Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Maisie
Yesterday kicked my ass, but in the best way possible. I knew without a doubt that putting my trust in Hendrix would be the best decision.
If I were being honest with myself, I had known it for a while, but didn't want to admit it. Hendrix was nothing like my father or the men who followed Atlas. Neither were his friends. In fact, almost every man I’d met in Willow Creek was different from those I knew prior. It gave me hope that there were still some good people in the world.
"Tell me again why your day starts before the sun is up?"
Prime example. Hendrix could've stayed in bed. He could've ignored the alarm. Instead, it was his alarm he set for me to ensure I woke up on time even though I rarely needed one. He was the first to jump in the shower and kiss me on the way to the kitchen to make coffee for the two of us.
"Because bakeries are notorious for opening early and I need to have freshly stocked cases for the other early risers in town. Besides, you could've stayed in bed. No one said your routine had to change simply because I'm here."
"And miss seeing you in the morning? No way. I would give up sleep in a heartbeat if it meant spending more time with you." He looped his arm around my back and hauled me to him.
"You're such a smooth talker." I nuzzled into his neck.
"Only for you."
I rolled my eyes. He might be right but it was a cheesy line nonetheless. "Alright." I pushed him away. "Enough of this mushy stuff. I need my coffee and to get out of here. My crumb cake isn't going to bake itself."
With reluctance, he let me go.
Two travel mugs sat on the counter waiting for us. Maybe I could get used to this kind of treatment. Hendrix made sure I ate something besides my own baked goods. He cared enough about my sleep to go to bed early with me, and after one sip from my mug, I knew he paid attention to the things I liked.
I moaned when the caramel goodness hit my tongue.
Yes, I was aware my taste in coffee didn't match my personality. Most assumed I drank it black; dark like the rest of my wardrobe. But I didn't own a bakery merely for others to enjoy something sweet. I had the biggest sweet tooth around. I could rival any of my customers. So yes, caramel in my coffee was a must.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I glanced at him over my mug.
"Just admiring the view."
"On that note, let's go."
I ignored him laughing at me as I gave him my back. He could laugh all he wanted as long as he let me do what I needed to. My bakery was my prized possession and I wouldn't be giving it up for anything.
This time when I got into his vehicle, it was in the front passenger seat instead of the back. I even made sure to check that it opened after Hendrix started the car. When he looked at me with a raised brow, I merely shrugged. "Just making sure I can escape if needed."
That caused even more laughter. "No worries. As long as you agree to sleep with me every night, you never have to worry about child locks again."
Oh, was that all? This time I didn’t bother with an eye roll. I did it mentally, even though I had no intention of sleeping without him again. I slept best when wrapped in his arms.
The rest of the day flew by. The bakery was still busier than usual and the knife cookies were the most popular treat. I was beginning to think the residents of Willow Creek had a wicked sense of humor. Kinda ironic considering I named the bakery Wickedly Delicious. Maybe I fit in more than I originally thought.
Hendrix was in and out throughout the day. He didn't try to help but he was more than willing to test a new creation I was working on. It still wasn't right and wouldn't be added to the rotation until I was sure it was perfect.
"Wow, I swear this week has been busier than I've ever seen it and that includes your annual Halloween sale. I thought nothing could beat that week."
I wiped my brow and nodded my head in agreement to Janie's statement. "I'm sure it will die down soon enough. I think today was extra busy because people knew I was back. Yesterday I hid in the kitchen. Today I made an appearance."
"Everyone wanted to thank you for your heroic efforts."
I sighed. "Yeah, real heroic. I stabbed a man and he died. Not exactly something I want to be known for."
I spent my years in Willow Creek hiding from the masses. Other than talking to people who came into the bakery, I rarely participated in events. Except for Halloween. I always made an exception for that.
"Maybe not, but people want to thank you nonetheless," Janie told me in her normal upbeat voice. "I've locked the front door, cleaned the floors, and wiped down the counters. The nightly deposit is in your office. Anything else I can do to help before I leave?"
Janie was a godsend. I could easily afford to hire another employee but I didn't think I would find someone as great as she was. "Nope, you're all good. Thanks for the extra help this week. When things go back to normal, we can work out a new schedule to go along with your new position."
"Yay!" Janie actually bounced on her toes and clapped her hands in excitement. "I look forward to it. See you tomorrow!"
I shook my head. Only Janie would be that excited about more work. "See ya."
"Oh . . . Hi, Hendrix, bye, Hendrix."
Janie practically floated past him on her way out the door.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone as happy as that woman." Hendrix pointed his thumb to where Janie just left out the back door.
"Tell me about it. Her peppiness is exhausting just to watch but I can't imagine running this place without her. She has enough energy and work ethic for two employees."
Hendrix came up behind me, as I placed the last of the dirty pans into the industrial dishwasher, and wrapped his arms around my middle. I took a moment to lean back and soak up his strength. I sighed when his close-cropped beard nuzzled my neck.
"Long day, sweetheart?"
"Very. I never minded it before because I would go home alone, but now that I get to spend my evenings with you, I don't want to be this tired after work."
"I'll support whatever you want to do."
I liked that answer way too much. He didn't try to solve my problem for me, nor did he give suggestions he knew would upset me. Damn the man for being perfect.
"I only have a few more things and then we can get going, but I need to go upstairs and pack a bag. I'm all out of clean clothes from my go bag."
"You should probably pack everything."
That gave me pause. "I can't move in with you."
Hendrix turned me around and my damp hands landed firmly on his chiseled chest. Even through his shirt I could feel his muscles. "I'm going to get you all wet." My words said one thing but I made no move to take my hands off him.
"I don't really care. I want your eyes when we have this discussion. Why can't you move in with me?"
I tried to bury my head in his chest next to my hands but he wasn't having any of it. His fingers tapped my chin until I gave up and looked at him beneath my eyelashes. "It's too soon. It's one thing to sleep at your house every night. It's another to give up my apartment."
Hendrix searched my gaze and he must've found what he wanted because he relented easily.
"Alright, Mais. I'll give you this."
"Wait, just like that?"
I thought for sure he would drag me away kicking and screaming again.
"Yeah, sweetheart, because you said you would be in my bed every night. I can live with that until you're ready to make it our home."
Well, when he put it like that . . .
Hendrix chuckled. "Don't look so surprised. I can be reasonable when I want to be."
I rolled my eyes and pulled out of his embrace so I could finish cleaning up. I didn't bother to dignify his statement with a response. I had yet to see him be reasonable. Not when it came to where I would sleep each night.
Hendrix helped me clean up and then followed me up to my apartment. It dawned on me how different today was compared to the last two nights. Those nights I had been doing everything in my power to stay away from him and now I was willingly packing a bag to spend the next few days at his place.
I was gathering the last of my stuff when a note on my pillow grabbed my attention. The intricate paper wasn't familiar but the handwriting was.
"Hendrix!"
My apartment wasn’t large, nor was it necessary for me to yell to get his attention, but I couldn't stop my voice from going a few octaves too high.
"What's wrong?" He was instantly on alert, looking me over while also checking the small space.
"My brother left me a note."
He was at my side in a nanosecond reading over my shoulder.
Stop looking into things, Marmar!
"How do you know it's from your brother?"
"He's the only person who ever called me Marmar. It used to drive our parents crazy. They hated to have names shortened. According to them, if Mother Nature wanted us to have that name, then she would've told them in their dreams."
"Wait, your parents got your names from their dreams?"
I pulled the note close to my chest and held on to it as if my brother were still here. Despite everything Nolen and Hendrix said, I still wished to see my brother and just hug him. He always gave the best hugs.
"I told you they were unique. To them, nothing happened unless it was part of Mother Nature's plan."
"We’ll come back to that another time. Right now I want to get you out of here. I need to call my team and let them know about this new development."
I looked around my apartment one last time. At some point in the last twenty-four hours, Matty was not only in Willow Creek, but in my apartment. I was sad that I missed seeing him.