Page 21 of Sterling Heat

“What’s wrong?”

Sebastian’s sudden appearance startles me, and I glance up, no longer concerned that this man continually sees me at my worst. Kissing him months ago. Having a baby in his bakery. Crying constantly, giving me swollen eyes and perpetually splotchy cheeks.

“I’m finally going to be discharged but I don’t have a way to get out of here. My car has been parked in the public lot for five days, which means it’s probably been impounded. Which also means I’ll need to find out where it was towed and pay all the parking tickets to get it back. But I can’t drive myself anyway. I need family or a friend to pick me up when I don’t have either present.” I quickly catch my breath before continuing.

“I’m moving to Sterling Falls. Well, I’ll soon be living here, but my house won’t be ready for another two weeks. The plan had been to move before Adara’s birth.” I give my little bundle a squeeze. “And I’ve contacted three short-term rentals in the area, but none of them have a last minute, two-week stay available.” Taking another deep breath, I add, “And Adara won’t nurse.” A sob rips through my throat.

“Let’s back up.” Sebastian pulls another chair up to Adara’s curtained area and takes a seat. Leaning forward, he rubs his hand over the back of her head. “How is she today, other than the breastfeeding thing?”

I glance down at her, sweet and quiet in my arms. “Every day I marvel at the miracle she is. The fact she came early was a wrench in my plan, but I’m so happy she’s here. So grateful for her.” I look at Sebastian, silently imparting additional gratitude for him. He begged me to stop calling him a hero and to quit thanking him for everything he’s done, but I can’t help it.

He’s too humble. However, something tells me, there’s a little more to his humility. I don’t have him figured out yet as I’m too much of a mess myself, but I’d like to know him better. I’ll always be gratefully indebted to him.

He glances at Adara, awed and a bit mystified. He’s held her so he’s felt the power she wields being so precious. One time I caught him kissing her little head when he video-called me, and then pulling back like he surprised himself he did such a thing. He’s so sweet.

Adara is going to know this man whose hands brought her into this world.

“So, tell me more about needing a rental. Where do you live?”

The question is a reminder that we don’t really know each other. He’s been coming to the hospital for five days, and we only discuss Adara or my condition.

“I live in Huntington, but I’ve been coming to this area for months, and I fell in love with the quaintness of Sterling Falls.” The small town is named for a set of falls I haven’t been able to visit yet but is on my list of adventures to take once Adara is a little older.

Sebastian sits upright, his hands clasping his thighs. His brows crease. “For months? You’ve been coming to Sterling Falls for months?”

“I have a client in the area and—”

“Which client?” His sharp tone startles me.

“Sylver Seed and Soil. They’re a big—”

“I know who they are.” He cuts me off again.

“Why do you sound angry?”

“Because that’s my family’s business. The manager, Clay, is one of my brothers.”

“Clayton is your brother?” I’m stunned. But upon further inspection, I see some resemblance. However, Clayton is jovial and flirty with dimples in his cheeks and a permanent smile on his face. He also has a head of silvery hair. He’s opposite the curmudgeon baker sitting across from me with a huge scowl on his face.

“Did he flirt with you?” Sebastian turns his head. Squinting his eyes at the wall, he mutters, “I bet he flirted with you. I’m going to kill him.”

A little tickled by his unnecessary jealousy, I release a soft laugh. “He was always a gentleman.”

Sebastian turns back to me. “What do you do, that they are your client? Are you into seed sales or soil fertilizer or farming equipment?”

“None of that.” I chuckle. “I’m an accountant.”

“Judd is the family’s accountant.” Surprise rings in his voice.

Another overly attractive brother who is a little uptight while mischief twinkles in his eyes. If I were a betting woman, I’d gamble he has a secret wild streak. While he doesn’t share the nearly solid silver hair of Clay, his hair isn’t as dark as Sebastian’s either. Still, he’s handsome in his own right. He’s also very good with numbers. “Your family’s business was being audited, and a non-family member was required to go through the paperwork.” I tilt my head. “I thought the bakery was your business.”

Sebastian swipes a hand through his hair, slipping it to the back of his neck. “It is. I don’t have much to do with the Seed and Soil, other than collect some measly dividends.”

“That explains why I’ve never seen you there.”

“Why didn’t you ever come back into the bakery?” His expression tightens. His question sounds almost like he’s hurt.

“I was embarrassed.” I glance down at Adara, although I don’t fully focus on her. My mind flips back to the soft kiss he gave me and the powerful urge I had to take more from him.