Page 4 of Cider for the Mountain Man

Julian doesn’t seem to notice. Hearing my position is enough to widen his smile. I’ve mostly seen this man in pictures, and his perfect white teeth have always felt unsettling. In person, it’s worse. Even if nothing but warmth radiates from him, I still can’t help the chill that lifts the hairs on my arms.

“I was just telling Caden here that if we didn’t have so many people helping out, we wouldn’t have such a great turnout. Thanks to you guys, everything appears to be another great success.”

Nodding sheepishly under the Mayor’s bright gaze and sudden praise, I nudge a little closer to Caden’s side. If he minded the invasion, he doesn’t give any cues that he does, as his warmth seeps into my body.

“I was just about to make my rounds to enjoy the event myself,” I explain before forcing down a mouthful of hot cider. It burns all the way down, but it helps loosen the knot forming in the middle of my throat. Taking a smaller, safer sip from my cup and attempting to look far more casual than I feel, I look out toward the crowded area. “Figured I’d try to enjoy the corn maze before the sun starts lowering.”

Beside me, Caden shifts. I feel his gaze on top of my head, but it doesn’t last long. Just enough time to make me think I’d imagined it.

“Interesting,” Caden muses next to me. “I was just thinking about checking on John to make sure he hasn’t baked too long in the sun. Julian—” He catches me off guard with the smallest of smiles on his face. “Let’s continue talking about Halloween another time. Go enjoy yourself with Savannah.”

Julian blinks, clearly caught off guard by Caden’s sudden shift in priorities. The Mayor opens his mouth, pauses for a moment, then forces his trademark dazzle back onto his face. “Ah. Right, of course! A busy man’s work is never done. I’ll hold you to that, Caden—we’ll pick this up early next week. Enjoy the maze, Valerie!”

“Looking forward to it,” Caden says smoothly.

Before the Mayor can add another word, Caden’s hand suddenly settles gently against the small of my back. His warmth radiates right through my shirt, firm and guiding as he steers me away from the group. I barely register the other two giving us a small wave as we leave.

“Keep walking,” Caden murmurs under his breath, his voice barely a breath against my ear. “And whatever you do, don’t look back.”

My heart recklessly pounds away in my chest as I obey his demand. My legs tremble as I struggle to keep up with his long strides. Only when we reach the towering, rustling edges of the cornfield does Caden finally let his hand drop.

I miss the warmth instantly.

Trying not to show my feelings on my face, I sip at my drink as Caden lets out a heavy sigh. Those broad shoulders drop an inch, and the thought of giving one a reassuring squeeze crosses my mind.

He shakes his head and runs a hand down his face, then looks my way and pauses, as if he'd only just realized he’d dragged me along. His frown is right back in place as if that earlier smile was a figment of my imagination.

“I’ve been trying to escape that conversation for the last ten minutes,” he admits before tearing his eyes away. “Saw an opening and took it.”

I watch him turn awkward, sipping his drink just as much as I am. Unfortunately, I run out of mine before he does.

“Well, I’m happy I was able to get you out of that conversation.” Trying to keep my voice light instead of strained, I toss away my cup in a nearby can. “But I really did plan on doing the corn maze. So I should probably—”

“Is that a good idea?” He looks toward the stalks, his brows pushed together. “After what happened last year…”

Last year ended in a complete catastrophe, and I’m embarrassed that he remembers it.

My sense of direction is practically non-existent, and after two hours of taking all the wrong turns, I’d managed to get thoroughly, hopelessly lost. By the time dusk started creeping over the cornfield, panic had completely taken over.

I hadn't expected anyone to notice I was missing—maybe someone had made an offhand, worried comment about my absence, or maybe he’d just realized I was gone. But out of nowhere, the rustling stalks parted, and Caden appeared like a total savior.

He’d found me in a breathless, near-tears mess, looking like a breath of fresh air as he calmly guided me back out. Even through the blush of sheer embarrassment on our walk of shame back, I couldn't stop wondering why he was the one who had come hunting for me.

Maybe it was because I was one of his volunteers and he felt responsible for me. Or…

“This year will be different,” I reassure him after shaking the embarrassing memory out of my head. “I’ve got a better feeling.”

“John made the maze more difficult this year.” He frowns and shakes his head. “It’s not a good idea.”

“It can’t be that hard,” I insist, folding my arms to keep my hands from fidgeting.

His expression turns into a straight scowl, and I add another reason why I believe this man dislikes me as much as I love him.

He finishes off his drink and disposes of the cup. Half expecting him to leave me to do whatever I want, I'm surprised when he returns to my side. He nods toward the field and clears his throat.

“If you insist, then I’m going to come with you. You can lead, but I don’t want you getting lost again.”

I blink, slowly registering his words. “Aren’t you busy?”