I get halfway through Hunter’s suggestion to turn the farmhouse kitchen into a bakery before Nico isn’t only agreeing, he’s telling me he’ll pay me more money than I made as a waitress, and offering to send baking equipment, ingredients, and as many pie boxes as I want.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the call would go so well.
Hanging up in a daze, I return Hunter’s phone to him. With a shaking hand, I pick up my coffee and then put it down without taking a sip. My adrenaline levels just shot through the roof. The last thing I need right now is to add caffeine to the mix.
Hunter, looking sexy as he reclines in his chair with his own coffee, lifts his brow. “What’d he say?” There’s a teasing note in his voice that makes it clear he knows how well the call just went and is smug about it.
The laugh I let out is shocked, giddy, and not the least bit steady. “We’re turning this kitchen into a bakery. Nico is bringing equipment and ingredients after lunch.”
“Hell-fucking-yeah!” With a grin, he puts his cup down and sits up, sticking his hand out for a high five.
His excitement is so palpable, I can’t help but laugh as our palms slap together.
Chapter 16
Maisie
“MOTHERFUCKER!!!”
The plate I was drying slips from my hand and slams onto the floor with an almighty crash, sending pieces skittering over my toes and scattering into all four corners of the kitchen.
My heart crashes against my chest a million miles a second.
I’m in bare feet and afraid of stepping on a sharp piece of crockery, but that isn’t what’s keeping me frozen on the spot. It’s the terror of what usually comes after a man yells.
For two seconds, there’s complete silence.
“You okay?” Hunter, who was helping me wash up, asks quietly from close beside me.
I flinch when he squeezes my shoulder, and he murmurs an apology and takes his hand away again.Ishould be the one apologizing. Not him.
Hedid nothing wrong.
I’mthe clumsy idiot.
I’mthe one who couldn’t handle Elias cursing without flinching, terrified that a punch was coming.
“Maisie?” Hunter prompts, reminding him I haven’t responded.
“Fine,” I tell him with a smile. One Hunter doesn’t buy since he doesn’t return it. “I’ll get this cleaned up.”
Before I can move, he’s grabbing the dustpan and brush. “I’ve got it. Don’t move. You’re not wearing shoes.”
He isn’t either, but he doesn’t seem to care that he’ll be the one stepping on a piece of the plate I dropped.
I stand there, feeling small and stupid and so damn inadequate.
Today was a good day. No, it was agreatday.
Nico filled his truck with ingredients and equipment so I could keep doing something I love from this gorgeous farmhouse kitchen. I spent today with Hunter organizing the pantry and refrigerator. We laughed and talked so much. I learned more about him as we watched TV, sat on the back porch to eat our lunch together, and made dinner when Elias, Knox, and Wyatt came home from work.
After we all ate dinner together, I told Hunter I’d help him clean up while Elias went into the living room to play his computer game, Knox went for a run, and Wyatt went out to his workshop.
Now I’ve ruined today by freaking out for nodamnreason.
Living in a house with a man again has been a weird learning experience. In my mind, I know where I am. I know that none of the men in this house will hurt me. They’ve been in and out of the diner for the last month, being sweet and kind and endlessly patient.
Wyatt ran into a burning building to save me. I spent most of today laughing in the kitchen with Hunter as we baked pies together. Yesterday, Elias was so sweet and caring, making me breakfast and helping me organize my bedroom with all the stuff the locals donated to me. And Knox didn’t just spend money he shouldn’t have on a security system to protect me; he threatenedto throw a man headfirst through a window when the man tried to touch me.
