Page 49 of Finding His Redemption

“Thought you might want some coffee,” she said, holding it out to him.

He hadn’t asked for it, hadn’t even thought about it, but as the rich aroma hit him, he realized he was thirsty. “Thanks.”

Their fingers brushed as he took the mug from her, and he swore he felt a sizzle along his nerve endings. Just static electricity from the dry air, he told himself as he pulled away. Had to be. People didn’t actually feel sparks when they were attracted to each other. That only happened in fiction.

And, yeah, okay, he could admit to himself he was attracted to this woman. How could he not be? She was beautiful and kind, funny and strong, and everything he’d want in a woman if he were looking. But he wasn’t looking. Would never be looking.

Men like him didn’t get to want things like that.

He took a sip of the coffee, surprised to find it doctored with cream and sugar. Somehow, she’d known he didn’t like it black, despite what he’d told her that first day.

His face must have given away his surprise, because she grinned. “Last time, you made a face when you drank it black. Not everyone needs to prove how tough they are with bitter coffee. It’s okay to like a bit of sweetness in your life.”

He wanted to argue with her, but he couldn’t find the words. She was right—he’d always hated black coffee but drank it anyway because that’s what SEALs did. What men did. What his father had done.

“It’s good,” he admitted, taking another sip.

Nessie’s smile widened, and something in his chest loosened at the sight. “I knew it.” She crouched beside him, close enough that he could smell her. Vanilla and cinnamon, and a sweetness he so desperately wanted in his life. It made his mouth water and his body stir to uncomfortable life.

She studied his handiwork. “How’s the door coming along?”

“Almost done.” He set the coffee aside and returned to the door, making a few final adjustments before testing it. It swung smoothly now, closing with a satisfying click. He gathered the tools, wiping each one clean before returning them to the box.

“Good as new,” he said, standing.

Nessie was watching him with an expression he couldn’t quite read. The bakery had emptied, leaving them alone except for an old man dozing in the corner booth, newspaper spread open before him, his coffee going cold.

“Thank you,” she said. “For fixing the door. And... for not being angry.”

He blinked, confused. “Angry about what?”

“About what I told the sheriff. About you being on that road. I didn’t mean to cause trouble for you.”

Understanding dawned. She still thought he blamed her for the sheriff’s suspicions, despite his assurances to the contrary when she stopped at the ranch last week.

He shrugged. “Wasn’t your fault.”

“Still.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous gesture he’d noticed before. “Most men would be furious.”

“I’m not most men.”

“No,” she agreed softly. “You’re not. You scare me less than most men I’ve known.”

Jesus. What kind of life had she lived where he—ex-con, ex-SEAL, ex-fucking-everything—was less frightening than the men she’d known?

Before he could respond, the bakery door burst open with such force that it banged against the wall. No wonder the hinges were shot.

Jax tensed, ready for a threat, but it was just Oliver, backpack bouncing against his small frame as he skidded into the bakery.

“Mom! Mom! I got a gold star on my dinosaur project, and Mrs. Perkins said it was the best T-Rex she ever—” He stopped mid-sentence, eyes going wide as saucers when he spotted Jax. “JAX! You came back!”

The boy’s face lit up with such genuine delight that Jax took an involuntary step back. No one had ever looked that happy to see him. Not in years. Maybe not ever.

“Hey, kid,” he managed.

Oliver dropped his backpack and bounded across the bakery, all but vibrating with excitement. “Did you eat your monster muffin? Did you like it? Did it make you feel better? Mom made the frosting green ‘cause she said monsters are supposed to be green, but I thought maybe you’d like purple better, but she said green was more monster-y and?—”

“Oliver, breathe,” Nessie said with a soft laugh. “Give the man a chance to answer.”