Free Doughnut Darlin' (Plus Size Romance 4) by Lynn Cooper

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    THE LITTLE DOUGHNUT SHOP located in downtown Erman, South Carolina was empty except for Raven Shore and the shop’s elderly owners—Irvin and Sally Dimsdale.  Raven was sitting on a barstool at the counter, nursing her third cup of coffee.  She loved this time of day.  The quiet mid-morning hours between the breakfast and lunch crowd were ideal for writing.  Since leaving her childhood home six months ago, Raven had practically spent every waking hour at The Little Doughnut Shop.  She felt comfortable there.  It was the perfect place for her to pursue her dream of becoming an author.  Irvin and Sally had become surrogate parents to her.  They were just the sort of people she needed right now. She was extremely fond of them and enjoyed helping them out during the peak times.  The Dimsdales paid her in free coffee and all the doughnuts she could eat.   
    Given Raven’s current weight, the last thing she needed was an endless supply of pastries.  But, what the hell? She couldn’t worry about a few extra pounds.  She had a problem that was much bigger than the size of her ass.  Trouble and danger was hot on her heels.  Staying safe was her main priority.
    A miniature cowbell dangled from a string of yarn above the entrance to the shop.  It was an old- timey method—one fitting of a mom-and-pop establishment.  When the door was opened, the metal rim clanked against the glass pane, alerting them to incoming customers. 
    With her nose buried deep in her laptop, the jangling of the bell startled Raven.  She jerked her head up so quickly, it made her momentarily dizzy.  Attempting to regain her equilibrium, she stood, then swayed and sat back down again. 
    Her face burned hot as the lone customer chuckled—a deep, sexy resonating sound that made her feel even weaker in the knees than she already was.
    She was mortifyingly embarrassed and wanted to crawl beneath the checkered tiles on the floor.  Instead, all she could do was stare into the prettiest blue eyes she had ever seen.  It didn’t hurt that they were sparkling from a face so handsome it should be illegal.
    Raven found it hard to catch her breath when he spoke to her.  His voice was a soothing, sexy, panty-melting baritone. It flowed like warm honey from his full, masculine lips.  The five o’clock shadow adorning his strong, square jaw only added to his appeal.
    “Take it easy there, darlin.’  No need to get your doughnuts in a jumble.”
    Before she could find her voice, Sally came out from the back where all the baking took place.  For a second, she glanced disapprovingly at the man standing in front of the counter then quickly seemed to regain her composure.
    “What can I get for you, young man?”
    Raven’s heart fluttered erratically when he turned his gaze in her direction, settling his eyes on the plate of pastries beside her laptop.  
    “I’ll have whatever Doughnut Darlin’ there’s havin.’”  He gave Raven a wicked wink.  “Let me guess—the long, cream-filled one is your favorite.”
    Sally’s hand flew to her chest.  “Why, I never!”
    He smiled, flashing rows of perfect, bright-white teeth.  “No, ma’am, I’m sure you haven’t.”
    Raven spoke up, feeling the need to intervene and defend the older woman.  From what exactly, she wasn’t sure. 
    “Sally, why don’t I take care of this gentleman while you go glaze the crullers?”
    The older woman nodded and scurried off.
    A devil-may-care look crossed the hot customer’s face as he leaned his arm against the display case.  Of course, he had yet to buy anything, so technically he was just a drop-dead gorgeous man who obviously took pleasure in getting the opposite sex all flustered. And, in her estimation, he was doing a damn good job of it. 
    He was close enough for Raven to catch his scent.  It was heavenly.  This man smelled liked freshly mowed grass on a spring day.  It was an earthy, masculine