Page 135 of Love Me Fearless

The donut shop door swings open, and Vivian Walsh and her son, Mateo, step through, their hands clasped.

Everett’s lips are pursed like he’s about to sip from the cup of coffee halfway to his mouth, but lost track of his purpose.

A pink flush rises up Vivian’s neck as their eyes lock, but she quickly refocuses on Mateo, who looks like he’s trying to hug the display case.

“You were saying?” I prompt.

“Hmm?” he says.

I arch an eyebrow. Ava made me promise not to tease Everett who is clearly crushing on her nurse, but fuck am I tempted.

“Right.” He rattles off his findings, but when Vivian places her order, I swear his ears perk up.

“What do you need from me?” I whip out my phone so I can make a list.

“Hang on.” He rises from his chair so fast my skin prickles.

I jump up to follow Everett before I’m fully aware I’m doing so. Outside, Vivian is cradling Mateo, their bag of donuts and her paper cup of coffee scattered on the concrete.

Everett is already barking orders into his radio as he hurries into his SUV. As he slides in, he gives Vivian a glance. “Stay put. I’ll be back in a few.”

I approach Vivian carefully. “What happened?”

Vivian’s eyes blaze. “That idiot almost ran us over.”

Miranda steps outside. “What’s going on?” Her eyes fill with worry as she takes in Vivian and Mateo still standing in the middle of the parking lot.

“Looks like maybe someone was in a hurry,” I say, giving Vivian and Mateo a quick scan. “Are you hurt?”

Vivian shakes her head, then leans back to brush her son’s forehead. “You all right, Mateo?”

“Was it Daddy?” he asks, so quietly I barely hear it.

“No, honey,” Vivian says, her face tensing.

“Why don’t you come back inside?” Miranda says. “I’ll get you another coffee. And I’ll bring Matty one of those apple juice bottles he likes?”

Vivian gives Miranda a tense nod. “Thank you.”

I pick up the mess as Miranda ushers Vivian and Mateo back into the donut shop. Once inside, I drop off the trash and lead Vivian to the table Everett and I were sharing. Thankfully, the other patrons are kind enough not to stare.

Miranda brings over a to-go cup of coffee and the juice. “I’ll be right back with those donut holes.”

“Thank you,” Vivian says, settling into Everett’s chair with Mateo on her lap. Her hands are shaking and her face looks pale.

“Those were some quick reflexes,” I say.

Vivian unscrews the lid on the apple juice. “I might have overreacted.”

I want to ask more, but she’s just been through a pretty wicked scare, and Everett is likely going to cover the same ground.

Miranda brings over a bag of donut holes. “There’s hot birthday cake holes fresh outta the oven.” She smiles at Mateo.

“Thank you again,” Vivian says. “I’ll pay you?—”

Miranda waves her off. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Vivian nods. “We are. Thank you.”

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