Page 66 of One Kind Soul

“Sorry, ladies. I’m involved in something pretty serious so I have to pass.” He motioned to Kyle behind the bar who owned Mountain View Pizza. “Hey, man. Can you get these two friends either a drink or a dessert on me? They are new to Maplehaven.”

“Sure thing, Christian.” Kyle plopped drink and dessert menus down in front of Lora and Lexi. “Let me know when you’re ready to order, ladies.”

“Our cousin did say he’d be sweet,” Lexi said to her sister.

“She also said he’d be amazing in bed.” Lora sighed. “Guess we’ll never know.”

“It’s good to have a little mystery in your lives,” Christian said. “Nice meeting you both. Enjoy the rest of your day.” He walked back to his table where the guys had polished off that brownie sundae.

“They look so disappointed,” Landon said.

“Maybe we should go comfort them.” Ben whacked Jared’s arm. “What do you think, dude?”

Jared pushed his chair back. “Excellent idea, Ben.” He looked at Christian. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all. Have fun.”

Ben stood as Jared did and the two of them headed for the bar.

“I think you’ve handed them your player crown,” Landon said.

“I never had a player crown,” Christian said. “I had a let’s-have-sex-then-be-friends crown. I wouldn’t pass that on to anyone.”

Donovan clamped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “You’re on to better things now, bro.”

Yes, he was.

“Speaking of better things, let’s get back to the farm.” He slid back his chair and stood.

Ben and Jared chatted with Lora and Lexi, but the twins’ gazes were on Christian as he left. He couldn’t wait to be back in Nicole’s presence.

When they arrived at the farm, the women were already back at work in the store. The police car still patrolled the road so Christian was relieved, but unfortunately Donovan didn’t have any news about Lynda to report when he’d checked in with his partner, Randall.

So it would be another night of locking the barn and keeping ears and eyes tuned to anything suspicious. Whatever. The security cameras were nearly finished and if Nicole needed protecting again, Christian was ready to do it.

He sidled up next to her now as she mopped the floor where she’d removed the hardened maple syrup. “Hey, beautiful.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled his nose in her hair.

“Hey. Have a nice lunch?” she asked.

“I did.” He massaged her shoulders. “Did you get all stretched at yoga?” He kissed along her neck then spent some time nibbling on her ear. “You don’t feel as tense.”

“Spending time with these people is a great tension reliever.” She gestured to Tessa, Aliza, and Rada, all busy cleaning their quadrants of the store. “I’m still worried about Lynda though. No news?”

He shook his head. “Donovan checked a few minutes ago.” He kissed her cheek. “She’s not getting near you, Nixen. She has to go through me first. And Maplehaven Police. And the FBI.” He smiled when she did. “Zip and Clover and the pack cats are on it too.”

“Well, what better team could a girl have?” She nudged him with the mop. “Now scoot so I can finish this. I believe you had some plans for us later. I want to get to those plans.”

He hugged her and headed over to Donovan and Landon to repair some broken shelves. “Nothing will stop us from getting to those plans.”

Nothing would stop him from saying he loved her either.

****

Nicole let hot shower water rinse the grime off her. Cleaning that store had been some dirty work, but she was pleased with the results. Christian, Donovan, Landon, and eventually Ben and Jared had been able to repair all the broken shelves and windows as the women had cleaned up the destroyed products littering the place. The only thing left to fix was the display case, but that needed special glass which Christian had been ordering when she’d left him to shower.

Rada had actually teared up a little when she’d stopped and surveyed the improved state of the small store. “I’ve worked here for years,” she’d said. “The hours are great, especially since I’ve taken over the care of my grandson. I’d hate to go hunting for another job.”

“Don’t you dare hunt for another job,” Christian had said. “This farm needs you, Rada.”