Page 15 of Sweeter Than Honey
“Something like that. The thought of renting you a room isn’t sitting well.”
A small smile pulled at her lips. She was beautiful and even her sparse smile lit up the room.
“Ah, don’t kill yourself over it. I’d rather sleep in my broken-down car.”
“Whew, good. I feel better. Dodged a bullet.” He gave her a mock salute with his mug and drained it.
Allie had gone into the back and came out with a large pink bakery box. “Here, since Rowan missed breakfast, take him these sticky buns. Just tell him to take it easy or he’ll make himself sick. He tends to eat them all in one sitting.”
Jett set his plate down and took the box. Warmth and a sugary sweet smell came through the cardboard. He couldn't stop himself as he opened it and took one out. Nothing could beat one of Allie’s freshly baked sticky buns. The woman had a gift that his entire family enjoyed.
“There, one less for him to pig out on.”
Cara scrutinized him while he devoured the treat. He offered her the half-eaten roll. “Want some?”
She grimaced, but her eyes sparkled. “Charmingandthoughtful. No.”
Allie waddled over to a chair and carefully sat down with a sigh. She'd never admit to it, but there would soon come a day when she'd have to leave the bakery in the hands of her employees and take time off until the twins were born. She would hate it, but she couldn't keep working with how very pregnant she was.
"Jett, can you tow Cara’s car into town?”
His heart hammered even though he kept his expression impassive. He took his time finishing off the sticky bun.
"Sure.”
“Great, you can tow it to our place and Dax can look at it when he gets home.”
Jett stood and began gathering dishes from the table. Customers would be streaming in anytime, and Allie already looked beat. “No need. I’ll look at it.”
“I wouldn’t want to interrupt your workday.” Cara helped him with the dishes, pausing to look at Allie as she laughed.
“Don’t let him fool you. Jett works when Jett feels like it.”
“Ouch,” he retorted lightly. “I run my own business, just the same as you.”
Allie winked at Cara. “I’m totally joking. Jett’s a workaholic. It took weeks of nagging to get him to come into town for breakfast three times a week. By the way, Jett, do you ever sleep?”
“Nope.”
He disappeared into the back with an armload of dishes. Cara followed behind. She moved close to him to set the dishes down. He had the urge to reach out and touch her but pushed it down.
She glanced at the door twice and seeming to realize how close she was to him, moved away.
“Can I ask you something?” He turned his back to her and began loading the dishwasher while she looked around for containers to hold the extra food. Her posture was funny. It took him a second to realize she was trying really hard not to turn her back to him, while positioning herself between him and the door. Too bad the containers she was looking for were on the other side of him. He reached up and grabbed a stack off the shelf and slid them on the stainless steel worktable in her direction.
“Thanks. Um, sure.”
“What are you so afraid of?”
“Nothing.” Her response was lightning fast. Too fast.
“If I was going to eat you, I would have done it yesterday.”
She went completely still, her cheeks flaming red. Jett silently cursed himself. He was off his game, big time.
“That… didn’t come out right.”
“Uh…”
