Page 73 of Sheltered By Love

Nicki waves her hand in the air. “She’s fine. The doctor says it was likely indigestion. You can go see her later today if you like. She’s more worried about you.”

My forehead creases as she stands beside Noah’s mother. “Why is everyone worried about me?”

Nicki glances at May who shrugs. “After the first winter winds, people tend to pack up and leave.”

So that’s what the fuss is about.

“Oh, well. No. I’m not planning on leaving. Although I will be buying industrial ear protection.”

May laughs. “Good to see you’re made of stronger stuff. Hard to tell just by looking at ya.”

After a wink, she spins on her heel and hurries down the street, toward the small grocery store where she works.

It’s getting late, so I start walking and smile at Nicki. “I’m on my way to meet Riley Jones,” I say.

“Oh, right. Her. Do you have a dress to wear?”

I frown sidelong as we walk. “A dress? It’s just a meeting.”

She crosses her eyes. “For the ball. You said you were going.”

“I am, but only as a spectator. I’m going to be helping Jaxson behind the bar,” I say.

Her lips turn downward. “Well, if you change your mind, a few of the girls and I are going to Carey’s Creek this weekend.”

That surprises me, Nicki’s never invited me anywhere before. “You don’t want to go to the dance?”

“The dance is more for out-of-towners. And it’s better not to be here if you’re a single gal.”

Well, now I wish I could head out of town. There are cute antique shops in Carey’s Creek as well as a shopping mall.

I release a sigh of regret. “I’ll still be going. Just more as a bar tender.”

A smile plays on her lips. “Zane’s going though, so you might have a better time than you think you will.”

Before I can respond, she crosses the road and leaves me at the corner opposite the beach.

With the wind gently tossing my hair around my face, I cross diagonally and hope Riley hasn’t beaten me to our first face-to-face meeting.

Jaxson’s bar isn’t what I imagined. Tucked away in a sheltered spot under an outcropping of rocks, sits the Outrigger.

The entire frontage is made of glass offering a panoramic view of the Bay.

The restaurant side faces the sandy beach and water, and the bar side is juxtaposed by the countryside hugging the town from the other.

Jaxson greets me before I can take it all in. “Survived the wind,” he says.

Dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, his formidable size is even more apparent as the coffee menu in his hand seems to look tiny.

“Just,” I say.

“I’m not open yet, so you’ll have the place to yourselves, I’ll be lurking, just in case you need anything,” he says.

I smile back at him and take the menu from his hand. “Zane said you do great coffee.”

He shrugs his giant shoulders as his gaze drifts to the front door where a Porsche has just pulled up. “I think that’s your guest.”

I turn to follow his gaze and see a blonde in designer jeans, heels, enormous sunglasses, and carrying a Chanel handbag stepping out of her luxury car.

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