“Perhaps this wasn’t the best night.”
“Best night for what?” he probed, already guessing her answer.
At least she had the decency to look sheepish and a tad embarrassed. “I invited a young lady from church to join us for dinner.”
And there he had his suspicions verified. “I’m assuming said lady is single and close to my age?”
She flashed him a petulant smirk. “Would it be so bad if so?”
“I’m not looking for a relationship, but what’s done is done. There’s no reason we can’t all be adults about this and enjoy a pleasant evening.” Looping his arm through hers, letting her know all was forgiven- this time- he glanced at her with brows raised. “But I do still get your homemade chicken and dumplings, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then let’s go eat. I think I earned a few extra hundred calories today.”
Chapter Three
Mortified, Maegan jumped from the door, wishing she could unhear what she’d heard. If only she could disappear or slip away unnoticed, but at nearly six feet tall, she couldn’t very well do that. She’d come to terms with her above-average height years ago, but at this moment, she wished she could shrink.
She hadn’t intended to eavesdrop. When the kitchen timer dinged, announcing the freshly made bread was warmed, she’d only meant to find Nancy and ask if she should remove the loaf from the oven. Instead, she’d accidentally discovered that Judah, her “date” for the evening, hadn’t known he was coming to meet her.
Why hadn’t she listened to her gut and told Nancy no?
Returning to the kitchen, she went ahead and took the bread from the oven, set it atop a ceramic sunflower trivet on the counter. She lifted the lid from the Dutch oven and gave the dumplings a good stir, for no other reason than to appear busy. Nancy would just have to deal with someone lifting a finger in her kitchen.
Footsteps sounded louder. With each step, Maegan’s heart pounded harder. Social anxiety, never an issue before Jess, compounded her nervousness. She gave the wooden spoon another whirl around the pot.
“Smells delicious.” A man’s deep voice permeated the room.
“That’s all Nancy’s doing. I’m only keeping it for sticking to the sides.” Maegan looked up to get a better look at Judah.
Tall, dark, and handsome was right. His hair was the deepest shade of brown she could imagine without calling it black, with what appeared to be natural highlights mixed in. Eyes that matched her morning coffee…were surrounded by bruising? She did a doubletake. Sure enough, Judah had a black eye.
“Hazard of the job,” he said with an amused grin.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.” She averted her gaze, willing her cheeks to stop burning. Wasn’t this turning out peachy?
“All good. I would have asked also.” He extended an arm her way. “Judah Langford. Newest deputy for Dogwood Creek and proud owner of a newly inflicted black eye.”
Okay, he was effortlessly charming. She had to give him that. Slightly more at ease, she accepted his hand and gave it a shake. “Maegan Hanson. Owner of Ye Olde Yarn Shoppe and pot stirrer extraordinaire.”
Judah’s brows shot up and his lips twitched.
Her cheeks burned once again. She held up the wooden spoon. “In the literal sense. Not the troublemaking way.”
Nancy came to her rescue. “Maegan has a fantastic yarn store. I go to her for a lot of my crochet projects.”
“That’s downtown, next to the school and bank, isn’t it? I pass often on patrol. My aunt is an avid knitter. I wouldn’t have the first idea what to get her, but I’ll have to stop in and see one day to get ideas.”
“You’re welcome anytime. I’m always happy to guide customers who are gift shopping.”
“I’ll remember that.” Judah looked at Nancy. “Can I help you do anything?”
“Absolutely not. Both of you go have a seat in the dining room, and I’ll bring everything in shortly.” Nancy waved them away, not bothering to hide the mischievous grin on her face.
Maegan tried not to roll her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she told Judah as soon as they were out of earshot from Nancy.
