Free Baker’s Law by Denise McDonald Page A

drink-full, downed it, then filled both
     glasses. He was standing in the same spot when she handed him his wine. “So…long day
     at the office?” Marissa didn’t wait for him to sit, but sat and curled her feet under
     her at the end of the sofa.
    He could stand and be unsociable, but she might as well get comfortable. After a long
     minute, Jax sat at the opposite end. He kept his gaze riveted to his wine. “There
     was a six-car pileup on Highway Nine. The county sheriff needed a little extra manpower
     so my office was busy all afternoon and into the evening.” He lifted his gaze. “No
     fatalities.”
    Marissa released a pent-up breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “That’s good.”
    Jax took a sip of the wine then narrowed his eyes at her. “So that was the boy who
     broke into your shop, wasn’t it?”
    “I, uh, I…” Marissa tried to hold his gaze but couldn’t as the lie rolled off her
     tongue. “He’s my stock boy and it was just a misunderstanding. I’m so embarrassed
     to have called you out so late at night for that.”
    * * *
    “A misunderstanding. Huh.” Why would she lie to him? And there was no doubt that he
     was the young man was who’d broken in. To her shop at least. Why would she protect
     him? And why had he felt compelled, after the long, hard day he’d had, to run up to
     the office, look up her address and show up unannounced on her doorstep?
    He’d been in Oak Hollow long enough to reconnect with the old friends he’d cared to
     reconnect with. Still, he was lonely rumbling around his house all by himself. Him
     and Soldier. And as much as he loved that dog, Soldier lacked the conversation that
     Jax craved. And as of late, there was only one person he sought out. He looked at
     Marissa all curled up in the corner of the sofa. Why did she draw him to her?
    “Did you eat dinner? I could fix you something.” Marissa quickly changed the subject
     and set her wine glass down before she started to get up.
    “I had a bite a couple of hours ago. But thanks.”
    She sat up straighter. “Did you have dessert?” She bounced up from the sofa. “Remember
     that maple bacon cupcake I was telling you about? I think I perfected it. I made another
     batch just before I left the shop.” She disappeared from sight for a moment then came
     back with a little white box. “Will you try one?” She popped open a box and held it
     out to him.
    A bacon and cupcake combo was not his first choice. His culinary tastes ran to home
     cooking. But he’d hurt her feelings if he said no.
    He peeled back one corner of the paper and took a tentative bite. The rich maple flavor
     played across his tongue first, then he got a bite of the salty bacon. Pretty good.
    She stood waiting, still holding the box open.
    “I like it.” He took another bite and swallowed.
    “You’re not just saying that?”
    “Not just saying that. I promise.” He finished off the cupcake, not to be polite but
     because despite what he’d told her, it’d been hours since he’d grabbed an energy bar
     and a bottle of Gatorade. And the cupcake was good.
    “I’m glad. I’ve been working hard to get this one right. I need something to draw
     more male clientele into the shop.”
    More guys in her shop? It startled Jax how much he didn’t like the idea of men coming
     into her shop. And flirting with her.
    He had zero right to be territorial where Marissa Llewellyn was concerned, though.
     They barely knew each other. He wanted to get to know her better, sure. Wanted it
     more every time he ran into her.
    He was, however, hesitant to even try to start anything up so soon after moving back
     to Oak Hollow. Not to mention the fact that this particular woman had lied to him.
    “Well, then.” She flipped the lid closed on the box and set it on the coffee table
     in front of him. “The rest of these are yours. To take home with you for later.” She
     sat back in her spot at the other end of the sofa and picked