Page 21 of Her Delta Force Protector

“Yes.”

“How did you get to Myrtle Beach?”

“Dad dropped me off at the bus station on his way out of town. Not that he was happy about that. The first bus leaving that would get me closest to you was to Myrtle Beach. Dad stuck around until the bus left to make sure I wasn’t followed. Any more questions?”

“Not at the moment.”

Katie returned with Kade’s pie and their coffee. When she set the bill down, Harper said, “Two checks, please.” Kade frowned at her but didn’t argue.

He held his fork out. “Want a bite of the best apple pie you’ll ever taste?”

“Sure.” She leaned forward, and he fed her a bite. “That is really good.” First he’d kissed her and now he was feeding her. It felt like something had changed between them, or it could just be her imagination because she wished there was something there, especially after that kiss.

“I’m going to run to the restroom while you’re finishing your dessert.” She needed to splash some cold water on her face and give herself a little talking-to.

He pointed his fork behind her. “Down the hall back there.”

When she returned, their table had been cleared, and Kade was walking out the door. She followed him out. “You weren’t supposed to buy my lunch.”

He smirked. “You should know by now that I rarely do what I’m supposed to.”

There was a truth. “Well, thank you, but don’t do it again.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He unclipped Duke’s leash. “Come on, I’ll take you to Fanny’s. She should have just about everything you need clothing-wise. If you need shampoo or something, we’ll stop at the pharmacy.”

“Yeah, I do need some of that kind of stuff. Marsville’s a cute town. I love all the different-colored awnings. It looks so festive.”

“That was Parker’s idea back when Main Street was pretty drab. A few of the merchants thought it was ridiculous, but enough agreed and did it. Everyone loved the way it made downtown look, so the few that had refused came around.”

They passed an ancient pickup truck, and she stopped. “Is that a goat?”

“Yep, that’s Billy, Old Man Earl’s goat. Go look in the window.”

She did. Billy the Goat was busy eating the truck’s headliner...or what was left of it. “There’s no material left on the bench seat. It’s just springs. He ate everything?”

“Just about everything but the metal. Don’t say anything negative about his goat to Earl. He won’t like you if you do.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” She got her phone and took some pictures of Billy and the inside of the truck to send to her dad. He’d get a kick out of this.

Duke put his paws on the door and barked. Billy stopped his chewing, then hopped to the window, which was open a little. The dog and goat rubbed noses.

“They know each other?”

He nodded. “Duke’s friends with every person and animal he meets.” He pulled Duke away from the window. “Come on. Fanny’s just down the block.”

The shop he took her to was adorable with its pink awning, rose-colored door, and whitewashed brick exterior wall. There was a hook next to the door like the one at the diner, and he secured Duke’s leash to it. When they stepped inside, a silver-haired woman who couldn’t be more than five feet tall rushed to them, her bangle bracelets jingling as she clapped her hands.

“Kade Church, I heard you were back. Took you long enough to come see me. I thought I was your favorite girl.”

“You are my favorite girl, Fanny, and I have no excuse.” He bent over and hugged the petite woman. “Forgive me?”

“I could never stay mad at any of you Church brothers.” She turned an assessing eye on Harper. “And who is this?”

“This is Petunia, a friend of mine.” He grinned and winked. “And no competition to you, Miss Fanny, love of my life.”

Harper swallowed a smile when the older woman blushed.

“You’re a silver-tongued devil, Kade Church,” Fanny said.

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