Page 10 of My Cowboy Salvation
“Help yourself.”
She leaves the kitchen as quietly as she entered it, and I hold my breath until I know she’s upstairs and out of range from this fire that feels like it might consume me.
Might consumeher.
Chapter 6
Dylan
The air is filledwith the smell of yeast and cinnamon, and I’m tempted to buy one of the apple cider donuts advertised as today’s special in the front window of Carol’s Bakery and Cafe. But first I need to do something about making some money.
I stare at the bulletin board Logan mentioned that’s covered with an array of fliers from people peddling their services as dog walkers, piano instructors, and tutors, to flyers looking for roofers, landscapers, catering staff, and house painters, and an open invitation to a town harvest fair at the end of the month.
It’s unlikely I’d be qualified for any of these jobs, but I have to start somewhere, since I can’t just mooch off Logan McCall forever. I would like to contribute something more for his generosity than house cleaning, something like actual rent.
I think to that moment when Logan’s hand covered mine, and we stared at each other as this crazy energy built between us. The energy felt distinctly sexual. Primitive. In those seconds, as our skin connected, I was not only comforted by his simple, seemingly innocent touch, but also incredibly turned on. From the fire in his own dark blue eyes, I swear he felt it, too.
Later, after I sought refuge in my room, I tried to wrap my head around this new and exciting possibility. Could that incredibly virile, strong, sexy man, a man who has much more experience and knowledge compared to my limited understanding of the ways of the world, have actually been looking at me other than his son’s old girlfriend?
It didn’t seem plausible.
“John?” the woman at the counter behind me called. “Your order is up.”
Right. Let’s get back to the reason you’re here. A job.
I study the board again. The only thing I might pull off is the ad for a catering staff. Folding the flyer into my back pocket, I walk up to the front counter, wondering how much money I might part with to taste one of those donuts. They look and smell too delicious. I’ll just have to splurge.
“Hi, hon. Can I help you?” asks a woman wearing a name badge identifying her as Carol.
“Um. Just one of the cider donuts, please.”
“You bet.” Carol scurries to the case to pick me out a thick, cinnamon coated treat. She places it in a bag and folds it over. “Can I get you anything else?”
I shake my head and count out the dollar and change as she waits.
“I saw you checking the board,” she says, nodding to the community board behind me. “Are you looking for something in particular?”
“Um, nothing specific. Just a way to earn some money.”
“Is that right?” she asks. “Are you new around these parts?”
I hesitate. She seems nice enough, and her tone is far from threatening, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s I should probably keep as much to myself as I can to evade detection—if that’s even possible in a small town like Castle Falls.
“Just staying with a friend for a while,” I say vaguely.
“Oh?” Suddenly, her brows shoot up. “Wait, you’re not staying with Chief McCall, are you?”
I’m sure my eyes bug out of my head at how quickly she came to that conclusion. She laughs and quickly adds, “Sorry, hon. Small town. Plus, my sister Ann works for the chief who mentioned a friend of the family is staying with him.”
Okay, that makes sense. I manage a smile. “Yeah. I guess that’s me.”
“Well, if it’s a job you’re looking for, I’ve been wanting someone to help me cover the counters in the afternoons and weekends. The pay isn’t much, but you can have all the free food you can eat.”
A job, just like that? Maybe Logan was right about mentioning a word from the chief to secure something. I hesitate, though. I’m terrified that filling out a W4 with my name and social security number will be like waving a red flag to Simon. And I know what Logan said, about protecting me and all, but why invite danger?
It’s not something I want to risk. Not if it would put me—or Logan—in danger.
“Um. That’s nice of you…” My eyes dart from side-to-side, unable to meet her gaze. “I-I don’t know how long I’ll be around. I’d hate to have you process all that new hire paperwork if I’m only going to be around for a few weeks.”
