Page 19 of A Simple Love

“That’s a huge risk and a lot of work.”

He nodded. “I know. But I had a good feeling, and I enjoy a challenge.”

“You said you hadn’t even thought of me for the role. Who were you thinking of?”

“Dan Sinclair.”

“What changed your mind?”

He grinned. “Annie informed me Dan had the emotional depth of a saucer. And as usual, she was right. Once I studied the two of you side by side, you were the right choice.”

“I won’t let you down.”

“I know. Annie assured me of that.” He grinned again. “Something about your ability to father children in the future,” he added.

I took a sip of coffee to cover my smirk. Annie always had a way with words.

The sound of the bell over the door ringing caught Davis’s attention. His expression changed as he looked over my shoulder and whistled low under his breath. “Wow. I’d father her kids any day. Or have fun trying.”

I glanced over my shoulder and frowned when I saw who he was referring to. Kassie had walked in, holding a huge box of pies. The man at the counter took them from her then kissed her cheek, and our waitress hugged her.

I remembered this was the place Kassie baked pies for, which meant our waitress was the owner. Kassie said she worked harder than anyone and waited tables every morning since they were so busy. I assumed the massive man was her husband.

Kassie looked pretty today. More than pretty. Her hair hung down her back in long, thick waves, glinting red the way it always had under the lights. Strawberry blond, she called it. I always called it sexy. She wore a pair of fitted jeans and a loose deep green sweater that hung off one shoulder. She was breathtaking.

And I hated that Davis had noticed.

He caught my frown. “You know her?”

“Yes.”

She headed toward the booth behind us, stopping in surprise when she saw me. “Oliver?”

“Morning.”

“I didn’t hear you up and about.” Then her cheeks flushed, as if realizing how that sounded. Intimate. Close.

“I meant, the floors upstairs often creak,” she added.

“Ah. Must be my ability to walk on water.”

She laughed, which made her even prettier.

“How’s the foot this morning?” I inquired.

“Better,” she assured me. “Really.”

Davis looked between us, then stuck out his hand. “Davis.”

She shook his hand. “Um, Kassie. Oliver’s, ah, landlady.”

“Oh,” he said, stretching out the word.

Our waitress returned, sliding heaping plates in front of us. “Eat up, boys. Kassie, I’ll get you coffee. John will join you, and I’ll pop back to discuss next week’s pie needs. The movie company contacted me about adding desserts, so we need to talk.”

Davis cleared his throat. “That would be me. I’m the movie company.”

“Oh.” She offered her hand. “I’m Quinn.”