Page 39 of Her Rugged Guardian

“You are so bad at lying. But I won’t bug you about it except to say that you do deserve to have everything you want in your life. You’re paid a hefty price for caring.”

“It’s been justified penance.”

“Bullshit. Just think about what I said. You deserve happiness more than anyone I know of.” She rose onto her toes, pressing her hand against my chest and leaning in. As she kissed me on the cheek, I did think about what she’d just said. Then I shoved it aside. I knew what was best, but not for me.

For the woman who’d made me feel alive.

CHAPTER 13

Cassandra

Another morning had dawned and Jake was nowhere to be seen. Well, bully for him. The shithead didn’t have the nerve to show up to see if I was kidding about him working on the house.

That was probably because he was with his girlfriend.

I hissed, glaring out the window as I thought about what I’d seen while heading for the diner as recommended by Millie. I’d been excited about finding the perfect truck and one that I’d easily been able to afford. I’d thought a little celebration lunch was in order. Of course, I had to see a girl kissing him in the parking lot. They looked mighty cozy.

Don’t jump to conclusions.

Yeah, well, it was pretty clear what I’d seen. However, when he finally showed up for work, I would give him the benefit of the doubt. I’d want someone to do that for me. Still, the ache I feltwas unexpected. So why was I still baking for him? Was it all about proving to myself that I could?

Maybe.

Was it more about trying to pretend as if I didn’t feel like I was a failure? You bet.

Damn it.

After I shoved the last batch of cookies into the oven, I paced the floor of my kitchen, trying to figure out why and how I could have been so stupid. Okay, so that guy had told me he wasn’t married, but he certainly hadn’t been up front about seeing anyone else. Okay, so we weren’t an item, but we did have sex. Normally, that meant some level of honesty. Shit. I’d been out of the dating scene for far too long.

The fact he hadn’t returned to the house was starting to disturb me in several ways, including dragging unwanted anger to the forefront of my mind. I was irritated enough he’d just disappeared that I’d been tossing flour and sugar around as if it was going out of style. Every surface in my kitchen, as well as my jeans, was covered in white. What did I care? I’d even arranged for a cashier’s check to take care of the debt my mother owed, including the brand spanking new iPhone.

At least I’d calmed down from the day before, using my frustration to unpack the boxes, finally adding touches of my own. I’d spent way too much money at a couple of local stores purchasing a few pictures and some linens so I could turn the bedroom into my own. Replacing the mattress would come later. And I’d treated myself to some new jeans and a couple of sweaters since Mr. Grinch had made fun of what I’d been wearing.

Oh, God. I wanted to hate the man. How had I allowed him to crawl under my skin?

Because he made you feel like a woman.

Yeah, there was that.

I’d wanted to ask him if he smoked, which I doubted, but it would give a plausible explanation for what I’d noticed on my driveway. It was funny that the anger I felt outweighed the fear that had trickled within me the morning before. If not Jake, it could easily have been someone coming to explore staying at the place, or a tourist looking for a place to stay. There was no indication the B & B was closed. Not one.

Grousing or worrying wasn’t going to do me any good. Only the truth would ease the vixen inside of me.

I’d been determined to do something nice, but as usual, I was second guessing myself. Plus, right now, my intentions weren’t on the up and up. So, here I was, determined to finish the cookies as if I was Suzy Homemaker. Fuck that. Maybe I would hire a chef. Yep. That was more my style. So what if I wasn’t a small-town girl? Huh? What of it?

Yeah. There was a hint of the girl I’d once been. I headed for the oven, turning on the light and staring inside. A moment of relief flooded me. They looked delicious.

After burning the first batch of chocolate chip cookies, the secret recipe I’d found in my mother’s aging recipe box, I’d been successful in getting one pan out of the oven unscathed. Well, after burning my fingers on the heated surface not once but twice. Still, I considered my endeavor a partial success. As an added bonus, my trashcan smelled of chocolate and vanilla, two of my favorite scents.

Although fresh pine and rainwater were certainly right up there. I’d taken a tentative bite, shocked that the cookie was scrumptious. I couldn’t believe the chick who tortured eggs when scrambling them had been able to bake such a delicacy. I’d even found a festive plate. Granted, it had Santa Claus and Rudolph in the center, but at least it was something attractive to place my cookies on. That might get his goat. Ha. I was indeed such a bad girl. I’d get the truth out of him.

When the oven dinged, I grabbed a potholder and breathed another sigh of relief as I removed the perfectly golden-brown treats, placing them on the counter to cool. I’d go freshen up then head to Jake’s place. He damn well better be home.

Before I had a chance to leave the kitchen, the ring on my phone made my heart flutter. It was crazy but I was hopeful if was Jake calling, maybe asking me out on a date. Oh, my lord. Not only did he not have my phone number but two seconds before I’d been angry with him.

The number wasn’t one I recognized although it was local. Tingles drifted down my spine as they’d done when Jake had touched me.

“Cassandra Dayne.”

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