Cedar and Cinnamon by Jennifer Bramseth

Author:Jennifer Bramseth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Woodford Press

19

Goose returned with two small white stoneware bowls, each containing a single scoop of ice cream.

“Not exactly the warmest thing for a cool night, but take a bite and you’ll warm up,” he said cryptically.

“You made this?”

“Yep. And I ate the remainder of it, so I can attest that it’s good and not going to kill you.”

Harriet raised her spoon and plunged it into the small soft dollop of ice cream, scooped out a good bite, and brought it to her mouth.

Her eyes bulged, and Goose laughed.

“It’s bourbon and vanilla and… Is that cinnamon?”

He nodded. “I call it Cinnamon Garnet.”

“I call it delicious! Have you shared this with anyone? Hannah would love it! I bet she’d want to sell it in the distillery café.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so, Goose.” She quickly polished off the contents of her bowl.

“Maybe I’ll talk to Hannah about it. But I’m not sure. It’s really my mom’s recipe, and I just added a little extra cinnamon to it.”

“If you don’t tell Hannah about this, I will,” she said, snuggling back into her chair. “It would be a crime to deprive the public of that flavor.”

Goose asked Harriet whether she wanted another drink, but she declined any further bourbon for the evening. Instead, she asked for decaf, and Goose brought her a cup after taking some of the dishes into the kitchen. He joined her in drinking a little bit of java, and they continued to sit out on the deck even though the chill of the evening was deepening.

“I can’t remember a better day, Goose,” she said and claimed his hand. “Thank you.”

“You’re most welcome. But that sounds like you’re about to leave.”

“I’m at your mercy since you’re my driver. But just so it’s perfectly clear, let me add that I’m in no hurry to leave.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said and moved his chair until it was next to hers.

She let her head fall back as Goose took her face in his hands.

He just looked at her for several long seconds, amazed that he had this incredible woman for himself now. He’d finally been able to make love to her again and play out his sexual fantasies of the past several years.

But this was the best part.

Just being with her.

Cooking a meal, giving her a drink, holding her hand, gazing up at the stars.

“This is what next feels like, Harriet,” he said, kissing her.

Harriet’s lips were cool and still infused with the taste of bourbon and coffee. They melted into an intoxicating, consuming kiss, broken when Harriet pulled away.

“I feel like a fool,” she said in a languid, groggy voice.

“Okay, not the sentiment I was hoping to hear.” He fell back into his chair.

“I meant that I feel like a fool for wasting so much time, Goose. Five years. Because you’ve shown me over the course of just a few hours today that you’re the perfect guy. And I’ve wasted my time with an idiot. I feel stupid, angry.”

“I’m not perfect, Harriet,” he said gruffly.

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