Page 19 of Break the Barrier

Specifically, one table.

“I’ve noticed Logan has been coming around a lot. He was here just the other day.” The mail debacle. “It’s kind of weird, isn’t it?”

“He only comes for his dart league. And it’s their weekly family dinner.”

“Boy,” she says, checking her nails. It’s her I-know-something-is-up-but-I’m-not-going-to-talk-about-it pose. “That guy must really be into darts.”

I let my shoulders drop, my hands tightening on the rag I was using to dry glasses. “What are you talking about, Ann?”

“Oh nothing, just that I think my oldest sister is hiding a secret love affair with Mr. Cowboy.”

I snort, shaking my head back and forth. “I am not.”

“No?” Her tone has me looking up at her again, and she nods toward where he sits. “Then why is Mr. Cowboy looking at you like that?”

Without a thought, I whip my head toward his table, and sure enough, he’s staring at me, a subtle grin spread across hispillowy lips. I feel stuck in his gaze like I can’t do much more than stare.

“Oh my gosh.” Annmarie slaps my arm. “I’m right! You and Mr. Cowboy have something going on!”

I realize what she’s thinking and turn to her. “No, we don’t.”

“Oh, come on. You so do!” She laughs and shrugs. “Come on, I know you keep things close to home, but you can share this stuff with us. You and Logan were fast friends when we moved here, it’s only natural that you’d want to date. He’s…different.” She nods her head to herself, as if she’s thought about this before. “I can understand.”

“I’m not…” I trail off because what am I supposed to say?

The truth of our new closeness is that he’s quite possibly saving my sisters from financial ruin by taking over my part, even temporarily.

But I can’t tell her that. Annmarie helped pick me up when I was down, and she helped me get my head on straight and move so we could leave behind the ugliness that was my past.

I don’t want her to know that my past very well might start to haunt us again soon. Worrying them with that wasn’t fair.

It is my mess to clean up, not theirs.

I clear my throat and grab another glass. As I do, I see Logan rise out of the corner of my eye, and I turn to Annmarie. “It’s new.”

Her blue eyes widen, but not really with shock, it’s mostly delight. “I knew it!”

“Don’t make it a big thing, please. I’m taking it slow.”

Her face softens in understanding, and she rubs my arm. “I get that. But don’t let your past dictate what could be an awesome future.”

“Are you going to take that advice as well?” My sister knows what I mean, but she just gives me a nudge and turns away.

Before I can apologize or comment again, a throat is cleared beside me.

I turn, and even though I knew it is him, I find my voice catching in my throat.

“Hello, there.” His deep timbre gives me goose bumps, and I rein in a smile.

“Well, hello, Mr. Cowboy.”

He raises a brow underneath his hat. It’s a chocolate brown color, and for whatever reason, it suits him perfectly. In the summer, I notice he only wears straw hats, so I think it is safe to assume those are coming. “Mr. Cowboy?”

I chuckle and set the cup in its stack, reaching for another one to dry. “That’s what my sister calls you.”

“I have a nickname from your sister?” He leans his elbows on the bar, eliminating more space between us, and I hold myself perfectly still. “This must be getting serious.”

I bite my lip and close my eyes, my head already shaking. “She just, she’s making assumptions. I shouldn’t let her, but the truth is?—”