She turned to the breakfast bar, saw that he’d already plated some scrambled eggs and toast for her. Thankfully, the portions were small. Beside her plate was a mug with steam rising from it. “Coffee?”
“I didn’t think you needed coffee, especially not with your stomach in knots. I found some chamomile tea in your pantry. I hope that’s okay.”
“Perfect.” That particular tea was one of her favorites.
Brent sat beside her at the counter and dug into his eggs. Instead of tea, he’d made coffee for himself.
“Not a tea fan?” she asked, looking at him over the rim of her mug.
“Ever known me to order tea in your shop?”
She smiled. “I might not have the right tea in stock.”
A snort. “The only tea I’d drink would have to taste exactly like coffee and have the same caffeine kick.”
For the next few minutes, Brent told her about some of the funny incidents on his missions in the SEALs and his operations with Fortress while omitting mission details.
“Wait. You still go on missions?” Rowan laid her fork on her plate, surprised to note that the plate was empty. Probably the reason Brent had been telling her stories. Something told her that wasn’t a common occurrence. He didn’t seem the type to talk about himself.
“Keeps my skills sharp, baby.” He pushed his plate aside and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “When we figure out where Alexa is, I’ll be leading a team to rescue her.”
“You don’t even know her.” But he would risk his life for Rowan’s niece, a fact which melted her heart.
“I know you, and you love her. That’s enough for me. Besides, who could resist that angel face? I’m looking forward to bringing her home.”
Oh, yeah. She’d been right. Brent Maddox was a special man. Any woman would be lucky to capture his interest. She was afraid to hope he was interested in long term with her. Rowan didn’t want to be disappointed if he was passing time until someone better came along. That didn’t seem like something he would do, but what did she really know about him aside from his job title and his preference for black coffee, the stronger the better?
Was this the time to tell him what she’d decided while washing the scent of coffee and pastries from her hair? Better to start as she meant to go on. If he wanted a woman who was content to sit back and let him take all the risks, she wasn’t the right one for him. That thought actually made her heart hurt. “About that. When you go after Alexa, I’m coming with you.”
His thumb stopped mid-stroke, leaving her lip tingling. “You’re not serious.”
“Yes, I am.”
“You’re not a trained operative, baby.”
“I am her legal guardian. If we have any chance of getting her out of wherever she is without legal difficulties, I have to go along.”
“We won’t have a problem with that.”
“I’m going with you.” She leaned into him and kissed his frowning mouth. “Please understand. I have to do this. Alexa needs me and she’s been through enough trauma without adding a bunch of new strangers taking off with her again.” She stopped, her blood running cold. “You weren’t planning to drug her, were you?”
He hesitated. “We have trained medics on every team.”
“No more drugs. Your medic doesn’t know anything about dosing children. He’s used to dealing with grown adults, not six-year-olds.”
“True enough. Still doesn’t change the fact that you aren’t a trained operative.”
“So train me. I know I won’t be as proficient as your people, but you can teach me a few simple things to protect myself and Alexa.”
He studied her face a moment. “I’ll think about it.”
“Think fast, Maddox.” She slid from the stool and took their dishes to the dishwasher. “Because my mind is already made up.”
He sighed. “I’m learning some new things about you, Rowan Scott.”
“Such as?”
“You’re a fabulous kisser and as stubborn as anyone I’ve ever met.” His lips curved.
“Yeah? I’ve learned a few things about you, too, Brent Maddox. You have skills in the kissing department as well and you have a heart of gold even though you try to hide behind that tough-guy image of yours.”
He winced. “Don’t tell my people that. They think the tough-guy image is the real thing all the way through.”
She grinned over her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
Once the kitchen was cleaned up, Rowan set aside the dishtowel she’d been using. “Do you want me to make up the guest room bed for you?”
Brent shook his head. “I’ll stay on the couch. It’s a more central location. Are you ready to sleep?”
Rowan assessed what her body was telling her and admitted the truth. “I’m afraid I’ll toss and turn if I try to sleep now. I still feel as though I’ve been drinking coffee by the vat.”
“What normally helps you sleep? Reading a book or watching television?”
“Television. Books rev me up.”
“Come with me.” Brent took her hand and led her to the living room couch. When they were settled side by side, he grabbed the remote and surfed the available channels until he came to a station airing an old western. “Let’s try this.”
“You like westerns?”
“One of my operatives got me hooked on them last year. Eli loves them, especially the ones with John Wayne. They’re perfect for relaxing the mind and body.”
She turned her attention to the screen, skeptical. “If you say so.”
With a chuckle, Brent settled her against his side and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Just trust me.”
With a sigh, she settled deeper into the sofa cushions. Before long, heat from Brent’s body wrapped her in warmth and she was surprised to find herself becoming sleepy. Must be the slowly developing plot of the movie. Could the trail ride last any longer, she thought as she yawned.
At the next commercial break, Rowan leaned her head against Brent’s chest. Might be a good idea
