Sarah could not believe her eyes. Two flat tires, in two days. She was fortunate enough to never have had flat and now two? Her car had a distinct lean to the left where both driver side tires were completely down.
Matt said, “I will take care of it all while you open shop... for another slice of that heavenly coffee cake we had the other day?” he negotiated. He wanted to take some of the burden from her after seeing how upset she was last night.
Sarah smiled gratefully. “Come on then, let’s get you a big slice for your breakfast and a cup of coffee.” Sarah opened the bakery door, flipped on the lights and began to go about her day. She started the coffee and saw that Matt had grabbed two plates from the shelf. She felt so content and pampered when she saw his smiling face turn to her, and invited her to be with him at the table. Sarah smiled and laced her fingers with his as he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. “Absolutely,” she said softly.
Matt watched her as she moved around in the bakery and then pulled her close. She had the most caring expression on her face and he could not help himself. He knew he was grubby from sleeping in his clothes, but he wanted so much to taste her inviting mouth. He leaned forward and kissed her softly and grimaced, as he imagined how bad his morning breath might be. “I’m glad I took you up on the shower, but I could have seriously used a toothbrush too. I stink,” he said lightly.
Sarah laughed, “Maybe another time then?” and blew him a kiss. She hadn't noticed any morning breath as he had leaned in and lightly brushed his mouth against hers, but she could fully appreciate his concern. She had been concerned about her own breath, which was why she had run to the shower and got ready so quickly.
Matt grinned at her. He really liked her spunk and the banter they shared. He chuckled and said wryly, “I will be holding my breath,” with a wink to her, “bated breath, of course” and egged her on, enjoying himself.
Sarah smirked mischievously. “Only because it stinks,” she quipped. She backed away and exaggerated that she held her nose and moved back towards the kitchen, with an air of drama.
Matt laughed aloud. He liked her in a saucy mood. “Touché,” he said with a salute and watched her, enjoying the sway of her backside as she walked off holding her nose and giggling.
Sarah cut the coffee cake and grabbed two forks. “Join me back here and eat so I can get busy?” she invited, and she proceeded to hand him his plate. She gratefully accepted the cup of coffee from him in return.
She moved to the table and began to knead down the dough. Every morning, it was the same routine to get ready for the day. Most days she could handle this all by herself but sometimes it was nice to have the help or the company, in this case today it was definitely the company.
Matt made small talk between bites of the sweet breakfast dish. He told her about his life growing up, how he would love to have time to travel the world and that he had already been to one or two places, but it wasn't as much fun if you went alone. He watched as she nodded and expressed a desire to visit the West Coast and see the redwoods. Matt concurred and said he would love to see them with her.
It got very quiet in the small kitchen as she continued to knead and separate the dough. He took that moment to contact the tow truck in town who said they would be there within the hour. He hung up the phone and just watched her quietly. She seemed to have a sense of peace about her finally, as she methodically worked the dough on the large table.
Tyler chose that moment to enter the kitchen from the rear of the building. “Good morning, sunshine,” he said very happily and stopped, looking questioningly at Matt. “Oh, hello... you are?” he questioned abruptly. He had seen the two cars in the small parking lot and had wondered who the other belonged to.
Matt stood for a moment, and glanced over Tyler sizing him up. He knew she worked with someone else, but it was disconcerting to see her addressed so casually as ‘sunshine’ by a man that could be competition for her attention. “I am Matt, I am Sarah’s friend,” he said politely and extended his arm to shake Tyler’s hand. He watched as Tyler just shrugged and gestured that his hands full with the two coffee cups.
Tyler nodded and brushed off Matt’s offer to shake congenially. He turned to Sarah, who seemed to be quite happy this morning and practically glowed. He would think she would be a bit more upset about yesterday and was frustrated, especially since she had asked him to leave. He had gotten the coffee to console her if she was still bothered, though it seemed like she did not need it. “I got you a mocha today, if you would like it? Did the police find out anything and what happened to your car?” he said lightly to Sarah. “I did not know to get three coffees because I didn't know you would have a guest with you this morning. If you are bringing a friend, you should call me. You know I am always available for you.” He was there for her, not this guy, he thought.
Sarah looked at both attractive men in her small kitchen, and how they sized each other up. She took advantage of the situation quickly. Tyler had been hounding her for a few months now to go to dinner, grab a drink, see a movie and each time she has told him no... but now, she had an official reason standing right in his face.
She decided to announce her attentions and put a stop to the scene before it turned ugly, since they were still eyeing each other over the prep station. “Tyler, Matt is not a guest, per se - he is my boyfriend.” Sarah watched as Matt smiled widely at the announcement and saw Tyler’s reaction. He was not pleased at all.
Tyler clamped his lips together tightly and nodded. “That is great. I am happy for you,” he said quietly and saw her frown. He figured she wanted to keep things professional, and that is what she had always claimed. He never heard her say anything about having someone outside of work.
He was hurt she had misled him. He figured he had only been turned down because of the work situation. He had started looking for another job because he liked her so much. He didn't want to leave the bakery but he wanted Sarah to give him a chance. He knew they could be happy together, because he felt they were just alike.
Matt wanted to lighten the mood in the tiny kitchen. He did not like the way Tyler was looking at them. He hoped that Tyler would come to terms, talk with Sarah and they could get back to a professional work environment. She had told him that Tyler had asked her out, but she had also mentioned she was not interested. “Sarah, is there anything I can help with until the tow truck gets here?” He really liked her establishing that she belonged to him.
Tyler jumped in and answered for Sarah. “She has help, that is what I am here for.” Tyler snapped and then tried to make light of it. “She has me to help her out, so if you need to head off to work? I have got it handled.” He did not want to look like an ass in front of Sarah, but he also wanted to show he could take care of her if she needed something. This Matt guy was not needed anymore, he thought.
Matt was taken aback and almost smiled at the other man’s reaction. Right, I can see how this is going really fast, he thought. Tyler is after Sarah and she has no idea how much he is interested, other than ‘casually’ as she said.
This man is very possessive and it was time to show him who it was that she preferred. He wanted to be cordial to the other, however, there also comes a time to set dominance too. He was going to make sure the other man understood he was not going anywhere fast. “So, Tyler? Tell me about yourself? How did you come to know my Sarah?” he said amicably, as he winked at her across the slab of dough she was currently punching down and moved closer to her side, topping off her coffee. Sarah blushed and grabbed the cutter to make the perfect circles for the doughnuts.
Tyler watched the two of them. He felt it was none of Matt’s business how he got to know Sarah, but he was also going to be polite in front of her too. If they were away from her, he would tell the other man where exactly he could go! Tyler was very evasive, said he was from here and there, lived in several locations and finally settled down here and happened to be passing by the shop. He made sure and told Matt that he had
worked in a bakery before… so he was the perfect candidate to help her out with the work she needed. Tyler went on to proclaim that he was an ideal partner for Sarah and always helped her out when she needed, he gave a pointed look at Matt.
Sarah looked at them both, her frustration growing. They had been going back in forth for a few minutes.... Matt laying it on thick and Tyler claiming to be perfect for her and the shop. Sarah grabbed the cutter and started stabbing at the table with gusto, punching the circles in the dough. “If you two are finished now? Tyler you can take over with the frying while Matt and I see to the tow truck, who should be here soon?” she said irritated. Sarah dusted off her hands on her apron and finished her coffee quickly. She headed out the back door of the bakery and Matt followed quietly.
Once outside, and the door shut behind him. Matt took her hand and he watched as she turned to him. He reached up and stroked back her hair from her face, watching her exasperated expression melt off her features as she looked at him. He adored looking at her expressive profile. “You know he likes you... a lot,” he said, “and he is quite possessive of you.”
It made him unsure of how to feel about Tyler. He knew Tyler was enamored of Sarah, and he could certainly understand why. He did not like how possessive he was, but if he cared that much about her? He knew that Tyler would have her best interest at heart, and he too would take care of her.
Sarah reached up and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “There is nothing to be possessive about.” Sarah replied lightly. “I have a fellow in my life that I am quite happy with,” she said. She liked a guy that was interested in her and wanted to be with her, but not controlling like Josh had been. Possessive was okay as long as she could still be herself. It was when she could not be herself, then possessiveness was a problem.
Matt kissed her lightly and held her for a few minutes in the growing pink light of the sunrise. “I am really glad to hear that,” Matt said with relief. “Listen, I was thinking that I might check into an alarm system for you, if you don't mind?” He wanted to do what he could for her and she had mentioned the police had said something about one and her fear of the costs involved.
Sarah was content being held, as they stood together and listened to the sounds of the sleepy town awakening. She loved the smell of his cologne and how she felt with his arms around her protectively. “No, not at all, I am still waiting for the police results so I should hear back today or tomorrow I would think.”
The tow truck driver chose that moment to pull in, interrupting the idyllic scene. Sarah pulled away and Matt moved to the driver’s door of the loud tow truck. She waved and headed back inside to flip the open sign on in the front window and unlock the front door. She saw Tyler was still frying up donuts and he did not say a word to her.
Sarah turned, walked out the rear door and saw both Matt and the driver kneeling, looking at her car carefully as he readied the hook and chain to drag it up the flatbed. “Lady, you have someone that has taken a dislike to you! It has been a while since I have seen slashed tires on a car out here,” he said, and spat tobacco onto the ground nearby.
Sarah walked over to where Matt stood. She looked at his grim expression and saw that he was upset. Sarah could feel herself pale, as she thought of exactly who she knew could be that hostile towards her. She felt him steady her, as she felt her knees buckle in fear. “Slashed?” she asked and looked at the tires for herself. She could see where the driver pointed that there were several marks that had been punched through the sidewall of the tire. It was deliberate and intentional. Sarah could only think of one person who had been that angry with her, and she had divorced him and ran like hell.
Matt wanted to comfort her. He did not like how pale she was, her normally pinked cheeks were now white as a sheet. He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, he whispered to her, “I am going to check into a camera too. This is not safe for you and I can’t stand knowing you might be in danger. Maybe we can talk about this more over dinner while we don't have ears around us,” he said gesturing at the bakery door where Tyler stood watching, and the tow truck driver who dragged her car up onto the flatbed.
Sarah was still stunned and processing the damages to her car. “Yes, that sounds good... shall I cook again or did you want to go somewhere?” she asked absently. She was afraid and was not sure if it was Josh or someone else.
Matt rubbed her back lovingly, “Let’s see what you are feeling like later. You might let me spoil you and take you out since you are always feeding me, or so it seems,” he said with a smile and kissed her nose. He turned to the tow truck driver and gave instructions to take it to the tire store in town, and asked if he could ride in with him. Matt gave her his own keys and said he would be back later when the car was fixed. He climbed up into the tow truck and waved.
Sarah watched them drive off and headed back inside. When she stepped inside, she went right to work at the counter boxing up items and serving up breakfast for her customers who had already arrived. She needed to keep busy to keep her mind off of the past few days’ events.
14
Matt had the two tires replaced on her car, came back to the bakery, switched cars and went to the electronic store in the next town over. He found a small camera that clipped onto an item or could be set on a shelf but operated via app on a cell phone. It wasn't much and wouldn't record but it would allow her to check her store any time she needed too.
He also picked up a pamphlet for a security system and set it up for installation later in the week. Matt drove home, went for a quick run, showered, shaved and thought the whole time about Sarah and her safety. Would she carry a Taser? A knife? Something to at least protect/defend herself if she was at the shop alone. He thought of giving her a small mace can that could easily go on a keychain, but decided he would take her and let her pick. He wanted her comfortable enough with whatever it was to be able to use it if necessary.
It was late afternoon when Matt returned to the bakery to pick up Sarah. He waited patiently in the corner while she finished up for the day and counted the register to do the deposit. He noticed that Tyler never acknowledged that he had arrived, nor was it unexpected either. Matt informed her that he had a security company coming out at the end of the week to install sensors and a keypad for her.
He neglected to tell her about the camera. That was only for her to know and he suspected Tyler may have had something to do with the money disappearing and the tires on her car, but he was not sure. By Sarah’s expression earlier, he could see she thought it might be her ex-husband.
Tyler turned to Sarah and told her he was finished for the afternoon and heading out. He dragged it out for a few minutes, asking if she needed anything, and did she want him to stay until they all left at once. He felt resigned as she declined, and thanked him for his concern.
He hoped she was alone in the morning, when she confirmed that she was coming in. He wanted to talk to her and tell her how he felt. Tyler nodded and gave her a quick hug. He held her close for a few moments, feeling her against him and breathed in her sweet perfume. He then left quickly afterwards without a word.
Matt looked at Sarah and she looked back at him. “That was odd,” Sarah said. Matt was very quiet and did not comment. He escorted her to her car and they opted to drive both cars rather than leave them in the dark lot. They both drove over to Sarah’s place so she could change, get ready and only take one car.
Sarah unlocked the door and let them in to the house. “I will not be but a few minutes,” she told him and headed back to her bedroom to change. She shut the door and quickly stripped out of her polo and jeans. She opened her closet and slipped into a long dress with a gathered, flowing skirt. It had a form fitted bodice but was very modest. It had a high neckline but sleeveless.
It reminded her of a Grace Kelly dress from the fifties and when she saw it, she picked it up right away regardless of having no occasion to wear it, at the time. She removed her French braid and gave the waves
shake so they cascaded down her back. A dab of mascara, a bit of perfume and lip gloss completed the look. She smiled in the mirror and twirled around. Sarah stepped out of her room and saw Matt looking at the bookshelf.
Matt asked without looking up, “You read quite a bit, don't you” he said. He then glanced at her and did a double take, his mouth dropped open. “Damn, Sarah, you look stunning,” he said, “you take my breath away.” He dipped down to kiss her, amazed by the change in her. He admired the dress, how it fitted her and saw a peek of lace or crinoline under the gathered skirt. That one peek, instantly set his mind racing as he thought of what it would be like to toss it up over her head in the heat of the moment. He shook his head, still surprised at how she looked.
Sarah laughed at his expression and felt like a million dollars. She kissed him quickly, reminding him, “You promised to wine and dine me, sir. Let’s get out of here,” she said lightly and grabbed his hand pulling him to the door.
Matt felt supremely under dressed in khaki’s and felt there was nowhere on the planet nice enough for her the way she was dressed. She looked like a movie star and he wanted so much more for her. “Your wish is my command, princess. What are you feeling like tonight? Italian? Chinese? A steak? Is there somewhere nice in town or shall we drive up to Cincinnati or into Louisville?”
Sarah happily said, “I am low maintenance, you pick I will be happy with anything.” She just wanted to have a nice evening with him, knock his socks off, and forget some of the stresses of the day. She was feeling a bit overwhelmed and thankful to have him supporting her by handling the problem with the tires being replaced. It was truly a load off of her mind.
Sarah admitted she did not feel like driving an hour to go somewhere fancy, she just wanted to spend time with him and suggested a small place up the road. She felt like a princess all dressed up, and being led to her coach by her prince.
Sweet Heat Rising (Thoroughbred Men Series) Page 7