Page 29 of Healer’s Betrayal

I laugh. “Relax, I put in a side of bacon for me; I’m fine.”

He continues to stare at me. “Take it,” he grunts, all but shoving the box at me.

“No, it’s for you. I don’t even like omelets.”

“I can’t eat your food,” he says, sounding pained.

I wave off his concern. “It’s really not that big a deal. I’m still full from the coffee you got me this morning. And like I said, I have bacon waiting for me.” I take a step back. “All right. I’m going to head inside now.” I turn around and start towards the café.

“Kayla.”

The sound of my name in his low voice makes me shiver. I almost keep walking but force myself to turn back and act unaffected. “Yes.”

“Please eat this food.” Jackson holds the box out towards me.

“Jackson, I’m not going to eat it. If I take it back inside, I’m just going to give it to somebody else. I told you; I don’t eat omelets.”

He steps forward, and I am very aware of what a big guy he is. “Please don’t ask me to eat your food.” He sounds pained, and it really doesn’t make sense.

“Fine. Give me some of your home fries, and I’ll eat those with my bacon. I seriously won’t eat the omelet though.” He opens the box before I even get the words out and tears off the lid. I snag the fork and scoop out a spoonful of potatoes and put them in the lid.

“More,” he nearly growls at me.

I look up at him. “I’ll take what I want; no more and no less.” I hear a sound from Ransom that sounds suspiciously like a laugh. I glance over at him. “What?”

He smiles. “He’s just not used to being bossed around.”

“Me?” I ask in surprise. “I’m not bossing him around.” Ransom just smiles. “All right; I have to get back inside.”

“Eat with me,” Jackson says suddenly. I pause and look up at him, unsure what to say. “Please. I just want to get to know you.” His words are soft, and I study him a moment.

I get the feeling that this strong man, who looks like a mountain man, doesn’t ask for a lot of things. I don’t know him and yet, I find myself agreeing. “Okay. Let me grab my bacon.”

“You really have a thing for bacon, don’t you?”

His words surprise me, but I find myself grinning. “It’s bacon. What’s not to love?”

His eyes soften, and it surprises me so much, I stand there staring. “Go get your bacon. We’ll be here.” His words are soft and have a tender sort of quality to them.

I force myself to step back and out of this spell or whatever it is he has me under. Without another word, I head back into the café. Thankfully, everyone is busy, and nobody notices me grab my box of bacon and head back outside. I look over and see Ransom and Jackson right where I left them. I can’t help the smile on my face as I start that way. “Kayla.”

I turn to see Cole striding towards me. “Hey, Cole. How's it going?”

He smiles. “Better now. Are you on break?”

“Yes, I,” I pause unsure what to say.

“Perfect,” he says. “You can keep me company while I eat.” He glances down at the lid of home fries and the small box of bacon. “And while you eat,” he adds with a grin. He puts a hand on my lower back and ushers me towards the door. When we get to the door, I can’t help it. I glance over my shoulder. I take in the single figure standing almost out of sight, and then I duck into the restaurant. I can’t get over the sense of sadness I feel, like I’m missing out on something. I slide into a booth across from Cole, and Jessie shows up with a grin. “Hey, Cole.” When she turns to me, though, there’s a question in her eyes. I drop my eyes, unsure how to respond. I have no idea what’s going on in my life right now. I’ve never had a guy interested in me, and now, suddenly, there’s possibly two? It’s too much. I use the fork on the table and eat some of my potatoes while Jessie takes Cole’s order.

“I hope you don’t mind me eating; I have to get back to work soon.”

“Go right ahead.”

I eat a couple bits of potatoes, but they seem to be flavorless. I manage to eat the bacon because...it’s bacon. I try to carry on a conversation with Cole, but I can’t get past the feeling that maybe I chose to eat with the wrong man. That thought stays with me the rest of my shift.

Chapter 13

Kayla