Josey turned around quickly. Daxton was standing barefoot in the kitchen, wearing jeans and a white shirt, open at the neck. She tried not to notice how nicely the white flattered his tanned skin and how his muscles played under the thin fabric.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Josey gave him a small smile. “No, it’s okay. I just scare easily.” Josey pulled a cup out of the cabinet, poured some coffee, and handed it to him. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how you take it.”

His eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Thank you, but you don’t have to wait on me.”

She shrugged as she turned the country ham in the skillet. “I wanted to.” Then her eyes met his. “It’s the least I could do for all you’ve done for me.”

He smiled as he took the coffee. “Happy to do it.” Then his lips curled into a heartbreaking smile, taking her breath away. “But if you really want to know…” Daxton stepped closer and whispered into her hair. “Black, two sugars.” Then he kissed the top of her head and spooned in two sugars.

It was an innocent gesture, but one that carried the weight of the world. Her heart was pounding as he stepped away to fix his coffee.

“Can I do anything?” Daxton leaned back onto the counter and took a sip of his coffee, causing his arm to flex without intending to.

Josey smiled, shaking her head. “No, just relax. I’ll have it on the table in just a minute.”

“Um… something smells good.” Andrew came into the kitchen. Then he looked around her shoulder and into the skillet. “Country ham? My favorite!”

“Good.” Josey turned a piece of ham in the pan as the scent filled the air. “Coffee?”

Andrew laughed. “I’m only eleven.”

Josey smirked. “Yeah, I guess that’ll have to wait a few years.”

“And do me a favor,” Daxton interjected. “Don’t grow up too fast.”

Andrew smiled as he hugged his father’s shoulders. “I’ll try not to.”

“Andrew, why don’t you go get cleaned up. Breakfast’ll be ready when you come back.” Josey took the last slice of ham out of the skillet and laid it on the plate with the rest.

Andrew reached around her and stole a piece.

“Hey, now!” Josey smiled as she called after him.

“I’ll be right back!” he called out, hurrying into his room.

Daxton laughed. “That’s my boy.” He rose from his seat and gathered some plates and silverware, and then set the table.

“I can do that.” Josey tried to take it from him, but he playfully held it over her head, out of reach. “I’ve got it.”

She accidentally fell into him as she reached for the silverware, but he caught her. Josey looked in his eyes and saw the attraction there. She took a step back and wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m sorry.” She turned around and pulled the biscuits out of the oven.

“For what?”

She shrugged.

“Josey, look at me.”

She slid the biscuits into a towel-lined bowl, covered them with another hand towel, and then set the empty pan in the sink.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. “Josey, I’m sorry. I was only playing.”

“It’s okay.” She took off her apron and then smoothed her dress. “Breakfast is ready.”

He smiled encouragingly. “Looks great.”

Andrew walked in just as Daxton was finishing setting the table. “Um… smells good!”