Chapter 4
The following morning, Megan started her day at the shop she had purchased shortly after finding her way to McKenzie Ridge. Blooming Grounds sat in the heart of Main Street, on the North side, and it was well known for its quirky combination. It provided the town’s only florist but also served as a coffee shop, full of morning pastries and light afternoon lunches. Nothing made flower shopping more pleasant than the aroma of freshly brewed, local coffee or having a cup of Joe amongst fragrant, fresh blooms.
Fairly new to McKenzie, she was in love. It was a small mountain town nestled in the Pacific Cascade Mountains of Oregon. It’s breathtaking Pacific Northwest beauty and ample outdoor activities made it an appealing tourist attraction year round. McKenzie’s Main Street had a rustic charm, lined with unique shops, delicious eateries, and an array of other things to explore.
It was the perfect place to settle down, for now, different from the glamorous, high society, socialite life she abruptly abandoned nine months prior.
The simple life of small-town living was anything but simple. It was damn
hard! Although its charm was appealing to her, it didn’t boast the amenities she was accustomed to—
her idea of a spa and what resided in Lumberjack nation were two completely different things.
Shopping was plentiful in McKenzie, if you were looking for antler chandeliers, coonskin hats, and, of course, flannel. There was zero purpose for Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo in her new world, and you wouldn’t find Louis or Jimmy for miles and miles. She settled for blue-collar jeans that actually did wonders for her ass –
not bad for forty dollars –
Ugg-style boots, and, of course, the occasional fur vest and flannel.
She was trying to blend in, even bought drug store makeup and wore her hair in a messy bun. Gone were her days of Mac, Prada, and Barneys. Here were the days of simplicity and becoming Megan Johnson.
She was lost in thought, recalling the previous night with Colton and his furry and feathered clan. He walked her home after sunset, carrying a sleeping Jax. The dogs and goat followed while Rambo manned the fort until their return.
He was so good with Jax, such a kind soul and easy on the eyes. Electricity sparked when his arms brushed hers, handing her the tiny tot. He gave her goose bumps and made her warm in all the right places. Unfortunately, they couldn’t explore those feelings. She could leave at any time…today or 10 years from now—
there was no way to know. It wouldn’t be fair to drag Colton into her mess.
She could dream about it, though, and welcomed those dreams each night. Colton was on shift at the House the next several days, which was probably a good thing. The House, as it was called, held Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical. She was the only one from the tight group of friends who didn’t work at the House or hospital. They all tended to work the same shifts, allowing them to work together as well as play together. She was happy to be a part of the family-like group, even if it meant seeing a lot of Colton.
Megan had struggled for months to keep Colton out of her mind, a mighty feat with him living within view. After last evening, the task of maintaining the “no sparks for Sparks” campaign was bordering impossible. If he were home, it would be far too easy to wander down to those rowdy geese and one duck with a bag of bread hanging from her back pocket again. He invited her back, anytime, to “help with the kittens.” He was too tempting, and she wasn’t above using orphaned kittens as an excuse to visit.
Meg spent the next few days prepping for Blooming Grounds’ first wine tasting. She loved Blooming Grounds. It was sweet, charming even. It had a uniqueness that set it apart from other shops in town with the coffee shop included. She wanted to put her mark on it, however, as the new owner, to offer sophistication and something new, a taste of the old her.
Breweries and distilleries were a popular culture in the area – it was part of the tourist attraction. The wine industry was beginning to feel Oregon’s mark on it as well. There was something about the cool mountain weather and mineral bearing spring water that provided a harvest unlike any other.
She wanted to fit in here, wanted to be successful in McKenzie Ridge and create something this town wouldn’t come up with on its own. Hosting wine and specialty beer tastings from local makers was her new mission. A win for area businesses and a win for the new business owner in town. This was the first time she had to depend on herself completely, and it felt good.
Megan invited her new friends, as few as they were, and opened the wine tasting invite to the town and its tourists. Sam Tayler and her handsome husband, Dawson, arrived first. They were like a brunette Ken and Barbie with two darling kids and a romance to die for. Their recent wedding was where she met Colton.
She appreciated the gang filing in a little early to take the edge of her nerves down a notch. Having their support was priceless. They really made the party a party. The adoration amongst them and strong bond were something she had never witnessed before and hoped she would have the chance to be a part of indefinitely.
Next to arrive was Sam’s best “sister friend,” Everly Shaw, and her Granny Lou. Lou was a kick-in-the-pants, old gal who seriously lacked a filter. That’s why Megan liked her so much. She made a mental note to keep an eye on her drinking, though, as this was a professional event. She didn’t expect Granny Lou to drink a drop of fussy juice
. She had her big purse
, which meant she was packin’…liquor.
The rest filed in shortly after…Morgan Jameson, Jessie Clarke, Carigan O’Reilly, and, of course, the dashing Blake Cooper. There was something to be said about the town and its hunky men. The shenanigans were off to a racing start as they all noticed hard ass, combat boot wearing Jessie, wearing a dress. Jessie was as tiny as they came but badass to the core. She kept up with every man and ran circles around a few as a Firefighter. She was tough as nails but, apparently, owned a pair of sexy heels.
Blake, of McKenzie’s finest, seemed especially intrigued by Jessie. Distracted even. If one didn’t know better, it would appear that the looks they were exchanging were about more than the little black dress Jessie was wearing. Morgan, Blake’s partner, and Carigan, Dawson’s partner in the ambulance, might have caught the same vibe based on their snickers, which earned them a middle finger hello from Jessie.
One person was missing. The only one who flooded her every thought for days and consumed her dreams each night. She was happy to see everyone else, but he was the one she was counting down the hours for.
The ground beneath her feet quaked, and her breath caught when the door swung open in what felt like slow motion. He was finally there and looking hot as hell in a black, perfectly tailored suit and a crisp white dress shirt, unbuttoned just enough to make her drool. Her body hummed in places it shouldn’t, especially in public.
She shifted her stance from one foot to the other, trying to relieve the wakeup call he was sending. For a cool crisp fall evening, it was getting hot. She adjusted her skirt, straightened her posture, shoulders back, and approached him with her best smile. She was met first by his enticing scent—
cool and fresh with a hint of citrus and sandalwood. When he hugged her hello, it was nearly her undoing.
The only thing Colton saw when he entered Blooming Grounds was the sexy muse who owned it. She stood amongst a group of patrons, swirling a wine glass in her hand, her body language making it obvious she was describing what they were all tasting. She had a regal quality, which boasted a sense of class and charm that screamed of money and culture. She was easy on the eyes with her petite yet curvy figure, long auburn hair, and glassy golden eyes with her slightly turned up nose but hard on the heart. He needed a way in.
She made simplicity reek of elegance and ordinary look stunning and effortless to pull off. Megan wore a black, body contouring, pencil skirt that started high on her waist and hugged her body clear to mid-calf. To be that skirt, holding those curves, would be to have lived and died in the same moment. She looked of glamour with her glassy gem necklace that rested just above her ample gifts that were on display, compliments of the shape hugging, white, deep v-top.
The tall, shiny, red, peek-a-boo, fuck-me heels that she floated around in did things to him that he was almost ashamed of. He was glad he wore the jacket that he debated earlier in the evening. It now rested on his arm, camouflaging the sudden reason for his really tight pants.