Page 10 of Sweet, Sweet Jewel: A Sweet Treats Novel

The man smiled and a corner of his lips tilted higher than the other. It wasn’t a flaw so much as it was a physical quirk that made his attractive face even more interesting. “Should I call the police?”

“No,” she blurted. Realizing the word had exploded with too much force, she ducked her head and mumbled, “No cops.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks for your help,” Jewel mumbled and spun to leave.

“Wait.” The man reached out to touch her. Jewel shirked back and he let his fingers curl in the air before falling back to his side. In the same charming manner, he asked, “Are you sure you’re okay? You took a nasty spill.”

She jerked her chin down.

“I’m Finn.” He tilted his head. “And you are?”

She wrapped her arms around herself. More than anything, Jewel wanted to disappear from sight. Conversations weren’t her forte, but he had stepped in to save her from a thief.

“Jewel,” she said finally.

“Jewel.” He repeated her name, hazel eyes sparkling so hard she couldn’t even look straight at him. “Do you know where I could get a decent cup of coffee around here?”

Her mind flitted to Sweet Treats. She cleared her throat and pointed up the street. “There’s a place a few blocks ahead.”

“Do you mind showing me the way? I can give you a ride. If we’re going in the same direction, I mean.” He quirked an eyebrow, leveling her a smoldering look that would have made a normal heart flutter.

Hers was too twisted and gnarled to even beat properly so there was no reaction there.

Well, not much of one.

Jewel shook her head. “No, thanks.”

“I’ll walk with you then,” he said.

Jewel shrugged and turned on her heels, starting out toward the bakery. Finn kept up with her easily, his long-legged strides eating up the pavement.

Jewel studied him from the corner of her eye. He was tall and broad-shouldered with a massive chest that could stop a Mack truck, but he was also friendly and warm. He seemed like the type of man who would never have noticed her if not for the mugging.

Not that she was particularly pleased to be in his line of sight now.

They walked in silence.

After a few minutes, they neared the café.

“It’s here,” she said quietly, pointing to the building. Sweet Treats was painted pink and orange. A large white sign swung in the wind.

“After you.” Finn opened the door and tilted his head.

Jewel thanked him shyly and stepped into the cool interior of the bakery. The scent of brownies hit her and she relaxed, feeling in control now that she was on her own turf.

Sky shot out of the kitchen. “Just a minute!” Her gaze landed on the handsome man dwarfing her. “Hello.” Brown eyes flitted to Jewel. She saw the question in them a moment before Sky asked, “Who is this?”

“I’m a friend of Jewel’s,” Finn said.

Jewel’s head whipped up.

He caught her glare and chuckled easily. “I mean that in the loosest sense of the word. We just met five minutes ago. Someone was trying to steal her purse and I stepped in.” He sidled to the counter. “I was told I could get a cup of sensible coffee here.”

“That’s true.” Sky’s eyes softened. “You thwarted a robbery, you said?”

“All in a day’s work, ma’am.” He tipped an imaginary cowboy hat.

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