Page 88 of Love in the Wild

26

HADLEY

Gage parked in front of Sticky Sweets and turned off the truck. He hadn’t said much on the ride over, but maybe he was saving all of his words for supper.

Maybe. Not likely. Hadley didn’t have much relationship experience, but she knew when someone was pulling away. Gage was playing tug-of-war, and she was losing.

He turned to her and jerked his head toward the bakery. “You sure about this?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? We don’t have to be secretive anymore. They’re all in custody.”

At least for now. They’d been warned that Tommy, Bruce, and Cain might all be released before any kind of sentencing. Max was out of the picture. They’d sent him back to prison before Gage even finished his interviews with the detective.

Gage shook his head. “I’ll get your door.”

He got out slowly and walked around the front of the truck. There was no way on earth anyone in his family had taught him to be a gentleman, and somehow, he’d picked up on it anyway.

A man had never opened the door for her, aside from some of the guys on the ranch, but she wasn’t dating any of them. He was probably bone tired from helping Emerson move all afternoon, and he still made a point to go out of his way for Hadley, even if it was a small thing.

Fighting the urge to ask what had him so down in the dumps, she took his offered hand and stepped out of the truck. Gage released her hand as soon as her feet touched the ground.

Don’t overthink it. Don’t overthink it. “Do you have a usual order here?” she asked.

“Nope. I don’t think I’ve been here before.”

Gasping, she turned to him. “You’ve never been to Sticky Sweets?”

Gage opened the door and stepped to the side for her to pass through. “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a craving for donuts.”

Hadley’s jaw dropped open as she stepped inside. “Gage, this is gonna be a game changer. They have so much more than donuts here. Though, I will say the lemon-filled donuts are worth every penny.”

Gage stepped up beside her and smirked. “Noted. What’s your favorite here?”

“Sausage biscuit for breakfast, BLT for lunch, and beef stew for dinner.”

“Wow. You’ve got this figured out.”

“Yep. But look, they have a roast beef sandwich.” She pointed to the menu on the right side.

“Looks like I’ve made up my mind then.”

Hadley scanned the room. “Let’s grab one of those bigger tables over there.” Intentionally choosing a secluded spot, she made her way over with Gage following.

The bell above the door jingled, and Brett, Thea, and Emerson walked in. Emerson looked about as happy to be here as Gage, while Thea was sporting a smile as wide as the Mississippi River.

Gage pulled out a seat for Hadley and leaned down. “What do you want? I’ll put in our order.”

“Sweet tea and beef stew, please.”

Gage winked at her, but the grin she’d come to love was missing. “Got it. I’ll be right back.”

Thea waved at her, and Emerson managed a small nod in greeting. Gage approached their group and stood in line beside his cousin. A couple walked in, setting off the cheery bell. Gage and Emerson turned so they could see both the door and the line in front of them.

Were they always so observant? Gage’s attention constantly scanned the restaurant, and Emerson volleyed between the menu and the door.

The couple behind them stood back a good three feet from them. The woman kept glancing at the man with her as if asking a question. Her shoulders were raised and tense as she held onto the man’s arm and plastered herself to his side.

Gage didn’t look that scary. Sure, he had tattoos and dark eyes, but she’d seen the kindness in him. He wasn’t a threat to anyone.

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