Apple-Y Ever After (The Way To A Man's Heart Book 12)

seems to cut through everything around her and make her entire face light up. It’s a little dazzling, and I am having a hard time thinking straight.
"Thanks!” she calls to me as she pulls off down the path to get herself together. I watch her go, and wonder if she’s going to be staying the whole weekend – because I don’t think I want to be done with her just yet.
Before I can think any further down that path, though, I find myself accosted by the sight of another few trucks pulling down the road. Shit – okay, I’ve still got plenty to do here. I straighten my back and prepare myself for everything that the rest of the day is going to bring.
And try not to think about her beautiful green eyes, and what it felt like when they were looking at me.

Chapter Two


Honey
I glance over my shoulder to double-check that I didn’t misjudge the hotness of the man who I just met. And no – there he is, just as cute as I thought. I grin. Maybe this is going to be more fun than I thought.
I pull the van to a halt and hop out so that I can start setting up my stall – I need to get the warmers going so that the apple pies will be perfect, especially with the scoop of artisan vanilla ice cream that I serve them with.
I hum along with the tune that the bluegrass band is twiddling out beside me as they get set up; this place feels good, comfortable. It’s been a while since I’ve pulled up anywhere that has made me feel relaxed like this, but maybe that’s got something to do with the butterflies in my stomach at the sight of the man who met me when I got here.
He’s cute, no doubt about it. Strong and lean, looks like he spends all of his time throwing around giant sacks of apples or something. Dark hair, dark eyes, deep tan. The kind of hot that comes with the country.
God, it’s been a long time since I encountered anyone actually cute. I can’t recall the last time that I laid eyes on a guy and felt that tingle in my chest like I am feeling right now. Driving all over the country, it’s not like I have much time to think of anything other than keeping my business on the road, but I know that a girl has her needs. And they have made themselves very clear since I laid eyes on him.
I keep myself busy with the stall, pulling out my chalkboard menu and quickly putting up my prices, and then laying out all the sauces and sweetness that go with my little handheld apple pies. I know that people are going to love them – they always do. They’re totally cute, and more importantly, totally delicious, too.
Before I can take another step, my phone rings, and I answer it at once.
"Hello?”
"Hey, sweetie!" Lucky coos down the line to me. Lucky is my best friend in the whole world, and she just so happens to stay in this part of the county – she and I have already made plans, but I knew that she was going to call me up anyway.
"Hi!” I reply. "How’s it going?”
"I’m all good, ready and waiting to come and give you a hand if you need it," she tells me. "You want me to come down and help?”
"I’ll let you know," I reply. Lucky’s a preschool teacher’s assistant, and I know that she values these weekends off – I don’t want to bring her out unless I really need the help. But there is something that she can aid me with right now – finding out just what the deal is with the guy who runs this place.
"Hey, you think you can tell me something?" I wonder aloud.
"Of course, what’s up?”
"Do you know anyone who works here?" I ask. She’s the one who hooked me up with a spot here once she saw that they were advertising for a fall festival, and I figure that she might be able to tell me who this dude is.
"Just the owner," she replies. "Hank Hallifax. He comes into town sometimes, but he generally keeps to himself up there. Why?”
"What does he look like?” I ask her as I peer around my van to check him out again.
"Dark hair, dark eyes, pretty ripped," she replies. "Why?"
"I think I might have met him, that’s all," I reply, and I hear the giggle in her voice at once.
"Oh, don’t tell me you’ve already fallen for the most eligible bachelor in town,” she says. I laugh.
"I hope not," I protest, and the two of us chat a little more – she fills me in on this guy, on what he’s like. Seems like he stays out of the way of most people, just sticks around up here when he can. I like that. It’s been a long time since I’ve been anywhere for more than a couple of days at a time. Maybe there’s something to be said for putting down roots here...
By the time I get off the phone with Lucky, I notice that Hank is striding over to my van – I busy myself quickly, hoping that he’s not going to be able to tell that I was just talking about him.
"Hi," he greets me from the other side of the counter. I look up and make like I didn’t see him coming.
"Oh, hi," I reply. "I’m not in the wrong place, am I?”
"No, you’re right where you need to be," he assures me, and he eyes me from where he’s standing for a moment. I feel a little heat in my cheeks. God, close up, he’s even cuter...
"I’d like to take you out," he tells me, and my eyebrows shoot up to vanish into my bangs.
"What?"
"On a date," he replies. "You up for it?"
"Oh, I – I'm not in town long," I