“Ah. Makes sense.”
“What does?” The kids jump off me, no longer interested as they run toward the farm animals off to the side.
He narrows his eyes. “You’re different. Trying to impress someone.”
“Am not.” My shoulders tighten.
“Oh, so she’s available, then? Because my security guy Jackson is looking—”
“She’s not his type.” The words rush out quickly, and I don’t miss when he rolls his lips. My frown deepens.
“Hmmm, alright… whatever you say…” Sutton grins, walking back inside, and Tanner and I follow. As I make my way toward Savannah, she looks up and gives me a smile, and I immediately stand ten feet taller, my back ache suddenly barely noticeable.
As the kids swarm me again, I feel out of my element. Sutton's right. This isn’t me.
But her grin widens at the sight, so I find myself picking up Harvey, throwing him over my shoulder, and running back down to the lawn to play again.
All because it makes her smile. And the warmth I feel from her attention is one I haven't felt for decades.
11
Savannah
“I’m surprised you’re still walking.” I try yet fail to hide the small smirk as Griffin and I walk out of the party to his truck. As the happy screams of the kids becomes more distant, my body also feels weary.
“Hmmm, I got my exercise. Here.” Griffin opens the truck door for me as I make a weak attempt to reach up for the door grab handles and almost topple.
“Looks like your legs aren’t working either…” His voice is a mere grumble, but I feel his breathy words on the back of my neck, my skin prickling at his closeness. I have little time to bask in it before his hands are on my waist and my feet leave the ground.
I can’t help but laugh. “Whoa, give a girl some warning before you manhandle her.” My cheeks flush immediately as he puts me in my seat. I have no idea how he’s not breaking a sweat. I mean, I’m not a size two, and I have a bun in the oven.
As I look at him, he doesn’t meet my gaze, but his jaw is tight, his permanent scowl not wavering as he leans inside and secures my seat belt across my body. With his face so close, my breathing stops as his chest almost hits my own.
Seeing him play with the kids did something to my insides. It made me all warm and gooey. His frown and scowls remained throughout the entire day, looking entirely unapproachable to anyone, but still, he kept playing, continuing to make the kids giggle and laugh. I wasn’t the only person to notice; it seems his behavior was unusual, according to the girls I met today. But even through his grumpy façade, I could tell he had a good time.
Now as he leans across me to help buckle me in, I can smell his cologne, like wood, trees, and rain all combined. I close my eyes, wishing I could get these stupid feelings out of my mind. The last thing this man needs is his very pregnant baker lusting over him. God, it’s almost embarrassing at this point.
“You want a warning next time, sweetness?” His voice is low, rough. “Fine. Next time, I’ll tell you exactly where I plan to put my hands.”
I still, my eyes popping wide, as does my mouth, before he slams the door and strides around the truck to the driver’s side. I have exactly two seconds to close my mouth, take a breath, and tell my raging hormones to get back in their box. Is it normal to get immediately horny when I’m so pregnant? I mean, it has been a long time since a man touched me. A long time since a man even spoke to me like an equal, like I was someone worthy.
I rub my bump, acutely aware he’s probably being kind because I’m with child. We’ve only just gotten to know each other, but I can already tell he’s a man of his word. A man who has a strong sense of what’s good and bad in the world. Maybe he feels sorry for me.
He jumps into his truck with ease, and I swallow roughly, the tension thick as he starts the drive through Hudson’s expansive ranch.
“Everyone seemed to like the baked goods?” I’m fishing to see if anyone commented to him, trying to ease my nerves of opening my bakery in a few days.
“They did. They were delicious. Are you ready for opening?” He doesn’t look at me, his eyes remaining on the road. I sigh, feeling the pressure starting to mount on my shoulders with opening the doors to Betty’s Bakery, hoping I get at least one customer on my first day.
“Well, I think I’ve gotten the hang of the ovens. My secondhand mixers are working overtime, so I’m praying they last a few months before I need to invest in some new ones. But I hope I’ve redeemed myself after the terrible cinnamon buns I handed out weeks ago… I still can’t believe you ate them.”
I smile, and his lips twitch.
“I was hungry.”
“I’m surprised you survived. They were truly terrible.” I laugh at myself now and soften as his lips curve even more. God, if this man smiled, it would light up the whole town, I’m sure of it. Talking with him is easy. I haven’t felt this comfortable talking to anyone before. It’s almost like being near him eases everything else on my mind.
“Anyway, to answer your question, I have to prep a few more things, need to order some extra ingredients and firm up my offerings, but fingers crossed when I open in a week, it will all come together.” I send a quick silent prayer up above that this bakery is a roaring success.
