Page 4 of Hers to Hold
Was she the source?
“Oh, you’re good,” Olivia said in a shaky tone. “Sorry about that, Wes. It’s really hectic in here and things…break. I’ll talk to Kat about limiting the number of people in the morning so we don’t have…another accident.”
He was broken. That was the problem. And he blamed himself. “No. It’s…not a problem. I…misunderstood and”—his eyes found Kadynce—“my fault.” His hands circled her elbows. “If I hurt you—”
“You didn’t,” she said in a rush, a smile lighting up her round face. “Don’t worry about it. I’m…I’m sorry about your order…Wes? I don’t think…” Her voice trailed and she moved to the counter and opened the box lid and frowned. “The icing is all over the top and—”
“They’re still good, believe me,” Wes hurried to say. He closed the lid and took the box from her hand. “Icing or no icing, Kat’s cupcakes are the best. The muffins look great.”
“We can remake your order,” Olivia offered
“No need. The guys will fight each other for these anyway. We don’t need the presentation.”
“Are you sure?” Kadynce asked.
“I’m positive,” he said firmly. “No complaints here.” He leaned in to Olivia so Kadynce wouldn’t hear. “Don’t fire her over this. It’s nothing. She was startled and then I was…startled. It happens.”
Olivia smiled in response, laying a hand on his arm. “Thanks, Wes. I’ll have one of the girls deliver a few more sweets as soon as this crowd dies down, okay?”
“Deal.”
She squeezed his arm and then moved away to serve another customer.
“Goodbye, Wes,” Kadynce said softly, her eyes clinging to his. “Come back again.”
“Definitely,” he said with a croak. Or not. If she was the reason he broke his streak and had a flashback…
Wes quickly exited the shop and sucked in fresh air. He could finally breathe, hear his own thoughts…
And no gunfire.
Chapter 3
Kady sat in her editor’s office, legs crossed, and arms settling on her flour-dusted pants. For as long as she’d been a reporter, she never had a first day like this one. Kady did everything from manning the register to restocking the shelves, even learning a few tricks in the kitchen. She felt strangely satisfied with the days work even though she had next to nothing to show for it outside of her messy exterior.
Well, she did get the job; yet, Kat’s bakery couldn’t afford to turn down a wiling and able body.
Barry Yates finished sending an email. He yanked off his glasses and tossed them onto his paper-littered desk. “So, Kady, how was your first day? Anything?”
Kady smiled brightly, hoping to stave off the eventual disappointment. She’d heard Yates was a stickler for unrealistic expectations realized. “I got the job in the bakery. It was packed this morning. Have you been there? The food is really good and—”
“I mean about the story, Kady. The story you’re going to write on the Callaghan’s.”
Yeah, that.She’d also been told her new boss could also sniff out a diversion tactic a mile away. That’s what made him good at his job as an investigative reporter and eventual senior editor and producer of one of the top news programs in this market. He had good instincts about a story. It was one of the reasons why Kady fought hard to be hired by him.
Oneof the reasons.
The other was to get close to the Kayes.
“Um…”
“‘Um’ is not an answer I accept.” He sighed and produced a forced smile. “You’re new here, so I’ll allow a bit of time for the learning curve, but no more than a bit.”
What was a bit?
“In case you’re not up to speed, our source claims Drew is funneling campaign funds not only to his wife’s bakery, but to other subcontracted companies through his construction business. Your job—and I shouldn’t have to repeat myself—is to get close to Katrina Kaye. Discover the truth.”
Kady nodded eagerly, wanting to appear ready and capable. Because she was. She didn’t graduate with a communications degree and minor in criminal justice for nothing. She’d spent the last several years interning and eventually rising up the career ladder to be a reporter. Doing investigative reporting was her dream job.Thiswas her dream job.
