Playing with Words (Boggy Creek Valley #2) - Kelly Elliott Page 0,3
about a guy. I never daydreamed about men.
Okay, that was clearly a lie. I often daydreamed about the characters in the books I read. Sometimes. Not always, but a girl needs some fantasy in her life, after all.
Another elbow, this time in the ribs.
“Um, I’m sorry. What were you saying? Asking?” Ugh. I internally kicked myself.
“Do you have a name?”
His voice was so freaking sexy, how was anyone supposed to think clearly around this guy?
“Greer. Greer Larson. I own Turning Pages. The bookstore. That’s the name…of the bookstore. That we’re in. That you’re in. Well, we’re all in it. Ha!”
Oh my God. I am the biggest dork who ever walked the face of the planet. Could I get any more awkward?
He tilted his head and smiled at me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Larson, owner of Turning Pages, the bookstore. My name is Hudson Higgins. I’ll be staying in Boggy Creek for a few weeks.”
“Greer. Please just call me Greer.”
Candace reached around me and extended her hand. “I’m Candace, Greer’s assistant.”
I snapped my head around as I looked at her. “Assistant? When did you get promoted?”
Candace rolled her eyes. “Please, if it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t eat lunch everyday. Or go home when the bookstore closes.”
I narrowed my eyes at her but looked back at Mr. McHandsome when he laughed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
He turned to look at Maggie, who still had her mouth hung slightly open as she stared up at him. Mr. Hottie McHot was tall but not too tall. I’d say five-eleven, if I had to guess. I leaned in closer to Maggie…Jesus tap dancing Christ, was that drool on the corner of her mouth?
I shook my head and focused back on Mr. McHand…er…what had he said his name was? Mr. Higgins. “What brings you to Boggy Creek, Mr. Higgins?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm as my pulse raced out of control.
Another brilliant smile came my way. “Please, call me Hudson.”
“Okay, Hudson, what brings you to Boggy Creek?” I repeated.
“Peace. Quiet. Memories. The hope that I can finish a deadline with work.”
I raised one brow. “Really? Did I hear you mention you’ve been to our little town before?”
He nodded. “My folks used to bring my sister and me here every summer when we were younger. They loved the mountains. Dad works as a freelance photographer, but worked for National Geographic most of the time. We traveled a lot, but for some reason, Boggy Creek Valley always seemed to hold the best memories for me.”
Candace and Maggie both sighed. I shot them a sideways glance before I turned back to Hudson. “Well, I’m glad our little slice of heaven comes along with happy memories,” I said, finally able to make normal conversation.
He winked and replied, “Hopefully I can make some new happy memories.”
An eruption of flutters occurred in my stomach, and I had to force myself not to press my hand to it. When did a man winking suddenly become so freaking sexy? Kyle, my brother, winked at me all the time. But it was playful. This wink from Hudson seemed to promise something else.
“I’m sure you will,” I somehow managed to reply back without tripping over my words.
“I’ve rented a room at the Willow Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast for the next couple of weeks. They do have some little nooks here and there, but I find being surrounded by books helps me work. Or at least, it used to. I didn’t get much work done today.”
Annnd I think I just fell in love with this man.
“Well, the study room is hardly ever used, so please feel free to come by anytime. I will warn you, though, every other Tuesday morning from ten to noon is kids’ time. I have stations set up for the little ones, crafts and such, and then I read them a story from eleven to noon. You might want to avoid the bookstore then.”
He smiled. “Duly noted, thank you. Well, if you ladies will excuse me, I think I’m going to head back to the bed and breakfast and drop off my work and explore a bit.”
The three of us all nodded before Maggie finally found her voice. “If you need a tour guide, Greer would be the person to ask! She knows all about the history of Boggy Creek and all the little hidden gems. Plus, she’s so pleasant to be around. And single.”
I nearly slapped my hand over Maggie’s mouth to shut