Hadley had just left when David’s phone dinged, a reminder alerting him that it was time to pick up Brynn.

Coming tonight had been a good decision. He wished he could stay longer. Being around friends had gotten him out of his funk. A man could stare at design software and amble around a too-silent house for only so many hours a day.

Ami glanced up as he stood. “Do you have to go already?”

“It feels as if you just got here,” Marigold protested.

“Brynn is at a birthday party. It’s pickup time.” He glanced around the group. “Thanks for sharing your table.”

Jeremy flashed a smile. “Now that we know it’s possible to drag you out of that fortress you call home, we’ll do it more often.”

David chuckled, dropped a bill on the table for his beer and share of the tip and lifted a hand in farewell. While it was possible to exit the deck without going through the bar, he chose the longer route.

He told himself it was because he wasn’t in any hurry. The alarm had been set with an extra fifteen minutes of lead time. Though the fact that he had time to kill didn’t explain why he was pushing his way through wall-to-wall people in a room with music that hurt the ear.

His gaze scanned the room, stopping when he spotted Hadley. She stood near the bar, a full tray of drinks balanced on one hand. A guy about his age, with thinning blond hair and a cocky stance, blocked her.

Though his path hadn’t crossed with Clive in years, David recognized Clint Gourley’s younger brother. Close in age, the two men looked so much alike they were often mistaken for twins. This guy had to be Clive, because older brother was currently a guest of the state, serving time for burglary, multiple counts.

Clive moved closer, crowding Hadley. She stood her ground.

Anger spurted through David’s veins.

Then, in a gesture that seemed just a little threatening, Clive placed a hand on Hadley’s arm. Seeing her stiffen was all it took for David to veer off course and approach the two.

Hadley lifted one hand as if to brush back her hair. The movement effectively dislodged Clive’s hand from her arm.

Smart woman.

David was ready to turn toward the door when Hadley’s eyes met his. The look she shot his way had him continuing toward her.

He hadn’t taken more than a couple of steps when Clive cupped a hand around the back of Hadley’s neck and yanked her close.

She jerked back with such force her tray of drinks went flying. Beer and whiskey rained over nearby patrons, while glasses hit tables and shattered on the floor. Now free of Clive’s hold, Hadley stumbled backward, her arms flailing in an attempt to right herself.

In the commotion, Clive slipped away.

David reached Hadley just as she lost her fight for balance. He wrapped his arms around her. She struggled for a second, then relaxed when she saw it was him.

The same man David had noticed on the deck pushed through the crowd as the band continued their rendition of the rock classic Layla. “What is going on here?”

His narrowed gaze settled on Hadley, on the tray at her feet, on the whiskey-and-beer-soaked patrons loudly voicing their outrage. A muscle jumped in the manager’s jaw. “Get out. You’re fired.”

David stepped forward, hands clenched into fists at his sides. “This wasn’t Hadley’s fault. Clive grabbed her.”

The manager looked him up and down. “I don’t see anyone but you.”

Hadley’s hand curved around David’s bicep. “It’s okay. I didn’t like working for him anyway.”

She turned and strolled toward the door, head held high.

David glanced at the manager, who was attempting to soothe an irate customer, before hurrying after Hadley. He caught up to her on the sidewalk and fell into step beside her. “I’m sorry you lost your job.”

“I’m not. He’s a jerk.”

“But with Ami closing down the bakery, you need the money.”

Hadley hesitated. “She offered to pay me my salary while the bakery is closed.”

His worry disappeared. He should have trusted Ami to do right by her employees. “That’s nice of her.”

“She’s a good friend.” Hadley gestured with her head in the direction of the bar. “You don’t have to cut your evening short on my account.”

“I was leaving anyway.” David noticed she smelled like beer now, instead of cinnamon and sugar. The scent wasn’t particularly appealing, although he did like the way her alcohol-saturated shirt molded to her breasts. “I have to pick up Brynn from Lia’s birthday party.”

Hadley’s lips curved. “I hope your daughter has had a better evening than I’ve had.”

David laughed.

They walked in comfortable silence the short distance to the bakery. When she stepped inside the back entrance and he heard the dead bolt click, David headed for his car.

* * *

Thanks to being fired, Hadley arrived home in plenty of time to get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, sleep had eluded her. Her thoughts kept circling back to David and the way he’d looked when he pushed through the crowd to get to her.

He’d been ready for battle, with fists clenched and gray eyes blazing. Even that magnificent jaw had been set in a determined, hard line. In that instant, he’d reminded her of one of those gallant knights in the books she’d devoured as a kid.

Except, she wasn’t some frail damsel in distress who couldn’t take care of herself. Hadley knew self-defense, had trained and practiced. She didn’t need rescuing.

The desire to have David pull her into his arms, wrap those strong arms around her and tell her he was there for her made no sense. Still, the image of him holding her tight kept circling in her brain, and it was nearly two before she’d fallen asleep.

Thankfully, she lived over the bakery and needed only to walk downstairs to start her shift at eight thirty. She and Karin handled the morning rush, until the college girl left at ten.

Ami stepped from the back and glanced at the nearly empty shop. “It appears we’ve hit a slowdown.”

“More like a five-minute speed bump.” Hadley rolled her shoulders. “It’s been a good morning. Lots of customers, but in a steady stream. I’ll take that any day over getting slammed.”

“Are you sure you’re okay handling the front alone? I wouldn’t have let Karin off this early, but it’s her parents’ anniversary, and the family is planning—”

Hadley stopped Ami’s words with a squeeze of her arm. “Seriously, I can handle it.”

“You’re amazing.” Ami’s green eyes turned suddenly serious. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Feeling her cheeks warm, Hadley went for the joke. “You’d hire another employee.”

“You’re not just an employee to me.” Ami’s soft voice held a hint of reproach. “You’re my friend.”

When she’d moved to Good Hope, Hadley had been determined to keep it strictly business between her and her new employer. Ami would have none of it.

Over time, they’d become friends, more like sisters. The closeness only complicated matters. Hadley had no doubt that when all of her secrets came out, Ami would feel betrayed. As would everyone else in town.

“I want you to reconsider taking a salary while we’re closed.” Ami’s green eyes beseeched her to agree.

“I’m not changing my mind.” Hadley kept her tone firm and matter-of-fact. “I won’t allow you to pay me for doing nothing.”

“You’ll be helping with both contract and special orders.”

“Yes, and you can pay me for those hours.” When Ami’s chin lifted in that stubborn tilt, Hadley knew she needed to change the subject and fast. She pointed to the doorway leading to the ovens. “It’s getting late. Katherine Spencer will expect her order to be waiting.”

“There’s plenty of time.” Ami’s gaze shifted to the clock on the wall. She inhaled sharply. “Or maybe not.”

“She needs them for her mah-jongg tournament. We both know waiting isn’t in her nature.” Hadley pretended to shudder. “The last thing we need is for her to sic Eliza on us.”

Eliza Shaw Kendrick was a friend of Ami’s. She was also Katherine’s great-niece. Or was she her cousin? Regardless, the executive director of the Cherries wasn’t known for her sunny nature.

“I’m not worried about Eliza. Since her marriage to Kyle, the once formidable Ms. Shaw is a changed woman.” Ami chuckled. “But you’re right. It’s definitely brownie-baking time.”

After another rush, business in the shop came to a grinding halt. Most families looking for a pie or another dessert for supper had already stopped by. Katherine came and left, happy as a clam with her boxes of heavenly smelling brownies.

Hadley rolled her shoulders to ease the stiffness. When the bells over the door jingled, she glanced up from the table she’d been wiping and froze.

David strolled into the shop, dark hair gleaming in the late afternoon sun. But it was the little blonde with him who had her heart stuttering.

Taking a firm grip on her emotions, Hadley offered a welcoming smile.

“Hey, you two.” She took note of David’s dark pants and polo shirt and Brynn’s summer dress. “You’re looking pretty spiffed up for a Saturday afternoon.”

David rested his hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Brynn had her dance recital this afternoon.”

Hadley switched her focus to the little girl. Brynn’s blond hair was pulled back into what Hadley recognized as a ballet bun. Her pale blue dress made her eyes look extra blue. “I bet you did fabulous.”

“I don’t like ballet.” The nine-year-old scrunched up her face. “I don’t want to do it anymore.”

“I said we would talk about you quitting,” David reminded her. “Your mother thinks dance is important.”

“Mommy’s not here.” Brynn’s tone held a hint of defiance, but her eyes were sad. “I want to take rock-climbing at the Y.”

“Dance and rock-climbing are both fun.” Though she could understand where Brynn was coming from—Hadley had also hated dance as a child—the last thing she wanted to do was come between a child and her mother. Even if that mother was fifteen hundred miles away. “What can I tempt you two with this afternoon?”

“I heard from one of the grandmothers at the recital that Ami was baking brownies today for a tournament at the Living Center.” David’s smile eased some of the stress lines around his mouth. “Would there happen to be a couple left for a hungry dancer and her dad?”

Basking in the direct heat of his smile, Hadley felt her earlier fatigue vanish.

“We’re going to eat them on the way home. Before dinner.” Brynn spoke in a hushed whisper, then touched a finger briefly to her lip. “You can’t tell Gram.”

The tips of David’s ears reddened, like he was a small boy whose hand had been caught in a cookie jar. “It’s, ah, a special occasion.”

“My lips are sealed.” Hadley made a zipping motion across her mouth.

Brynn giggled.

The sound, so pure and innocent, brought a smile to Hadley’s lips. “The only ones left have chocolate icing. If you don’t like yours frosted, I can scrape it off.”

Brynn’s eyes went huge. “Don’t do that. We like frosting. Don’t we, Daddy?”

“We sure do, Sweet Pea.”

While David reached into his back pocket for his wallet, Hadley put on gloves, then pulled the tray out from behind the glass bakery case. After nestling the brownies in a small white box, she dropped napkins and forks into a sack. “Is this to celebrate your dance performance?”

Hadley glanced up from the cash register in time to see the two exchange glances.

“You don’t have to tell me.” She waved a hand. “Not my business.”

“We’re celebrating me starting my History Fair project.”

Hadley must have looked confused, because Brynn continued. “For the Founder’s Day celebration.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” David handed Hadley a five. “I like projects about family.”

Hadley pressed the bill back into his hand. “On the house. For last night.”

For a second, he looked as if he might argue, then he smiled and put the five back into this wallet.

“We’re going to have brownies tonight.” Brynn spoke in a singsong tone as she danced around the dining area.

David pointed at the white bakery sack dangling between her fingers. “Just remember, one of those is mine.”

It did Hadley’s heart good to see the closeness between father and daughter. When Whitney left, she’d worried David might withdraw from his daughter and drown himself in work. It was what her own father had done.

“What did you mean when you said the project is all about family?” It might not be any of her business, but they’d opened the door by bringing it up, and Hadley was curious.

Brynn stopped dancing to answer.

“The Chapin family is one of Good Hope’s founding families.” Pride infused the child’s words. “My History Fair project is all about my family.”

The child’s eyes sparkled as she outlined what she had planned. Hadley thought of her own history.

Her father had been a highly decorated police officer killed in the line of duty. His family had been early settlers in North Dakota. Would any of that history ever be included in a family tree?

Hadley returned her attention to Brynn and smiled at her enthusiasm. “Sounds like fun.”

“We’re also making pizza.” Brynn leaned close as if imparting a secret. “We’re not going to order it. I’m going to make it myself.”

“Hey, I thought you said I could help,” David protested.

“You can, but I get to put on the pepperoni,” Brynn told him, then leveled her blue eyes on Hadley. “Do you like pizza?”

“I like pretty much everything,” Hadley admitted.

“You could help us.”

Though Hadley had no plans for the evening, a child’s casual offer didn’t an invitation make. “It’s been a really long day. I’m looking forward to going home and putting my feet up.”

Impulsively, Hadley reached out to tousle the top of the girl’s soft blond hair. It was a mistake. An ache of longing swamped her.

“You can put your feet up at our house.” Brynn shot Hadley a winning smile. “Since I’ll be the one making dinner.”

“Really, I don’t want to impose—”

“You won’t be imposing.” David’s gaze met hers. “Join us.”

Hadley hesitated. “If you’re sure—”

“Are you going to make us beg?” David’s smile turned wicked. “Or perhaps I could sweeten the deal with anchovies.”

Hadley grimaced.

Puzzlement filled Brynn’s eyes. “What are those?”

Hadley’s shudder had David’s smile widening.

“Join us.” His tone turned persuasive. “I promise we’ll stick to pepperoni.”

* * *

With her teeth biting her bottom lip, Brynn carefully spread the sauce onto the premade crust.

“Looking good, Sweet Pea.”

Brynn looked up. “I wonder when Hadley will come.”

As if in answer, the doorbell chimed.

“I bet that’s her now.” David covered the distance to the front door in eager strides.

She’d changed from her Blooms Bake Shop tee into a sleeveless summer dress. The white dress covered with blue flowers brought out the blue of her eyes. Her hair hung loose to her shoulders.

“Welcome to Casa Chapin.” David stepped back and caught the scent of vanilla as she glided past him. “I hope you didn’t have difficulty finding the place.”

The houses on this road weren’t well marked, most sitting far back from the twisting road that hugged Green Bay.

“No, I knew—” Hadley paused, appearing to rethink her response. “No problem.”

“I should have told you that GPS isn’t always accurate for houses along this road.”

“When I heard you’d designed and built your home, I expected something…modern.” Hadley stopped in the center of the foyer and glanced around. “Not this.”

“Surprise.” David’s eyes had turned watchful.

“It was—is—totally not what I expected.” Hadley made a sweeping motion that encompassed the room. “Not only the outside, but this lovely interior gives the impression the home has been here since the 1920s.”

“You have a good eye.” David found himself pleased by the keen observation and obvious approval. “That’s exactly the era I aimed for, as that was when the first cottages appeared on this road.”

When he and Whitney had first discussed building in Good Hope, David had been surprised his wife left the entire matter up to him. He’d tried numerous times to involve her. After all, this was her home, too. But she’d insisted whatever he designed would be okay with her.

David had embraced the freedom, positioning the home on an angle in a wooded area at the end of a winding drive. The location allowed a perfect view of the bay.

“It’s stylish but homey.” Hadley’s gaze shifted from the gleaming hardwood floors to the large stone fireplace.

“We like it.” David motioned for her to follow him. “Brynn’s in the kitchen. I’d give you a tour, but she’d have my head if I didn’t bring you right back.”

Before she’d gone three feet, David’s hand was on her arm.

“Thanks for coming tonight. It means a lot to her.” His smile turned rueful. “She didn’t give you much choice. For that matter, neither did I. I put you on the spot, and I apologize.”

“I had a choice.” Hadley’s gaze met his. “I wanted to spend the evening with you.”

Their eyes locked, just as they had at the Flying Crane.

“Was that Hadley at the door?” Brynn called out just as he took a step closer.

Hadley turned in the direction of her voice. “I’m here.”

It was relief he felt, David told himself as he escorted her to the back of the house.

Hadley paused in the doorway, and her eyes widened as she took in the modern, yet made to appear vintage, kitchen with its gray Venetian plaster walls and white cabinets. He wondered if she noticed the cook-friendly layout.

At the time he designed the home, Whitney had expressed an interest in gourmet cooking. Long before they moved in, she’d lost interest.

“Hi, Hadley.” Brynn waved from the work space where she was carefully adding pepperoni to a pizza.

“Hi back.” Hadley gestured with her head toward the pie. “That looks good.”

Brynn grinned. “Pepperoni is my fave.”

“Sweet Pea, while you finish up, I’m going to tell Hadley about our kitchen.”

“Go for it.” Brynn popped a pepperoni into her mouth.

David rolled his eyes and exchanged a smile with Hadley.

“The kitchen is laid out for the serious cook. The design allows cooking, cleanup and storage without needing to double back. I had two sinks installed so cleanup and wet prep can be separated. There’s also a separate dry area for storage of baking items.”

Hadley moved to the range and studied it for a long moment. “This is a high-output gas unit.”

David nodded. “Commercially adapted.”

Her fingers stroked the island’s white Calacatta marble countertop, and his mouth went dry.

“Nice.” Her gaze shifted to the separate double electric ovens, then moved to the dishwasher installed between the dual sinks, before rising to cabinets that went all the way to the ceiling. “You did it up right.”

The comment pleased him. When Whitney had seen the finished product, she’d merely shrugged and said she supposed it would do.

“Hadley, look at the pizza. I made a happy face with the pepperoni.”

The blonde immediately shifted her attention to his daughter and the ready-for-the-oven pie. She delighted Brynn by moving to the pizza and stunned her by snatching a piece of pepperoni from the nose.

Brynn squealed with mock outrage, and the two laughed.

Everything in David relaxed. Brynn seemed happier and more herself than she had since her mother left. He’d worried needlessly.

The night was off to a stellar start.