Page 40 of Jagger

“Well, this is the bar and grill, a place where the boys tend to congregate. Between the microbrewery, the burgers, and the dozens of televisions, if any of the guests are missing their male significant others, this is where you can suggest they be found.”

“I’ll keep that in mind as well.”

“We’ll head to the coffee shop and bakery next.”

“Do you have any idea why Jagger is so… dour?”

She gave me a look. “That’s the perfect word to use for him. Dour. All three men remain very private. Shephard has agirlfriend, which has made him open up more, but don’t let Hunter’s jolly demeanor fool you either. Between Hunter and Jagger, I don’t know which one is gruffer than the other. I heard all three were big time military guys in three different organizations. They turned assassins or something. I don’t know how much of the stories are true. But I’ve seen their tattoos. Shephard was a Marine. I think Jagger was Army. Not sure about Hunter. They’re good guys, just…”

“Damaged.”

Her nod almost added another layer of regret to my actions. What business did I have in caring to any degree? I couldn’t.

So I wouldn’t.

“After the coffee shop, I’ll take you to meet Chef Zimmerman. My final warning. Don’t allow any insult she gives you to sink in. She’s just over her head with the job.”

“I’ve been warned.”

As we walked toward the brightly lit coffee shop, I noticed Jagger out of the corner of my eye. He noticed me as well and for a few cold seconds, we stared at each other. Every cell in my body was suddenly on fire as they’d been the night before. He had that kind of effect on me.

The man refused to look away, but I wasn’t entirely certain his thoughts mirrored mine. He did have demons, the kind that outranked mine.

I hadn’t realized I’d placed my fingers over my lips until Jenny bumped me in the arm. “Mmm… I can see you two know each other. Be careful or he might bite.”

My laugh sounded foreign and as she took me into the shop, I murmured under my breath.

“He already has.”

I was shocked how time flew. I’d been given the whirlwind tour, introduced to the staff, and tossed a resort tee shirt and apron. An hour later and I was serving the late breakfast crowd.

Without knowing what the hell I was doing.

At least I was lucky in that everyone feasting on homemade blueberry muffins, strawberry pancakes, and Eggs Benedict to die for were in jovial moods. They didn’t seem to notice I dropped a tray full of plates, spilled a drink on a customer, and almost got a bloody nose by running into a wall.

I’d performed sixteen-hour intricate surgeries without breaking into a sweat. But this. This incredibly busy day had shown me I was out of my element so far that I was close to space. I was also exhausted. When I looked at the clock, I realized it was almost four. How had so much time passed?

“Hey, Jenny. Do you think it would be okay if I stepped out to the lobby to catch a glimpse of the kids with Santa?”

“Of course not. We’re at our slow point now so I’ll cover your tables. You’ve been working your butt off helping me. I’m grateful.”

I untied my apron, meandering out of the back toward the lobby. There were at least fifty kids if not more waiting to have their special moment with Santa. I was floored at their good behavior.

Maybe it was helping they’d been smart to have a kids’ area set up with a cartoon playing and toys strung everywhere. Plus, four people were dressed as elves. They were handing out candy canes and other treats. I’d been in some of the finest resorts in the last few years and I was thoroughly impressed.

As I searched the area, I finally noticed Cally. She’d made a new friend already, another little girl about her height standing next to her. The two of them were jabbering away. Every one of the daycare workers was keeping track of them, watching every little move the kids made.

I resisted interfering, longing to see how my baby did with new surroundings.

“She looks happy.”

The deep voice was right behind me. I immediately tensed and folded my arms across my tee shirt. It was my effort to try to keep Jagger from noticing the kind of effect he had on me. My nipples were rock hard.

“It’s a little bit of a miracle. She’s bashful around people usually.” The fact she’d immediately taken to Jagger told me he had a good heart even if he fought it.

“She doesn’t seem shy.”

“Not right now, but she just doesn’t like new places. It comes from her being in the hospital on and off from the time she was born until she was almost two.”

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