Page 38 of Small Town Sash

"Hey, no, I get it. You've got a tiara to win, and I'm only getting in the way."

"Stop." There was a plea in her voice, a crack that made his chest tighten. "Don't make this harder by being so nice."

"Making things easy isn't exactly my specialty." The corners of his mouth quirked up despite the situation.

Hadley chuckled dryly. "Clearly."

"Look, I'll back off. But if you need me—" His offer hung in the air, half hopeful, half defeated.

"I know," she said quickly and then softer, "I do trust you, Braden. It's just...complicated."

"Complicated is my middle name." He tried for lightness but faltered. "Well, actually, it's Michael, but?—"

"Braden," she interrupted, a smile breaking through. "Go be a hero somewhere else for a bit."

"Will do." He turned to leave, then paused. "And Hadley?"

"Yeah?"

"I expect you to win the whole thing, okay?"

"Plan on it, Sergeant." Her words followed him out the door, lingering like a promise.

Braden's footsteps echoed in the hallway as he walked away with Dash following behind, pulling with him the last string of their entanglement. The heavy front door of the B&B creaked open and then closed with a dull thud behind him.

Braden glanced back one last time. Even from the sidewalk, he could still see Hadley's silhouette framed in the window. Her missing presence ached like a phantom limb. He patted Dash's head, the dog's tail wagging gently.

Braden found himself wandering down Main Street with no clear plan of where to go. When he saw the glowing light of the Coffee Loft, he went inside like he was on autopilot.

Michelle was inside, hunched over the counter, inspecting something. She straightened up at his entrance. "Well, if itisn't Mr. Hero with his furry sidekick." Her tone conveyed the familiarity of their new friendship. "You want your usual?"

"I'm thinking something a little stronger might be in order. How about a triple shot espresso?"

She squinted at him, her eyes sharp as they appraised him. "You're looking a bit off today, Braden. Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine," he said defensively, though he knew she would see right through him.

"Oh, no, you don't. You can't fool me." She pointed to a stool by the counter. "Take a seat."

Heaving a sigh, Braden sank onto the stool while Dash flopped down next to him.

"Now spill," Michelle demanded, her expression both stern and caring.

Braden took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his troubles settling on his shoulders once again. "It's just...Hadley. Things are complicated between us."

"Complicated how?" Michelle prodded.

"We've become friends, and I thought it might be turning into something more. But she just told me that she wants to cool things off between us, and it's taking everything in me to stay away from her."

"I see," Michelle said knowingly. "Here's my advice; give her space," she began pouring the triple espresso. "But don't disappear completely. Show her what she's missing." She slid the cup toward him, her face filled with sympathy.

He nodded, taking a sip of the hot drink. It was bitter and scalding, much like his feelings at the moment. "You're right," he conceded. "I have to give her the room she needs."

Just then, Mrs. Balster bustled in, her purse clutched tightly to her chest. "Oh dear," she fretted, looking between Braden and Michelle. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Michelle's brows shot up, amusement sparkling in her hazel eyes. "Not at all, Mrs. Balster," she assured the woman. "What can I get you?"

A devious glint appeared in Mrs. Balster's eyes that made Braden uneasy. "Did I hear right? Trouble in paradise?"

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