Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

COLE

Fudge greets me in the hallway when I walk in and dump my tool bag on the ground. He’s a scruffy ginger cat that I was ‘fostering’ last Christmas, but we kinda grew on each other and he just never left.

“Hey, Fudgey.” I scoop him up in my arms and he pushes his face into mine. He lets out a good ol’ mewl, indicating he’s not happy about the several hours I’ve been gone. He acts as if he doesn’t sleep for twenty-three hours a day.

It’s taken a good while for him to be affectionate with me, but after a few scratches to my money maker — and more than one close call with his razor-sharp teeth to the rest of my body — I think we’re cool. It’s not his fault he was abandoned as a kitten the day after Christmas and was left out in the cold. Poor little guy. He was lucky to survive.

Travis is my boss and his wife, Presley, is the local vet and owner of Piney Paws. She asked me to look after him since I’ve done the offhand favor of pet sitting for the good townsfolk of Silver Pines, Wyoming. Including their dog, Rigger and their cat Bronx. The rest is history.

My little guy is pretty cute, even if he is a scraggly thing. “How’s your day been, Fudge?” Yep, I talk to my cat too. I mean, he’s a good listener as far as four legged friends go. Aside from scowling, he never talks back.“Dad’s been up in the rafters at the Town Hall again, yes he has, yes he has.” I tickle his chin as he laps it up. If anyone could hear me now, they’d think I was nuts.

If the rumors around town were true, you’d hear I’m a ladies man and can cozy up to any female this side of Wyoming. But that’s not entirely true. Women are slim pickings in this tiny town, making most of the single guys excited for tourist season. I was too, until last year when a certain little librarian caught my attention.

I look down at my tabby like he’s gonna answer me before I kiss him on the head and place him back on the floor. I move into the kitchen to get his food and grab myself something to eat. “Dad also has to do some shopping,” I mutter, after examining the contents of the fridge and realizing I ain't got shit. Takeout tonight might just have to do.

I go in search of a snack. Finding and heating up a small container from last night's leftovers to see me through. I’ve been a bachelor for a couple of years now and while I can’t say I’m Silver Pine’s greatest chef, I can survive. That’s the main thing, right?

I kick off my boots and shrug out of my jacket, grabbing Fudge’s treats from under the counter as I fill up his bowl by the door.

He looks up at me with eyes that would say, ‘ is that it?’ if he could talk. And if that were the case, I’m sure he’d have a lot to say.

“Fine.” I chuckle and reach for the can of Fancy Feline and pull the lid back. Grabbing a fork, I empty the contents into the bowl adjoining the biscuits and break i t up. Just how he likes it.

He immediately waddles over and sticks his head in the bowl, having a good sniff before he decides if it tickles his fancy or not.

I can never get it right with Fudge. Some days he just wants his dry food, other days his Fancy Feline, and on those random days he’ll have both, thank you very much.

While Fudge eats, I grab my leftovers and walk down the hallway of my small cottage. It was built over a hundred years ago but seems to have weathered every storm Silver Pines has thrown at it. The blizzards here can be a total disaster, especially around the holidays.

I scarf the food down and place the container on my bedside table. Stripping out of my clothes, I jump in the shower to wash away today’s dirt and grime. I spent most of the day up in the rafters fixing the mezzanine section in the Town Hall. I’ve spent my life building and fixing things, it’s what I know. Construction has always been my ultimate passion because I love to fix shit and see things transform. As a bonus, it pays the bills. Also, I get to work for my best friend, so that’s a plus.

It’s only when I’m drying off and shrugging into a fresh flannel button down that I hear a loud beeping noise from out front. It sounds suspiciously like a truck reversing.

The house next door has recently become available for rent. There was a showing about a week ago, but I haven’t heard about the new tenant yet.

I go take a look because I’m a nosy bastard. Hopefully, it’s a cute chick in need of a cup of sugar or something. Not that shit like that ever happens to me, knowing my luck it’ll be some dear little old lady. I’m always the groomsman, never the groom.

“Back in a sec ,” I call out to Fudge, who’s taken to laying in one of his many beds around the house. In this instance, he chose the hallway. He has an array of beds. I have meticulously placed them around different parts of the house, in all of his favorite places to lay. His decision is usually based on where the sun is shining on any given day, not that the sun is shining in Silver Pines with it being winter right now.

With my curiosity piqued, I step outside to see if someone is moving in. Normally, I hear everything that’s going on around town. That’s the beauty of living in a tiny place like Silver Pines. I’ve been so busy at work lately, I’ve not had time to follow the gossip mill.

My eyes land on a familiar sight, and my grin pulls from both sides of my face.

Well, well. If it isn’t little Ainsley Parsons. My favorite librarian.

It seems I could be so lucky, after all. My heart rate accelerates.

Ainsley isn’t just the adorable Little Miss Sunshine from the library, she’s also a friend and the girl who’s been starring in some of my late-night dreams.

She is on the Silver Pines welcoming committee, including the annual Christmas decorating team, and various other charitable roles through our town. A good ole’ hometown girl.

I step outside. “Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that you Ains?” I make a show of rubbing my eyes with my palms as I flash her a grin. I’ve been told since I was a teenager that I have a baby face, and apparently my Grandpa told the entire family I’d be a heartbreaker. I’m not sure about that last part, because I’ve never settled down or had my heart broken. But baby face? I guess it’s something to do with looking young and being able to get whatever I w ant. While not entirely untrue, I don’t consider it a bad thing that my crinkly smile and cheeky comebacks don’t make the best of them smile. My blonde ruffled hair and hazel eyes don’t seem to hurt either.

Hey, that’s what I’m here for. I don’t just like making women smile, I like making her smile.

Ainsley’s eyes flick up toward me as the U-Haul maneuvers out front, parking in line with the cottage next door.

She smiles when she sees me. “Hey, Cole!” She waves me over.

Her extraordinary blue eyes seem even beautiful behind her large-framed pink glasses. I’ve always found her cute, no doubt about it. Is she slightly geeky? Sure, but I find it sexy.

Yet, under the glasses she’s so much more. Her wayward brown curly hair she can’t seem to tame. Her pretty skin with a small smattering of freckles across her nose that I’ve never seen before because, clearly, she covers them up. Plus, she’s wearing the office uniform I’m used to seeing her in; a white long sleeve blouse with a starched collar, her name embroidered on the front pocket, teamed with a navy pencil skirt sitting just below the knee. It’s hot. I lower my gaze to her matching blazer-style jacket that dwarfs her little frame even more. I think she’s beautiful.

She seems a little surprised to see me and, if I’m not mistaken, her cheeks are slightly flushed. She pushes her glasses up her nose.

That little movement is sweet as fuck.

I helped her out last Christmas when she had to step in for a friend to coordinate an evening of speed dating. I was there with my friend Jake, who went along only so he could have six minutes with his now g irlfriend, Charlene. I helped Ainsley carry some boxes and set up the event. I’m the ‘go to’ guy for help, apparently.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” I cross my arms over my chest. I’m acting cocky, like she came here to see me, even though — by the way she chews on her lip —- she clearly didn’t.

“I’m moving in,” she says, blinking up at me rapidly. Then she quickly adds; “Next door, I mean. I just signed a lease for the cottage.”

Well, this is news. Clearly I’m outta the game. “Damn, I wish I’d known. I could’ve helped you move and been all neighborly and shit.”

She glances over at the U-Haul a little sheepishly. “It’s totally fine. This is just the first load. The rest is coming tomorrow.”

I run a hand through my wavy hair, still damp from the shower, and nod. “I’m available for the heavy lifting. I can give you a hand now if you like?”

“Thanks, that would be great. My friend Emma is coming over to help, but there’s no sign of her yet. Work might have held her up.”

I notice her eyes wander down to my open shirt and quickly flick back up to my face.

I didn’t dress completely in my rush to see what was going on over here. I grin at her wide-eyed reaction as a faint sheen of pink hints at her cheeks. She quickly clears her throat. “I had no idea you lived here, actually.”

I grin. “You need to get out more.”

“Clearly.”

“Well, technically, it’s my parents’ place. They bought it a few years back and I rent it from them.”

“Nothing like keeping it in the family,” she laughs as the driver gets out of the U-Haul and makes his way toward us.

“Tell me about it.” I’m reveling in the fact that Ainsley is going to be my new neighbor. She’s a smart girl and I’m sure she won’t be a raging party person. Not that I mind the occasional party, but I get up so damned early that I can’t afford to be kept awake on work nights. Man, I sound like an old man. Even though I’m only twenty-four, sometimes it feels a lot like fifty.

“I’m gonna grab some takeout for dinner,” I say from nowhere. Sue me. I eat a lot. “Wanna join me? I mean, that’s if you don’t wanna go huntin’ for your pots’ n’ pans, Shorty. ” I want to hit myself right now. What a fucking Casanova I’ll never make. I’m seriously off my game. If you don’t wanna go huntin’ for your pots and pans?

If she thinks I’m an ass, she doesn’t show it.

“Shorty?” She smiles.

I shrug. I like it; it suits her.

“Well, that’d be great, thanks Cole. I mean, I labeled all the boxes, but I’ve no idea how I’ll get it all unpacked before dinner to find my utensils.”

I don’t know why that makes one side of my mouth lift. “Consider it done.” I clap my hands together. “So, should we get started?”

**

If you’d told me this morning I’d be sitting on a crate eating Chinese food with Ainsley Parsons, who’s now moving in next door to me, I’d have said you were crazy, but here we are. There are boxes piled up around us and no couch arriving until tomorrow.

Her bedframe and mattress arrived at least, so I spent the last half hour puttin g it together for her. Ainsley’s friend Emma just left after they made up the bed and she helped her get some of her essentials out.

“So, what made you move across town?” I ask idly as I dig into my beef chow mein.

I hear a faint sigh before she answers, which causes me to look up. I immediately get the impression I’ve said something wrong because she pauses, then her teeth snag her lip for a second before releasing it.

“I broke up with my boyfriend,” she whispers.

“Oh, shit. Sorry to hear that,” I say. Drake. I don’t know the guy well, we don’t exactly hang in the same circles. But I know she wasn’t with him during the whole speed-dating escapade. I’ve heard they’ve had an on and off relationship for a while.

She shrugs. “It’s not the first time. He broke it off last year, then we patched it up after Christmas and I moved in with him; that was short lived.”

“Ah.” I nod, like I’d really know. I’ve only ever had one serious girlfriend, and I’ve never lived with anyone.

I wait to see if she’s going to elaborate, but she’s staring down at her food.

“I’m sorry, “ I continue. “Breakups can be really shitty.”

I mean, when are they ever good? But I’m trying to make her feel better here.

“I needed a break,” she says with a sigh. “We’ve been on and off since high school, so I guess it’s all I’ve ever known.”

So he broke up with her last year, and now she broke up with him?

Seems like there’s some back and forth happening. Not that I’m judging in the slightest, but if he’s her high school boyfriend, she obviously doesn’t know anything else except him.

“A break can be just as good as a vacation,” I say playfully. “Or at least that’s what they tell me.”

She smiles. “Thanks, Cole. You’ve been really sweet tonight. And putting my bed together. That would have been impossible by myself.”

My eyebrows raise slightly in amusement. “Hey, don’t go broadcasting it, there could be a stampede on my hands for my handyman services. I’m already booked up till after Christmas.”

That evokes a laugh at least, and I can see behind her facade that she’s hurting. It’s all in the eyes and how they don’t sparkle like they usually do when I’ve seen her.

“Don’t I know it.” She winks. “If those speed dating scores were anything to go by.”

I glance up at her. That was ages ago. Wow, she still remembers that?

“Quite a hit, was I?”

“Did you even read the scores?”

I laugh and pop a shoulder. “Honestly, I was there to play cupid for Jake and Charli.”

Most of the girls there that night weren’t exactly ones I’d want to date. Charli’s friend Rory was there, and whilst I think Rory is good value, and always up for a laugh, we’re more like friends than potential partners.

“Well, it seems it worked out great. They’ve been happy ever since.”

“It was fun that night.” I don’t tell her I secretly thought she was the hottest girl there. Ever since she got back with her boyfriend, I’ve kept my crush on the DL.

“Anyone would think you were a pro.”

She laughs lightly, and it’s good to see. I’m sure she has a lot on her mind right now.

“I seriously doubt it, Cole. But thanks.”

“Any time. ”

“And thanks for dinner and helping out.”

I shrug. “Hey, what are good neighbors for?”

“I think this move is really going to work out for the best.”

“See, there you go,” I say. “Things might seem a little shitty now, but it’s already working out for you.”

I don’t know how I became so damned philosophical, but maybe Ainsley brings it out in me. However, I don’t think a few words of encouragement and positivity could harm her after her news.

One thing is for sure though, having Ains moving in next door is a welcome surprise. And for some reason, it has me grinning from ear to ear.