Read Online When I Fall in Love by Kristin Miller - Free Book Online Page B

“Hope you have better luck today.”
    “I better.” He nodded. “The magazine I work for only comped five nights. I leave tonight.”
    April had wondered who he’d been taking pictures for, but hadn’t had the time to ask. Tonight was his last night? Well, cute comes as cute goes. He wasn’t the first gorgeous face to visit her coffee shop, star in her fantasies, and bolt out of Blue Lake. Judging by her vacant dating schedule, he wouldn’t be the last.
    As he strode across the café and toward his usual table, April said, “You could always try the river north of town and the south shore of the lake. Or if you schedule a private viewing with Lucy at StoneMill Winery, she could show you a top secret lookout point with spectacular views.”
    “I’ve been to the lake, and it didn’t work for me,” he said rather decidedly, setting his things down on the table. “I hadn’t thought about StoneMill, though. Thanks for that.”
    “No problem.”
    The corner of his lips pulled into a smile. April smiled back, stunned.
    Why was she still standing there, staring?
    The bells on the door clinked together and a barrage of women carrying book bags pushed into the café, severing their connection. The women claimed their usual table—the one overlooking the stream that lined the back of the property—and immediately covered the space with their monthly book club selection: Broken Promises by Grey Thompson.
    Eager to put her jittery hands to work, April loaded up a tray with creamer, sugar, and ten coffee mugs, each one distinct. She greeted everyone, filled mugs to the brim, and listened to them talk about how sweet her Gram was at Bingo last night.
    Oh yeah. Announcing her sexual drought to the masses had really made April’s morning.
    Stepping toward the counter, April became hyperaware of a set of eyes on her back. Had to be creepy Dom, checking out her backside over his magazine again.
    She turned, and caught Mason’s eye. He looked away, retreating to his notebook and whatever he’d been writing. By the time she withdrew behind the counter, Mason was standing at the bagel display.
    “Can I get you something?” she asked.
    “A guide.”
    “Like a realty one or—”
    “No, I need you.” Shaking his head quickly, he shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “What I mean is, you seem to know your way around this town, and I really need to get this shot or I could lose the gig. I’ve spent hours looking at maps, both paper and Google, but none of them have given me what I’m looking for. I need a guide to show me where to get the perfect shot. I think that’s the only way I’m going to make this work.”
    “I don’t know…” Why did she feel so anxious and fluttery around him? “…I have to run the cafe until noon, and I’ve got this thing to go to tonight with a half-dozen errands to run before then. I don’t really have time.”
    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