Free Indomitable Spirit by Bernadette Marie Page B

Creek native. Depending on what one called Malory it gave away the truth to whether you came from the town or were transplanted there.
    The man balanced the infant against his shoulder and held out his hand to her. “I’m Cade Carter. My wife Olivia and I grew up with Chris and Wil.”
    “Cade Carter?” She shook his hand. “You played football.”
    He nodded. “That seems like a long time ago.”
    “My brothers watched you.”
    “You don’t watch football?”
    She shook her head. “I train too much to watch other sports.”
    “Too bad.” He gave her his order and then bounced the baby on his shoulder as she retrieved his coffee. “So how’s the school?”
    “It’s going well, thank you,” she said as she put the lid on his coffee.
    “I took a few lessons there when I was a kid and did some training in Wisconsin, but never really pursued martial arts.”
    Kym set the cup on the counter and went to wrap up his muffin. “It’s hard getting it going again after most of the students left. But we will make it.”
    “You know, I teach gym over at the high school. I’ll bet we could work you into the curriculum one week. The kids could learn some self-defense. They won’t be in this town their whole life if they’re lucky.”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Really. We could do it on all levels. The schools are all in the same place. Why don’t we talk about it? Maybe it’ll help you get a few students and it’ll be something useful for the kids to learn.”
    Kym smiled. “I’d like that.”
    She set his bag on the counter and gave him the total.
    “Dang. Wallet’s in the car.” He lifted the baby off his chest and dangled him over the counter. “Here, hold him. I’ll be right back,” he said as she took the baby. As Cade opened the door John barreled through.
    “Are you crazy leaving her with him? She doesn’t have the first clue as to what to do,” he snarled and proceeded to walk toward the area with the plastic sheeting and set down two cans of paint.
    Cade laughed and continued out the door.
    Kym, desperate to not look like an idiot, pulled the tiny boy to her chest and gently patted his back.
    John walked up next to her and took the baby from her. “Hold his head. He’s too little and you have to protect his head.”
    He held him in his enormous arms and rocked from side to side.
    There was a side to this man that came out at the strangest of times. The door opened again and Cade walked back through.
    “Leave my son with a pretty woman for one second and you steal him away.”
    John shifted his eyes at him and Cade offered a glance that begged for forgiveness.
    Kym finished the sale and handed Cade back his change. John smiled at the baby one last time and handed him back to Cade.
    “How is Olivia?” John asked
    “Back to work. I’m headed in to town to take him for his checkup since my first class doesn’t start until ten. Parker has been real nice about letting her take him in with her.”
    “He was always a decent guy,” John added.
    “Yeah. Hey give Wil my best if you see her. I’ll try to stop by and visit when I know the baby is here.”
    “You won’t be waiting long,” John said as he headed toward the cans of paint. “Water broke before I got her to the hospital. Chris nearly passed out when he saw her. He’s such a wimp.”
    Both men chuckled.
    Cade balanced the baby tucked into his coat with one arm and his bag and cup in the other and walked out the door.
    When the door shut the air grew thick. Kym was all aware that it was only her and John in Malory’s bakery, only now she knew the truth behind John Larson.
    “Are you going to paint now?” Her voice shook as she asked?
    “I was only waiting on Wil to get out of here for a few days.”
    “Can I be of any help?”
    He didn’t look up at her. “You got a job to do right there for a few more hours. She called in the old owner who will help out for a bit after tomorrow. But for now she needs you right there. Unless