The paint was pristine, the porch swing adorable, and the landscaping cultivated to perfection. I was honestly impressed he’d managed to make it look this nice, he was a bachelor after all. And I was quickly learning that two people and a couple hands could barely keep up with farm life, I couldn’t imagine doing it completely alone. Maybe he had a team that helped him run it.
The door opened a few minutes later, Jack’s face lighting up when he saw that it was me.
“Hey there, neighbor,” he joked, leaning against the door frame and crossing his arms, his toned muscles pulling the fabric of his shirt tight. “What have you been up to?”
His eyes roved over the mess on my apron as he raised his brows in amusement.
“Listen, don't ask, it's been an afternoon. I managed to use all my sugar, so before I drive into town looking like a flour monster, can I be terribly cliche and ask if you happen to have any I can borrow?”
“Actually, yes. I always keep an extra bag or two in the pantry. Come on.”
He turned and led me into his house. As I stepped inside I detected more than just his scent in the air. There was another, almost familiar scent I couldn't quite place, that lingered here too. I couldn’t tell if he just had a close group of friends or he was in a pack, either way, it smelled delicious.
Jack's house was nothing like I expected. The entire place was some form of farmhouse chic, with aged woods, white and light gray accents, and chunky wood furniture. I had my doubts that he decorated it himself, and if he did, well I was definitely impressed.
“Your place is gorgeous,” I complimented. He glanced around at his house for a moment and shrugged.
“Mom did most of it before they retired to town. I like that it’s so open and airy, so I didn’t bother to change much,” he said casually as he rifled through the pantry. I let him focus on his task and turned to check out the kitchen.
“Holy shit,” I muttered. “This kitchen is what dreams are made of.”
An industrial-sized stove with a huge hood over it stood out like a crowning jewel. The kitchen island was big enough that he could bake twenty pies and have them all out cooling, and still have room left over. Stools were placed on one side of the island, making it inviting. The countertops were butcher block and I was fairly sure I’d sell my fall-loving soul just to have this.
“I'm gonna start baking over here,'' I joked after another few minutes of gaping at his kitchen. He stood back and narrowed his eyes at me.
“I don't think so. I can't let you in on these famous family recipes. They’re top secret.” He put on a fake offended tone and I rolled my eyes.
“Yes, and you’d be in awe of my baking skills. I should probably have my own show,” I joked back. He chuckled and handed over a bag of sugar.
“I’ve got two more in the pantry.”
“I knew you had a sweet tooth,” I said with a triumphant fist bump. “This is why we’re going to get along famously.”
“Sweet tooth might be an understatement, but I also just like to bake. And to be prepared. Speaking of… you know you have to run into town today anyway, right?”
“Why is that?” I questioned, racking my brain for some kind of lost plan I’d made. From the way his smile fell, there was obviously something big I was missing.
“Today’s the signup for the Fall Festival. I thought you were set on participating?”
I gasped. “What? How did I not know this?!”
“We probably just all assumed that you knew and nobody actually bothered to tell you the exact date. Everyone around here marks it on their calendars like a fucking holiday.” I laughed and shook my head.
“Well, then I'm definitely going to need to go to town. Do you know what time it’s at?”
He glances at his watch. “Yeah, it’s usually at four-thirty on the dot. Just head to town hall. I'm sure that the committee will have a whole table out front waiting. They'll definitely expect you to be there.”
“You know I will be now that I know,” I yelled out, giving Jack a little wave in thanks before I headed out, running back towards the orchard while holding my bag of sugar like I was a football player running for a touchdown.
After depositing the sugar on the counter, I glanced at the clock and cursed, realizing I had about forty-five minutes to wrap this up, shower, and drive to town hall. After turning off my oven and hastily wiping up my mess, I took the fastest shower known to man.
Excitement bubbled up in me as I drove toward town. This was the moment that I'd been waiting for. There was still about a month to go before the festival, which was plenty of time to show them that I belonged here in Holiday Hollow.
Despite the crowd that seemed to be gathered around town hall, I managed to snag a prime parking spot not too far away from the lovely ochre colored banner that hung against the columns announcing that I was in the right place. If I kept getting parking spots like this I’d never want to leave.
Grabbing my purse, I got out of my car, scanning the different stations to see where I should start first.
I saw Jack through the crowd, clipboard in hand as he shot me a small wave. But when I tried to make my way over to him I was instantly bombarded by a gaggle of women and a few men who were each trying to be more helpful than the next.