Page 20 of Hung Up on the Hacker

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Hadley had snuck out on him.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t entirely fair. She’d left a note, and he had been tied up on a conference call with part of his team for the better part of an hour. But she’d made no effort to actually see him before she slipped out to go hang with Cayla. Not that she needed to check in with him. They’d come to Eden’s Ridge separately, regardless of the fact that she’d found her way back into his bed. But something about her actions smacked of avoiding him. After the intensity of last night, he didn’t like it.

As she had every right to spend time with her sister-in-law, Cash packed up his laptop and headed to Bad Boy Bakers. He didn’t actually figure he’d get an opportunity to talk to Holt while he was at work, but the bakery was across the street from Cayla’s office, so he’d be able to tell when Hadley finished up there.

Because business seemed to be jumping this morning, Cash bypassed the line and secured one of the four-top tables. None of them had a direct line of sight across the street, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. It wasn’t like he was conducting actual surveillance. He was just pulling out his computer when Holt strode over.

“Using us as your office today?”

“Might as well. It’s a change of scenery from the inn.”

Holt winced. “I’m sorry we haven’t gotten to spend much time together since you got here.”

“Man, it’s fine. Your life is different now with the business and your family. You can’t just pick up and do shit anymore. That’s what I get for going with impulse instead of planning.”

“When do you have to head back to Baltimore?”

Cash mentally flipped through his schedule. “I definitely have to be back by Monday. I can work remotely in the meantime.”

“I’m kinda slammed this week, prepping for various events, but I’ll be done by dinner tomorrow. We’ll have a big family deal, and then I’m all yours on Saturday.”

He could sit on this news one more day if he had to. “Sounds good.”

“You had breakfast?”

“Like three hours ago.” Which, come to think of it, was wearing off.

“I’ll bring you something to tide you over.”

“Appreciate it.”

Cash had his laptop open and his own mobile network set up by the time Holt brought back a cup of coffee and an everything bagel smeared with cream cheese. Taking a sip of the rich black brew, he nodded his thanks and immersed himself into computer code, building a virus his team would need for a mission next month.

Customers came and went, and the guys seemed to rotate out who was manning the front. Cash paid them little heed until he heard a deep voice.

“Actually, I’m looking for someone. Is Jonah Ferguson here?”

There was an authority in the tone that had him looking up, his instincts twanging. The guy was dressed as a civilian, in jeans and boots, with broad shoulders filling out a leather jacket. His hair was a mix of dark and silver, with a short, mostly silver beard highlighting what Cash could see of his face. His stance was easy, but Cash recognized the self-possession of someone who could handle himself. He’d lay money this guy was career military.

The kitchen door swung open, and Jonah stepped out, wiping his hands on a towel. “Hey, are we nearly out of something up here? Because I’ve got some—” His eyes landed on the stranger, and the towel fell from his fingers as he snapped to immediate attention, lifting his hand in a salute. “Sir.”

Well, that confirmed his assumption.

The man’s mouth twitched. “At ease, Sailor.”

Jonah skirted around the counter and offered a hand. The guy took it, pulling him into a back-slapping hug that proved he had some deeper relationship with Jonah than that of a superior.

Either way, it was clear he hadn’t been expected.

“Not that it isn’t good to see you, Captain. But what are you doing here?”

Captain. Ah. One of Jonah’s former commanding officers?

“Well, you’re not the only one who retired. I heard what you’d been up to and wanted to come check on you.” When Jonah didn’t immediately respond to that, the guy shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. “How are you doing?”

Jonah grinned. “I’m great. I’m getting married.”

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