“Dream on, sweetheart. I married you for your family.” Lily turned to Rowan. “The Doucet men know how to treat their women and Marie, Remy’s mother, is the best cook in the state.” She rolled her eyes. “Marie’s been trying to teach me to cook since I married Remy. It’s a lost cause.”
“Not true,” Remy protested. “You’ve made great strides. You only burn a couple things a week now,” he said with a wicked grin.
“Thanks a lot.”
Brent walked into the kitchen, his gaze locking on Rowan as he crossed the room to her side. “Good morning,” Brent murmured as he wrapped her in a hug. “How much did you sleep?”
Rowan didn’t want to lie to him so she didn’t say anything.
Brent drew back, studied her face, sympathy growing in his eyes. “I was afraid of that.” He winked at her. “We’ll try another cowboy movie tonight.”
She laughed. “That should do it, all right.”
“What smells so good besides you?”
Rowan hugged him just a little tighter at that comment. “Muffins. They should be ready in a few minutes.” She motioned to the pot of coffee. “The magic elixir is ready. I’ll have omelets going in a couple minutes. I assume you’re hungry.”
“Guilty. How can I help?”
“Chop whatever lunch meat you and the others like in your omelet while I mix the eggs.”
Minutes later, the omelets and cinnamon muffins were gone, the coffee pot empty, and the orange and grape juice wiped out. Rowan had to smile. Not a hardship to cook for people who appreciated everything she did for them.
She glanced at the clock as she started gathering empty dishes. Good grief! It wasn’t even six o’clock. She was so going to pay for yet another short night of sleep. Man, how did Brent and his people do this all the time? She felt like the walking dead while they looked as though they’d slept for twelve hours when she knew it was closer to three or four a piece. Maybe. They had stamina to spare.
She needed to call Coffee House, make sure everything was on track, that the baked-goods delivery had come on time, and Lacey had shown up this morning. Rowan hoped Frank hadn’t been a problem again. Yeah, she knew Adam had promised to keep an eye on things, but he couldn’t keep watch all night and stay at the shop during working hours. Her stomach knotted, making her wish she’d opted for a soft drink instead of coffee this morning.
A large hand cupped the side of her face with a gentle touch. Brent’s warmth seeped into her chilled skin. His eyes held concern. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“I’m worried about the shop and Lacey. What if Frank showed up at Lacey’s house last night? He was so angry with her and he’s not one to give up easily. He’s a bully determined to get his way and he wants Lacey under his thumb.” Or on the receiving end of his fist.
Brent brushed his thumb over her bottom lip, then pulled out his cell phone. The Fortress CEO typed in a message. Seconds later, his phone signaled an incoming message. Satisfaction lit his gaze. He turned his phone so she could see the message on his screen. Lacey is here at Coffee House. All quiet at her place overnight. Still working on the code. Getting closer.
She reached up and kissed him. “Thank you,” Rowan whispered.
“For what?” he murmured as Remy and Lily left the room.
“So many things. Taking care of my employees. Taking care of me. You told Lily what bath supplies to buy for me, didn’t you?”
He lifted one shoulder.
Another kiss. “Thank you for noticing the details, Brent.”
His eyes lit. “My pleasure, sweetheart.” He cupped the back of her neck and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Are you ready for today?”
“I don’t think that’s possible. I can’t think of much worse than planning my sister’s funeral.” Her voice choked off. “We were supposed to grow old together, you know? Raise our children together. Now, I’ll be raising Alexa myself.”
He bent his head and planted a soft kiss on her neck. “You aren’t alone, Rowan,” he murmured beside her ear. His warm breath and the timbre of his voice sent shivers cascading through her body. “I’ll always be here for you and Alexa. Do you want to go to the shop for a while?”
She pulled back, a smile curving her lips. “How did you know?”
Brent chuckled. “It’s pretty obvious, babe. We’ll go as soon as you’re ready.”
Minutes later, they left the safe house, driving toward Washington Village. She had to keep her livelihood going in order to support herself and Alexa. Whatever money she might inherit from Heather and Jay’s estate would be put aside for Alexa’s needs.
The entire drive to Coffee House, Brent held her hand, raising it to his lips every little bit to kiss her fingers. Brent Maddox was slowly capturing her heart, one kiss at a time.
The coffee shop was bustling with business by the time they walked in the door. Rowan frowned, realizing they were down one person.
Brent kissed her briefly and nudged her forward. “I’ll sit with Adam until you’re finished. We need to leave at ten o’clock for your appointment with the funeral director.”
With a nod, Rowan hurried to her office to toss her purse into a desk drawer and race back to the main room to help out. An hour passed before she took a breather.
“Don’t take this wrong. I’m thrilled to see you,” Lacey said. “But what are you doing here? Chase and I have this covered.”
“Didn’t look like it when I walked in. Where’s Trish?”
“Down with the flu.”
She groaned. Another worker bites the dust to the dreaded flu. If this kept up, Rowan might have to draft Brent and some of his employees to keep Coffee House running. “Please tell me you’re feeling healthy.”
“I’m fine.”
“So
