He shook his head.“It shows everyone you’re with me.”
She rolled her eyes.“You’re being a sweet talker again, aren’t you?”
“Nope.Telling the truth.”He helped her into his truck.
The drive to Bronco was an hour and a half long but it didn’t feel like it.They shared childhood memories and parenting challenges, and sang along to a couple of songs on the radio.He learned Cody played the piano because sheplayed the piano.Her favorite candy was cherry sours.She hated mustard, though she didn’t know why.He thought this funny.She loved animals but hadn’t kept a pet since she’d started traveling for work.And, someday, she wanted to take a gondola ride along the canals in Venice.The more he heard, the more he liked her.She said she was awkward, but he thought she was unique—in the best way.The thing he liked most was how easy it was between them.It gave him hope that it would last.At some point, he’d accepted that what he wanted most was a future with Maggie and Cody.His very own Brady Bunch in the making.
The Library was a restaurant housed in Bronco Valley’s old library.Camilla Sanchez, the owner, had made sure to preserve the old architecture and bookshelves while repurposing the historical building.Soft music played overhead and each table was illuminated by vintage brass lamp with bottle green–glass shades.Overall, the place was warm and inviting enough to ease some of his nerves.Hopefully, Maggie would like it, too.
After they ordered their dinner and drinks, he sat back and watched her looking around the restaurant.
Maggie caught him watching her.“I’ve never been here.”Her voice was soft.“I feel like I need to whisper—you know, like you do in the library?”
He chuckled.“If I recall correctly, I got in a lot of trouble in the library.Too loud.”
She rested her elbow on the table and leaned forward to prop her chin on her hand.“Not because you were making out with girls behind the bookshelves?”He liked the mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
“Not once.”His brows rose.“My library experiences sound very different from yours.”
“No.I never.”She shook her head, pressing both hands to her cheeks.“I didn’t mean—”
“I’m teasing you, Maggie.”He grinned.“You don’t have to cover your cheeks.I like it when you blush.”
She ducked her head.“Because a beet red face is such an attractive look.”
“You look good in red.”He reached across and took her hand.“And I think it’s cute when you blush.”
“So you think I’m cute all the time.”Her eyes went wide, and she tugged her hand from his so she could cover her whole face.“Can we pretend I didn’t say that?I’m going to stop talking now.”
He was laughing.She had no idea how right she was—he did think she was cute all the damn time.But cute didn’t do her justice.Maggie was a whole bunch of things rolled into one.Pretty, no, beautiful.And, when she bit her lip or her eyes flashed with hunger so fierce he could scarcely breathe from it, no woman was sexier.No matter what, she drew him to her like a moth to the flame.He reached for her hand.
Maggie sighed and took his hand, her fingers threading with his.
He was struck by how intimate this felt.Their fingers twined together.Their gazes locked.At the moment, there was no one else in the world.And, hell, he liked it.
“Evening.”Camilla Sanchez stopped beside the table.“Have you ordered?”
Maggie tugged her hand from his.“Oh, hello.Yes.”She pressed her hands to her lap.
“You’re Braden Parker, aren’t you?”Camilla turned to him.“It’s been a while.How are you?I see your sister, Rylee, every once in a while, now that she’s married Shep.You’re up in Tenacity, aren’t you?”
“It’s home.”He nodded.“This is Maggie, Maggie Cooper.”
“I’m guessing you’re Mike Cooper’s sister?I’ve met him once or twice when he’s come in with Daniel.Nice guy.There’s a family resemblance.”
“That would be him.He is nice—most of the time.We’re twins.”
“That explains it.”Camilla nodded.
“How’s the family?”Braden regretted it the minute he’d asked.Camilla’s family had been through hell—more than once.But, last he’d heard from her cousin Luca, who lived in Tenacity, things were calming down.
“Pretty good.My great-uncle Stanley is so happy being married to Winona.”
“I’m glad to hear it.Is it true that Stanley was instrumental in finding Barrett Deroy a few months ago?And cleared his name from any of that missing money business?”
Thank to Stanley and his niece, Nina—who was eager to clear the name of her high school sweetheart, Barrett Deroy—Tenacity’s years-long scandal had finally been solved.Unfortunately, the truth had torn two families apart when Barrett Sr.admitted to an affair with the mayor’s wife, and in doing so also revealed that June Woodson had stolen the money—in the hopes of running away and starting a new life with Barrett Sr.
“It’s true, all right.That man is a force to be reckoned with.Things have been pretty quiet recently.For a change.”She laughed.“I’m almost scared to say it too loudly—don’t want to tempt fate.Anything exciting happening in Tenacity?”
