Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan Page B

she was dating the owner’s father.
    â€œJosie is Max’s daughter. You probably haven’t had time to meet her yet.”
    Lindsey tugged on the cuffs of her sweatshirt. “Technically, I haven’t met Max yet. I just learned about him yesterday. I guess mentioning she had a boyfriend slipped Mom’s mind.”
    â€œOuch. That stinks.”
    â€œSomething like that.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œNot your fault.” She traced the Cuppa Josie’s logo on the front of the bag. “What’s he like?”
    â€œMax is a great guy, Linds, and treats your mom well. He attends Grace’s church. He raised his daughter on his own after his wife left when Josie was young. They moved to Shelby Lake a few years ago and opened Cuppa Josie’s. Josie bakes and runs the shop. Max is the principal at the high school. Josie has a daughter near Ty’s age.”
    Lindsey appreciated Stephen’s input, but still couldn’t understand why Mom didn’t tell her. Well, she’d know soon enough.
    Stephen grabbed a napkin out of the wicker holder on the table and reached into the bag. He set the cinnamon roll on the green place mat in front of her. “Have one. They’re great.”
    Melted icing painted the pastry with a translucent sheen and puddled in the cinnamon-laced spiral. Lindsey’s mouth watered, but she sipped her tea instead. “Thanks, but I’ll save it for later.”
    â€œBreakfast is the most important meal of the day. I remember the spreads you and your dad used to share.”
    Lindsey peered at him over the edge of her mug, and then looked away, finding sudden fascination in the pitcher of sunflowers in the center of the table. She would not cry in front of him again.
    â€œMan, I’m batting a thousand today. I didn’t…I mean… I’m sorry for putting my foot in my mouth.”
    â€œNo, no, not your fault. It’s just that, well, those were special times. Since Dad’s death, I haven’t found a good enoughreason to have breakfast.” She traced the wood grain in the oak trestle table with her finger. “You must think I’m such a dork.”
    â€œI think you’re beautiful.”
    Her finger stilled. Her breath caught as a warm feeling skittered down her spine. Did he say what she thought he said? She shifted in the chair.
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    â€œNothing.” Stephen gulped the rest of his coffee. He stood and looked at his watch.
    â€œI need to get going. I’ll see you later.”
    Lindsey stood and held on to the table for support. “Thanks for the cinnamon rolls.”
    Stephen walked to the door, turned and gave Lindsey a long look. “You’ll find someone special to share breakfast with again.”
    Problem was, Lindsey didn’t want just anyone. She wanted Stephen, but she wasn’t sure her heart could take the rejection a second time.
    Â 
    Stephen swiped his ID card and waited for the buzzer to sound. As soon as the light turned green, he pushed through the back door of the police station. Disinfectant mixed with burned coffee and sweat nearly choked him as he strode down the hall to Chief Laughton’s office.
    Seeing the chief’s half-opened office door, Stephen rapped twice. Chief motioned him in. He pointed to one of the gray upholstered chairs in front of his desk with the pen in his hand.
    Stephen sat and waited.
    Chief hunched over his desk with the phone pressed to his ear while he doodled on his desk blotter. His grunts of agreement mingled with the hum of the fluorescent lights and ringing phones in the squad room. He rolled his eyes at Stephen.
    Ending his conversation, the chief hung up the phone. Sighing, he rubbed a hand across his face. “Politics. That’s what this job boils down to. I’ve been invited to have lunch with the mayor next week.”
    Stephen tried to suppress a grin and failed. He knew what