Page 76 of Princess and Country

Carter bought a mountaintop piece of land last year and built a cabin up there. He lived in Nashville most of the time but always came back here to unwind and spend time with Jack and me whenever he could.

The bell over the door chimed.

“Hey, Cart. Did you forget something?” I hung the dress in my hands and turned around. I halted. The man standing in front of me looked nothing like Carter Hills.

Blond hair, broad shoulders, tanned skin.

My heart jumped in my chest. Warmth enveloped all my senses. I tried to speak, but I stood there like a fool instead, eyeing the man in front of me.

“Hey,” he said, his eyes taking me in. A spark gleamed in his golden irises, the color of honey.

I wet my lips with my tongue and swallowed. “Hey.”

We stared at each other for a few beats, neither of us brave enough to break the silence or eye contact. I linked my hands together and fidgeted with my fingers.

I was cast under a spell, and I had no clue what I should do. I knew nothing except I liked the feeling. My heart hummed. The rock that had been pressing over my chest for the last three years fractured.

I studied the man. Square chin, symmetrical face, a scar crossing his left eyebrow.

He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to bother you. I just moved here, and I’m not really familiar with the town yet.” He looked around, then cast a glance at the paper in his hand. “So, I guess you’re not Hilton and Sons, the construction business?” He tipped one dark-blond brow, and a dimple appeared on his chin as he smiled at me. The paper in his hand shook, and the man folded it in four and stuffed it—along with his hand—in the pocket of his dark pants. His other hand raked through his hair, messing up the locks.

I studied him.

Was this stranger always nervous, or did I make him nervous?

I swallowed hard and pushed my copper braid behind my shoulder.

My heart did a somersault in my chest. Like it had just woken up after a three-year-long harsh winter.

“Hilton is on Elk Road, not Main Street.” I clamped my hands together to avoid fidgeting.

The man scratched the side of his head. “And where is Elk Road? I’m a bit lost.”

“Give me a minute. I’ll lock the shop and walk you there. It’s not that far.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother—”

I shrugged. “I insist. Fresh air will do me good. And it’s a shame to be stuck inside when the weather is that great outside. I’ve been in the store fifteen hours a day for the last month. I’m in dire need of some vitamin C.” I let out a weird giggle.

“I think you mean vitamin D—”

My face heated up.

“Yeah. Vitamin D. You’re right.”

We found our pace as we strolled down the street.

“I’m Nick, by the way.” My body purred at the sound of his voice, all gravelly and soft. It woke up something in me. I could listen to him talk for hours.

“I’m Dahlia.” I pinched my lips together and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, trying to avoid saying something stupid. “We’re here,” I said when we stopped in front of the two-storied, red-bricked building.

Nick pivoted on his heels to face me.

“I just have to sign a few documents. I’m starting here as a carpenter next week. It’ll only take a couple of minutes. Would you care to wait for me? We could grab a coffee or something. I’m starving, and the sights and smells of all those restaurants on Main Street did nothing to tame my hunger.” Nick offered me a hopeful smile. “Unless you’re too busy at the store and having lunch with me will make you late.”

My fingers found the wedding ring I wore in a chain around my neck and twirled it around.

I inhaled, trying to look calm and in control.