“Me too.” Elle sighed. “There’s something almost magical about them.”
Elle had grown up in Misty Peak too. She was few years younger than Tilly. Maybe that was why she’d never shown her any of the hostility that other locals had.
“Have you been working here for long?” Tilly asked.
Elle popped a lid on the cup and pushed it across the counter. “Since I was eighteen. So I’m kind of part of the furniture. Macy started at the same time as me…”
When that same sad expression crossed Elle’s face, Tilly reached across the counter and placed a hand over hers. “I’m sorry. If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”
“Thank you.”
Tilly was just taking her hand away when the door to the café opened and four large men stepped inside. Not just large—massive. The four guys who made up the search and rescue team. Jake, Hendrix, Theo, and Kayden. They also ran tours.
They all looked up, but the only person to smile at her was Jake. That wasn’t unusual. If looks could kill, the other three would be searing holes right into her chest.
Great. Just what her day needed.
She gave Jake a small smile before looking back to Elle and holding out her card. The second she’d paid, she stepped away from the counter. As she rounded Kayden, she was met by the most intoxicating scent of trees and spice and something so incredibly male. It made a tiny shudder course down her spine and heated her skin.
Damn her and her reaction to the man. He’d made it very clear he did not like her, yet she reacted to him just by walking past.
She was just nearing the door when a hand touched her arm. She turned to see Jake smiling down at her.
Her brows rose. “Hey.”
He grinned at her, a lock of his shaggy blond hair falling over his eyes. “Hey, Tilly. Just thought I’d check in on how you’re doing, what with you still being fairly new here and all.”
That was nice of him, and man, she needed nice right now. “I’m okay. Making some progress on the new systems. I’m getting the roster ready for the four of you guys for the next month.”
His grin widened. “So if I bribe you, I might get the better roster?”
She chuckled. “No bribing necessary. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll try to make it work. Although, the odd Sugar and Spice cupcake would not be turned down.”
“Ah, a fellow Sugar and Spice fan. I should have known, a woman after my own heart.”
“I think Mrs. Sandler is the one after all our hearts.”
He chuckled, and the sound was deep and warm. “I think you’re right. Well, I should get back to the guys. We’re about to go on a team training run, but if you still want me to walk you to your car at night—”
She shook her head. After what had happened to Macy, Jake had insisted on accompanying her to her car every afternoon for the last week. It was sweet. “I’m okay. But thank you.”
He nudged her shoulder before heading back to the counter.
At least not everyone in this town hated her. But then, Jake wasn’t a local, he’d only gotten here a few months before her.
She was about to turn back toward the door when someone near the counter caught her attention.
Kayden. He was looking straight at her…and he didn’t look happy.
CHAPTER 2
Kayden Walker forced his gaze away from the exchange between Tilly, their new center manager, and Jake, the newest member of the SAR team. The two of them stood close. So close that if she reached out, she’d touch him. And for some reason, that grated on his nerves.
It shouldn’t. Just like the fact Jake had spent a chunk of his time walking Tilly to her car each evening shouldn’t annoy him. Hell, he should be happy the new guy was looking after an employee, shouldn’t he? Especially after what had happened to Macy.
Something hard and uncomfortable coiled in his gut. Someone had killed the woman, stabbed her right here in his mountains after breaking into a safe no one had known existed. And his brother, the town sheriff, still hadn’t found the asshole, meaning the perp was still out there.
Tilly laughed, and the sound made Kayden’s stomach twist. It was light and airy and took up far too much of his attention.
