Page 16 of Delayed Penalty

“Let me guess, a black coffee to match your mood?”

His lips don’t even so much as twitch at my joke. “And an everything bagel with cream cheese.”

“Got it.” I punch his order into the screen, then grin at the little girl in a simple gray dress, her hair desperately in need of detangling. “And what about you, Miss Flora?”

Her eyes brighten, and she gives me a small smile. “A chocolate donut, please.”

“Sprinkles or no sprinkles?”

She nods. “Sprinkles, please, ma’am.”

“Ma’am? Good lord. I am way too young to be ama’am. You can call me Quinn.”

“Please, Miss Quinn.”

I laugh, not having the heart to correct her again. “Anything to drink?”

“Chocolate milk, please.”

I’ll give the girl this—she may be quiet, but she has some excellent manners, which she no doubt didnotget from her uncle.

“You got it, little flower.” I look at her uncle. “For here or to go?”

He stares back at me like he’s never heard that question before. Then he looks at me, at Flora, and back at me again. I look at Flora, but she’s staring at her uncle, equally confused by whatever is happening.Just when he’s about to answer, my mother speaks up behind me, and I jump at her sudden appearance.

“For here. They always get their breakfast for here.” She rounds the corner, bending at the waist and beaming at the kid. “And how are you today, sweetie?”

The girl tucks herself halfway behind her uncle’s leg again. She darts her eyes at me before turning them back to my mother. “Good, Mrs. Bess.”

“I’m so glad to hear that.” My mother straightens, turning her curious gaze to Adam Hayes, who is…

Holy crap! He’ssmiling!

And it’shot.

If I thought he was attractive when he was scowling, that was nothing compared to his grin. It’s like he’s a whole different person when he smiles. I want to make him smile.

“And you, Mr. Hayes?” My mother lifts a brow. “How areyou?”

“Please, Bess, just call me Hayes.” He says it like he’s asked her this before, but knowing my mother, she doesn’t care. “And I’m good.”

But there’s something in his voice…something in his eyes…they don’t match the words that just left him. He’s lying, and damn if it doesn’t make me curious.

“Any leads?”

Leads? Leads for what?

Hayes’s eyes find mine for only a moment, almostlike he wishes I wasn’t here to witness this conversation, and then he shakes his head. “Nothing yet.”

Mom hums. “That’s too bad. I—oh my gosh!” she gasps loudly, clapping her hands together excitedly.

“What?” I ask.

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before!”

“Think ofwhat?”

I look to Hayes to see if he has any idea what she’s going on about, but he just shrugs.

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