Page 25 of Bad Boy Bakers, Vol. 2

Chapter Four

Grey was whistling as he pulled open the door to Bradford Realty.

And why shouldn’t he be? His New Year’s Eve date with Rebel had gone better than he’d anticipated, with hours of conversation that proved they still enjoyed each other’s company, and a goodnight kiss that had curled both their toes.

If he’d been a little disappointed she hadn’t invited him in, he was only human.

But he’d meant what he’d told her. He didn’t care what pace they took, so long as they got to the same destination.

She was worth every second of waiting. At this age, they both had baggage, and given how her marriage had turned out, she was bound to be a little wary.

It was enough that she wanted this second chance, too.

A young woman in a chunky maroon sweater and skinny jeans looked up from the front desk. “Welcome to Bradford Realty. How can we help you?”

“I’d like to talk to someone about some property. I’m looking to relocate to the area.”

“Of course, we can help you with that. One moment.” The brunette picked up a phone and pressed a button for some internal line. “Are you available for a walk-in? Great. Be back in a minute.” She hung up and rose with a smile. “Right this way.”

Grey followed her down a short hall and, at her invitation, stepped into an office.

The woman behind the desk hefted herself up, leading with an enormous baby belly.

Grey took two steps forward. “Oh please, don’t get up. I… uh.”

Having achieved her feet, the woman laughed, her teeth flashing stark white against flawless reddish-brown skin.

“I can assure you that, contrary to all appearances, I’m not due for another month, at least.” He must’ve still looked panicked as he shook her hand because she winked at him.

“Promise. My first was a whole two weeks past his due date. I’m Magnolia Bradford.

What can I do for you, Captain Greyson?”

Grey blinked, pausing with his ass halfway to the seat of a chair. “I’m sorry. Have we met?”

That smile flashed again, showing dimples in her round cheeks. “No, but you’ve made a bit of an impression since you hit town, and everybody’s talking about you going out with Rebecca Ferguson.”

How had he forgotten that this was what small towns were like?

It wasn’t as if the military didn’t have its own chains of gossip, but this was different.

Grey didn’t know what to do with the fact that people were talking about him and Rebecca.

He didn’t mind it, but even he recognized that if he confirmed the rumor and it got back to Jonah before one of them talked to him about them, it could be problematic.

“We’re old friends.” It wasn’t really a confirmation or denial. It was simply a truth. Wanting to get on down to business, he settled in his chair. “I’m in the market for property.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place.” Magnolia tugged over a legal pad. “What are you looking for?”

He’d been giving a lot of thought to this as he’d worked on his business plan.

“I need acreage. Minimum of a hundred, but preferably more, with varied terrain. Mountains, woods, open spaces. A water source, if possible. A creek or lake. I’d prefer something that already has a house or cabin or some form of dwelling already on it.

I’m not fussy about what because ultimately, I’ll likely build my own house, but I’d like somewhere to live on property while that’s being done. ”

He considered going into more detail about what he wanted to do, but that seemed like too much at this point, and anyway, he wanted to tell Rebecca first. They hadn’t gotten around to that on their date the other night, and she’d had plans with friends for New Year’s Day.

He was itching to see her again. To taste her again.

“What’s your budget?” Magnolia’s voice brought him back to the current conversation.

Grey named a figure that had her neat brows arching.

“Okay. How far afield are we looking?”

That was certainly a question. He didn’t want to get too far from Rebel, but he was also aware that, to do what he wanted to do, he might have to make some compromises.

“I’d prefer something that’s localish. This county or one adjacent.

But go as far as you have to. I realize it’s an unusual request and might take some time to find the right fit. ”

“I’ll start looking and hopefully have some properties to show you in a day or two. I have a few ideas, but I want to chase down the particulars. How long are you in town?”

“For the foreseeable future. I’ve rented a place.”

She wrote down his contact information. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve got something to show you.”

“Great. I look forward to working with you.” He rose and extended his hand across the desk before she could try to stand again. “Please. Keep your seat. I’ll see myself out.”

Her chortling laugh followed him down the hall.

Did all men feel this vague sense of alarm being around a very pregnant woman?

Or was it just him because he hadn’t done it very often?

Having never married, he hadn’t had a family of his own.

Hadn’t had a front-row seat to the whole miraculous process of growing a human.

Honestly, since he’d seen a very pregnant Rebecca all those years ago, he’d made a not-so-subtle effort to steer clear of expecting women.

It brought up too many memories, too much longing he couldn’t do anything about.

But he found himself wondering about it now.

About what pregnancy had been like for her.

About what kind of partner he’d have been.

An absentee one, most likely, given how his career had gone.

Even if he hadn’t chosen the SEALS, the military wasn’t designed for traditional family life, and all too often, fathers missed the whole process of pregnancy and birth.

Grey wouldn’t have wanted that for her. Wouldn’t have wanted that for a child.

So many servicemen went home to strained and part-time relationships with their kids, wanting to be a part of their lives while they could be and not always finding a way to fit.

They were strangers to their own families.

Some managed it better than others, but it was a hard life for a family.

Not everybody was made to handle it. So, as awful as it had been, maybe she’d made the right call, putting her foot down and not being willing to compromise.

With Rebel on his mind, his feet carried him down the sidewalk, through the streets of downtown.

City workers with ladders were taking down the garland and lights that had lent a festive air for the holidays.

It was officially a new year. The air was brisk and the day beautiful.

Content to walk, Grey soaked in the changes.

Eden’s Ridge had grown in the past thirty years.

The downtown that had once taken up only two blocks along Main Street, now stretched for nearly four, with businesses fanning out along adjacent side streets.

Though things were fairly sleepy now, there were signs of tourism.

A spiffing up that had visited all the shopfronts, and a handful of businesses that went along with the tourist trade.

He passed more than one storefront with papered windows hiding internal renovations.

More new businesses coming to town. The signs of growth were good.

Far too many small towns struggled these days.

He spotted Rebecca through the shop window, her head thrown back in a laugh. God, he’d missed that laugh. Tugging open the door, he stepped inside.

She swung toward him, and that fading laugh turned into a megawatt smile that punched him in the chest and left him feeling more than a little emotionally drunk.

“Hey, you. I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning.”

Because he wanted to grab her and kiss her, he shoved both hands into his pockets. “I had business downtown. And I realized that I still forgot to get your number.”

“Well, pull out your phone.”

Aware of the curious gazes of the half-dozen women in the shop, in the midst of various beauty treatments, Grey kept his attention on her as he opened a new contact and entered her name. “Go ahead.”

She reeled off her number.

As soon as he had it saved, he toggled over to send her a text message.

Grey: I want to see you again.

Somewhere, a phone dinged.

“There. Now you’ve got mine, too.” Shoving his phone into his pocket, he backed toward the door. “I know you’re working. I’ll get out of your hair. See you later, Rebel.”

“Bye.”

He hadn’t made it five feet out the door before his phone vibrated with a text. Fishing it out, he read her reply.

A GIF of Bill Murray from Groundhog Day saying “Me, also,” followed by How about tonight? Dinner at my house.

Not bothering to hold in the grin, he thumbed a message back.

That sounds perfect.

Rebecca: See you at seven.

Whistling again, he headed back for his SUV.

Rebecca had deliberately set her dinner with Grey later to give herself time to swing by Garden of Eden to grab ingredients for what she knew had been one of his favorite meals.

She’d had every intention of getting the house picked up and presentable for company again.

There was even supposed to be time to shave.

Not that she was necessarily planning to go to bed with him tonight, but it never hurt to be prepared.

What she had not been prepared for was Otis.