Perfect Risk (Mason Creek #1) - C.A. Harms Page 0,21

I was Satan felt strange. Not everyone knew our history, and most would wonder why after all this time it still mattered, but I understood. I did hurt her, and it was something that changed Sadie, it wounded her, I did that. She’d held a grudge, but hopefully it was beginning to fade.

I’d wait. I’d continue to show her how I was different. If that’s what it took, I’d jump through hoops.

“Wouldn’t have anything to do with the rumors around town about an old flame moving into your cottage.”

And there it was, I should have known. Nothing stays quiet in Mason Creek. God knows I love this town and its people, but would it kill them to keep some shit to themselves?

“Where did you find that? Was it front page news?”

“The MC Scoop.” When I wrinkled my brows and stared at him, he shrugged. “Yes, I know it’s a gossip column, but it keeps a single dad like me in the loop. Most are rumors, but I have found some useful information there a time or two.”

“Oh yeah, like what?”

“Jillian’s dance recital, had I not read it on the column I would have forgotten about it, or the town bake-off.” He seemed pleased with himself. “That right there is useful information.”

“Anyone ever tell you that your strange?”

Grady chuckled, pulled open the door to Java and looked back at me with a smirk. “Strange, I’ve been referred to as worse, but from what I hear we should be calling you, Wyatt the Creeper.” And with that he let the door shut behind him and I am left alone on the street. The reminder that I tiptoed around my yard listening in on Sadie’s conversation lingering in my mind.

Damn gossip column and small town living.

Chapter Twelve

Sadie

* * *

“Is this a thing now?” I fought the urge to smile.

A girl gets a little drunk, says a lot of things she wouldn’t have said had she not finished off half a bottle of wine. The next thing you know she has caramel macchiatos and a charming smile served to her daily.

“I was going there anyway.” Wyatt held out the yummy drink and I took it. “Besides I’m being neighborly. There’s nothing wrong with that. Taking a step back I see him look passed me and dip his head slightly. “Morning Miley, had I known you were already here I would have brought you your vanilla latte.”

I tried to hide my disappointment knowing I wasn’t special being the only one Wyatt brought coffee to. I was a mess, a week ago I wanted nothing to do with him or his gifted sweetness, now here I was feeling a sense of possessiveness I didn’t have the right to feel.

“No problem Wyatt.” Miley moved on, organizing the coolers with fresh arrangements in prep for opening.

“Well, you ladies have a good day.” Again he tipped his head in a kind, gentlemanly gesture and then he was out the door. I watched through the front picture window as he crossed the street and walked toward the driver’s side of his police cruiser parked a few spots down from the main entrance of Java Jitters.

As people walked the sidewalk, they’d wave at him, and he’d quickly return a kind hello. The townspeople seemed to love him, respect him even.

“Wyatt’s a nice guy,” Miley said as she stepped up to my side. “I remember he was on sight when your mom had fallen, and he was so gentle with her. Never left her side until they loaded her up in the ambulance and shipped her off. Even after that he’d drive out to your parents’ house, checking on things when he knew your father was at the hospital with your mom. It was sweet actually.”

My chest felt tight, for so many reasons, but mainly because I had been wrong about him.

Truth was that I wasn’t the same person that I was in high school. We all change, we all grow up and we all have regrets.

I busied myself throughout the day, visiting with those customers who stopped by. Most just browsing, but others genuinely interested in purchasing something.

I was working on the small vases I’d deliver first thing the next day to Wren’s Cafe. They placed an individual vase on the center of each table daily. Fresh cut flowers in a variety of colors. It really brightened up the place.

I had my back to the lobby, knowing that Miley would tend to any new customers I was completely focused on the