Honeymoon Mountain Bride. Leanne Banks

choices here than online.

      “Hey, how ya doing?” asked a male voice from behind her.

      Vivian’s stomach clenched. She knew that voice. She knew it was Benjamin’s. She took a deep breath before she turned to face him. “Hello. What are you doing here?” she asked.

      “I could ask the same,” he said. “I’m picking up some paint for the kitchen at the bar. What about you?”

      “I can’t decide on anything. And I need a faster electrician.”

      “I can help with that,” Benjamin said. “I’ve got the fastest electrician in town.”

      “How did you find him?” she asked. “Everyone wants to charge us extra because we live on the mountain.”

      “Give the guy a room while he does the work,” Benjamin said. “He can enjoy the amenities when he’s off the clock.”

      Vivian blinked. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

      “Because you don’t fish or hunt,” he said.

      Her stomach took a dip as she looked at him, but she sure didn’t want that response. “I guess you’re right. But I still need to choose the fixtures.”

      “Choose the most long-lasting, not the prettiest,” he told her. “Just a thought,” he added.

      Vivian nodded. Sounded like words of wisdom to her. She made notes as she walked down the aisle.

      “I heard about the fire. Sorry.”

      “Thank you. It was upsetting to say the least.”

      “Tough timing,” he said.

      She nodded. “So,” she said, feeling a bit awkward, “I didn’t get to ask you about how you’ve been. The bar seems to be doing well. What about you?”

      “I’m good,” he said. “I’ve purchased a couple of businesses other than the bar, so that keeps me busy.”

      “What about your sister?” she asked, remembering what Millie had told her.

      Benjamin seemed to freeze.

      Vivian took a big step backward internally and gave a shrug. “I have two sisters and you have a sister, and I thought it was just considerate to ask about yours. I never met her because I was always at the lake.”

      His shoulders lowered just a bit. “She’s doing okay.”

      “Millicent told me your sister is creative and artistic. Maybe she could create something for the lodge.”

      Benjamin tilted his head from one side to the other. “Maybe. So, your sisters are all in about you fixing the lodge? The last time I talked to you, you said you were leaving.”

      “Jilly and I are in. We are dragging Temple. She’s an accountant, but after the fire, it just didn’t seem right to abandon the lodge.”

      “I’m impressed that you’re going to try to fix it. Your dad would be proud,” he said, his gaze locking with hers.

      “I’m scared. Especially financially.”

      “You can make it happen. I’ll help you when I can,” he said.

      She felt a sense of relief. “I’ll accept that offer, and since you’re here, help me select fixtures. Yes?”

      “Sure, if you’ll go for coffee with me afterward,” he said.

      Her stomach dipped at the intent expression on his face. It was just coffee, she chided herself and shrugged. “Why not?”

       Chapter Three

      “So, how do you feel about living in such a small town?” Benjamin asked after they sat at a small table in the local coffee shop.

      “I’m okay with it for now,” Vivian said. “I’m still telecommuting with my firm in Atlanta and will have to return for some major events. Eventually I’ll need to cut the ties. I’m actually kinda glad to get away from the big city.”

      “Really?” he asked and took a long draw from his cup. “You didn’t like Atlanta?”

      “I did and didn’t,” she said. “Who would love that traffic? At the same time, I loved the sense of history and culture. I was raised in Richmond, so of course I loved that city.”

      “Why not go back to Richmond?” he asked.

      She shook her head. “Oh, no. No. My mother lives there and that would be an invitation to...well...insanity, in the worst way.”

      “That bad?” he asked.

      She nodded. “Yes. Well, she’s quite the perfectionist.” She took a breath. “But enough about me. I still can’t figure out why you didn’t go pro with football.”

      “My mom was sick.”

      “I heard about that. I’m sorry. But after that,” she said. “Couldn’t you have gone pro after that?”

      “I had other obligations by then,” he said, his expression moody.

      “Do you wish you had continued playing?”

      He shrugged. “Depends on the day. Mostly not. It would have been physical torture. Why all the questions?”

      She laughed. “My first opportunity. I barely got to talk with you when we were teens.”

      He chuckled and seems to relax just a smidge. “Yeah, that’s true. Speaking of getting to know you, I’m glad you’re fixing the lodge, but I’m wondering if you decided to take on fixing Honeymoon Lodge out of obligation,” he said.

      She thought about that for a moment, then shook her head. “No. Not for the most part. I think we’re not ready to let go of our memories and what we experienced here. It took the fire to bring back how important those memories are to us. At the same time, we want to make it better for those who are new visitors to the lodge. It’s tricky.”

      “Yeah, I guess so. If you want it to be more than a fishing and hunting lodge,” he said.

      “We do,” she said. “We think you can still enjoy the lake and the scenery even if you don’t hunt or fish.”

      “Because you don’t like worms,” he added with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

      “Or crawdads,” she said. “The lake and the mountains are still beautiful. A walk along the lake will rejuvenate you,” she said.

      “Even if you hate worms,” he said.

      She glowered at him. “Yes. Even if you hate worms. Or cocky men who need to be taken down a notch.”

      “You couldn’t be speaking of me,” he said.

      “Of course not,” she lied.

      He laughed loudly, and she really liked him for it.

      “Viv, you have a lot more kick than I thought you would,” he said.

      She rolled her eyes. “Benjamin, how could you expect anything less from Jedediah Jackson’s daughter? My middle name is Monterey after the aircraft carrier. Eleven battle stars. My father was determined we wouldn’t be wussy women, and he was big on Navy history. Each of our middle names is from an aircraft carrier. As for me, I’ve tripped and fallen a few times, but I’ve gotten back up.”

      Benjamin’s eyes widened. “Monterey,” he echoed. “I’m impressed. Does that mean I can call you Monty?”

      “Only if you want me to clock you,” she said.

      “I’m bigger than you are,” he said.

      “I’ll catch you when you’re sleeping,” she returned.