It would’ve been Ella or one of the other girls who fixed your breakfast.”
He stilled and tried not to inhale as her words knocked the wind out of him. How could he not have considered Marian Ball might be out of town? He forced his expression into cool nonchalance, but from the way Kate’s gaze bored into his, alight with interest, he knew he’d already been analyzed, and a calculation had been made.
He slid back into the booth. “How well do you know Marian?”
“Why?”
“Why?”
“Yes. It’s a simple enough question.”
Annoyed, Mac said, “I’m trying to be friendly here. Make a little conversation. If you don’t want that...” He tilted his head toward the counter. “Don’t let me keep you.”
“Fine. I know Marian really well.” Uninvited, she slid into the booth opposite him. “As do most people in town.”
Mac studied her. How much could he say, or ask, about Marian Ball without arousing Kate’s obvious distrust. “Is that so?”
“Uh-huh.” She held his stare, her eyes giving away nothing.
He blew out a breath. “So, this place is hers?”
“I’m pretty sure she owns it now, but it was Jay’s, and his father’s before him.”
Mac frowned and glanced toward the counter. “Jay?”
“Our resident millionaire. He’s as cute as hell and richer than Rockefeller, but the guy only has eyes for two women in town.”
“Two women?” Mac smiled. “You don’t strike me as the kind to talk so fondly about a guy dating two different women. You got a thing for him?”
“No, but Jay’s a great guy. He’s kind and generous, my friend’s fabulous boss, a loving husband, and a great father to his little girl, Sarah.”
“Ah, his wife and kid. I get it.”
“Do you?”
He frowned as wariness clouded her gaze. “He’s married, he’s a daddy. That’s the two women in his life.”
She leaned her forearms on the table, her brown eyes dark with warning. “You need to understand something about the people in this town, Mac. For the most part, we’re good and caring. We look out for one another. Certain people have done amazing things for me and they’ve asked for nothing in return. That makes me protect them and do all I can to ensure their happiness. So, if you’re here looking for somebody, I hope you’re not intending to upset or hurt them in any way.”
He clenched his jaw. “I’m here to resolve some unfinished business, remember?”
“Yes, I do. Personal business. Which, judging by the way you’re looking at me, might irritate the hell out of me.”
She slid her gaze to the side of his seat. “So, why the notebook?”
He glared. Who did she think she was? “Are you kidding me?”
“Far from it.”
“You think I’m going to sit here and let you question me again? For the love of God, I only met you last night.” He leaned forward, matching her posture. “You need to forget you met me. Forget why I’m here. I’m in the Cove for good reason—a reason that has nothing to do with you.”
Her cheeks flushed, but her eyes only hardened further. “Be that as it may, you’ve got me concerned.”
He sat back and crossed his arms. “Why? What business is it of yours who comes into the Cove? Regardless of their purpose.”
She stared at him before looking around the bakery. “I...” She met his gaze and slumped. “Fine. You seem on edge. If I can help—”
“You can’t.”
“Is it Marian? Is that who you’re looking for? Because if it is, you need to know she’s the boss around here.”
God, the woman was canny. He’d give her that much. He sighed, no more able to stay angry with a pretty woman than he could with his mother. “I kind of figured that.”
“Not the bakery. The town. Marian is the boss of Templeton.”
He searched her expression for the flashes of teasing and laughter he’d seen in her eyes at the Coast. She stared back at him, her gaze solemn.
“So, she’s a dragon? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”
“A dragon? Marian?” She huffed a laugh. “Marian is the furthest thing from a dragon you’re going to meet. Of course, on occasion, she can be way too bossy, but her heart’s in the right place. She’s kind, caring, and supportive to everyone. Sure, she might breathe fire now and then if someone upsets one of her brood, but she’s got the people who deserve her love at heart. Which means, Mr. Orman, if you upset one of us and are still here when she and George return from vacation, your ass is going to be pinned to the wall before you have any chance to flash that sexy smile of yours.”
Marian flew from his brain, and he smiled. “Sexy?”
“I’m serious.”
“Well, thanks. I’ll take the compliment gladly.”
She looked away with a scowl. Mac studied her profile. He couldn’t decide if he was more attracted to her when she flirted or when she was angry. Either way, he wouldn’t be acting on it. Not in a town where the woman who could be his father’s birth mother lorded it over the residents as though she were some kind of guardian angel.
If Marian the baker was his biological grandmother, she was the woman who’d given her child up for adoption. He needed to know why and how that happened. The woman Kate described didn’t sound like she could be the Marian he was looking for. Would someone maternal, caring and protective really be okay knowing she had a child out there somewhere?
Kate slid from the booth. “I have to go.” She stared at him. “Just take my advice and don’t go upsetting anyone in town. Whatever your issue is, think it through carefully. I’ve known far too many people who have come close to destroying themselves by holding on to anger, planning revenge, or forever regretting something they can’t change. None of those things solve anything. Believe me.”
The sudden sadness in her eyes made his chest ache, and he touched her hand before he could consider the crack such physical contact would create in his veneer. “Hey, you okay?”
She glanced toward the door. “I’m fine.”
“Has someone hurt you?”
“Of course not.” She hitched her purse higher on to her shoulder. “Just be careful. That’s all I’m asking.”
She hesitated, her focus falling to his mouth before she nodded and headed for the exit, breakfast clearly forgotten.
Mac watched her rush along the street until she was out of sight.
