Free Sweet Dreams (The Bakery Romance Series Book 3) by Cecelia Dowdy

sorry for her because she was raising Jennifer alone and had to deal with troublesome Nate?
    When Sunday rolled around, she was still tired. She came into the kitchen and the scent of Adrian’s perfume filled the air, signaling that she was ready for church. “You think you feel well enough to come to church?” asked Adrian, setting a mug of hot tea on the table in front of her.
    “I just feel so tired, but I do feel better since last Friday.”
    “Why don’t you go back to bed?”
    “Adrian, I can’t. I promised Jennifer that I’d come and get her today.” She paused, sipping her tea. “Can we rent the car like you promised? I’ll need to take Jennifer to the daycare tomorrow and it’ll be easier for me to transport her in a car instead of taking the bus.”
    Adrian nodded. “Sterling and I rented the car this morning, but you’re not driving today.”
    “What?”
    “Oh, Misty, you can’t drive. You’re still sick.”
    Misty swallowed, enjoying the hot lemony taste of the tea. “The doctor at urgent care said I could go back to work on Monday if I felt like it. I just need to rest this morning and then I’m going to drive to my mother’s house to get Jennifer.”
    Adrian huffed, grabbing her cane and sticking it into her large tote bag. “Just stay home and wait until next week to get Jennifer. You’re in no condition to be driving for two and a half hours.”
    “But I promised her. I miss my daughter. I’ve been moping around your house since I came to town.”
    Adrian sighed. “You have been upset.”
    “Well, I can drop her off at the daycare tomorrow since that’s when the space opens up and they’re expecting her and I’ve already paid my deposit and one week’s fee in advance. I miss Jennifer so much and seeing her is the best medicine that I could hope for.”
    A knock sounded at the door. “Oh, that’s Sterling. He usually gives me a ride to church. Go back to bed after you finish your tea and we’ll talk about this when I get home.”
    Misty obeyed, too tired to argue. When she returned to bed, she fell into a deep slumber. Adrian gently awakened her a couple of hours later, shaking her shoulder. “Misty, I asked Sterling and he’s going to drive you over to your mom’s to get Jennifer.”
    Misty struggled to wake up, shocked at Adrian’s actions. “What? You shouldn’t have asked him to do that. I could’ve driven down to get Jennifer.” Sterling had done so much for her already, and she didn’t want him to think she was taking advantage of his kindness.
    Adrian sighed and made herself comfortable on the bed. “The bakery is closed on Sundays and Sterling doesn’t mind doing this as a favor to me.”
    Misty looked away, wondering if it was a good thing for Sterling to be driving her down to her mother’s house. She didn’t want to inconvenience him. “Adrian, I don’t know…”
    “Don’t argue with me. You can sleep in the car. Imagine how excited Jennifer’s going to be when she sees you.”
    She pulled herself out of bed, a sudden burst of excitement rushing through her when she thought about seeing her daughter again. She washed up and gathered her bag and keys before taking another dose of medicine.
    She strolled into the kitchen and stopped. Sterling lounged at the table. He cradled a cup of coffee in his large brown hands, sipping the steaming brew. “Hi,” she breathed.
    “Hi, Misty. I thought we could leave after I finished my coffee.”
    She nodded. “That’s fine.” He sported a dark red collared shirt and denim shorts. He’d recently gotten a haircut and the scent of his cologne teased her nose. She eyed his muscular arms and calves. Goodness, this man was big. Big and kind…the thought of spending the day with him filled her mind. What would they talk about while driving to Lehigh Acres? He looked up and caught her staring. She looked away, ashamed that he’d noticed her looking at him.
    Sterling finished his coffee and they finally made