Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Time River Market & Café was split into two sections. The front boasted a country store and, just beyond that, was the dining room, bakery, and coffee shop.
I was currently in the store, writing the lunch specials on the chalkboard that sat on a white easel. I kept it situated at the side of the big double doors that opened to the dining area so people would see what we had to offer as they were being led to their tables.
I always used a bunch of different colors of chalk, and my hand swirled across the black surface, weaving the words into an elaborate design.
The bell over the door dinged, the same way it’d already done a thousand times today, but with it came the shift in the air that would forever tug at my spirit.
A scant tightening of awareness.
A dense sensation that whooshed and whispered as it brushed across my flesh.
I already had a bright smile pinned on my face when I shifted to look over my shoulder. Caleb and Ezra came in first, Ryder’s cousins who met here for lunch at least once a week.
But it was the man who stepped in behind them that tilted the ground a fraction of an inch.
Setting me off-kilter.
Just barely.
But I always felt the wobble of the earth.
Gunmetal eyes seemed to find me in a flash, like he already knew I was there. The hint of one of those sexy smirks tipped at the edge of his mouth as he lifted his chin at me in a silent hello, then he roughed a tatted hand through his ebony hair as he took in his surroundings.
Midnight in the middle of the day.
Ezra strode my way first, dressed in his sheriff’s uniform. The man was a heaping stack of muscle and brawn. His sandy blond hair was cropped short, and his beard was barely more than a five o’clock shadow.
He looked intimidating, but he was as nice as could be.
I’d known him forever considering he was Ryder’s cousin and he’d hung out with Ryder and my brother, Cody, through the years.
“Hey, there, Dakota. Are you whipping up something special for us today?”
“As if I would be doing anything else,” I told him, giving him a coy curtsy as I waved a hand at the sign like I was offering up a prize.
A low groan emanated from him as his gaze swept over the specials. “A Monte Cristo. How’s it you always know exactly what I’m craving?”
“Food is my love language,” I tossed at him with a grin.
“Which is why we always come running.” He wrapped his muscled arms around me in a warm hug. “Good to see you. How have you been?”
“Great,” I told him, squeezing him back before I turned to hug Caleb.
“Are you taking care of my bestie?” I filled it with as much teasing accusation as I could muster.
Arrogant satisfaction jumped into every line of his face. “You don’t think I wouldn’t be, do you? Taking care of her is what I do best.”
“You better, I wouldn’t want to have to hurt you.”
Caleb smiled, all the sharp angles of his face softening as his eyes crinkled at the sides. The man had been so hard and rigid when he’d first shown up in town.
Loving someone looked good on him.
“I won’t ever give you a reason to,” he promised.
The whole time, I could feel Ryder loitering behind them, so casual as he let his gaze sweep over the shelves situated around the store. The different displays of jewelry and soaps and handmade goods. I tried to showcase as many local artisans as I could. Our community would always be better if we were supporting one another.
Finally, he eased up, and I fought the tremble that shook my insides when he raked his teeth over his bottom lip, his aura hitting me full force.
Warm leather and deep, decadent spice.
“What’s going on today, Dakota?” he asked.
“The usual. Keeping people fed.”
His attention traveled to the specials, quick to land on the dessert of the day.
Molten Midnight Chocolate Cake.
Did I imagine the twitch of his mouth?
Did he know?
I cleared my throat. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” he said.
Funny, it was my stomach that rumbled, standing in his space this way.
I rocked back on my heels like it could put some distance between us. “Then you came to the right place.”
“Came to the best place.” It was grumbly and low.
My heart kicked.
You are moving on, Dakota. No more getting all swoony and sweaty every time he comes around.
I angled my head to the open doorway while I grabbed them menus. “Let’s get you seated then.”
They followed me into the dining room.
To the left, booths lined all three walls. Each were high-backed and done in gray wood. Blue and cream-colored checkered cushions made them extra comfy, and I’d adorned the tables with a spray of cream-colored flowers in metal containers.