his cell. “I need to check in with my dad.”
* * *
Julia stared in stunned silence at Kaiden’s empty seat. What had possessed her to say something so unhelpful? She’d seen the hurt in his eyes before he’d gotten as far away from her as possible.
“Here’s your brownie.”
Julia looked up at Bella. “Thanks so much.” She bit her lip. “I hate to be a pain, but could you put it in a to-go box? I think Kaiden has to get back home, and I wouldn’t want him to miss this.”
“Sure! It’s no problem, but you’ll probably not want the ice cream, it’ll melt too fast. I’ll replace it with some cream. I’ll do the same with the coffees, and bring you the check right away.”
Julia made sure the coffee lids were tightly sealed as she placed them on top of the box containing the brownie, which was inside a sturdy paper bag. She walked out through the bar, but there was no sign of Kaiden.
Nancy called out to her, “If you’re looking for your man, he went out to his truck. Said his phone was out of charge or something, and that he’d be back in a minute”
“Thanks!” Julia said. “I think I’ll follow him out. Have a good evening.”
“Will do, and don’t be a stranger!” Nancy winked.
Julia waved and went out into the street. Despite it being officially spring, there was a cold wind whistling down Main Street, and she was glad she’d put on a warm jacket. Carefully holding the bag, she walked around to the parking lot at the side of the bar and headed toward Kaiden’s truck. He was standing with his back against the door, arms crossed, head down as if contemplating the mud on his cowboy boots.
Julia continued her approach and he slowly looked up, his face still hidden in the shadow of his Stetson. She held up the bag like a peace offering.
“Nancy said your phone died. I thought we could eat this in the truck while it’s recharging.”
For a moment, she thought he was going to tell her to start walking, but he found a smile and straightened up as if there was nothing wrong between them at all.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I realized I hadn’t heard from Dad for hours, which isn’t like him, so I checked my phone, and it was out of charge.” He gestured at the truck. “I just plugged it in.”
“Then shall we get in and eat this before the whipped cream melts? I got the coffee, too.”
“Sure.” He went around and opened the passenger door for her. “Hop in.”
She settled in the seat, inhaling the now familiar scent of wood shavings, leather, and whatever Kaiden’s shower gel was. While he was busy turning the engine on she took out the coffee and set the box between the seats with two spoons at the ready.
“Here you go.”
She wasn’t sure she had much appetite for food anymore, but she had to make the effort.
“Thanks.” He picked up the spoon. “Bella makes a really good brownie.”
Julia forced down a couple of spoonfuls and then stopped eating. She couldn’t just let this go. “Sometimes it’s hard for me to forget that I trained as a lawyer, and I ask incredibly intrusive questions.”
He shrugged. “Can’t say I’ve noticed.” He dug into the brownie and chewed slowly. “Maybe I’m just not used to people pointing out my flaws.”
“Why should you be?” Julia said quickly. “And, you’re right. It’s none of my business, and it was an insensitive thing to question you about.”
“I didn’t say any of that,” Kaiden objected.
“You didn’t need to. I’m not stupid. I knew I’d messed up the moment the words left my mouth.” She sighed. “I don’t know why I’m behaving like this. It’s not like me.”
“You’re under a lot of pressure right now.”
“I’m always under pressure. It’s the essence of what I do.” She licked some cream off her spoon. “It’s you.”
“It’s me, what?” Kaiden’s gaze was riveted on her mouth.
“You unsettle me.”
He sat back. “There’s an easy fix for that, Julia. We just agree to keep out of each other’s way for the next couple of weeks while you’re here. It’s not difficult.”
“But, I don’t want to do that.”
Her words filled a silence he seemed unable or unwilling to end. Eventually, he stirred.
“What do you want then, Julia?”
She was equally slow to respond, and for once glad of the darkness and intimacy of the truck cab. Everything else—her job, her life, and her common sense—receded as