Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Madison woke up in Garrett’s bed to the rich smell of coffee and bacon. For one disoriented second, she forgot where she was. Then she remembered the warmth of him surrounding her when she fell asleep, his arm draped across her waist, heavy and protective.
The kiss they shared on the couch lingered.
She brushed her fingertips over her lips, replaying last night’s make-out session.
Her stomach fluttered in a way that had nothing to do with pain and everything to do with Garrett.
Every time she closed her eyes, she could feel him again—his gentle touch, his mouth, the way he’d said her name like she meant something to him.
But today was a new day, and she looked forward to whatever this attraction was becoming.
Actually . . . attraction felt like the wrong word now. This felt bigger, warmer, and slightly dangerous in the best possible way. The kind of dangerous that made her want to lean in instead of run.
When she stepped into the kitchen, Garrett stood at the stove wearing faded jeans and a black Northern Lights Brewery T-shirt. One hand held a spatula.
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “Good morning, beautiful. How’d you sleep?”
Beautiful. He said it so naturally, like he’d been calling her that for years instead of this being the very first time.
She sat on the counter stool and smiled back. “Not bad. I’m a little sore, but the ice and painkillers helped.”
His expression softened instantly. “Headache?”
“A little.”
Without another word, he crossed to the freezer, grabbed a fresh ice pack, wrapped it in a towel, and set it gently in front of her before returning to the stove.
Nobody had ever fussed over her like this before. She wasn’t entirely sure what to do with it.
“Hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Good. I made breakfast.” He plated scrambled eggs, two slices of bacon, and buttered toast and slid the plate over to her. “Coffee?”
“Please.”
He added peppermint mocha creamer before filling the mug.
“You remembered,” she said.
Garrett shrugged like it was obvious. “I remember everything you tell me.”
The sincerity in his voice hit harder than the flirtation.
Before she could respond, someone knocked on the door. “That’s Ryker,” he said. “He’s picking me up this morning so you can use my truck.”
He opened the door, and Ryker walked in.
“Hey, Madison, how are you feeling?” Ryker asked. “That’s quite the bruise.”
“I’m fine. Looks worse than it feels.”
Garrett set his keys on the counter. “We’ll be at the brewery. Nick asked if you could stop by the station if you were feeling up to it this morning.”
“I’ll go after I eat, then head over.”
“Take it easy today. You don’t need to work.”
“I’m feeling fine. I’ll be there.”
Garrett moved close to her, lowering his voice slightly even though Ryker was absolutely listening. “Have dinner with me tonight?”
She didn’t hesitate. “It’s a date.”
His smile widened, transforming his entire face.
Something warm settled in her chest. Maybe, finally, they were done pretending this was anything less than what it had become.
Inside Garrett’s truck, Madison found a note on the driver’s seat, addressed to her:
Rest. Relax. I’ll be home by five. I’m looking forward to our date.
She grinned, pressing the note to her chest. Heat curled low in her belly. Oh yes, she was very much looking forward to it too. Maybe even more than she should be.
She started the truck and made her way to the sheriff’s office, parking near the entrance.
She wasn’t avoiding City Hall, but still, she scanned the lot.
Old instincts didn’t just disappear. Not when someone had already proven they were willing to escalate.
Humidity clung to her skin as she hurried inside.
“Madison. How are you, honey? I’m Meg. I’m the dispatcher.”
Meg was shorter than Madison, with short gray hair, dangly earrings, and blue-framed glasses that matched perfectly with her outfit. Her friendly tone made Madison smile. This town really did have a way of wrapping around you before you realized it.
“Nice to meet you, Meg. I’m doing well. Just a few bruises. I’m here to see Nick.”
Meg picked up the phone. “I’ll let him know you’ve arrived.”
“Madison is here to see you,” she said into the phone. She listened for a moment before hanging up. “He’ll be right out. Would you like a beverage?”
“Water would be great.”
Meg handed her a cold bottle. “I keep a fridge under my desk. Sometimes I’m glued to this chair.”
“Understood. I remember days like that.”
“That’s right, Nick said you were in law enforcement.”
Before she could respond, Nick appeared.
“Thanks, Meg,” he said. “Morning, Madison. Let’s talk in my office.”
An hour later, Madison left feeling reassured. Nick had a plan, and she liked plans.
Still, her mind drifted to Garrett, to his mouth, to the way his hands had felt wrapped around her waist while she fell asleep.
Focus, Mitchell.
But even as she told herself that, a small part of her didn’t want to focus. She didn’t want to go back to being the version of herself who kept everything contained.
She pulled into Northern Lights Brewery, anticipation building low in her stomach alongside a flicker of nerves.
She’d seen something in Garrett’s eyes this morning.
Something steady. Something certain. And though he’d told her to rest and stay home, she wanted to see him anyway. She needed to see him.
When she stepped inside, warmth and the scent of hops wrapped around her. Becca crossed the room and pulled her into a careful hug. “We’re so happy you’re okay, Madi.”
Over Becca’s shoulder, Madison caught sight of Garrett behind the bar, watching her like she was the only person in the room. His head tilted subtly toward his office before he disappeared.
After Madison assured her she was fine, she made her way to Garrett’s office, her pulse jumping. She knocked softly and stepped inside.
Garrett didn’t hesitate. He crossed the room in three long strides and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve been waiting all morning to do this,” he murmured against her hair before pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“Me too.” The words slipped out before she could filter them. Her body melted into his like it had been built to fit there.
Garrett’s hands slid along her waist before he nipped lightly at her earlobe, then her neck, trailing closer to her mouth until they were both chasing air. Her fingers curled into the back of his shirt, holding on like she might float away otherwise. Or fall too fast if she let go.
He backed her toward the door, shut it, locked it, and picked up where he’d left off last night. The kiss wasn’t hesitant this time, and when it was done, they rested their foreheads together, breathless.
“Hi,” Garrett said.
“Hi.” She giggled, the sound surprising even her. When was the last time she’d felt like this? Light. Unguarded and completely off-balance in the best way.
Neither of them moved.
Madison broke the silence. “So, we’re going on a real date?”
“Absolutely.” His voice softened. “I want to tell the world you’re my girlfriend.”
He paused, watching her reaction, and her heart turned over hard in her chest.
“I like the sound of that,” she admitted with a laugh. “I feel like a teenager again.”
Garrett’s laugh rumbled between them. “Good. Because I plan on kissing you like we’re a couple of seventeen-year-olds.”
She shook her head, fighting a smile as her hand lingered against his chest. “Behave. We’re at your workplace.”
“Fine. Tonight. You and me. Dinner at the Lakeside Inn. How does that sound?”
“Well, considering I have no idea where anything is around here, sounds good.”
“It’s one of the fancier places in Willow Creek.”
“Perfect. I can’t wait to dress up for a change.”
Garrett’s gaze swept slowly over her, warm enough to make her pulse skip. “And I can’t wait to show you off.”
And that, more than anything else, was what nearly stole her breath.