“Not really. Only when I bump them against something.”
His gaze lingered on them. “I am truly sorry that you were hurt.”
“I know,” I said. “And considering I’ve attacked you twice now, I think we’re even.”
Daniel shook his head.
I sighed and set my coffee to the side. It seemed that our harsh conversation last night had affected him as much as it had me. We needed to clear the air.
“I’ve thought about what you said last night.”
His eyes jumped from my arms to my face.
“I do understand why you couldn’t let me leave. And why you couldn’t just trust me when I said I wouldn’t tell anyone. I mean, I know no one would believe me anyway, but you’re right. It could affect Bernie’s safety. I don’t want that to happen. And I like Marjorie and Poppy. And Sam and Remi. I wouldn’t want them to be hurt either.”
“But you’d be okay if I was hurt?” he asked, a half-smile playing around his mouth.
“You and Sheriff Stoic. And that dude, Leo. You’re all on my shit list.”
He chuckled. “I suppose that’s fair. Though, don’t call Garrett the sheriff because he’s the police chief and he gets huffy about that.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway, I’m still going to have to get revenge on you for scaring me so badly the first night we met. But I won’t try to run away or leave town until Bernie comes back.” I lifted a hand when he opened his mouth. “I know you can’t just take my word for it, but I’m saying it so that you will understand that I’m not just biding my time, looking for a way out, when I stop fighting you every step of the way.”
He studied me. “You’re right. I don’t feel like I can fully trust you and I’m sure you feel the same way.” At my nod, he continued, “So, how about this…we will let our actions speak for us. That is the best way to build trust. Either of us could say whatever we wanted, but the things we do are more honest.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “I can do that.”
“Good.” His mouth curved in a faint smile. “Now, I can hear your stomach growling from here, so what do you want for breakfast? Or would you prefer to stop at the bakery again today?”
As much as I would love another chocolate croissant, I couldn’t wait to get to town for a meal.
“I’m fine with cereal or oatmeal,” I said.
“I was thinking eggs, bacon, and toast.”
I picked up my coffee and sipped it before I asked, “Are you expecting me to make it? Because I have to warn you that I always set off the smoke alarm when I cook bacon.”
His faint smile turned into an out-and-out grin. “No, I’ll cook breakfast.”
“That sounds good. Got any cheese?”
He nodded.
“I want cheesy eggs then.”
“What are cheesy eggs?” he asked.
I gaped at him. “You’ve never heard of cheesy eggs?”
“Not by that name, no.”
“Basically, it’s eggs scrambled with cheese in them. Not melted on top, but mixed in.”
“So, a cheese omelet?” he asked.
“No, you stir the eggs the entire time, so they stay fluffy and moist.”
He winced.
