy with arranging her flowers, anything to make myself appear occupied so that Nate leaves. From the corner of my eye, I can appreciate his scowling face, swivelling on his heel and stalking off. Poppy and I make eye contact across the display table. My eyebrows raise as my eyes flick down toward the ground. I shake my head. I don't want to discuss the interaction. I'm going to push it out of my head for as long as possible and do my best to enjoy the hard work that I've put into the event.

It looks like the entire town has shown up; hoards of people file in through the archway at the entrance that I had decorated with fall flowers and pumpkins earlier, gathering around the field in the centre of the square. Hay bales are positioned all the way around in a semi-circle to provide seating for the Lumberjack Games. In the centre of the circle, logs stand upright for the speed climb, stumps are ready for the chainsaw carving, and a tree trunk as big as my car is lying horizontal for the sawing competition.

"Welcome to the first-ever Heartwood Harvest Festival!" The announcer's booming voice comes over the loudspeaker. "In about ten minutes, the Lumberjack Games will begin, so get your snacks and settle in for a jaw-dropping, heart-pounding, nail-biting show!"

Mason is still nowhere to be found, and I feel the blood rush to my cheeks, heating my face. I put in all of this hard work, and so has he, and the festival is starting without him. I look around the town square one last time before wandering over to the food tent to greet the festival guests as they wait for Grady to pile burgers and hot dogs on their plates.

"Hey, Grady, the burgers look delish." Grady looks up from behind the grill as he places a patty on a woman's plate. "You haven't seen Mason yet, have you?"

Grady shakes his head no, but doesn't take his eyes off the patties he's flipping. He's turned into a burger grilling machine. The smell of the meat cooking is making my mouth water.

My smile widens as I spot Winnie approaching the tent. She's looking festive in a floppy straw hat decorated with sunflowers similar to the ones placed around the square. She looks like sunshine, and she might know Mason's whereabouts. Perhaps an urgent matter came up at the clinic, though I'm doubtful, considering the whole town seems to be here.

"Careful, Winnie! Poppy might try to sell you at her booth wearing that hat!" Winnie throws her arms around me.

"This is amazing, Ally!" Winnie squeals. "I can't believe you did all of this for the clinic. This is so special, thank you." She squeezes my arms as she pulls out of our hug. Her eyes are watery, glimmering with genuine gratitude.

"My pleasure, Winnie. It's my clinic too now, thanks to you." I glance over Winnie's shoulder. "I just wish Mason was here. Have you seen him yet?"

"I'm sure he'll turn up, love. He wouldn't miss this for the world." Behind Winnie, I can hear the crowd in the square cheer as the Lumberjack Games begin.

"Let's hear it for our first competitors of the day for the ninety-foot speed climb …" the announcer shouts, and the crowd erupts in applause. I wander over to where people are taking their seats and find an empty spot on one of the hay bales at the very back of the semi-circle. People around me are murmuring, buzzing with anticipation.

The announcer lists off the names of the people competing, none of whom I recognize, but they all seem to be locals in the town based on the shouts and hollers from people in the crowd. I'm not surprised that I don't know many of them; most of the loggers are out of town for weeks on end. I turn around on my hay bale, craning my neck to scan the crowd for Mason as the announcer gets ready to announce the last name on the roster.

"And last … but certainly not least … your very own … Doctor Mason Landry!"

What the hell? I whirl around to where the competitors are all lined up to take their places, only to see Mason striding out of the crowd and taking his place by one of the tall vertical logs. My mouth flops open in disbelief. Mason. Mason is competing in the Lumberjack Games. I have to say it multiple times to get myself to believe it. Mason is competing in the speed climb. Nope. This is still surreal. Mason, who spends all day and all night at the clinic, is going to shimmy his way up a ninety-foot pole, strapped on by a thin harness.

My heart thuds in my throat. What the hell is he thinking? He could seriously injure himself. Has he ever even practiced or done this before in his life?

There's still time before the air horn blows, and I weigh the merit of running up there and stopping him. But the crowd whoops and hollers louder than ever. Mason is beloved here, and I'm starting to see why. He cares so deeply about the town, and now I can see that he cares about me, too. He's been planning this surprise for the last two weeks. How he's kept it from me, I don't know. But Mason keeps other things under lock and key, so I can't be shocked.

Trust. I trust Mason. Whatever he's keeping from me, be it his hidden identity as a burly lumberjack, or something worse, I trust him.

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face and I join in on the cheering, just about jumping right off my hay bale as I wave my arms. Mason has such a charming energy about him up there, as he waves to the crowd. I notice his eyes scanning the faces, and they meet mine for a moment as he winks at me. The butterflies roll around in my stomach as I watch him steady himself, concentrating on the task he has ahead of him. He pushes his sleeves up, pulls on a pair of heavy work gloves, and takes a moment to double- and triple-check the clips around his belt. The way he handles the rope in his hands is sure, confident. He's done this before.

The announcer instructs the competitors to take their positions. I hold my breath for Mason. He's a doctor, an intellectual man. I have the urge to close my eyes as the crowd holds a collective breath, waiting for the race to start. I have to force myself to watch.

The sound of an air horn goes off, signalling the start of the race, and I watch as Mason nimbly clips his harness onto the safety cable. It's not like Mason lacks muscle by any means, but he's lighter and leaner than the rest of the competitors, and it gives him a speed advantage. I realize my jaw has dropped as I watch Mason scale the log, his movements quick and precise, his muscular legs propelling him farther and farther up. He has the lead now, but another man is gaining on him.

A flush spreads from my cheeks down my neck as I watch him climb faster and faster. Higher and higher. The height alone would paralyze me. I can't help but notice the way the harness cuts in under his firm ass, accentuating the muscle that's flexing beneath his jeans. My whole body feels like an inferno watching him up there.Maybe it's the harness or the way his flannel shirt sleeves are bunched around his thick forearms. I have a feeling it's neither, but the fact that Mason has done this for me. That he has kept this surprise up his sleeve just for me.

The entire crowd is fixated on the race as Mason puts more distance between himself and the other competitors. I bookmark all the questions I have for him so I can ask him later.

A shout erupts from my body as I watch Mason reach the top, just ahead of the others. It has taken him less than half a minute to get to the top, and he whips the rope dangling from the bell at the top, signalling his victory.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your winner … Mason Landry!"

Mason stops for a moment at the top of the log, holding onto the rope he has secured around the trunk and turning back to wave at the crowd below before he starts his descent. The joy on his face is palpable and even from a distance, I can tell Mason is looking at me. I feel my heart skip a beat. His gaze on me sends a shiver down my spine, even from this distance, warming me through to my core.

The game concludes, and all the competitors swiftly slide down the logs. People from the crowd disperse and wander over to browse at the vendor tents as the next competition is being set up.

It doesn't take long for me to find Mason. He's already beelining towards me, having marked where I sat from on top of the log. The smile he wears is contagious, and I'm beaming by the time he reaches me.

Before I can speak, Mason strides over to me and pulls me into a hug, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me off the ground. I let out a sound somewhere between a giggle and a shriek as I feel his powerful arms sweeping me into the air. Mason takes one second to pull away from me, only to plant a warm, wet kiss on my lips. Heat radiates off of him from the exertion of his climb, his hair sticking to his sweaty forehead. I don't care. All I care about is Mason's mouth on mine. I kiss him back, both of my hands holding the sides of his face, smiling into his mouth.

Until I feel about a hundred pairs of eyes on us and I'm pulled out of my heady trance.

"Mason, everyone is looking." I glance around at the people around us, staring. Mason lowers me to the ground, but he doesn't remove his hands from my waist.

"I don't care if people see us, Ally. Not anymore. I told you I don't want a fake relationship, and I don't want a secret one either."

"You're just on a winner's high," I say, a mischievous grin taking over my lips.

"I'm on a high, Honeybee. But it's not from winning."

I kiss him again, and I know deep down the answer to the question I've had for the last few days. We're not fake dating anymore; this is real. And the whole town of Heartwood now knows it.

As Mason places me back down on the ground, I'm literally and figuratively brought back down to earth. Nate is standing on the edges of the crowd, watching our very public display of affection. He looks so smug, standing there with his arms crossed like I'm his and he's just waiting for me to wake up from a dream. I remember the conversation that I need to have with him after the festival has wound down to a close. That's real, too. It will be easier now, sure. I'm no longer lying about my feelings for Mason, or what we are. But now that Lucia is here, I have another challenge to face.

That's a later problem. Right now, I want to celebrate—Mason's win, the festival's success, and love.

"Come with me. I have a surprise for you, too," I whisper into Mason's ear as I take him by the hand and lead him away from the crowd. I want a moment alone with him to soak all of this in before I have to face my other reality.