She rolls her eyes as if I'm responsible for this inconvenience.
“On the bright side, I have propane, so we can still use the stove and take hot showers.”
“Great,” she says with fake enthusiasm. “I didn't know people actually lived like this.”
“Like what?” I kneel to pet Dasher and try not to sound offended.
“Off the grid...” She waves a hand through the air. “In the wilderness...the middle of nowhere. Sounds dangerous if you ask me. What if there's an emergency?”
I chuckle because her idea of beingoff the gridis comical. “I'm twenty minutes from town. I'd hardly say that's roughing it.”
“You don't even have cable. Or food delivery.”
“No, but I have working appliances and a pantry full of food. Plus, I can stream shows and movies, which works decently enough on my Wi-Fi...well, except in this weather.”
“Of course.” She sighs, her hands smacking her knees when she finally takes a seat and gives my rug a break.
“I'm gonna grab some more logs while I can and let Dasher run around. Wanna join me?” I ask politely.
She frowns with a side-eye that confirms she willnotbe going outside.
As soon as I open the door, Dasher flies off the deck and into a huge snow bank. He still has as much energy as he did the day I brought him home two years ago. If it were up to him, he'd live outside twenty-four seven.
“C'mon, Dash. This way.” I head toward the wood shed. I'm used to being out here alone. I like it and don't mind the quiet. It's peaceful, and the views are irreplaceable. Having Fallon here for the past couple of days has been an interesting change and a reminder of what it's like to have someone around. Too bad she's a grinch who wouldn't know happiness if it plowed into her.
Also, who the hell hates Christmas?
A beautiful woman who's snippy as fuck, that's who.
I can't help but wonder if her biases will find their way into her writing. She could have a huge impact, and not in a good way. It's already hard enough for local small businesses to keep up, and a bad feature could negatively affect their revenue. The holiday tourists shop a lot, and that money keeps them afloat throughout the year.
I was born and raised here and won't let some grumpy spoiled city girl tear it down.
If I could talk to my best friend, Finn, he'd tell me to do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t happen. Show her what the town is really about—community, holiday spirit, and a place people visit to reconnect.
As soon as this storm passes, I'll give her a personal tour and show her everything we have to offer. It’s a shame she’s so reluctant because the town goes all out to create a magical holiday experience for visitors. Even if her first impressions haven't been great, I'll personally make sure she enjoys herself the rest of the time she's here.
As soon as the wheelbarrow is full, I whistle, and Dasher comes running behind me, beating me to the house. I roll and set the load down on the deck and then open the door.
“Hey, Fallon!” I call out and wait for her to approach. “Hold out your arms.”
She raises her brows. “For what?”
“You stay here, you work here. Bring these logs inside.”
I scoop them up and wait for her to comply. “You want extra heat or not?”
She sighs, finally agreeing. Carefully, I set a small stack of wood in her arms, and my hand runs along her wrist, repositioning a few so they don’t fall loose.
“Got 'em?”
“Yeah. Now what?” She glares, which is unfortunate. She's too pretty to always be scowling. Her long dark-brown hair is silky smooth, and images of yanking it hard as I take her from behind run through my mind. Just thinking about widening her thick thighs as her green eyes pierce through me has me growing hard.
“Set them next to the fireplace, then come back for more,” I say, adjusting myself when she turns around.
Dasher follows her into the house, and I hear her scold him for stepping on her heels. I snicker at how eager Dasher is for her affection.
After the fourth load, Fallon stomps back to me and huffs. “How much more? My arms are tired.”