Page 107

What if it had been a body I discovered instead of a beautiful stranger?

Enough with the what-ifs. It’s done; she’s alive. Move on.

I cross the alley and head for the truck parked at the end, then pull open the passenger side door. Once more, Sadie eyes it warily.

“You’re going to have to trust me,” I tell her. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

She looks at me, then back to the truck, before climbing in.

When I’ve gotten behind the wheel, I notice that she’s picking at her fingernails, clearly nervous. Frustration chews away at my mood. Haven’t I proven that I won’t hurt her?

But there’s another voice. A more rational one that pushes through the irritation. She’s been through a nightmare. Give her time, Mav.

Without bringing attention to her clear nerves, I turn on the truck and guide it out of my spot.

Stormwatch Landing is, by far, the best place I’ve ever lived. An Army brat all my life, I’ve lived in countless states and even a few different countries, but when I was discharged, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. Despite only visiting a handful of times over the course of my life.

There’s just something about it. The salty sea air combined with the small-town, quiet life. It soothes the storm that’s been raging within me for as long as I can remember. The street is relatively calm today, given that it’s only mid-morning on a Saturday.

The diner is open, though, as is the coffee shop that Anastasia Maddox, the wife of one of the few men in town I’d call a friend, owns.

I guide my truck down Main, then take a right to get to the boutique that opened a few months ago. A place I only know exists because Marlene, the town busybody, came into my bar before it opened last week and informed me she was setting me up with the owner.

According to her, Kara Smithers is the woman I’ve been missing my entire life.

I’ve kept the door to my bar locked ever since.

After pulling my truck into an empty spot out front, I climb out. Before I can make it around to open her door, though, Sadie has already gotten out of the truck and shut the door.

Without a word, I lead her up the steps and into the small boutique. Christmas lights and décor are painting the small business like a winter wonderland. There are racks upon racks of clothes, ranging from jeans to dresses, sweatshirts to lacy things I’d really rather not look too closely at.

The last thing I need is the temptation to picture this woman in anything but baggy clothes. Baseball. Baggy Clothes. Dirty bar bathrooms. That final image rips all other thoughts right out of my brain.

“I’ll be over here,” I say, gesturing to chairs up front. “Grab what you need.”

“Hi!” Kara greets as she rushes out from the back, a bright smile on her face as her red ponytail swings with every movement.

She stops when she sees me, but her smile only grows. Oh great. “Maverick, right? Marlene mentioned that you might be coming by.”

Oh, did she?

“Here to get my friend some clothes, that’s it.” I point to Sadie.

Kara’s gaze leaves mine and lands on Sadie. Her eyes widen.

Why, oh why did I not realize how bad it would be to bring her out in this town?

“Oh, honey, are you okay?” She sprints forward, and Sadie retreats, slamming into my chest as she does. The contact sends shockwaves of desire shooting through me, and I pull away as quickly as I can without her falling backward.

“I was in an accident and lost all of my stuff,” Sadie says quickly. “Maverick is helping me get back on my feet.”

Kara clasps her hands together and presses them to her chest. “Ohh, how sweet. That is just like Maverick.”

Just like me? This woman doesn’t even know me!

“He’s nice.”

“That, he is.” Kara grins at me, and I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes and correct her. Maybe tip over some of her pristinely organized display shelves. Bet she wouldn’t think I was nice then. “Well, then, let’s get you some clothes. Do you prefer jeans or dresses?”