I burst out laughing. My mom and I took turns sharing the popcorn as she caught me up on the status of the current show. “The husband in this one is foolish.”

  “Really?”

  “Absolutely. He’s indecisive.” She tsk-tsked. “How was your day?”

  “Good,” I said. I really liked my job. I loved cooking, and the work environment in the kitchen was great. David could be a little cranky, but once you learned that was just his way, it was fine. He set a good tone, and everyone worked well as a team.

  My mind flashed to the maybe three minutes that had passed with Blake. My body was still buzzing from the electrifying force of that encounter. I knew, I absolutely knew, it was stupid to let anything happen between us.

  Oh sure, he wasn’t technically my supervisor. But he was a part of the Cannon family who owned a whole fucking corporation. I was so far below him on the social stratification scale that it was beyond ridiculous. If he knew anything about my past, he would be horrified.

  Yet the way I felt with him was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. Even though I’d been young and stupid, I sure had some fun with Lia’s father, Johnny. Before I got pregnant, before he went from a casual dealer of prescription stimulants in high school to a major player in the local market, before it felt like his life skidded out of control, Johnny had been good to me.

  But that was nothing like the way I felt with Blake. I knew the forbidden aspect of it was clouding my judgment.

  “I’m glad you like it there,” my mother said, hopefully oblivious to my unsettled state.

  “I do. I really do.”

  “I like this town too,” she added. “People are really nice here. It’s a good change for you and Lia.”

  “And you?” I prompted gently.

  Her smile was warm as she nodded.

  My heart squeezed slightly. Because it had been a good change for Lia. After Johnny died, it had been hard for all of us. For all of his faults, including the fact that his own actions had led to his death because he was reckless, he tried to be a good father. He’d been loving and playful and always made sure to help out financially, even after we broke up. He had respected my decision on that. He wanted us to stay free of his entanglements. When he died, Lia had been devastated.

  “Do you think she’s been doing better?”

  My mom nodded, her eyes studying me for a moment. “Don’t you?”

  I took a quick breath before letting it out. “I do. I suppose the change of scenery has helped.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Fiona

  One morning a few days later, I didn’t have to be in to work until ten o’clock, so I decided to walk down for coffee after I walked Lia to school. It was late summer with a salty breeze gusting off the ocean. I smiled as I walked down the sidewalk, savoring the crisp air. Fireweed Harbor was a cute little town with colorful storefronts. The view was really something. The town sat against the feet of the mountains with a glacier nearby, and the harbor was visible from almost anywhere in the downtown area.

  I reached Spill The Beans Café, smiling at the sign with the letters in shimmery pink and coffee beans spilled underneath them. As usual, there was a line when I walked in. I glanced around. It was always bright and cheerful here and smelled yummy with the scents of coffee and baked goods drifting through the air. The café had a view of Main Street with the harbor just beyond that. There were tables scattered about the space with a counter at the back and a large chalkboard mounted behind it. The chalkboard had some serious flair with everything written in cheerful font and flowers decorating the corners.

  When I finally reached the counter, Haven smiled over at me. “Good morning.”

  “Hey! I didn’t know you were still working here,” I replied with a smile.

  Haven Rivers was one of the first people I got to know when I moved to Fireweed Harbor. She often waited on me when I stopped by here to get coffee. I had quickly learned that this café was the heartbeat of the town. Gossip, the latest weather updates, and more flowed as generously as the coffee.

  She waggled her brows. “I’ll fill you in. Your usual?”

  “Yes, please. Add an extra shot.”

  I liked a strong Americano. I’d tossed and turned last night as I played those brief moments with Blake on a loop in my thoughts. I needed the extra caffeine.

  “You got it.”

  “And I’ll take one of the toasted cranberry orange muffins,” I added.

  Haven popped the muffin in the oven and began prepping my coffee. “I’m just filling in,” she explained. “I have officially become full-time at the marketing department at Fireweed Industries, but I told Hazel and Phyllis that whenever they needed a little extra help to call me. It isn’t just for them. I actually love being here. I enjoy making coffee. I can’t have any right now, though.” She smoothed her hand over the curve of her belly. She’d told me before she was pregnant.

  “And catching up on all of the local gossip,” a voice said from over my shoulder.

  I glanced back to see Rhys Cannon, Haven’s boyfriend and the CEO of Fireweed Industries. He was Blake’s older brother. I’d met him for the first time when I interviewed for the chef position. Although David was the one hiring me, he’d wanted feedback on my sample dishes.

  Rhys was just as handsome as Blake. His dark-blond hair was a shade lighter than Blake’s, and they shared similar silvery-gray eyes. Yet I felt absolutely no spark when I looked at Rhys, just an objective appreciation of his good looks.

  Haven cast him a smile, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Of course. I have to stay up to speed,” she teased.

  Rhys glanced at me, dipping his chin. “Hello, Fiona. How are things in the kitchen at Fireweed Winery?”

  “Good, I think.”

  Haven handed me my coffee, and I passed over some cash. “Thank you and keep the change.”

  “Things in the winery restaurant are better than good,” Haven said. “Seeing as I do keep up on all the gossip here.” She winked. “Everyone loves the updated menu, even David.”

  “Agreed,” Rhys offered. “I ran into him the other day, and he’s happy with you. We were all a little worried when David told us he wanted to phase out of his chef duties. He’s particular, so we weren’t sure how someone new would fit in, especially with him managing.”

  I smiled, taking a swallow of my coffee before replying, “He is. I was a little worried, but he seems pleased. He’s been more relaxed than I expected about letting me make changes on the menu.”

  Rhys chuckled. “Once you get to know David, he’s a soft touch, but he can come off as a little bossy at first. I’m glad it’s working out. Now you’re stuck here. He’s been with us for over twenty years. We expect the same from you.”

  My eyes widened as he grinned. Haven chimed in, “He’s teasing.”

  I shrugged. “I’m very happy there. Plus, I like Fireweed Harbor, and I have a daughter, so stability is what I’m after.”

  Rhys studied me for a moment before nodding. “Well, you can certainly find that here.”

  “Plus, our school system is really good,” Haven offered.

  “That’s what I hear. Definitely a bonus.”

  Just then, the oven chimed, and Haven turned to get my muffin out.

  “Here you go.” She handed me the small paper bag.

  “Good to see you both,” I said as I waved and turned to walk out.

  I was walking along the sidewalk, sipping my coffee when I decided to take a detour down to the harbor. I had enough time before I needed to get to the winery. I enjoyed sitting on the benches that looked out over the harbor.

  Settling down in a sunny area, I sipped my coffee and broke off pieces of my muffin as I watched the activity in the harbor. The view was stunning with the sun coming up over the mountains behind the town and casting sparks on the surface of the water. Mist was rising above the small islands visible out beyond the harbor.

  I hoped someday I could take a boat out and see the islands. An eagle called, the sound piercing and closer than expected. Glancing over, I saw one of the large birds lifting off a piling near the top of the docks. I watched the eagle as it soared high, looking down. In a flash, it dove, its talons stretching wide as it scooped up a fish in the water. I let out a startled breath.

  Just then, I heard footsteps behind me and glanced over my shoulder to see Blake approaching. He smiled at me, nudging his chin toward the eagle as it rose up with the fish firmly clasped in its grip. “They’re better at fishing than most humans,” he commented.

  He stopped beside me, and we watched together as the eagle flew beyond the edge of the harbor to land on a small stretch of beach nearby with rocks and gray sand. “I guess he’s having breakfast there,” I offered.

  Blake glanced my way again, and it felt as if a flame flickered in the air between us. “Mind if I join you?”

  Butterflies took flight, twirling inside my belly and sending sparks scattering through me.

  “Of course not.” I scooted over a little bit, setting the small bag down beside my hips, as if that flimsy paper bag could create any kind of barrier to contain my body’s reaction to him.

  His eyes landed on the paper coffee cup held in my hand, emblazoned with the distinctive logo for Spill The Beans Café. “I see you know where to get the best coffee in town.”

  “Don’t we make the best coffee at Fireweed Winery?” I teased.

  Blake flashed a quick grin. My belly reacted with a dizzying flip.

  “I think our restaurant makes excellent coffee for a restaurant. But the café has the best coffee in town.”

  I felt my cheeks heat as I looked at him. “They do. We don’t specialize in coffee.”

  He nodded and looked out toward the harbor. “Do you come down here often?”

  I dragged my gaze away from him, watching a boat pull out of its slip, its motor humming. Fishing boats were readying to go out, and people walked back and forth on the docks, talking to each other and doing all kinds of things.

  “I do.” I glanced over at him. “The view is beautiful, of course. But I also like watching the people on the docks. I have no idea what they’re doing, but it’s kind of relaxing to watch.”

  His lips kicked up at one corner, yet again sending my belly into a flip. “It is. I love coming down here. Have you been out on the water yet?” He gestured beyond the harbor toward what I knew to be the famed Inside Passage.

  I finished the last bite of my muffin. “Just the ferry trip here, which was beautiful. I haven’t had a chance to do more. The tourist boats are expensive.”

  “They are. It’s cheaper come fall. I could take you out. Do you think Lia and your mom would like to go?”

  It warmed my heart that he immediately thought of Lia and my mother. I wouldn’t want to do something like that without them. “I’d love that,” I replied before I could think better of it.

  “You just let me know when, and I’ll take you out.”

  We sat there, our gazes locked. Entangled within my body’s fierce response to Blake was this unfamiliar sense of comfort. It was unsettling to be attracted to him, and my rational brain knew it was a mistake to let anything happen. That knowledge tossed me into a place of uncertainty. I didn’t know where this could carry me, carry us, yet I somehow felt like I knew him, like I understood him. In return, I felt as if he understood me in a way no one else did. As if I could be completely myself with him.

  As long as he didn’t realize what an idiot I’d been when I was younger. Blake Cannon likely had no idea just how far apart we were on the scale of social stratification. I was the girl who came from a poor family. There was a lot of love, but my parents had scraped by. I’d been reckless in high school and fallen for a guy who loved me, but who was also a criminal. It had been so very stupid, just like getting pregnant when I was too young and too ashamed to tell anyone until it was too late to do anything.

  Despite the epic disaster of my reckless youth, the absolute best thing that came out of it was my daughter. My love for Lia was so big I couldn’t even contain it in my heart. I wouldn’t change that for anything. I would take all of the mess with it.

  I felt hot all over, heat blooming from the center of me and radiating outward. My phone vibrated, chirping the alarm that reminded me I needed to get to work. I was so caught up in staring into Blake’s eyes that I jumped, letting out a startled squeak at the sound.

  His low chuckle sent a shiver chasing down my spine. “Does your phone usually scare you?”

  I fumbled for it in my purse. “Sometimes.” I glanced back up at him. “I have to go.”

  He stood with me. “I’m sure I’ll see you around work at some point today.”

  Only then did it occur to me that tonight was my late night. The night. If I wanted it.

  I shouldn’t have felt this way, but I was reluctant to leave him. The pull to him was almost magnetic. I had to force my feet to turn and walk away as I waved.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Fiona

  Hours later, I was busy at work. I often felt like I was spinning plates when I was in the kitchen, dashing from one task to the next. Everything was a balancing act. I loved the pace of it, though. I could fall into a rhythm with each task flowing into the next.

  I finished up a run of orders, glancing up to see I was all caught up. I looked over toward Tommy, the closest line cook. “Be right back. I’m going to zip out for a bathroom break.”

  He simply nodded, flipping a burger, the sizzle and steam rising above the stove. I hurried out of the kitchen and down the hallway to the break room. Moments later, I was walking out of the bathroom, looking down as I adjusted the tie on my apron, and collided with someone.

  I knew it was Blake even before I looked up. His scent was now familiar to me, woodsy with a hint of salt. I lifted my eyes to find him looking down at me.

  I jumped back with a little squeak. We were shielded by the door as he held it open with his hand near the top of it. As we stared at each other, I could hear the rush of blood in my ears with every echoing beat of my heart. I licked my lips and swallowed.

  Blake’s eyes darkened.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Blake

  “I have to get to the kitchen,” Fiona said, her voice breathy.

  The urge to nudge her back into the bathroom and kiss her senseless was so powerful that I almost acted on it. I managed not to, but just barely. I shackled the raw need roaring through me like a river in spring.

  “Of course.” I stepped back, and she brushed past me, the subtle touch of her elbow on my side like a sizzle of fire, burning through the fabric of my shirt and singeing my skin. I was losing my mind over this woman.

  Tonight was the night. Maybe.

  I was relieved to be busy at work. Typically, I preferred to be busy. Yet it was more than that now. Ever since Fiona had appeared in my orbit, I craved the distraction. We were ramping up planning and production for our special edition season. Autumn into winter was when we focused on testing out new products. For the most part, they all stayed seasonal and for a limited time, but the holiday season gave us the opportunity to see how things held up with sales. If something was wildly popular, we would consider making it a regular product. Autumn was a natural time to follow trends. Alaska had plentiful berries to incorporate into beers, wines, and meads.

  I had video conferences with several of our distributors and checked in with our brewer. I mulled over potential legal action over a brewery in Seattle mimicking all of our products. I wasn’t one to get too tied up over that. Everybody followed the themes and trends, but we had a few trademarked items in our recipes. One of our distributors that handled storage in the Seattle area had caught wind of the issue.

  I tapped the speaker button on my phone, quickly calling Quinn Blackthorn. Her family had handled the legal stuff for Fireweed Industries for decades. She even had an office over in the main offices for the corporation.

  “Hey, Blake,” Quinn answered.

  “Do you have my number memorized?” I teased lightly.

  “No, but I have you in my contacts,” Quinn replied dryly.

  “Ah, well that makes sense.”

  I heard a voice in the background. “Is that my brother?”

  Kenan and Quinn had been close friends for years. It was totally platonic, according to both of them, although I personally thought they would make a good couple. The one time I had suggested it to Kenan, he’d looked so horrified I believed there was no spark there.

  I heard the smile in Quinn’s voice when she replied, “That would be Kenan. He just dropped a coffee off for me from Spill the Beans Café. I’m up to my eyeballs in looking over contracts, so I needed the good stuff.”

  “Mind asking him if he can swing back by there and bring one over to me?”

  “Let me put you on speaker.”

  “Hey, little brother,” I called.

  “Hey, Blake.” Kenan chuckled. “Do you need legal advice today?”

  “Of course, I do. I’d call Quinn just to check in, but it’s actually a business call today.”

  “Should I step out?” Kenan asked.

  “It’s not personal. It’s business.”

  “Even if it was personal, wouldn’t you want my feedback?” he teased.

  Quinn laughed. “Blake, what’s going on?” Her tone shifted to all business.

  I quickly explained the situation, ending with, “So our guy down there thinks they’re copying our Beer & Berries Line.”

  “Ah, we need to nip that in the bud,” Kenan said as soon as I finished explaining.

  “It should be fairly straightforward,” Quinn interjected. “I’ll send a letter, and that should take care of it. Leave it to me. If I need to touch base with you about it again, I’ll call over.”

  “And this is exactly why you’re awesome,” I replied.