Page 100 of Peaks and Promises

“Sorry to bother you,” I said. “Stan Albert and Russell Haven are at the counter. They asked if they could see you.”

“Of course. Is everything all right?”

“They said something about the squirrel conflict?”

He nodded slowly, like that didn’t surprise him. “I see. Yeah, it’s been something else this year. Pesky squirrels don’t know what’s best for them. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Thanks.”

I grabbed Stan and Russell’s orders on my way back to the counter. Setting their plates in front of them, I asked if they needed anything else. They didn’t, and I was just about to do a round of coffee refills in the rest of the dining room, when the door opened, and Reese walked in.

His black T-shirt stretched across his broad chest and wide shoulders, and his pants strained against his muscular thighs. He came to the end of the counter and slipped off his sunglasses.

The smile that stole over my face probably looked very convincing—a wife delighted by a surprise visit from her husband.

But the smile wasn’t fake.

“Hey.” I walked to the end of the counter. “What are you up to?”

“Dad was hungry, so I offered to pick up his to-go order.” He paused. “Figured I could say hi to my wife.”

The corners of his mouth lifted, making my traitorous heart beat harder. My wife. Hearing those words made me want to let out a dreamy sigh.

“That’s nice of you. Is Nate with him?”

“Yeah. Josiah is there, too. And Josiah’s dogs. Nate’s having a blast.”

“Tools and dogs. What more could a ten-year-old want?”

His smile grew. So did the flutters.

“I’ll go check on that order. Is it under your dad’s name?”

He nodded.

Resisting the urge to fan myself, I went to the kitchen. Why did Reese have to be so…much? So big and protective and gorgeous. And kind of scary, with those thick tattooed arms and the scar beneath the stubble on his chiseled jaw?

What was I supposed to do against all that masculinity? Especially since I knew what it felt like to have his tongue invading my mouth.

The cooks were just packing up Paul’s order, so I waited while they finished. One of them handed me the bag, I added a set of utensils and a few napkins, then took it out to the counter.

Reese stood with one elbow on the counter, his eyes scanning the dining room. His shoulders were relaxed, but his ever-present vigilance was there.

“Here you go.” I set the bag down. “Receipt says he paid, so you’re good to go.”

“Thanks.”

He hesitated, his eyes lingering on mine. Maybe it was just me, but it seemed like the hum of conversation had quieted, as if people were watching us.

Reese raised his eyebrows, and it hit me what he was getting at. We were in public. It was a good time for a little evidence that our marriage was real, and not even a little on the rocks. I leaned closer, and he moved in toward me across the counter.

Our mouths met in a soft kiss. He held there for a moment, gently pulling my lower lip between his. It wasn’t the ravenous kiss of the previous night, but somehow it was every bit as sensual.

He pulled away and a flush crept across my cheeks.

“See you at home.” His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.

“Have a good day.”