“How did you know?” She adjusted her grip on the cookie box and took his hand in greeting. He had a good strong grip. Firm, but not overbearing. Warmth flowed from his hand to her entire body.Holy hot chocolate syrup.
“I recognized The Coffee Loft logo on the box. I have to say, for a coffee shop, youmake amazing cookies and cupcakes.” He rubbed his tummy with the hand that wasn’t still holding hers.
She pulled back gently but he didn’t release her. Heat flowed up her arm and warmed her entire body until her face felt hot.
“We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Ford Lunghamer, shift supervisor … for this shift and this station anyway. We aren’t the only station.”
“Hi,” she said, wishing she didn’t sound quite so breathless. “Your grandmother sent over these cookies.” She yanked her hand back and thrust the box at him.
“Thanks!” The single word rang with gratitude and enthusiasm.
“You’re welcome. I’ll just be going now.” She turned toward the door. “Nice to meet you.”
“Ah, but we haven’t met yet. I only know your first name. Hang on. I’ll walk you back. I was just on my way to get coffee for everyone.”
“Okay.” What else could she say? She couldn’t really refuse to walk with him just because her heart was thumping wildly.
“Hang on one sec while I grab my jacket.” He strode into the office he must have come out of and was back in seconds, with one arm inside his jacket. “Tell me, Drinda of no last name, what brings you to Cherry Lake?”
“I own The Coffee Loft.”
“That tells me what you do, not why you moved here?” His voice was light and inquisitive leaving her the option to ignore the question.
The bold question was a touch unsettling. Despite her better judgment, she found herself answering. “When I heard that Coffee Loft had franchises open, I investigated them. My friend told me about the chain. I love the idea of being linked with a recognizable chain while still having the autonomy to do my own thing. Each owner has the freedom to add what they want. I want to bake. I love coffee and sweets. The Coffee Loft is perfect.”
“Do you ever answer a direct question?” He held the door open for her and they stepped out into thecool winter air.
She glanced at him. His wink showed he was teasing. Her pulse skyrocketed.
“I spent my summers here as a kid. Mom and Dad traveled a lot. They were archeologists. I didn’t enjoy being practically alone on digs.” She shuddered. “The dirt was awful. I spent winters in Colorado with Mom’s parents, and summers here with Dad’s mother. Cherry Lake feels like home. It always has.”
He made an interested but noncommittal sound.
“Why are you here?” She reversed his question as they traipsed across the slushy street.
“I grew up here. Cherry Lake has a great fire department. One of the best in the country. I’ve been meaning to pop over to your shop,” he said.
“I think everyone you work with has been here. Everyone except you.” She unlocked the door and held it open for him.
“I try not to fraternize.”
His statement struck a chord and her shoulders bunched. “What am I? The enemy?”
“Not exactly. But it is my job to give you your three-month inspection. The health inspector and I will make a spot inspection to see if you meet all thecodes.” The station chief had conducted her pre-opening inspection, and she wasexpecting him for the follow-up.
“And that makes us enemies? Ridiculous.” A skitter of nervous energy had her bounding behind the counter.What if she failed the inspection?She chided herself for the ridiculous thought. She read the rules. She’d taken the food handling classes.For the love of pies, she was a Red Seal Baker.
“Not enemies, but I like to keep a distance.”
“You’re telling me that in a town as small as Cherry Lake, you aren’t personally acquainted with the businesses you inspect? I’m calling it shenanigans. What’s your real reason for avoiding me?”
Chapter Two
Ford grimaced at her bold question. He should never have agreed to come get drinks for his shift. Now that he’d met her, it was clear that she was as lovely as the guys had said. Her open jacket revealed that she was fit. Her blonde and white-gold hair glistened in the shop’s bright lights. Her beautiful blue eyes reflected her every emotion. Even watching from the side he’d been able to tell there was more to her moving to Cherry Lake than she’d mentioned. She had a very expressive face. He wanted to keep asking questions just to watch her face transform as she spoke.
He slid the paper with everyone’s drink orders across the counter. There was no way he’d talk about his real reason for avoiding her. She glanced at the list.
“This will take a while. Can I get you anything while you wait?”
