Faith sighed as she watched him drive off. She wished that statement was true. He had been coming in here for months but he never showed an interest in her. She looked behind her at her younger sister by two years. “I don’t think so, Holly. He is always polite but never flirts or shows any sign of being attracted to me. I’m too busy anyway for romance. I have two interviews later this afternoon for helpers. I am getting busier and busier.”
Faith opened her coffee shop three years ago and so far it was doing well. She loved to bake and try new recipes. She loved being her own boss. Holly was a bartender at the local bar but sometimes she came in to help Faith out when it got busy. Holly also went to nursing school three days a week. The two girls only had each other to depend on, and were determined to never be as poor as when they grew up. Their mother, Rebecca, had been a single mom and prone to drinking. They had moved around every year after being evicted from wherever they were living. Finally they settled down in Red Hook, Texas when they were teens. As soon as Holly graduated from high school, their mom had taken off to Austin. She wanted to live her life in the big city and not some boring town, she told them. Faith liked being settled and so did Holly, so they stayed in Red Hook.
“I think he is hot,” Holly commented with a smile. Her curly blonde hair was long and pulled back in a ponytail. “He’s not for you anyway. I’ve seen him at the bar with some of his fireman buddies. They all like those fast, loose women.”
A small pang of jealousy went through her, but she dismissed it. She was boring and she knew it. Hadn’t plenty of her past boyfriends accused her of just that? She was dedicated to making her business work. She didn’t have time to play games or be out partying all night long.
“Well hadn’t we already decided I have lousy taste in men?” Faith told her sister, putting handsome motorcycle man out of her mind. Now she knew he was a firefighter. Holy hotness, now she was going to add that small fact to her fantasies later tonight. “After that creep David, I promised myself my next boyfriend will be a millionaire and take me on a ’round the world trip. Otherwise no more men.”
Holly laughed. “Good luck with finding a millionaire in Red Hook.”
Faith started making fresh pots of coffee. “I know it’s a long shot, but I’m tired of dating immature men who are too afraid to grow up and join the real world. Like you just said, he is a typical male wanting an easy, fun time with no commitment.”
“I hear you,” Holly agreed. “I am staying focused on making money. Men are just too much trouble and have the attention span of a goldfish.”
Faith agreed. She was twenty-eight and hadn’t found love yet. Her chances seemed slim. Especially in a small town like Red Hook, Texas. Maybe she should’ve moved to Austin or Dallas and opened her shop up there. Surely decent guys would be easier to find in a large city?
Chapter 2
Adam looked at the coffee shop with hesitation. He was just in here three days ago and had left without talking to the cute little owner. He stopped in three times a week but never said much besides hello. Alana had given him a disappointed look and promptly dragged him to get some baked goods.
“Come on, Adam,” Alana Garcia Blake said in a firm voice. She parked her small compact car in an empty spot. She turned off the car and gave him a determined look. “We are going in there and you are going to mention the fall festival this weekend. It is the perfect opportunity to get to know Faith better. She seems very friendly.”
Adam looked over at his sister-in-law. She was married to his oldest brother Noah, who was the sheriff of Red Hook. Her long dark hair was in a braid and hung down her back. She still had her waitressing uniform. Her family owned Garcia’s Hacienda, a Mexican restaurant in town.
“I’ll be lucky if I can say hi.” He snorted, getting out of her small car. He had to stretch his legs out after being stuffed like a sardine. No wonder Noah complained about his wife’s car so much.
The fall weather was making the breeze a little cooler than usual but he liked it. He was already nervous and sweaty. He didn’t need a hundred degree temperature bearing down on him. “I’m not so sure about this Alana. If I say the wrong thing I’ll blow it. I like having my fantasy. It’s so much easier.”
“You have been crushing on this woman for almost a year now. At least talk to her and get to know her. I know you Blake men are all about hanging on to that bachelor status like it is a lifeline. Look at all that Noah and I went through. It wasn’t an easy road but it is so worth it. You can’t be alone forever, Adam,” she said gently, patting his arm.
Adam winced but didn’t argue with her. She was right. Noah had rejected Alana and hurt her because he was afraid to open up his heart. Just like him. Alana had gotten stabbed during a robbery and almost died. It had opened Noah’s eyes and he had pursued her with all he had until he won her back. His brother was a new man.
Adam had loved Josie. They had been high school sweethearts and he wasn’t sure he was ready to feel more than simple desire. Logically he knew Josie wouldn’t want him to remain alone, but it was scary to think about being vulnerable again. In his mind, love equaled pain.
“I’m not ready to throw myself into a relationship, but I would like to get to know her better.” Secretly he was hoping they were too different and he could finally lay this obsession down and move on. He followed her inside the coffee shop. It was late afternoon and it was quiet for once. Soft music played in the background.
Alana walked up to the counter and greeted Faith. Adam stood next to her, letting Alana break the
ice. He was glad it was empty. One person sat in the back corner typing into a laptop.
“Good evening, Alana.” Faith greeted her by name. “I’m used to seeing you and your sister in the morning.”
Alana laughed. “I know. I need my latte fix to start the day. I wanted to try some of your raspberry scones. Adam told me they were delicious.”
Faith turned those blue eyes toward him and smiled. “Adam? I see you here often, but I didn’t know your name.”
Adam returned the smile. He felt his cheeks heat up. What a dolt he was. He never once thought to introduce himself. “Yeah, sorry. I’m Adam Blake.”
She put her hand out for him to shake. “Faith Davis.”
He didn’t want to tell her he already knew her name. That would probably sound weird.
“Glad to meet you.” He shook her hand and felt little electrical charges climb up his arm. Her eyes widened and he assumed she felt it too.
Faith let go of his hand and smiled shyly. She looked at Alana. “I just happen to have a few left.”
She gave them one to taste. Alana tore it in half and gave some to Adam. She took a bite and chewed.