by Jody Holford
He said nothing. Irritation warred with guilt. Why was she pushing this? He was doing her a favor. Then it clicked, a lock slipping into place.
“Kate is married to a cop, right?”
Sam nodded, grabbed the last of the wood and walked back to the front.
Cam was a cop. What the hell? Had Officer Andrews interfered? Would it be so bad if he did? Yes! You don’t need him looking out for you.
“Sam.”
Sam unloaded the wood from her arms, guilt shining in his dark eyes. “It’s not a big deal, Georgie.” Her heart twisted with the nickname her cousin usually used. Just like that, this man had welcomed her into their family, was doing her favors and she was being unappreciative.
“It is if you had other things to do tonight. Did Officer Andrews say something?”
Sam got to work but cast one last glance over his shoulder. “Cam’s a good guy. He’s friends with Elliot, Kate’s husband. He mentioned something. Elliot reminded me that you couldn’t sell half your stock if you don’t have these shelves up.”
“I would have made do.”
He stopped what he was doing, fixed his gaze on Georgia’s. “From what Anna’s told me, you’ve done that for a lot of your life. You don’t need to anymore. You’re not alone. You have family here. You’ll have friends. Next time, just remind me. I’ve been running around; it slipped my mind.”
She threw up her hands in frustration. “Because it’s not your problem.”
“Trust me, Georgia, if Anna’s worrying about it, it’s my problem. So, quit complaining, get over here and be useful. You can thank me by sending me home with some of those vanilla bow things.”
Georgia smiled. “I can do that. Also, I thought I could bring Seth to the tree lighting ceremony on Saturday. Give you two some time alone.”
“See? That’s perfect. Give and take. That’s how this works. Now pass me my drill.”
Right. Give and take. She’d been on the giving side for so long, she wasn’t sure how to take. Not without worrying about what she’d have to give in return. It was time to push past that though. Trust in the people she was letting into her life. Though, she’d definitely be having a talk with Officer Andrews. She’d remind him that she could take care of herself and he could keep his sexy self out of her business.
Chapter Four
Cam left Davey’s house frustrated. The guy claimed to have an alibi for the night and morning of the vandalism on Georgia’s shop. Finding his “alibi”, however, was proving challenging. Cam knew who she was, had broken up some domestics at her place more than once but at the moment, this supposed witness to Davey’s whereabouts was nowhere to be found.
Most likely, he was getting the run around but once he ruled it out, found something to tie the former hometown football star to the crime, he’d be able to charge him. The guy spent so much time in their drunk tank, they ought to charge rent.
The square was lit up by the streetlamps. Large decorations had been hung by the fire department. Each lamp had either a piece of wire mistletoe, a reindeer, a snowflake, or a star beaming from its post. This weekend was the tree lighting ceremony. The tree would go up tomorrow to be lit on Saturday. Next week was the staff party. Christmas was upon them and he hadn’t even shopped yet. He’d given both of his sisters money for his nieces and nephews but he needed to get his parents’ presents, something for Dolores and a few other little things. Parking his cruiser in the regular spot, he got out, glanced around. The kids were still in school for a couple more weeks. Once they were out, five days before Christmas, the square would be even busier.
He glanced over to Georgia’s shop. Sam said she’d looked a little pissed that he’d gotten involved but he was just trying to help. He would have finished the shelves himself if he could hit more than his thumb with a hammer.
“You just going to stare over there longingly?” Alex came up beside him. Cam hadn’t even heard him get out of his own vehicle.
Feigning confusion, Cam asked, “What?”
Alex laughed. About an inch taller than Cam, the Sheriff had five years or so on him but his dark eyes held a quiet confidence Cam would never possess. Even with age and wisdom.
“You could invite her to the staff party. Elliot would stop giving you the gears.”
“I’m not inviting her. One, I don’t know her and two, I get the sense she’s guarded.”
“Yet, you indirectly made sure she had her shelves put up so she wouldn’t lose any business. You left candy on Dolores’ desk, knowing full well that woman would drink sugar if she could. With high quality sweets like Georgia’s, she’ll spread the word through the whole town in person and on her Instagram.”
Cam turned toward the station. “She’s new in town. No harm giving her a boost. Last thing she needs, especially with the recent vandalism, is to have people avoid her store. We’re great to our own but tend to be wary of outsiders.”
“She’s hardly an outsider. She’s Anna’s cousin. She’s single, almost thirty, owns her own business and puts some color in your cheeks. Take a chance.”
“Easy for you to say.” Cam grumbled the words then started to walk away.
Alex followed on his heels. “Dude. I pined for the same girl, even after she left town, for twenty years.”
Cam pointed at him. “And you married her.”
His boss’ smile was wide and, hell…dreamy. Jesus. He was surrounded by saps. Alex nodded. “Yeah. I did. You know what I had to do to make that happen?”
Cam pulled the door of the station open. “What?”
Alex leaned in, grinning. “Had to ask her out first. One step at a time.”
He would have rolled his eyes but Alex was his boss. Even if, sometimes, he bugged him near as much as Elliot.
On Friday, Cam was busy attending to several calls. There were a few minor vehicle accidents that Cam had gone out to take statements on. He’d caught a thief pocketing food at the corner store when he’d gone in for a drink. When his mother texted him, reminding him they were having dinner at his sister’s tonight, he swore softly under his breath. Her text asked him to grab a cake.
He walked from the station, after his shift, to Bean’s Bakery. He’d grab one of the chocolate tortes his sister’s family loved. They were heading out of town in two weeks to go to her husband’s family for the holidays so this was their Christmas.
Good thing his sister had already purchased gifts for the kids for him.
“Hey, Cam,” Carter Simmington, the fairly new owner of the shop, greeted.
Carter was a big guy with tattoos running up and down his bronzed arms. Close cropped hair, a wide jaw and a perpetually serious expression made it hard to peg him as a baker. His cakes kicked ass though.
“What’s up, Carter? How’s it going?”
“Busy. I’m running a gingerbread house contest tomorrow before the tree lighting. You should bring your nieces and nephews.”
“I might do that. Sounds fun.”
The bell over the door jingled. Elaina Black walked in, clearly unaware that it was nearing zero outside. She wore a skin-tight leather skirt, a see-through shirt with just a bra underneath. She smelled, as usual, like smoke and booze. Cam had been looking for her for two days.
“Officer. Carter. Can I get a coffee and a plain donut?” She sidled up to the counter.
When Carter gave a curt nod, turned to grab her items, Cam stepped closer.
“I’ve been looking for you for two days. Your roommate tell you I came by?”
Elaina’s overpainted red lips tipped up in a smile. She trailed a hand up his chest. Cam pushed it away.
“You finally find your voice Officer Shy Guy? Want me to show you a good time?”
He kept his face passive when really, he’d rather snort with disgust. He firmly believed who a person hung out with said a lot about their character. If Davey was to be believed, Elaina spent considerable time in his bed.
“Were you with Davey the other night? He says you were. Right t
hrough to the morning.”
Undeterred, Elaina came closer, ignoring the food and drink Carter placed on the counter.
“Don’t worry about that. We’re hardly exclusive,” she said. He wondered if she thought her voice, her words, were seductive. Maybe to some, they were.
“He used you as an alibi so be sure about what you say.”
Her expression changed into a frown. She stepped back, dug through her purse for money to pay Carter. She avoided his gaze even when she lifted her head.
“Yeah. I was with him. We spent a few days together. He let me crash at his place while my roommate had company.”
“Where have you been for the last couple of days.”
She picked up her coffee. “Out of town. Do I need an alibi?”
“No. But if you could stop by and write out a statement, your pal Davey would probably appreciate it.”
“That man doesn’t appreciate anything. But I’ll do it. Tomorrow good enough?”
“Sure.”
When she left, Carter shook his head. “Some people just spin circles. Makes me wonder why they don’t want a different life.”
Cam turned to face the baker. That might have been the most Carter said to him in one go.
“Sweet Georgia was tagged with the word ‘Bitch’ the other night. Thought Davey was responsible. She might be covering for him but deep down, I think she actually cares about him.”
“Maybe. But what a train wreck that’d be.”
“You see anything? Hear anything suspicious? Have any trouble lately?”
“Nope. Can’t imagine that woman has made enemies already. She keeps to herself.”
Cam noticed the same thing. “She does. Hey, can I get a chocolate torte?”
While Carter boxed it up, Cam wondered what it meant if Elaina wasn’t lying. Who would tag just Georgia’s place? They’d all assumed it was Davey. What no one had considered was, maybe the new girl in town had arrived with enemies already in place.
Chapter Five
The knock on the door startled Georgia. She didn’t know who it could be. Glancing down at the couch cushion, worry curling into a knot in her stomach, she got up, went to the door.
Nerves slowed her steps. He wasn’t coming after her—he had no reason. She glanced back at the couch. It’s not him.
“Who is it?” She wasn’t stupid enough to just open the door.
“Cam.”
Her heart tweaked. She pressed her head to the door.
“Georgia?” He knocked again.
Was it possible her ex had shown up and contacted the authorities? Asked around? She hadn’t committed a crime. You sure? No. She wasn’t one hundred percent sure but she was fairly certain she was in the right.
“I’m not going anywhere until you open the door.”
She pulled it open a crack.
“What’s up, Officer?”
He was dressed in plain clothes and damn if he didn’t look as good out of his uniform as he did in it. Part way through checking him out, she remembered she was mad at him.
“Can I come in?”
“Do you have a warrant?” She’d meant it as a joke but it came out snappy.
His brows arched up. “For what?”
She was being an idiot. Nerves and fatigue were throwing her off her game. This was a man who blushed at inuendo. She did not. She could handle Cam Andrews. Stepping out onto the landing, she closed the door behind her, leaning against the wood.
Cam’s expression shifted into one of curiosity. “At the moment, we have reason to believe it wasn’t Dave Morgan who vandalized your shop. I wondered if you could think of anyone else who might have reason to be upset with you?”
Hmm. So, as long as it was shoptalk, he was fine. She didn’t like the low simmering of attraction that pooled in her belly but something about his blush got under her skin.
“Why would anyone be upset with me?” Be cool. He has no way of knowing
“I’m not sure. I was hoping you could tell me.”
Holding his gaze—she knew the signs of a liar—she shook her head. “Nope.”
“You can think about it. Where did you say you moved from?”
She smiled. Nice try, Officer Cutie. “I didn’t. But it’s not a secret. I’ve moved around. I’m from everywhere.”
His frown suggested he didn’t like that answer. Too bad. She wasn’t telling him more than necessary.
He checked his watch. “I need to get to dinner but I’d like you to think about it some more. Make a list. If it wasn’t Davey, we need to know who else it could be.”
“Maybe it was random,” she said with more hope than she felt.
“Yours was the only shop tagged, Georgia.” He glanced at her door; his brows furrowed. “You’re alone?”
He was still in cop mode. She didn’t know why he was suddenly curious but she wasn’t letting him inside.
Stepping closer, she lowered her voice. “You don’t seem like the type to invite yourself into a woman’s home, Officer. Maybe I’m rubbing off on you in a good way.”
As expected, his cheeks pinked beneath the glow of her outdoor light. He ran a hand through his hair, mussing it up in a delightfully sexy way.
“I just wondered. You haven’t been here long but if you’ve met anyone, other than Davey, that gives you a strange vibe, I’d like to know.” He turned, took the first step down.
She sighed. “Wait, I’m sorry. That was out of line. I was just trying to fluster you up because I remembered I’m mad at you.”
He turned on the stairs. With him two down and her on the landing, they were the same height. His eyes were dark, a chocolatey brown that made her stomach swirl.
“Why are you mad at me?”
She poked him in the shoulder. “You told Sam I needed help.”
“Yes.”
She huffed out a breath. “I don’t need anyone all up in my business.”
He bit his lip. “I don’t think you can pull that phrase off.”
Laughter fluttered, wanting to escape. “I think I just did.”
He shook his head. “Not well. Sorry if I overstepped. It’s sort of what we do here. Slow and steady, people will start to get all up in your business as they pull you into the fold.”
Her breath left her lungs in a sharp exhale. Longing to pull him into her arms swept through her body.
“You definitely can’t pull it off,” she whispered.
Cam’s smile was soft. The three-quarter moon gave her enough light to see his gaze darken. He lowered himself another step. She couldn’t stop her brain from wondering what it’d be like to kiss him. He was so…reserved. Would he lose that if she pressed her mouth to his? If she leaned into him the way she suddenly wanted to, pushed her fingers up into his hair, would he give in to his obvious attraction? Or would he push her away? You are not going to find out.
“Let me know if you think of anyone.”
“You bet.”
He narrowed his gaze, glanced at her door again. “Just going to say, you seem like you’re hiding something.”
She shrugged. “Or maybe you’re just naturally suspicious.”
“Maybe. That doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”
“Have fun on your date.” She wanted to slap herself. Why had she purposely probed for information she didn’t want to know?
His gaze widened. “My date? What are you talking about?”
Heat swamped her body. “You said you had dinner.”
Even the half-smile wobbled her stomach. “With my family. It’s our Christmas with one of my sisters. She’s headed out of town.”
Curiosity pushed her to do stupid things. She stepped closer, put a hand on his shoulder. He stiffened beneath her touch, like he was on hyper-alert mode.
“So, no girlfriend?”
He swallowed audibly. Interesting. “No. Nope. Not…no.”
Georgia smiled. “You get tongue tied easily.”
Why was she messing with him? Why was she drawn to him?
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He took another step down. She dropped her hand but not her smile. She liked the way he got all worked up. It was adorable.
“I’ll, uh, see you later.”
She watched him take the rest of the stairs down to his truck, which he’d parked in the alley that allowed access to the back of the buildings. Though the other shops had space above the stores, she was pretty sure she was the only one living full time in one of them. Except maybe the hot, burly baker.
Letting herself back into her apartment, she sighed into the quiet. Staring at the couch, the spot where he lay, everything inside of Georgia quieted. She had everything she needed right here. Nosey cops and taggers aside, no one was getting inside her home. No one was taking what rightfully belonged to Georgia.
Chapter Six
Georgia crouched down to adjust Seth’s hat. At almost three, he was a little bundle of energetic cuteness.
“You need to keep your hat on, okay, Buddy?”
“Kay, Annie Georgie. We get candy?”
She smiled, hugged him close then stood up, took his hand. She was short enough that it wasn’t much of a stretch to keep their fingers linked, as long as he felt like cooperating.
“We’re going to go make gingerbread houses and you can eat some of that candy, okay?”
“Kay.”
When they went inside the bakery, it was already busy. When Carter had asked if she could provide candy for decorating, she’d nearly fallen to her knees with gratitude. He was already in the Angel’s Lake fold, despite having arrived only six months ago. She’d given him a kickass discount, thanked him, and brought everything over this morning before picking up Seth.
He must have had help getting things ready. The interior of the store was festive. Long tables, covered with red and green plastic, took up most of the floor space. Christmas music hummed through the speakers, children and their parents laughed and talked.
Each table had supplies set up in the middle—icing, gingerbread, milk containers to use as frames, and so many of Georgia’s beautiful candies. There was also a selection of everyday treats people recognized. After Sam had left, she’d set up all of her bins with name brand candies. She’d used a lot of those for Carter’s request.
