“Right? Wild. And awful. And if the man I worked for when I left my ex hadn’t been Jack McKean, I don’t know where I’d be.”
My small gasp is big enough to draw her notice. She says Jack McKean like it’s some man with a vaguely recognizable name and not one of the most famous actors on the planet.
She grins. “He’s human. I promise. But he was so generous with me. Still is. He gave me an amazing start. And now I have a job, and I already feel like a part of the community. I want that for you, and if I can buy you breakfast today so you have one less thing to think about, then I’m doing it, and you’re not arguing.”
I shake my head, but I feel myself giving in. “I don’t want to be a?—”
“You’re not a burden, Sam. You’re a new friend I can’t wait to get to know.”
She’s so certain, and so steady, I can’t resist it. She’s been in a version of what I have and she’s coming out thriving. Granted, having a previous employer who is an A-list celebrity and likely one of the wealthiest people in Hollywood if not the world? Yeah, that helps with the leg up.
Still.If she came from an abusive situation, and she was pregnant…
She’s here, and whole, and demanding she buy my breakfast. Who am I to say no?
Like any woman presented with the wonders of a quality diner menu, I order pancakesandeggs. My body needs protein, but my heart wants pancakes. Since Evie ordered first and got waffles, eggs, and bacon, I felt free to do something similar. Better yet? It’s all delicious. Maybe it’s because it’s been weeks since I’ve had much other than sandwiches or canned foods save that one blissful dinner bought by the nice man, but I quietly profess my undying devotion to Jerry for establishing this fine locale.
“So where are you living? You said you got a place?” She cups her coffee mug in the same way I am—we’re both drawing warmth from the ceramic after the waiter refilled them.
Winter here is much colder than in LA. Weirdly, though, this makes me savor the change that much more. The crisp February chill reminds me I’m not in my old life.
“I did. It’s in a little apartment above a garage just outside of downtown.” Is it weird to tell her whose garage?
“Oh, did you take May’s place? That’s perfect. You’re right by the sheriff.” She sighs, almost dreamily. “He’s such a good man.”
The sip of hot coffee I’m swallowing throttles me and I sputter. “He is?”
She nods rapidly, setting her mug down and straighteningin her seat. “Oh my gosh, the best kind. He delivered my baby on the side of a road. Like… not a thing I would wish on anyone, but he was so strong and calm and somehow didn’t make it awkward that the first time I met him was when my baby was literally crowning.”
Our eyes arebothwide.
“That sounds like an actual nightmare.”
Her head gives one emphatic dip. “Genuinely, I had dreams about giving birth in weird places. But it never occurred to me that a gorgeous sheriff I’d never met would be the man to deliver my baby. And I’m glad I didn’t have any foresight on that.” A giggle slips out and her cheeks turn pink. “Like, he was so great about it, but like… heknowsme.”
This shocks me enough that a laugh trips out louder than I planned, and I duck in my seat. “I can’t imagine any of that. Pregnancy. Giving birth on the side of the road. Even the idea that Grant Ryan isniceis baffling my mind right now.”
“Wait, really? He’s…” She shakes her head, gaze casting around the small, bustling space before she settles on her words. “He’s truly a good man. Every member of that family I’ve met is top-notch, but Grant is good. I guess he comes off as a little gruff in normal circumstances, but… just wait until you see him with his daughters.”
The soft smile on her pretty face makes me wonder if she’s got more than admiration for the sheriff.
“Is his wife nice?”
This time, she’s caught mid-drink. She recovers gracefully and sets her water down. “He’s not married.”
“Divorced?”
What? So I’m nosy about this guy. I should know a little about him, shouldn’t I? He’s my new landlord and he seemsto have a permanent scowl especially for me. I want to figure him out a bit and make sure I don’t run any more afoul of him than I already have.
“No. And the kids aren’t biologically his.” She ducks her head and speaks just above a whisper. “His best friends died, and he was designated their legal guardian. Ended up moving back here so he had family nearby to help. His brother said something the other day that makes me think maybe he was with someone in North Carolina, and she left him when he got the girls.”
I’m catching flies, my jaw has dropped so low.
“Right? Awful. But this is what I mean. Like, he’s a good man at the core. He might not be caramel-covered, but he’s a good, if tart, Granny Smith apple.”
I grin, because she’s determined for me to like him.
“You know his brother?”
