When he stepped into the small bakery, he was assaulted with the scents of sweet pastries, the aroma of strong coffee, and the dull din of conversations taking place. The few scattered tables were full, the regulars out early to grab a quick breakfast before heading off to do their thing.
Like most up that early, Kaden went through the motions, moving by muscle memory behind the other customers, patiently waiting his turn.
“Good mornin’, Mr. Walker.”
The sassy tone, one he recognized belonging to Coyote Ridge’s mayor, had his head turning, curious as to which of his uncles were there because, when he thought of Mr. Walker, they were the first to come to mind.
His gaze slid right over Bianca Stewart and landed on the woman sitting next to her at one of the few small tables scattered about. Bristol was seemingly very interested in the blueberry muffin sitting in front of her.
“Mornin’,” he returned Bianca’s greeting, smiling and letting his gaze linger on Bristol a little longer as he moved closer so he didn’t have to shout.
“I didn’t figure you for the donut type,” Bianca said conversationally. “Don’t you usually frequent the diner in the morning?”
Kaden found it amusing that she had yet to use his first name. Now that he thought about it, Bianca rarely did. He had to wonder if she knew who he was or if she considered them interchangeable.
He smiled, peering down at Bristol while answering Bianca. “Tryin’ to mix it up a bit.” When Bristol finally looked up, he tacked on, “Mornin’.”
Her smile was forced. “Good mornin’.”
She looked good. Then again, she looked good every time he saw her, didn’t matter the time of day or what she was wearing. Today’s attire consisted of her usual: skinny jeans, a long-sleeve T-shirt that was a size too big—pumpkin orange with some sort of sequined design on the front—and low-top Converse in black. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, minimal makeup on her beautiful face.
Kaden continued to stare at her, knowing this was the perfect opportunity for him to say something. Ask her out, invite himself to sit down. Anything that would move this conversation in the direction it should’ve been going for the past year.
“Oh, dear. Look at the time,” Bianca blurted. “I’m so sorry. I totally forgot. I’ve got to … a thing. Yes. I’ve got a thing at a place, and I…” Bianca shot to her feet. “If you’ll excuse me… I’ll catch you later,” she said to Bristol before sauntering out in her usual streamlined manner.
“Wow.” Bristol laughed. “If that wasn’t obvious.”
“Obvious?” he asked, turning his attention back to Bristol.
She glanced over at the chair Bianca had just vacated, then up to him. “Would you … care to sit?”
It was his turn to assess the chair before nodding and sitting.
“Where’s Keegan?”
“Still in bed. Stayed up too late.”
Bristol smiled, peered down at her muffin. “A woman keepin’ him busy?”
“Video game.”
Her blue eyes were apologetic. “Oh. Sorry. I just…”
Rather than let her flounder for a reason, he said, “He’s cranky without breakfast. Figured I’d entice him with chocolate donuts. He’s got a thing for the cake ones.”
“Mmm.” Bristol’s eyes lifted. “My favorite, too.”
Kaden nodded at her muffin. “Yet you’re havin’ blueberry this mornin’.”
“I don’t indulge very often.” Her hand went to her midsection, her chin jerking toward the muffin. “And this one’s low calorie.” A small smile turned the corners of her lips up. “Watchin’ my weight and all. I’d do good to lose five pounds or so.”
He openly eyed her, recognizing her too-large shirt did as it was intended, hiding the curvy figure beneath. When he met her gaze again, he shook his head. “That’s the last thing you need to do.”
Her cheeks turned a pretty, soft pink with her blush. God, she really was beautiful. She had that whole girl-next-door thing down pat.
“Yes, well. That’s very kind of you to say, but—”
“No buts,” he countered. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.” Kaden stood, turned toward the counter before glancing back. “Don’t move, Bristol.”
Her eyes flared and he knew she heard the slight command in his tone. It appeared to confuse her, but he had expected no less. Bristol had never seen that side of him because he tended to be more reserved, relying on Keegan’s laid-back charm and devil-may-care attitude that generally got them the ladies. Didn’t mean Kaden didn’t have a side that knew damn well how to take the reins.
Kaden left her at the table, went to the counter. He greeted Bailey Weber, who wasn’t only a waitress at Moonshiners, she was also the daughter of the bakery’s owner. She helped out her mother several days a week, mostly during the week since late nights kept her busy on the weekends.
“What can I get ya?” Her smile was brilliant.
Kaden ordered a dozen chocolate cake donuts for Autumn, Keegan, and Ethan, and two additional—one for him, one for Bristol—as well as a cup of coffee. After Bailey boxed up his order, poured his coffee, and took his money, Kaden was heading back to Bristol. He noticed she hadn’t touched the muffin, and rather than drink her coffee, her hands were wrapped firmly around the paper cup, as though it was anchoring her to the table.
“Here you go,” he said, setting down the paper plate holding the two donuts.
“Kaden…”
“Enjoy it, Bristol. You deserve it.”
“But—”
He shook his head, lifted his coffee cup. “No buts.”
Bristol’s sigh was sweet, and he was happy to see she wasn’t going to refute him for long. Her eyes drifted to the donut repeatedly, as though it was calling her. When she finally gave in, it was with a wide grin that had his insides spinning.
Kaden wasn’t sure what it was about this woman. Perhaps it was her beauty or her brains, maybe a combination of both. Could be her sassy attitude and the softer, sweeter side he sensed. Whatever it was, he’d been drawn to her from the beginning. For as long as he could remember, he’d been attempting to get her attention. Subtly, of course. But he was starting to believe subtle wasn’t the way to go about it.
And truth be told, Kaden was damn tired of watching her mixing it up with other men. Initially, he’d thought she was doing it to piss him off, but he wasn’t sure she had a devious bone in her body. Bristol was simply being Bristol. She was living her life the only way she knew how.
However, she was doing a damn fine job keeping them on the periphery and avoiding them at every turn.
“So are you ready for the auction?” she asked casually, breaking off a piece of her donut.
“What’s to get ready for?” He took a bite of his donut, chewed. “Someone bids or they don’t.”
He hoped like hell that someone was her.
“I seriously doubt you’ll have a problem in that department. It might come down to a fight, knowing some of the women in this town.”
“You’ll be there to protect us though, right?”