Healing Her Soul (Mayflower Series #2)

Chapter 2

If it were anyone else, perhaps they would’ve been flattered. Perhaps they would have even shivered with excitement. They would probably have said ‘yes’ in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, Julia was not just anyone. Yes, Ryder Cooper was all man and muscle, but he annoyed her to no end. Furthermore, she would never get herself involved with a police officer. Not with a past like hers. Police officers, especially men, were nosy, and at the end of the day they would always side with men like themselves. That was why Julia felt relieved when she had met Judy, the rare female officer who took on her case and boldly protected her.

“I’m going to have to decline,” Julia spoke through the smile she had plastered on, knowing that Ryder could see right through it. She didn’t care.

She never understood his fascination with her. She spent most of their interaction shooting him down, yet he always came back for more. But then again, she had to admit, a small part of her found him fascinating. Their interactions always felt like they were just testing waters with each other, seeing how far the other would go. It was a bit of a push and pull, yet at times, it was entertaining.

“I would recommend the fruity Danish pastry. It's always popular and is freshly made. It’s great for breakfast,” she blabbered before he could push again, and at the same time, it was her trying to change the subject. She immediately grabbed a paperbag and tongs, ready to grab said pastry as soon as he gave the green light.

“You see, my partner Cheryl really wants to set me up on a double date, but I told her I’ve already got my eyes set on this firecracker at the bakery…” Ryder trailed off as though in thought, obviously ignoring her.

Julia's grip on the tongs tightened. She clipped the tongs together twice in response. Two could play this game.

“Fruity Danish it shall be! Good choice, sir,” Julia chirped, shoving open the sliding door to the display warmer and grabbing a pastry.

If she were honest, strange enough, she never liked hearing him mention dates with other people. It was none of her business, and she understood that, but she couldn’t help but feel an unnatural twinge of irritation. That being said, she wasn’t about to give in or let him think he had a chance either. Yes, she was complicated, so sue her.

She quickly chucked two pieces of the Danish pastry into a paper bag before holding the bag out to him over the counter.

“That would be three dollars please,” she stated, plastering her best customer service smile.

He tilted his head, ever so slightly, amused with a knowing smile plastered on his face. No matter how much she shoots him down or interrupts him, he never seems to feel an ounce of agitation. How does he remain so calm?

He reached his hand out for the bag, and as he went to grab it from her, his fingers lightly brushed against hers. The contact seemed innocent, yet she knew it was intentional. She felt the warm tingles upon her fingertips as they made contact. Immediately, she yanked her hand back as though burnt by hot charcoal. What was he doing to her?

The paper bag landed on the counter with a small thud. The sound seemed to reverberate through the bakery front, or was it her imagination? Either way, it created an awkwardness that seemed to fill the air.

She held her hand close to her and glared at him. He knew the effect he had on her. Damn him. A moment later, a soft chuckle escaped him. The sound seemed to calm her irritation for some reason.

“Two cups of black coffee too, Ms. firecracker,” Ryder flashed her his award-winning smile as he grabbed the paper bag of pastries off of the counter. It made her heart skip a beat every single time, but she would never show it. Instead, she frowned, turning to make him his coffee.

“As I was saying, Cheryl wants to have a double date and I insisted it was either you or no one else. So what do you say?” He asked again, turning on his charm level once more. “It’ll be my treat, and she promises it’ll be some place good.”

It was tempting, the sound of it all. Julia couldn’t remember the last time someone had courted her like this, and it felt nice. It felt nice to be wanted, and at the same time it felt nice to have the power of choice to say yes or no. Besides, who wouldn't want free food on top of that?

Unfortunately, fairytales aren’t for everyone. As the saying goes, once bitten, twice shy. She couldn’t afford to fall in love again. Not that she was planning to fall in love with Ryder, but there wasn’t a point in even allowing a small chance, right? She carried the deep scars of her last love, and there just wasn’t enough of her heart left to give.

“Juuuuuliaaaaa! Are you hereeeee?” Sang a voice that made Julia flinch. Her boss, Maria Sinclaire. Great.

The last thing she needed was for her boss to catch her with Ryder in the same vicinity. The thing about these Sinclaires was that they had a bad habit of gossiping and matchmaking.

Maria burst through the kitchen doors only to halt in her step as her eyes landed on Ryder and immediately shifted to Julia. Julia could see the wheels in her mind turning and that was exactly what she was afraid of. Maria Sinclaire’s meddling.

“Did I…. Interrupt something?” Maria giggled as she slowly walked backwards toward the kitchen.

“Good morning, Maria,” Ryder greeted her rather cheerily.

“Don’t mind me. Just…uhh….carry on,” Maria chirped as she used her bum to push against the kitchen door. “Good luck, Ryder.”

Julia snapped her head toward the kitchen, armed with a death glare for Maria, but she was gone. That cheeky woman would one day be the death of her.

Julia placed the two cups of coffee on the counter and rung up the register, ignoring Ryder’s question and Maria’s interaction as best as she could.

“Six dollars, please,” Julia’s face was starting to ache from the smile she was barely keeping on. Although the smile itself made her cheek muscles ache with a vengeance, she was hoping it would work and get rid of him. But….when did Ryder ever take a hint from her?

He stared at her for a moment, eyes searching hers for something she did not understand. She stood her ground, however, and stared right back with indifference. A moment later, his features softened.

With a heavy sigh, he plonked the paper bag of danish pastries on the counter before reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. Slowly, he pulled out a ten dollar note from it and handed it over to her while keeping his eyes locked on hers.

She could see the change in his eyes. They were no longer mischievous. Instead, they seemed a little sad. The thought made her feel a little guilty. He was fundamentally a good man, and the last thing she wanted was to hurt anyone along the way. But then again, this was Ryder. What if he was purposefully guilt tripping her? No, she had to stand her ground.

With a swipe of her hand, she took the note from him and started pulling out his change, breaking eye contact as quickly as she could. She was not as immune to him as she had hoped. Could she write a letter of complaint to his boss on account of harassment?

“Will you go on a date with me?” He asked, his tone oddly quiet. “Please.”

The gentleness in which he had asked the question caught her off guard. She hesitated before pulling out his change to hand it over to him. The moment she glanced up toward him, however, her heart softened. The expectant look in those emerald eyes melted parts of the wall she had built. Where was the cheeky pushy officer just a moment ago? How was she supposed to keep rejecting him if he kept looking at her with those sad puppy dog eyes?

He took the change from her, and this time, she could tell he had made it a point not to touch her fingers. That was the problem with Ryder. He could be such an ass in one moment yet be a mindful gentleman at the same time in another when he got serious.

She watched as he stood unmoving, waiting for her answer. The longer he waited, the harder she felt the thud of her heartbeat. Could she say no forever? What if.... What if she could say yes? No, she couldn't have that. He was wiggling his way through her shields. She needed to get back control, because he was a dangerous person. She couldn’t keep doing this dance. She needed to stop it.

She opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated the moment she came face to face with his face yet again. Those eyes. Those eyes melted her heart. They held a promise of safety, a promise of hope, and mostly, a promise of love. Could she take that leap?

With a deep breath, she smiled at him, her decision at the tip of her tongue.

“Never, Ryder Cooper. Never ever.”