Page 3 of Sweet Treat for the Mountain Man

He chuckled, the sound low and deep and hitting me directly between the legs. “I do. I've never done a skeleton display before but I'm up for the challenge.”

“Good. Let me show you around.”

I led him over to where the display would be set up, in front of the double doors. Heat crawled up my back, his eyes burning a hole right through me. Everything else around me disappeared, the volunteers, the atmosphere, the room we were in, all of it, gone from my head, my mind stuck on one thing. Him.

I pulled out pictures from last year’s display. “Obviously it doesn't have to be an exact replica. But something similar.”

Coast nodded and my hopes lifted. “I think it's doable.”

“Really? So you think you can help me?”

“I don't think. I know I can.”

CHAPTER TWO

Coast

Well God damn, Colleen said nothing about Amora being so beautiful. Not that I expected her to. But the thought hadn't crossed my mind that she'd take my breath away.

I'd known of her, more so her family. Local townies everyone knew here in Apple Falls.

Despite her young age, she'd accomplished a lot, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed.

So when Colleen asked me to help her out, curiosity crept in. Who would've ever thought she'd need me?

The annual Halloween party here in town was a raging success year after year and while I hadn't gone since I was a teen, I read about it in the newspaper. It seemed to become more extravagant as the years went on. I admired what they could put together, the displays impressive, so to help out was exciting.

Call me nerdy, but I loved Halloween. More than any other holiday. Each year, Ive built my own custom displays at my cabin a few towns over. I worked on them in my spare time and proudly showed them off when I finished. The local newspaper ran an article about the decorations around the town, including mine, bringing lots of traffic onto my usually dead-end quiet street.

“Great! I'll be here by eight o'clock in the morning tomorrow. You're welcome to come anytime. But it needs to be done by Saturday morning at the latest.” Amora explained.

“I understand. I'll have it finished tomorrow. I'm going to take some measurements. Do you supply anything?”

“I can pay for whatever supplies you need. I can also have them delivered.”

“Even better.” I grinned at the beautiful woman and ignored the urge to kiss her.

It hit me sideways, the sexual urge I hadn't felt in years, careening into me out of nowhere. But no, there wasn't any room for that in my life. It was why I didn't date. It was why I remained single. And I had no plans to change my feelings anytime soon.

This heart of mine was closed off for good.

I set to work, taking measurements and sketching out my idea. I checked a few things on my phone and when I had the final sketch idea, I showed it to Amora.

“Wow this looks awesome! I love the idea of the foggy smoke.” Amora said as she examined the sketch.

“Glad you like it. I'll write out a supplies list, and we should be good to go.”

“Great. Thanks so much. I appreciate it.”

“Yeah, no problem.” I wrote out my supply list and handed it to her. “I'll text you if I need anything else.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow, Coast.”

I said my goodbyes and left but I failed to get much sleep that night. I couldn't stop thinking about her.

The young curvy beauty with her short bouncy curls. I wanted to wrap the strands around my fingers and yank, exposing her neck to me.

I could fantasize all I wanted. It wasn't happening.