The Last Best Place

Chapter 9

Millie POV

It’s going to be fine, calm down, it’s not a big deal. She’s your friend, well your only friend, she won’t mind what you wear. I rummage through my clothes trying to find an outfit for today, it’s Christmas and I have been invited to spend Christmas with Dawn and Joe since I’m alone for Christmas. My parents are on vacation, I stayed behind to run the store. I know Lou will also be there, but I still want to look good. She always looks amazing, like she just stepped out of a magazine, even when she’s wearing her work clothes she looks so stylish. She took me shopping a few weeks back, it was amazing. Then it hits me, I walk over to the closet and take out the blouse and trousers we bought

“Perfect” I smile and get dressed. The blouse is a bit thin for winter but we’ll be inside, I put on my best pair of boots and look myself up and down in the mirror. I take off the trousers and pull on my new jeans and smile

“Looking good” I say and comb my hair. I usually wear it loose or braided but today I am feeling bold. I put it up in a high ponytail, apply my make-up, like she showed me and grab my coat heading out the door. When I pull up I see a flashy SUV parked next to her truck and frown

“Did Lou buy a SUV?” I mumble getting out and walking to the door. I hear them laughing and chatting, but I need to get out of the cold, my coat is warm, but let me tell you, style doesn’t keep you as warm as comfort. Just saying. I open the door and step inside, but when I look up I freeze and let out an exasperated sigh/squeal thing, my eyes locked on the man in front of me. He has broad shoulders, his muscles flexing under his shirt, his tight butt filling out those jeans deliciously perfect, but when he turns and looks at me it feels as if the air has been sucked out of the room. His piercing blue eyes find mine, his strong beard covered jaw clenched. My eyes can’t leave his, it’s like he’s drawing me to him, drinking me in and I love it. I stay still, my hand still on my coat button, barely breathing. It feels as if time has stopped, the only sound I hear is my racing heart beating like a drum in my chest

“Millie!” her voice startles me and I tear my eyes away from him. I smile and give her a hug, fully aware that he’s still looking at me

“Hey Dawn” I say and step back. My hands move unbuttoning my coat and she takes it, still smiling. But I keep my eyes on her, his intense gaze is still locked on me

“So glad you’re here” she says hanging up my coat and then she turns to him. Oh good lord, I just want to touch his face, run my finger over his beard

“This is Jake, my dearest, smartest and most handsome brother” she says and he holds out his hand, but then he pulls back quickly taking off his gloves and hat and I must bite the inside of my cheek to keep from swooning when his dark brown curls fall over his forehead. He’s perfect

“Nice to meet you Millie” he says and a shiver runs up my spine when my name rolls off his tongue, like warm honey. I place my hand in his massive one and almost melt into a puddle when he closes his hand over mine

“Hi, nice to meet you too” I say, more confidently than I thought. Well done Millie! I scream in my head. She speaks but I don’t hear what she’s saying then she yells

“Jakey!” and I blink, missing the heat of his hand the instant he pulls it back. No! Come back! I yell in my head, but he’s scowling at her now. Did I do something wrong?

“Would you be so kind as to introduce Millie to mom and dad?” she asks sweetly and he nods, then straightens up and I want to gasp, but I keep my composure, holding out his arm to me

“Ma’am” he says and I can’t keep the blush from creeping up on my face when he gives me a smile that melts my heart. I slowly slide my hand into the crook of his arm and feel his muscles tense at my touch. He’s as hard as rock, goodness Millie pull yourself together woman. I scowl at myself

“Thank you” I say, my voice now softer and he seem to be proud or happy, I’m not sure. He leads me into the living room, and a lady that looks like an older version of Dawn stands with a very handsome, massive man next to her. He introduces me, but the authority in his voice makes me tremble with delight.

“Mom, Dad, this is Millie” he says, and I catch a side glance of his face. Oh wow, he looks so proud

“Hello dear, I’m Joanna and this is my husband Clinton” she says and I shake their hands, but he’s clasping my hand tightly in his arm, like he’s scared to let me go

“So nice to finally meet Joe’s daughter” I say smiling and she nods

“Pleasure is ours dear” she says, then her smile changes when she looks at Jake. I look up at him, catching him staring at me but he looks away, a small blush covering his neck and cheeks. He turns to Lou and Joe and I almost have to pry my hand loose to hug them

“Merry Christmas” I say as I hug them and they greet me in kind

“Here you go Mill” Dawn says handing me a steaming cup of cocoa and I smile taking it

“Thanks” I say and she pulls me away, just far enough to whisper without them hearing

“You look stunning” she says and I blush

“Thanks, wasn’t sure if it worked” I whisper back but she shakes her head

“Got his attention” she says nodding toward Jake, who quickly turns when I look up

“I didn’t know you had a brother” I say and she shrugs sipping her drink

“I keep my personal life out of the spotlight, especially my family” she says and I nod, glancing at him again

“He likes you” she says and I choke. She starts patting my back as I try my best just to breathe. The next moment a big warm hand covers my back and a glass of water appears before me and I take it, and hold my breath to take a few sips. I close my eyes, take a few calming breaths but when I open them, two piercing blue eyes are scanning my flushed face, looking all hot and worried

“You okay?” he asks softly and I nod

“I am now” I say and my face heats up like microwave popcorn, his lights up like I said something that made him very happy

“That’s good, wouldn’t want something to happen to the mo- you” he corrects himself stepping back. What was he going to say? I look around and smile shyly

“Wrong pipe” I say and they all nod, looking between Jake and I before turning back to their conversations

“s**t sorry girl, come on let’s get you cleaned up” Dawn says wrapping her arm around my shoulders and leads me to the bathroom. She closes the door and smiles wickedly

“Oh this is too good!” she squeals, grabbing tissues and padding my face

“What?” I ask and she snorts

“You two like each other. God is was like kismet” she says and I frown

“Say what now?” I ask confused

“Kismet, you know?” she gestures but I shake my head

“Fate Mill. Damn, like in the movies” she says and I lean back

“No it wasn’t” I say but she laughs

“Oh it was. That was like love at first sight kinda fate” then she lowers her voice and starts narrating

“He’s an accountant, cold and full of s**t, she’s sweet and innocent. But then on a ranch in the most beautiful place on earth their eyes met and they fell in love, at first sight” she says, while acting out the scene making me giggle

“You’re crazy” I say but she flips her hair

“I was there, I know what I saw. He only looked at a woman like that once” she says and I blink

“His girlfriend most probably” I sigh out. A man like that is bound to be taken, no woman in her right mind would let him slip away

“She was” she says and I frown

“They’re not together anymore?” I ask and a sad expression crosses her face

“She passed away a few years back. He’s been single since then, well until today” she says clapping her hands

“Oh wow, that’s so sad” I say and she nods

“It was, but Mill listen, this is amazing. He’s a great guy, and I’m not saying that because he’s my brother, he really is” she says and I smile

“Well if he’s anything like you then he’s great” I say and she snorts out a laugh

“He’s nothing like me, we might be twins but he’s my opposite. Okay maybe that’s a bit harsh, we’re both kind and caring sure, but he’s serious while I’m more laid back” she says fixing my hair and steps back

“There, now just follow your heart okay?” she says and I nod slowly

“O-okay” I say softly

“Hey, he would never and I mean never do anything to hurt you. Don’t fight this” she says reassuringly and I nod

“What if I… uhm…if he… oh this is so frustrating” I groan and she places her hands on my shoulders

“What is it?”

“I-I’ve never dated before” I whisper and her eyes go wide

“Are the men in this town blind?” she asks and I lean back

“What?”

“How have you never dated before, goodness you’re stunningly beautiful and have a great personality. Urgh cavemen” she grunts and I giggle

“I don’t know, I guess the right guy just never came” I say fidgeting with my sleeve

“Well he’s here now. So first rule, never be anything but yourself” she says, looking me straight in the eye

“Okay”

“Second rule, be honest” she says and I nod

“Got it”

“Third rule, just have fun” she says smiling and I relax

“Okay, I can do that”

“You got this girl, now go out there and remember, you are beautiful” she says and I smile

“Okay, cool. I can do this, I got this” she opens the door and I step out looking down the hallway and he’s standing there with his back to us and I spin around, retreating back into the bathroom

“I can’t do this, I’ll screw it up” I say, the panic rising in my chest

“No you got this” she says and I let out a frustrated breath

“Look at him Dawn. That guy can have any woman in the world, why would he want me? A plain country girl, I’m not you” I blurt out but my heart seizes when his voice fills the bathroom and I snap my eyes to him

“Exactly. I don’t want her, and never refer to yourself as plain again” he says in a commanding voice but I just nod. He steps closer and takes my hands in his, his cologne making my head spin

“Besides, she’s my sister gross” he says and I laugh, more because of nerves than anything else. His smile and eyes are relaxed, caring and so very intoxicating

“I’ll just check on the food” she says slipping out the door leaving us alone

“You feeling better now?” he asks with a voice so soft and caring I shiver involuntarily

“Y-yes” I say but my eyes can’t leave his

“That’s good” he says stepping closer. His legs brushing against my knees

“You are very beautiful Millie, if you don’t mind me saying” he says and I gulp

“Th-thank you” I say and mentally slap myself

“I would like to go for a walk, would you please join me?” he asks his thumbs lazily stroking my hands

“O-okay” I say and his smile grows wider. He steps back and releases my hands, then he holds out his arm again and I tuck my hand in the fold

“Let’s go” he says and leads me downstairs. He holds up my coat, and I pull it on, then he hands me my gloves and I blush as our fingers graze lightly. He puts on his jacket, gloves and hat and opens the door for me

“After you ma’am” he says smiling

“Thank you” I say and step outside. The cold air doesn’t seem so bad anymore. I place my hand in his arm and we step off the porch. We’re silent for a long time, just enjoying each other’s company when he finally speaks

“Thank you for joining us today Millie” he finally speaks and I nod

“Thank you for having me” I say and he stops looking down at me

“I haven’t done this in a long time Millie. Actually this has never happened to me before” he says rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly

“But uhm, would you maybe like to go on a date with me?” he asks and I am jumping up and down in my head with happiness

“Oh uh, sure” I say. Sure?! What are you? 12!

“Great, that’s great” he says seeming relieved

“We uhm, should get back” I say and he nods turning us around

“Yeah” he says and we walk back silently. I steal glances at him, taking him in. His strong jawline, covered in his beard. His eyes shining in the sunlight, his muscles flexing in his arm when I move my fingers. Oh goodness, this is like a fairy tale. But then it hits me. What if he gets bored with me? He used to flashy women, with money and great awesome jobs. I’m none of those things

“You’re thinking hard there” he says and I jump

“So-sorry” I say but he stops turning to me

“Hey, relax. We’ll take it slow, there’s no rushing okay?” he says soothingly and I nod

“Slow, okay. Slow is good” I say and he smiles

“Good girl” he says softly and I have to concentrate to keep my legs from giving out

“Hey Millie” he says and I look up into his captivating eyes

“Merry Christmas” he says and places a soft kiss on my cheek

“Merry Christmas Jake” I say and I swear I felt him shiver, but I’m not sure. He starts walking again and my heart is beating so loudly in my chest I can barely focus on my steps. Getting into bed that night I feel like I’m walking on air. I met the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, and the best part is he wants me! I roll onto my side, the stupid smile still on my face.