Page 72 of His One True Wish

“Did you miss me?” she said, cocking her head to the side as she re-tied her apron.

“Um, miss you?” Axl said, looking over his shoulder as if she were speaking to someone else, his face white as the snow outside. It was clear this was an unexpected reunion.

“Hey, Angel,” Alfie said, walking past. “Dad says that you can start on another round of cornbread.”

“Already started it,” she said. “Can you find me some more brown sugar, babe? I’m looking to finish that blackberry Betty.”

Babe. Blackberry Betty? Axl looked at his ex with a look of bewilderment.

“You got it,” Alfie said. “Cornbread first though.”

“Aye aye, captain!” Angel said, saluting Alfie and clicking her boots together.

Gone was Angel’s sparkly dress. She wore Sorels, fitted jeans, and under her apron, a V-necked sweater that hugged her curves. She was still gorgeous and energetic, but the wild, crazed rage from the parking lot was gone.

Axl gave me a side-eye glance that made me wonder if he was just as confused as I was at seeing his ex at our friendly town bakery cafe.

“I want you to know that things got a little crazy between us,” Angel said, her voice soft and even, “and I forgive you for leaving me at the rest stop.”

“Right,” Axl said. “I didn’t leave you, Angel. Your driver was waiting for you in the lot.”

Her driver? Who was this woman?

“Hi,” she said, looking my way. She gave me a friendly smile. This was not the same woman from the parking lot.

“I’m Billie,” I said, extending my hand.

Angel shook my hand, her eyes narrowing. “You look familiar.”

“I don’t know, do I?” I said, feigning innocence. “I think I just have one of those faces.”

“Maybe,” Angel said. “But you have a beautiful face, and I rarely forget one.”

I shook my head and kept my lips sealed tight.

Axl glanced at the door and at me. “Angel, Billie and I were just heading out.”

“Oh, you and Billie.” Angel glanced back and forth between us. “You’re a thing. That was fast, darling.”

“No, we are not a thing,” Axl said. The speediness of his reply wounded me a bit.

“I’m his landlord,” I offered. “Well, my family … ” I let my voice trail off.

“Oh, his landlord.” Angel’s eyes widened. “You mean of that cute little cabin?”

Axl sighed heavily.

“Yes, that cute little cabin,” I said, glaring at Axl. I knew I didn’t have a right to be bothered that his girlfriend was at the cabin with him, but it annoyed me. “Did you go there often?”

“Not nearly enough,” she sighed, “but enough to know that it’s a special place. I love Smoke River. I love it in my bones.”

“Oh, you do,” I said, looking between Axl and his ex.

Axl held his ground, feet planted, his gaze locked on Angel. I wonder if he was willing her to disappear.

“You know, I didn’t know a thing about Smoke River until Axl flew me out here.” Angel crossed her arms and focused on me.

“Is that so? You flew her to Smoke River.” I glanced at Axl. He had painted a spare and incomplete picture of his relationship with his ex.

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