When I Fall in Love (2 page)

He eyed her carefully, his gaze trailing from her eyes to her lips. “I’ve got to check out from the B&B this morning anyway. I could meet you here at noon and you could show me around until whatever you have going on tonight.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be going anywhere worth shooting.” April shut the bagel window, suddenly wishing she was wearing something more classy than a yellow cotton dress covered by a dotted apron. The dress was a bit faded and the apron sported coffee stains—not exactly her finest look. “You don’t want to follow me around town.”

“I do, actually.” He smiled, and her neck flushed hot. “I think I might capture the vibe of the area better with you at my side. You know, a local’s viewpoint.”

Why was she stalling? Hunky McHunkerson was only in town for one more day, and then she wouldn’t see him again. What would it hurt?

“Okay,” April said. “See you in a few hours.”

Chapter Two

Java Falls was everything Mason expected from a small town coffee shop—coffee from freshly ground coffee beans, sugary pastries, and warm-hearted patrons greeting him from every seat. The rustic cafe was located in the heart of Blue Lake, so it wasn’t hard to miss as he came into town. But its owner, cute as a button and sweet as the cinnamon rolls she served, was a pleasant surprise.

He’d had his eye on April for days, even though he hadn’t taken the leap to ask her out. Come on, women that good looking were never available. They always had a boyfriend in their pocket and a guy or two waiting in the wings. It wasn’t until he’d heard the ladies from the book club talk about her being single that he’d hauled his backside off the chair and asked her out.

With one last day in Blue Lake, he wasn’t about to waste another minute.

He waited outside, well past noon, hands in his pockets to keep them from sweating. It was a cool spring afternoon, and the skies were cluttered with cotton candy-like clouds, but for some reason his hands were clammed up like he’d been wearing gloves. The sunset tonight would be stunning. It better be, or he’d be sending sub-standard photos to
Majestic Magazine
, and his hopes of becoming their go-to small town photographer would be ruined.

“Sorry to keep you,” April said, locking the front door behind her. “I had to make a few calls after everyone filed out.”

“No problem.” Mason didn’t know whether they were walking or driving, so he stood back and let April take the lead. “Where to first?”

“If you don’t mind, I have to pick up some things from the Blue Lake Historical Inn.” Hitching her bag over shoulder, she started walking down the sidewalk, her boots clanking over the wood planks. “Have you been there, yet?”

He strode beside her, his hand at his side, nearly brushing hers. “No, actually, but I hear the place is haunted.”

She gave him a slanted look. “It depends on who you ask. I don’t believe in that stuff.”

“Me either.”

A couple walked by, pulling their Golden Retriever behind them.

“Well hello, April,” the older woman said, stopping as they passed. “Wonderful afternoon for a walk, isn’t it?”

“I thought so.” April looked over her shoulder, but kept walking. “Have a good day, Meredith.”

“Will we see you tonight?” Meredith’s voice kicked up as they continued walking away.

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Do you know everyone in this town?” Mason asked, crossing the cobblestone street.

“Everyone.” She smiled sweetly. “Even good-hearted, busy-bodies like Meredith.”

Seemed like she didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone. “Have you lived here your whole life?”

“Pretty much. My parents moved my sister and I moved to Blue Lake when we were seven. We used to live in Sacramento and would vacation up here in summer. When my dad retired early, they moved us shortly after.” She waved to a twenty-something woman across the street. “That’s Georgia, owner of the Book Bandit on the other side of town. She’s one of my best friends.” She laughed nervously as Georgia gave the thumbs up. Was she referring to him? “Where are you from?” she asked.

“I grew up in Wichita,” Mason said. “But I left after college to become a freelance photographer and haven’t looked back.”

Must be nice to walk the streets of a town like this and know that there are good people walking among you. Bet no one locked their doors. Out of sheer curiosity, Mason checked a Subaru Forester as they walked by, and spotted the door locks in the open position. He certainly wasn’t in Kansas anymore—at least not the part he grew up in.

“Did you major in photography?” she asked, looking up at him.

“I did. It’s the only thing I’ve ever really loved.”

“That’s sweet, and maybe a little depressing.”

He smiled at her candor. “What about you? Did you go to college?”

“I did.” She sped her pace onto a covered part of the sidewalk. “I left Blue Lake for four years to attend Sac State.”

“What’d you major in?”

“Chocolate,” she said, pointing at a wooden sign swinging above their heads. It was etched with the words Sweet Tooth. Before he could question, she charged through the open doors. He followed, overwhelmed with the aroma of strawberries and candy. He wasn’t much of a candy person, but the scent was mouth-watering.

“Afternoon, April,” the candy shop owner said with a smile as they approached the counter.

“Hey, Laney. Those strawberries in the window look delicious.”

“How many for ya’?”

April glanced at him, her blue eyes striking against her pale skin and dark hair. He nearly forgot to answer her question. “Two,” he said, and took out his wallet before April could approach the counter.

He paid for their afternoon snack, took the bag with the berries and left the shop, April following closely behind.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said, as they continued up the gradual hill toward Blue Lake Inn.

“Consider it payment for showing me around today.”

“Done deal.” She took the bag, removed one of the strawberries and nibbled on the end. “So what magazine do you work for?”

“
Majestic
.” He took out the afternoon snack and savored the first bite. Firsts were always the best. First meetings. First kisses… what would kissing April feel like? Her lips were pink and plump, surely the most kissable he’d ever seen. “Have you heard of them?”

“Of course! I stock that magazine near the door in Java Falls. You’ll see a stack at the inn, too. You must be an excellent photographer to be working for them.”

“Well enough, I guess.” He shrugged, finishing off the berry. The chocolate was delicious. Fresh and sweet without zinging his teeth. “The shots of Blue Lake are the most important I’ve taken yet. If I can get some striking images, showing the rustic beauty of this town, there’s a chance I could be put on their permanent payroll.”

“That’s amazing!” She bumped into him playfully with her shoulder.

He didn’t budge, but the contact startled him. It’d been a long time—years, maybe—since his stomach caught from something simple like a shoulder bump.

“Thanks.” He paused, struck by the words he was about to say. “I wouldn’t mind settling down in a small town like this someday. There’s something really appealing about this place.”

“Oh, there’s definite appeal.” They crossed the street once more, though this time the sidewalk changed from wood planks to cement. Wine barrels overflowing with flowers lined the sidewalk. Wrought iron posts where gold mining cowboys used to tie their horses stood in the gutter. “Moose Valley Ski Resort is thirty minutes up the road, and there are meadows and wineries twenty minutes down. There are lakes and rivers and vacated gold mining sites, all a short drive from here. To top it off, you’ll meet the nicest people in Blue Lake.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

He brushed her hand with his, looked down at her and smiled. Her hands were warm, despite the chill on the air. They were soft, too. He was amazed at how natural it seemed to reach out and grab ahold of her hand. He didn’t dare latch on though.

Too soon.

As if she could read his thoughts, she blushed and averted her gaze to the white two-story building on the block in front of them.

“That’s the inn,” she said. “If you head around back, there’s a beautiful garden with some views of the town below.”

“I didn’t notice the change in elevation.”

“It’s slight, but we climbed a bit. If you look closely to the southwest, you might be able to see the vineyards at StoneMill.” She opened the creaky inn door. “Want to come in first?”

“I think I’ll wait out back and check out the views.”

“Sure thing.”

As she walked inside, he let his gaze linger on her backside. She was petite, maybe five-feet-four, but she had curves to her, thank the heavens. The simple cotton dress hugging her hips only played into her sex appeal.

He made his way around back, and pushed through a white-picket fence. Just as April had said, part of the town could be seen stretching beneath them. Interspersed between towering trees stood a fire and police station, a school and grocery store. Mixed with the new buildings were old ones that looked like they’d been standing since the mid-1800’s. The new with the old. It’d make for some cool shots.

He took out his camera and started snapping. He kneeled on the ground near a hedge of roses, capturing a close up of the buds with the clouds lumbering in the sky behind them. Using the picket fence as a low border, Mason squatted and shot a few of the town, and then focused a few others on the iron wind vain perched atop a barn in the distance.

By the time he realized he’d been shooting for a good twenty minutes, he turned, expecting to see April in the garden. She wasn’t there.

He strode around front, and spotted her on tiptoe leaning against a truck.

“Come on, Rick, please,” he heard her say in a soft, pleading voice. “You have to come.”

To give her privacy, Mason stopped and planted his back against the white-washed inn. He kicked a few pieces of loose gravel into the gutter and tried not to listen to what she was saying to the guy in the truck.

“Sorry, babe. I’ve got to fill in for Joey. He covered for me last month, so I’ve got to return the favor tonight.” He stroked the arm that she’d rested on the door. “I’d be a jerk if I left him hanging.”

“I understand, it’s just that my Grams is going to be so upset that you’re not coming.”

She
did
have a boyfriend.

Mason knew it’d been too good to be true. Women like April weren’t single. She was drop dead gorgeous, sweet, and soft in all the right places. Judging from the crowd in her coffee shop this morning, she was a savvy businesswoman and could make a slamming cup of joe. She had a sense of humor, too.
Majoring in chocolate.
He laughed as he replayed their conversation in his head. That’s the thing though: conversation had been easy and natural with April. He didn’t feel like he had to try too hard. Being with her felt like connecting with a childhood friend, only this was a friend he wanted to kiss…and pin against the wall of the inn.

Trying not to watch their interaction, Mason raised his gaze enough to spot the license plate on her boyfriend’s Chevy truck. It was covered in flames and sported the figure of a fireman in one corner.

Wonderful.

Her boyfriend was a real-life hero, and he took pictures of mountain scenery.

“I’ll come in for coffee tomorrow morning,” Rick said, putting the truck in gear.

“Okay.” April’s voice was tainted with notes of rejection. “See you then.”

As she stepped onto the sidewalk and faced Mason, a stack of pamphlets under her arm, she said, “I’m so tired of being me today. How ‘bout we be you, instead?”

“I’m not that exciting.” He certainly didn’t charge into crumbling buildings and save lives. “Trust me.”

“The least we could do is focus on you getting those shots that you need. It’ll take my mind off some things.” She tugged on the strap of his camera bag, her fingers grazing across his chest. “Get any shots back there?”

“A few.” He must’ve been seriously misreading her cues. He could’ve sworn she was making it a point to touch him. “I’d really like to get some of the river.”

“Okay, when do you have to leave?” She checked the time on her phone. “It’s nearly two.”

“As long as I’m heading down the mountain before dark, I’m good.”

“We should have time to get you to the river and back.” She nodded, her gaze drifting down the nearly-empty street. “But we have to go now.”

“I’m the black Jeep at the corner.”

“Lead the way,” she said, and hopped in after he opened the door for her.

Thirty minutes through winding roads later, he knew all about her family, her younger sister, her parents and their amazing marriages. He knew about her Grams and how excited she was for April to find someone before she passed away. Odd as he found the sentiment, he could relate. His father had wanted him to find the girl of his dreams before he passed, too, but he’d died of cancer two years ago. Surprisingly, Mason had shared that with April. She’d listened intently, her hips swiveled toward him. And when they pulled up to the bridge above the river, he wished they could’ve continued driving for another hour or two. Boyfriend or not, there was so much about April he wanted to know.

“Right here,” she said, pointing to a dirt road branching off the main one.

He veered off, slowing along the riverbank. He wound around rocks and trees, and killed the engine when they’d descended as far as they could go. April hopped out quickly, and stood at the edge of the rocky bank, the wind whipping her dark hair behind her.

The contrast of colors stunned Mason speechless: the blue of the sky, the vibrant yellow of her dress and the black of her hair.

It was too beautiful for words.

“Gorgeous, right?” she asked, keeping her back to him.

Before she could spin around, Mason took his camera out of the backseat and snapped a few shots. The bottom of her dress blew in the wind, so she caught it and held it against her. She glanced over her shoulder at him, and gave a coy smile when she noticed he had his camera pointed at her back.