Page 14 of Finding Her Leading Man

But that familiar need to protect, soothe, pounded into him as he walked to the back entrance of the bed and breakfast. Gravel crunched under his feet. A moment later, he heard Samantha follow.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, angry at himself. Confused. His primary need to care for someone, help, had always been directed at Addie. He’d raised Addie while his parents ran around the world, amassing their wealth. And never once had he questioned that drive to help when it came to his little sister.

But dating a woman was different. He always compartmentalized his dating life. Easily. Women were great company, but it didn’t get any deeper.

Trevor paused by the back entrance, holding the door for her as she walked across the parking lot. Her eyes fixated on him.

She looked so much like Jasmine fromAladdinat that moment that he rubbed a hand over his face. Never before had he thought about a damned Disney movie so much.

Her shoulder brushed across his chest as her fingers brushed along the outside of his thigh before dropping. “Thanks for the ride, Trevor.”

He tightened his hand on the door and glanced up at the night sky. Hell. He was so screwed.

6

Samantha surveyed the Daylight Diner. Empty, aside from the cook in the back and Becky. The place looked spotless. She smiled and pulled her phone from her back pocket to text her mom. Pride over manual labor wasn’t unusual. She took pride in her shows. They took weeks, sometimes months, of hard work and hours of practice and rehearsals.

Before, she loved the opening to great reviews or the crowd, giving them standing ovations.

Nowadays, it was filled-up ketchup bottles and loaded napkin dispensers that made her happy for the day.

Her phone rang, and the happiness drained away.

Jasper.

She ended the call. He’d called once a week since she left. Finally, after her continued silence, he’d stopped leaving voicemails. Worked for her. She never listened to them.

The door opened, and Cameron, along with Dewey, his best man for the wedding, walked into the diner, both wearing their tan Sheriff uniforms. The first time she’d met Cameron, she’d assumed the man was a farmer. But his tanned skin didn’t come from being out in the fields. Not after meeting his mom, Tanya Dempsey, three days ago at the wedding meeting. Mrs. Dempsey was 100% Creek Indian.

Samantha’s phone rang again. She rolled her eyes and looked at the screen. Again. Jasper.

“Are you alright?” Dewey scanned the diner. “All alone.” The man was tall, with sandy blond hair and light hazel eyes. “I thought Becky was supposed to be here.”

“I’m in the back!” Becky shouted from the kitchen.

Cameron rolled his eyes. “We could have only hoped.”

“Watch it, or you’ll end up with these cake samples dumped over your head instead of in your stomach!” Becky called out again.

Cameron shook his head. “And to think I almost asked her to be my best man. Anyway, what’s up, Samantha? You looked either ready to cry or fight. Fight. Please. I can’t stand tears.”

“Neither.” She snagged an antacid from her back pocket. Her therapist had warned her about eating so many. But nothing else touched the stomach aches.

“Have you come up with any ideas for the song you’re going to sing?” Dewey leaned on the counter. “I think you should singGimme Three Stepsby Skynard. Give Addie a chance to change her mind and leave.”

“I’ll just chase her if she runs,” Cameron said.

Dewey slowly shook his head. “Yeah, but you won’t be able to catch her. You know she can still beat you. I saw the two of you racing the other day.”

“That was after a ten-mile run!”

Dewey chuckled. “Excuses.”

Samantha laughed. “I won’t sing that. Don’t worry.”

“How Do I Livewould be appropriate.” Cameron crossed his arms. “She’s already told me she can’t live without me.”

Becky breezed in from the kitchen, the door behind her swinging. “More likeWhat Was I Thinking.”

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