Chapter Two

MADDOX

She's annoyed by me.

Seriously? Me?

That's never happened before. I know I'm a good looking guy. I make heads turn everywhere I go. My charm oozes from me and draws women in like flies.

But this chick? She was turned off the minute I stepped off the truck. And what is that about? I'm a fireman, for Christ sake. That's like a guaranteed panty dropper.

Her dark brown hair fell around her shoulders and her chocolate eyes pulled me in. The flannel she wore opened over a black tank that showed all her assets, and had me very much interested.

I was instantly taken by her. I turned on the charm. But she still wouldn't bite. So I've decided she's just annoying, despite being beautiful. I don't need to be running here to turn off alarms every night. I have probationary members to train. Fires to fight. A career to enhance.

She hightailed it from the bakery as fast as she cut me down to size, and now I'm left with her employee, Logan. He says she's new to town but when I try to get the scoop on Marigold, I don't get far. He's got her information locked down tight.

"You're asking about my girl?"

"I'm asking why she's so uptight."

"Come on, handsome. You know better than that. She's a business woman. This place is her baby. And you were in here cutting down the walls."

"She's got electrical issues. If we don't get to the root of it, it could lead to a bigger problem."

He waves his hand in the air. "Tell me. For today, what's the problem? And does it affect tomorrow's grand opening?"

I glance around at my guys cutting through the ceiling. "Yo! What do you see up there?"

There's some murmuring, then, "Wires are old, boss. Definitely needs an update. But if we turn the power off to this switch, I think she's good to go for now."

Looking at Logan, I shrug. "You heard them. Can you keep this breaker off, or is it a main switch? Without going to the basement I don't know how everything is kept here."

"I couldn't tell you, but whatever needs to be done to open tomorrow and keep her sleeping at night, we'll do."

I inspect Logan as he turns to watch as my guys are coming down the ladder and packing up their stuff. I like him. He seems genuine and concerned for the business, and her. I'll never shut a small business down, especially in Love Beach, but I also need to make sure my job is being done correctly.

"Listen, I'm going to allow you to open tomorrow. But I'm going to be back inspecting it this weekend. She has to take care of whatever problems we find. Please make her aware of this before I come back. I don't need any backtalk." He salutes me and I roll my eyes. "And if we're called out again, I'm going to make it awful."

I'm not going to make it awful, but I want that part relayed to her, just to annoy her. Maybe it will push a button or two. In the meantime, I think I'll go check on my sister. See if she knows the scoop on the new baker in town.