Page 17 of A Bride for the Bodyguard

“Do you want me to start a pot of coffee before you head to work?” I offer, padding up beside him in my bare feet.

“Actually,” Jack responds, his voice muffled as he pulls his shirt over his head. “I was thinking we could go out for breakfast instead.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Really? On a weekday?”

“My sister-in-law’s best friend owns Sugar Breeze Bakery down the boardwalk,” he continues. “They have the best breakfast in town.”

“That sounds fun,” I reply instantly. “Just let me get changed.”

We leave the penthouse ten minutes later, stepping into the still-sleeping Barton Beach. The salty morning breeze teases loose strands of my hair as we begin our stroll down the boardwalk.

As we pass quaint bungalows and charming storefronts, I can’t help but drink in the charm of this place. It’s only been a few days since I arrived here, but Barton Beach is already starting to feel like home.

The thought makes me glance sideways at Jack, his profile softened by the early morning light. His grip on my hand tightens just a fraction, almost instinctively, as if he senses my gaze.

It’s crazy how protective Jack is of me, especially since we’ve only known each other a short time. The way he tucks me into his side, the way he buries his nose in my hair—all of it makes me feel like I’m the most precious thing in his world. It’s like everything he does sends a jolt straight to my heart, reminding me of how hard I’m starting to fall for him.

As we round a corner, my eyes land on a small retail shop tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Its window is empty and a ‘vacancy’ sign hangs forlornly in its display. I can’t help myself; I point it out to Jack.

“Wouldn’t that be a perfect spot for Macaroons by Marlie?” I ask, excitement bubbling up within me at the thought.

Jack’s eyes light up instantly at my words. “Of course, it would, baby,” he replies. Then he hesitates, his expression suddenly serious. “Are you thinking about living here permanently?”

I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear as an excuse to avoid his eyes. “It’s crossed my mind...a few times lately.”

Jack pulls me closer then, wrapping an arm around me. “Well keep thinking about it. We can talk about it more later.”

The subject of us as a “couple” hasn’t come up since our initial conversation on the plane. It’s an elephant in the room, one that we’ve both been dancing around. I know we agreed that this would be over in a few months.

But to be honest, I kind of like being Jack’s wife. And the idea of this whole thing coming to an end is something I’m not ready to think about yet. So for now, I decide, it’s best to push those thoughts aside and simply live in the moment with him.

“We’re here,” Jack announces, holding the door open for me as we step into Sugar Breeze Bakery. “You’re gonna love this place.”

And as soon as we step inside, I can see why he thinks so.

The walls are painted in soft pastel hues that remind me of my macaroon palette back home. The vintage touches scattered throughout - an antique clock here, a retro cake stand there - give the place an endearing charm that tugs at my heartstrings.

Just as Jack starts to speak again, an older woman’s high-pitched voice slices through our conversation.

“Jack Henry Barton! Did you really get married without telling your own mother?”

Jack tenses beside me, and I turn my head to follow his gaze.

A short, white-haired woman wearing a hot pink blouse, is making her way towards us.

Something about her screams ‘family’ to me, and I find myself instantly assuming this must be Jack’s mother.

A slightly younger woman with short brown hair is walking beside her.

“Mom,” Jack says as he leans down to wrap the white-haired woman in a hug. “It’s good to see you.”

The older woman’s gaze flickers towards me with interest. “So, it’s true, then? Did you really elope without telling your own mother?”

Her tone is light, almost teasing, yet there’s a sharpness to her words that tells me her frustration is real.

She clucks her tongue. “I swear, Jack. You’ve always been the silent type, but this—” She waves a hand between him and me, “this is something else. Keeping your own mother in the dark about such a big step? Really?”

“It all happened so fast,” Jack says, his voice tinged with regret. “And with everything going on...”

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