Page 31 of Sworn to Protect

I twist around and jog toward The Cabins, my mind spinning. Staying was never the plan. Neither was falling for a woman who makes me want to rewrite every plan I’ve ever had.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MAKENZIE

“Hashe come over and serviced you yet?” Jill’s voice carries as she stacks the last chocolate croissants on the display.

“Keep your voice down.” I glance at Mr. Morgan. Thankfully, he’s too engrossed in his coffee to notice. The last thing I need is for him to report to his wife that I’m entertaining a man. Especially since it’s not true.

Jill grins, unbothered. “Why? Afraid of the gossip? You’ve got needs, Mackenzie. Don’t act like you don’t.”

“Good point, but still.” I shake my head. “To answer your question, no. But he’s helping me with Liam’s practices.”

“Oh, really.” Her eyebrows jump to her hairline as she shifts closer. In an overeager voice, she says, “Spill.”

“Trust me. It’s purely innocent. Liam has soccer practice three days a week. One of the practices lands during my clinical. Nate not only offered to take them to practice so I could study, but he also offered to stay with them on the night I’d be gone. It’s a relief, honestly. I won’t have to burden Sandy, and the boys can release some steam.”

“Wow, he’s sure going out of his way to help. Are you positive you’re not slipping him a little on the side?”

“Positive.” I shake my head. “It’s all about the kids. Although, I’m sure the gossip hounds will twist it around.”

“I know you worry about it being too soon, but believe me when I say nobody cares.”

“Oh, I know someone who’ll care.” I direct my gaze to Mr. Morgan.

“You shouldn’t let that woman get to you. Her opinion hardly matters.” That woman being Mr. Morgan’s wife.

“Yeah, you’re right, but that woman has always gotten to me. She initially hated me and never thought I measured up to her standards.”

“Why?”

The door opens, and the answer to Jill’s question walks through the door. Mark Morgan. My stomach twists. Even after all these years, his mother’s judgmental whispers echo in my mind. Mark is the eldest heir to Morgan Wineries, but he never wanted anything to do with the business. His mom blamed me. That sentiment only worsened after our breakup. Although, that’s pure speculation on my end.

Mark’s eyes find mine. Sadness slams into me. I hate how things ended between us. More than that, I hate how small this town is, making avoidance impossible.

“Let’s just say I never measured up to her standards,” I murmur.

“I honestly don’t think anyone would.”

Mark says something to his father before heading to the counter. “Mackenzie, I heard you were back in town.”

“That would be correct. I wanted to be around family.”

“I also heard your eldest signed up for soccer. He’s on the same team as my son.”

“Is that right?” I figured the boy wearing Mark’s business name across his shirt was his. Either that or Mark had sponsored the team in the past.

“Yeah.” He falls silent as awkwardness swells between us. He breaks eye contact and reads the menu board. “I’ll have a caramel macchiato.”

“I’ll make it,” Jill pipes up. She had been so quiet I forgot she was there. It’s funny how she didn’t disappear on me this time.

I suck in my fear and address the elephant in the room. “Look, Mark, I feel I owe you an apology.”

He holds his palm up. “No need. It was a long time ago. I am sorry for the way things turned out. That must’ve been hard for you.”

“Thank you. It hasn’t been easy. Even though his job contained risks, it still came as a shock.”

“I’m around if you need anything.” The door chimes, and Nate walks in. “Although I think you may have that area covered.” Mark winks, and I feel the warmth spreading across my cheeks. Does everyone think something is going on between us? It’s so getting back to his mother.

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