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He shook his head. “Nope, I’m an equal-opportunity man. I had a bad experience. I left my fiancée to go to war; she had a three-month-old when I returned. I was gone for a year. It’s easy math. So, if I ever decided to go down that road again, I think I’d want a woman who only had eyes for me. Bodyguards have to be focused elsewhere.”
“I’m sorry about that. Peopleareidiots.”
“It was painful but a blessing in disguise.”
“You’ll find the one. I hear they come at you like a freight train when you least expect it.”
Vivian couldn’t help but let out a slow whistle as she drove down Main Street. “Is this it?” she asked, taking in the slim offerings of the small town.
There was a quaint diner, a charming bakery, and a humble corner store. The bar, with a sign that read “Bishop’s Brewhouse,” caught her eye, as did the nearby bait shop.
“It’s enough.”
In the scheme of things, it was probably all anyone needed as long as their expectations were low. “No Starbucks.”
He chuckled. “You’re going to save a fortune staying here.”
She got to the end of town and circled the roundabout. In its center were a few benches and an open area where she could envision a giant Christmas tree for a town celebration. She’d been watching too many Hallmark movies. She pulled back down Main Street and parked before Bishop’s Brewhouse. “Here you go. It was nice meeting you.”
She stepped out of the SUV to stretch her legs but remembered her wooden blocks. After a few tugs, she tore them free and slid to the pavement. She first noticed the smell of something wonderfully rich and chocolatey.
Jackson let his dog out, and they rounded the car to say goodbye. “If you change your mind, I’ll be here most evenings, helping my friends.” He pointed to Bishop’s Bait Shop. “I could be there too.”
“Good to know.” She lifted her nose into the air. “Something is calling me—something full of sugar and chocolate. Today is a no carbs left behind day.” She patted Gunner on the back before returning to the vehicle to get her bag. Her mother had always taught her never to show up empty-handed. Technically, she wasn’t, but she didn’t know if an Amazon order of toys and clothes for the baby that arrived a day ago counted, so she followed the scent of home-baked goods down the street to B’s Bakery. Did it belong to the Bishops too? If so, they had a monopoly on this town.
She opened the door and walked inside.
“Just a second,” someone said from behind the counter. The door opened again, and another customer entered. A blonde head popped up from behind the counter. “Welcome to B’s. I’m Katie. What can I get ya?”
CHAPTERTWO
Red Blakely and Griffen Taylor walked down Main Street, the crisp mountain air filling their lungs. The scent of pine trees and fresh snow mingled with the aroma of the nearby bakery. Aspen Cove was beautiful, but Red couldn’t shake the trapped feeling. He longed for the freedom and excitement of the city, and tonight’s show in Denver would be a welcome respite to his small-town hell.
As they approached B’s Bakery, Red’s eyes caught a glimpse of a petite woman slipping inside. She was shrouded in black as if trying to hide from the world. Intrigued, Red felt a magnetic pull drawing him to her. He nudged Griffen, motioning towards the door. “Let’s grab a brownie before we head to the studio.”
Inside, the warmth of the bakery enveloped him. The scent of freshly baked cookies and rich chocolate brownies filled Red’s nostrils, making his mouth water. As they stood in line, he couldn’t help but steal glances at the mysterious woman. He knew everyone in town, or at least they knew him. He was kind of notorious. Not Al Capone infamous, but Hugh Hefner, without the Playboy mansion, famous. This woman seemed out of place, and Red wondered what her story was.
Katie popped up from behind the counter. “Welcome to B’s. I’m Katie. What can I get ya?”
Red watched intently as the woman perused the offerings. “A dozen mixed brownies, please.” Her voice was soft and sweet. The kind you’d hear from a kindergarten teacher when her class was behaving.
“You got it.”
Katie took out a pink bakery box and lined it with waxed paper before placing several brownies inside.
Griffen leaned in and whispered, “Looks like you’ve found your latest muse, eh?”
Red smirked, his eyes never leaving the woman in front of him. “Maybe.”
With a playful shove, Griffen sent Red stumbling forward right into the woman. The unexpected collision knocked her off balance, and they both tumbled to the floor in a heap.
“I’m so sorry,” Red said, scrambling to his feet and offering her a hand. “I lost my balance and didn’t see you there.”
Her eyes flashed with anger, and she swatted his hand away. “You didn’t see me? You were standing right there. It’s not like I’m invisible.”
He hated to call her a liar, but she was nearly unseeable. “You kind of are. All in black, you look like a cat burglar on a coffee break.”
“And you sound like an ass.” She turned back to face the counter.
