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Miles
The Pilgrim was like a postcard, which was as disconcerting as it was welcoming after years spent in places far less picturesque. Every morning I enjoyed a run through town, enjoying the colorful awnings, quirky businesses, that for some odd reason held a Pilgrim theme. I stopped in the park and enjoyed the flowers that the older ladies in town spent time tending to each week, enjoying a quick flirt with the brazen silver haired women.
Even now, as I was headed to the Bread Box for a meeting with Liam, Mirabelle Vargas stopped right in front of me, a knowing smile on her red lips. “Miles Anderson, you handsome devil, just the man I wanted to see.”
“Yeah? You have some more of that spicy pasta casserole you want to get rid of?” For the past few months, the older women and even a few of the younger ones, had graced my doorstep with so many casseroles I hadn’t cooked but a dozen meals since I arrived in town.
Amusement flashed in her brown eyes. “No, but if I like what I hear, that could change. I hear you’re single.”
“Single and happy with it.” After the barbecue last weekend, it became clear that this whole damn town was filled with professional and wannabe matchmakers. “I’ll still take the casserole though.”
Mirabelle smacked her lips together in disapproval and shook her head. “Nonsense! No one is happy being single, at least not if they’re being honest about it. I have the perfect girl for you.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” I’d had a serious relationship once upon a time, and it told me just how ill-suited I was for it. “I’ve got a meeting I’m late for Mirabelle. Gotta run.” I walked off in the biggest strides I could manage without looking like a fool.
“You can run but you can’t hide, handsome!”
She was right about that, and it was so far, the only drawback of living in a small town. You couldn’t run away from trouble, no matter how well-meaning it was, and I’d been dodging matchmaking attempts for more than a week.
The scent of sugar and butter and baked pastries hit me as soon as I opened the door to Bread Box. Liam was already in line and he grunted when he saw me. “You’re late.”
I joined him in line with a shrug. “Blame your matchmaking wife. I swear she’s gotten the whole town in on it.”
Liam let out a deep chuckle and shook his head. “They have this weird competition going with the old ladies, seeing if the old-fashioned methods work better than Sophie’s algorithm and all of their ‘techno malarkey’.”
“Yeah well, Mirabelle accosted me right on the street, and the woman bribed me with that spicy pasta casserole. I almost fell for it.”
“Only almost?” He shook his head in sympathy. “She won’t give up easily.”
The line moved slowly, and I was forced to listen to my old buddy laugh at my expense. “I can handle it. What I can’t handle is stopping in here everyday. I’ve had to double my workouts since discovering this place.” I was still in good shape because military habits were hard to break, but sweet and savory biscuits gave it a good run for its money.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Mara said when we reached the counter to place our orders. “I’m sure Stone could use the business with a baby on the way.”
“That explains Sophie’s chocolate cravings.”
Mara arched a brow at Liam. “Maybe she craves it because my chocolate goods are damn good.” Mara was a lot of bark but hardly any bite, and once you realized that, she was more amusing than anything.
“Totally possible, but you just said she was pregnant. I’ll judge how good they are for myself,” I told her and motioned for her to add the fluffy creation she was holding to my order.
The kitchen door swung open behind Mara, and Shannon, the hottie from the barbecue, sauntered through it, dressed to the nines in sexy black stilettos and a green dress that showed off every wicked curve, and plenty of her long shapely legs. She stopped at the sight of me and flashed a wide, slightly seductive smile.
“Miles, fancy seeing you here.”
“Not really,” Mara mumbled. “He eats here like, everyday.”
Shannon ignored Mara and cocked one hip to the side as she added more treats to the display case. “That’s music to my ears. What’s your favorite?”
“The biscuits, by a mile. Especially the maple bacon, and the beer, cheddar and chives. Didn’t know a man could eat so many biscuits.” I patted my belly and felt a swell of masculine pride as her green eyes darkened with just a hint of interest. It wasn’t outright desire, but it was close enough.
“My favorite is the cheesecake cupcakes, not that anyone asked.” Liam’s grumbled words made Mara laugh, but I was fully focused on the lively redhead.
