Page 7 of When You Saved Me

“Yup! That’s me.”

“Oh my gosh, well I have to thank you for what looks to be some amazing food I’m about to scarf down.”

She giggled. “Don’t mention it. Steph, give her this one on the house.”

“Oh no.” I waved my hands. “You don’t have to do that.”

Giving me a stern look under her long eyelashes, she said, “If you’re staying at Badger Creek Cabin with Deacon Calhoun as your landlord, I insist.”

Twisting my lips to the side I couldn’t help but wonder what was in store for me if it was known across town how much of a grump Deacon was. I slipped my credit card back into my wallet and slid onto one of the barstools next to the display case.

“I take it I’m not the only one he’s grumpy to then?” I asked, partly not wanting to know the answer but also letting my curiosity win over.

“Oh yeah, that’s just how he is,” Stephanie said with a smirk.

Sarah responded, “He’s one of my best friends.” Thenshe bumped Stephanie with her hip. “But that does not mean I condone his…poor demeanor.”

I slipped the chocolate croissant out of the paper bag and took a bite. Eyes rolling into the back of my head, I couldn’t help but moan. It was a perfect combination of flakey bread with just the right amount of melted chocolate. “Oh my god,” I said around the bite. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted something this good in my entire life.” I picked up the croissant and shook it once to make my point. “And I’ve had about a dozen of theseinParis.”

Sarah’s face lit up with pride. “Well, I don’t think I’ve ever received such a wonderful compliment. Thank you, Charlie.”

“Don’t let it go to your head, cousin.” Stephanie rolled her eyes playfully.

“Can’t make any promises.” Sarah winked back.

Cousins. Definitely made sense given how much they looked alike.

“So, you’re really best friends with Deacon?”

“Yeah,” she drew out the word. “I’m a sucker for the broody ones. Don’t let the sourpuss attitude fool you though. He’s one of the most loyal and selfless people I know. He’d give the shirt off his back to his enemy if they were in need. I just think he’s been through some things in life that created his hard shell. But once you crack the exterior, he’s really just made of fluff on the inside.”

Stephanie snorted. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”

“Eh.” Sarah shrugged. “I can take him.” Then she turned her attention back to me. “Has he given you any trouble?”

My throat went dry. How did I explain that my new landlord had saved my life when my apartment building went up in flames and when I saw him for the first time since then, he slammed his front door in my face? Sarah was his best friend. I definitely didn’t want to make it seem like Deacon was a bad guy to her. The last thing I wanted to do was make enemies in my new hometown. News traveled fast in Southern cities, and I imagined it traveled even quicker in small towns.

So, I settled on, “He was fine. I can tell what you mean by a rough exterior. He hasn’t said much to me, but it’s almost like I can tell he is thinking a lot about having me stay on his property… Maybe even regretting it.”

Sarah slid her eyes to Stephanie. Some secret language passed between them, and I wanted to know what they were thinking, but decided I’d probably already said too much.

“Any thoughts on how I might crack that exterior?” I asked quietly.

Sarah’s smile was warm. “I don’t know you well, Charlie, but you seem like a really great woman. Just be yourself and I know he’ll come around. He just…” She nodded her head side to side. “Takes a little time to warm up to people. I wouldn’t take anything he says or does right now too personal.”

I looked down at the croissant in my hand, studying the flakey layers. What Sarah didn’t know was that I had a striking feeling the way Deacon acted toward me was incredibly personal. While it didn’t make sense to me, there was something about the day we first met that he struggled with.It wasn’t normal for someone to have such a striking reaction to the person they saved. Maybe something happened after I passed out from the pain of my burn that I wasn’t privy to. Or maybe he was just a grump like Sarah said and he really would come around in time.

Either way, I was going to make it my mission to find out because I knew there was something more than disdain hiding behind those green eyes. Something I couldn’t quite pinpoint, but I felt it in my heart when I looked at him. A sensation that only people who were bonded by the same trauma experienced.

I just had to figure out what, exactly, it was.

“I’ll definitely do that. I really appreciate you giving me some guidance and it was nice to meet you both.” Shoving the rest of the croissant back into the paper bag, I slid off the stool.

“Of course! I’m glad we were able to meet, Charlie. And if you ever need anything, you know where to find me.” Sarah gave a little wave before she disappeared through the back door.

“Nice to meet you, Charlie!” Stephanie said as I gathered my food and set toward the exit.

“You too, Stephanie!”

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