“Cooper and his family would love to meet you,” Jude said.
“Really?” Angela asked.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t they? You’re wonderful.”
Angela gave a little laugh as she pressed the rim of her cup against her chin. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I’m not the only one who thinks so. I’m sure Kiara does, and Duncan definitely does. You’re sweet and generous, which are qualities most people admire.” Jude glanced over at her. “I know Kiara is your best friend, but did you have any other close friends in Briar Hollow?”
Angela gave a little chuckle. “Yep. All the grandmas at church.”
“What?”
“After I’d been working at the bakery for a little while, I met an older woman. She’d come in a couple of days a week for a cinnamon bun, and after she ate it, she’d sit at one of the small tables we had and would chat with people as they came in. During lulls, she’d chat with me if I came to the front.”
“That sounds pleasantly… small town.”
“It was,” Angela agreed with a grin. “It was one of the good things about Briar Hollow, and my boss, Patty, couldn’t say anything about it because Ida was her aunt. Ida and Patty were night and day in how they treated people, however. Which is why Ida ended up offering the apartment in her basement to us.”
“Oh, she was your landlady?” Jude asked.
“Yes. And for the short time we had her, she was wonderful. She was also the reason I began to go to church. After her persistent invitations, I finally caved, figuring if I went once, it would satisfy her.”
“Did it?”
“Not really. I went one Sunday, and even though I enjoyed it, I didn’t go back. So… the invitations began again. Next time I went, she introduced me to all of her friends, and after that, I just kept going.”
“Why haven’t you asked about church here?” Jude asked.
“Well, I knew I couldn’t go to one in Serenity, and Coeur d’Alene seemed a little far to ask someone to drive me. I’ve been watching the Briar Hollow church’s livestream.”
“They have a livestream?”
Angela smiled. “They’re surprisingly up to date on technical things there, which I’ve appreciated since moving here.”
“Well, I go to church in Coeur d’Alene, so you’re welcome to come with me. Just don’t expect a highly social experience since I don’t tend to stick around much when the service is over.”
“I didn’t socialize a lot at church either. That happened if I went to the Wednesday afternoon knitting circle.”
“You knit?”
“I do. Sandra had Kiara and I learn that, along with some basic sewing.”
“Do you wish you were still there?”
Angela took another sip of her drink as she considered her answer. “There are aspects of life there that I miss—like the church and the people in the knitting circle. But unfortunately, the bad outweighed the good. So, no, I don’t wish I was still there. Besides,thereis not where you are.”
A smile lifted the corner of Jude’s mouth. “That is true, which is why I’m glad you’re here.”
After an hour of driving around, they headed back to the estate. It had been the perfect way to spend the afternoon, and Angela hoped they could do it again soon.
“How are we supposed to act around people here?” Angela asked as they pulled up to the gate.
Jude gave the guys at the gate a salute as he drove through the open gate. “I’d prefer that during work hours, we keep thingsprofessional when we’re around others. After hours, however, we can be more relaxed.”
Angela thought it might be a challenge to be completely professional, but she would try. Because Jude had asked it of her. She knew that because his job and personal life were so intertwined, it was important to be respectful of his request.
“Thank you for this time,” Angela said as Jude pulled the car into the large garage. “It’s been wonderful.”
