Page 19 of Shattered Secrets

In the living area, she spied her things on the floor by the fireplace. “Hang on, sweet girl,” she murmured, bending to reach her purse and tote bag.

“Here, let me get that for you,” Matt said, suddenly next to her. He picked up both items. “I’ll walk you out.”

And just like that, the nerves were back.

“Um, thank you,” she said, trailing him to her car.

With Daisy’s cast, maneuvering her into the car seat was a bit of a task. As Scarlet finally got the buckle to click, she nodded at the front seat. “Hey, Matt? If you could put my bags up front, I’d appreciate it.”

“You got it.” He rounded the hood and deposited her things on the passenger seat. After closing the door, he held up a hand. “Hang on a sec,” he said, then rushed into the house.

By the time Scarlet had her driver’s side door open, he returned wearing that grin that did something to her insides.

Opening the back door, he peered in and said, “Can’t have you forgetting Baby Unicorn, now can we?” He tucked the stuffy next to Daisy in her car seat.

Scarlet bit her bottom lip to keep from sighing.Who is this guy?

“Thank you, Mr. Matty,” Daisy said, giving him a tired smile.

“Any time, Otter Pop.”

Scarlet had no clue where the Otter Pop thing had come from, but damn if it wasn’t the cutest thing she’d ever heard. Clearing her throat, she got in her car and paused to meet his gaze. “Thanks again, Matt. For everything.”

Grabbing the frame of her door, he said, “You’re welcome, Scarlet. You in?” At her nod, he closed the door and tapped the roof twice. “Drive safe.”

CHAPTER SIX

“Hey, Scarlet. How’s it going?” Four Dumas gave her a friendly smile and placed a coaster down in front of her. He was the owner of Monty’s Tavern and also its head bartender. She knew the man fairly well as he was Poppy’s closest friend and honorary uncle to the twins.

Older, in fantastic shape, and ridiculously attractive—what was it with this town and all the hot older men?—Four was a bit of a grump. However, the man’s jet-black rockstar hair, dark-indigo eyes, and killer smile forgave a lot of his overall grouchiness. Sure, that was one thousand percent superficial. But it was also one thousand percent accurate.

“I’m good, thanks.” She wasn’t. Between getting jabbed countless times by her daughter’s feet and clobbered twice by her cast, Scarlet had barely gotten any sleep the night before. She was freaking exhausted.

She’d gotten up at six, dropped Daisy off at day care by seven, and worked the breakfast, lunch, and pre-dinner shifts. More than anything, she wanted to go home, take a hot shower, and crash. But that wasn’t in the cards. It was only five, and she had about two hours to kill before she had to pick up Daisy. The last thing she wanted to do was make herself dinner, so here she was.

“What can I get you to drink?” Four asked.

“Oh, just a water for now.” She wasn’t much of a drinker, and with how tired she was, if she had a sip of alcohol, she’d probably be out for the count. Besides, she wasn’t made of money, and dinner at this place was already a splurge.

“You got it. Menu?”

She nodded. “Please.”

“How’s Daisy?” He handed her a menu. “I heard she broke her arm.”

The corners of her lips twitched.Ahhh, you gotta love small towns.“She’s better, thanks. Honestly, if she didn’t have a bright-pink cast on, you’d never know anything was wrong.” She scanned the menu and found the least expensive appetizers. “Can I get a side of fries and cup of yourzuppa toscana?”

“Coming right up, Scar. Hey, man. What can I get you?”

Following Four’s gaze, her pulse quickened as she realized who had claimed the barstool beside her.

“The Wave Breaker Pale Ale, please,” Matt replied. “Hey, Scarlet. How are you?”

“Here you go.” Four placed a pint glass on the coaster in front of Matt. “Menu?”

“Thanks, and no on the menu. I’m waiting for the guys. I’m a little early.” Matt took a sip of his beer, then asked her, “How’s Daisy?”

Scarlet glanced between the two men, and she knew her eyes were wide. Outside the diner and Poppy, her social skills were a little rusty.

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