Love at First Scent
Chapter 4

“Craig was the one who scented you?” Bennett coughed out as he still tried to get the hot sauce out of his windpipe.

“Ooh, girl, he’s a hottie for sure.” Ellie laughed. “Since my first day here, the women in this town have been following him around like a bunch of puppies. Must be a hunger for power—and an a*s to die for in those jeans…”

“Hey!” Bennett laughed and shook his head at her sister. “I’ve got all the a*s you need right here, baby.”

Ellie snorted. “I don’t think that came out the way you wanted it to, sweetie.”

But Caro was still watching the man he’d called Craig. People seemed to gravitate to him, and one woman, in particular, was edging closer and closer. Then she realized what her sister had said.

“Wait, what do you mean power?” she asked. “Is he some kind of bigwig around here?”

“Kinda like the unofficial mayor. Right, Bennett?” Ellie looked at him, and he just nodded quickly.

“Yeah, something like that. He’s the head Park Ranger here, and since we’re too small for a police station, he’s mostly in charge in Hillard. He’s a recent addition to our town. Only been here for a few months now.” Bennett’s expression turned thoughtful. “It’s interesting that he stopped you. I haven’t seen him express interest in a woman since he came to town.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter,” she answered with a shrug, “I’m not interested.”

Oh, it matters all right, and he seems very interesting.

With the blow to her ego the divorce had delivered, Caro was shocked that a man who looked like Craig had even noticed her at all, but she hadn’t even signed the papers or told anyone yet, and this was no time to get flustered over a handsome face.

“Plus, she’s married.” Ellie added, “Nope, we’re just here for the wings.”

There was something in her sister’s tone that implied she hadn’t quite bought it, but Caro was too tired to worry about it now. “Exactly.” She nodded and pulled the plate closer to her side of the table. “Though I don’t know what you guys are going to eat, these are crazy good.”

“I’m going to ride with you, and Ben’s going to follow us in his truck,” Ellie said as she bounced to Caro’s car in the parking lot. “Otherwise, you’ll never replace the driveway in the dark. I’m so excited you’re here, Caro! You’re going to love the place I found. It’s like paradise.”

“Why don’t you drive?” she asked her sister. “I can barely keep my eyes open now that my belly is full.”

“Sure.” Ellie looked at her. “Sorry, I should have offered. That’s a long drive. I have your room all set up and ready to go, and there’s even a soaker tub in the guest room en-suite if you need to wind down before sleep.”

Caro looked over at her sister. “Your guest room has an en-suite? I thought you said you were renting a cabin.”

Ellie laughed and shrugged. “Like I said, it’s paradise.”

She hadn’t been kidding about the driveway. Very few lights lined the dirt road they turned onto off of the highway, and there would have been no chance of Caro replaceing this place on her own after dark. But when they emerged from the trees, a tidy drive led up to a moderate-sized home in a rustic cabin style. It was beautiful really, and Caro gaped as they parked in front, the sound of Bennett’s truck tires on the gravel quickly following as he parked in front of the garage.

Caro got out of the car and took a step back to take it all in. The lawn was green with plants and flowers around the front porch, which was wide with several chairs, a small bistro table, and a hanging swing that looked perfect for losing yourself in a good book on a sunny afternoon.

“Jesus, Elles, what are you paying for this?” Caro followed her up the steps and in through the front door, revealing a generous entry leading to a great room that looked comfortable and was surprisingly well-furnished.

“You’d be surprised, actually.” She dropped her keys on the table by the door. “That’s how I met Bennett. This place is his parents’. They retired somewhere warmer and wanted to rent to someone who would keep up the gardens out back. It was fully furnished, so it’s perfect for me.”

“Wow, it’s incredible,” she said honestly. There was such a homey feel to it, but that made sense now. “I’m beat. I think I’ll just grab my bag and head up to bed. I’ll unload the rest of the car tomorrow.”

“The guest room is up the stairs, second door on the left. Ben and I will unload the car for you. Don’t worry about it.”

“Thanks, sis.” Caro started back out the door to grab her bag with her toiletries in it only to replace Bennett was already unloading.

“Is everything coming out?” he asked.

“Yes, I think I overpacked.” She looked over at her sister. “I booked extra time off of work, just in case we wanted a longer visit.”

Ellie’s smile grew wider, and Caro was relieved. The truth was, she couldn’t stand the thought of going back to their home. Knowing that Peter had already moved out was just a reminder that she was starting from scratch all over again.

“What’s that smell?” Bennett almost growled. “Strawberries?”

A squeal emerged from Ellie as she ran to the car. “Did you make me my marshies?”

Caro laughed. She always tried to bring Ellie’s favorite treat when she came for a visit—homemade strawberry marshmallows. But she had them in an airtight container and was surprised that he could smell them in the car.

Ellie crowed when she found the Tupperware and lifted it above her head in victory, Bennett trailing after her, his nose in the air like a puppy scenting a treat.

“Mine!”

“Babe, you should share!” Bennett made a playful swipe trying to get the container. “They smell so good.”

“Caro makes the most amazing sweets, I’ve been trying to get her to open her own shop for years.” Ellie quickly opened the container and popped two into her mouth. “Ermogod, so good.”

Caro just snagged the one bag she needed to take off her makeup and brush her teeth, then with a smile, she trudged back into the house and up to the bathtub that was calling her name, leaving the pair to giggle in the driveway behind her. It was nice to see her sister so happy.