Page 73 of Hero Unbound

Eva waved to Ella as she walked into the bakery/coffeehouse. The other woman was hustling behind the counter, getting out orders of coffees and sweets. This place was always pretty busy, but today it was totally packed—mostly with a group of women sitting over in the corner, laughing uproariously every couple of minutes.

“Need me to come around back and help you?” she asked Ella as the woman made some sort of fancy coffee drink for the customer in front of her.

Ella blew a strand of her brown hair out of her face. “Hopefully it’s settling down now. I feel like every single woman between the ages of twenty and fifty is in here to see the charming stranger who’s been hanging out all morning. And even some of the married women too.”

“I heard about him over at the pharmacy. Apparently he bought someone coffee, and now they’re going to live happily ever after.” Eva chuckled.

Ella rolled her eyes. “Then he’s going to live happily ever after with about half a dozen women because he’s bought a lot of coffee. He’s over in the corner holding court. Usually, I only see something like this when Colton Harrison comes into town.”

“Ah yes, the action star.” Whom Ella no doubt had a crush on.

Ella actually flushed. “Right now, he’s running a marathon in Antarctica and will be broadcasting part of it live. Not that I care or anything.” She flushed even harder.

Eva tried to swallow her smile. “Well, I’m glad you’ve got plenty of business, even without a television star. I guess I’ll take my order to go. I need whatever you think is the best sweet you’ve got today. Like…your very best to butter someone up.”

The other woman nodded solemnly. “Strawberry scone, definitely. And a couple of the caramel and chocolate cookie bars. There’s enough actual butter in those things to butter anybody up.”

“Do you think that’s what Theo would like?”

Ella broke out into an even bigger smile. “I think an asparagus would butter Theo Lindstrom up when it comes to you, but yeah, these are some of my best.”

Eva prayed that would be enough when she told Theo the truth. “Sold. And I’ll also take a cup of coffee.”

“I’d like to pay for her coffee if that’s okay.”

Eva froze at the sound of the voice behind her.

Gareth.

She couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

Ella didn’t notice Eva’s distress. She shook her head at Gareth. “You’ve bought quite a few coffees today.”

“It’s always my pleasure to buy a beverage for a beautiful woman.” His voice was deep, smooth. Ella rolled her eyes, but Eva could see she was charmed.

Gareth was always charming.

Garethwas the one who’d been charming the women of Oak Creek all morning.

Eva had to get out of there.

“Never mind, Ella. I’ve got to go. I don’t need anything.”

Ella’s brow wrinkled. “Are you sure? It won’t take me but a second.”

“No. I’ve got to go.” She didn’t want to explain, just wanted to get away from Gareth. He hadn’t touched her, hadn’t said anything else, but she could feel him around her. She could smell his cologne—not overpowering, just the perfect amount and scent to make it noticeable.

Like everything else about him.

Eva didn’t look at Gareth, didn’t acknowledge him in any way, as she slid down the counter so she was sure not to touch him then spun and headed toward the door, praying he wouldn’t come after her.

Her prayers weren’t answered. She’d barely made it out the door before she heard him behind her.

“You can’t run from me, baby.”

She gritted her teeth at the endearment. She spun and faced him. “What are you doing here? I told you I didn’t want to have anything to do with you anymore.”

He looked perfect—sandy blond hair mussed just enough that it didn’t look overly styled. Tailored gray pants and black collared shirt completely unwrinkled, even though she knew for a fact he’d been sitting in a coffeehouse for hours. His smile was boyish and charming. Everything about him screamed friendly and popular. Made you want to be close to him so you could be popular too.

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