Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Patrice Lewis (i read book txt) 📖

“He’s being kind,” Ella interjected. “I swung the door too hard when I came inside and it crashed into him. I’m so sorry for the trouble.” Regret rang out in her voice. “It was entirely my fault.”

“You must be new in town if you think that’s trouble,” Piper responded. “I’m the owner of this place by the way. Piper Miller.”

“Ella Perez. I… I’ve just moved to Owl Creek,” she explained, running a shaky hand through her long dark tresses. Connor was trying not to stare, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Ella Perez was without a doubt the prettiest woman who’d ever stepped foot in Owl Creek.

“Let me show you to a table.” Piper looked back and forth between them. “Unless the two of you are sitting together?”

“No! We’re not together,” Ella said in an emphatic tone that brooked no argument. “I just need a table for one.”

“That can be arranged,” Piper said. “Follow me and I’ll get you situated. Connor, why don’t you go over to the counter and grab some more syrup?”

“Nice to meet you,” Connor said with a nod as Piper led Ella to a table by the window. He grabbed another container of syrup from the counter and headed back to eat his breakfast.

His two best friends, Gabriel Lawson and Hank Crawford, were seated at their regular table waiting for him to bring the syrup back. When he reached the table he could see the two of them trying to stifle their laughter.

Connor placed the syrup down on the table with a bang. “As you saw, I took one for the team by going to get this.”

“And we’re mighty appreciative of your service,” Hank said with a smirk. He reached over and picked up the container, pouring the syrup liberally over his flapjacks.

Hank handed the syrup to Gabriel, who did the same. “Looks like you made a new friend.” Gabriel wiggled his eyebrows. Connor pretended not to notice. Anytime he was within a ten-mile radius of a single woman, his best friends couldn’t resist teasing him about his prolific dating history. Lately it had been bugging him.

Although Connor’s stomach was growling and he had a full breakfast plate sitting before him, something was bothering him. He knew he’d never met Ella before, but her name pricked at him. Why did it sound so familiar?

He stroked his jaw. “I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel like I know her name for some reason. Ella Perez. Does it sound familiar to either one of you?” he asked, trying to recall why the woman’s name lurked in the back of his mind.

Gabriel and Hank exchanged a pointed glance. Both of them began to chuckle as if they were sharing an inside joke.

Connor let out a sigh. “What are you guys laughing at now?”

“It’s just that you make it a point to know every pretty woman in Owl Creek, even the tourists,” Gabriel explained.

“Neither her name nor her face ring a bell with me,” Hank added, still chuckling. “But then again, I’m a happily married man.”

The laughter erupting from their mouths threatened to drown out all of his thoughts. Couldn’t he even talk to a woman without people assuming he was interested in her? Sure, Ella was stunning, but it didn’t mean he wanted to date her.

Normally, Connor didn’t mind being teased about his love life, but lately it had rankled him every time Hank and Gabriel joked about his status as Owl Creek’s most popular bachelor. He didn’t know why it bothered him so much as of late, but it was beginning to get old. He wasn’t the same man he’d been a year ago. Connor had grown and matured.

So much had changed in the last year with the return of his long-lost sister, Sage. She had been kidnapped as a baby from their family home in Owl Creek, only to return to the fold twenty-five years later. The reunion had also brought his brother, Braden, back to town, making the family unit complete. Although he should have been on solid ground, he’d been feeling unsettled. His best friends were both newlyweds—Hank had married Sage, while Gabriel had reunited with his first love, Rachel. Even Braden had fallen in love with Piper, his best friend since childhood.

Everyone seemed to be moving forward in their lives, except him.

“Hey! We’re just having a little fun,” Hank said, clapping him on the shoulder. “What’s troubling you?”

Connor stabbed his fork on the plate and picked up several pieces of pancake. He shrugged as he stuffed the forkful in his mouth, then swallowed. “I don’t know, guys. I’m just feeling a bit out of sorts these days. Things have been pretty intense lately. I think it’s all beginning to catch up with me.”

“They really have been,” Gabriel agreed. “Personally speaking, the past few months have been a whirlwind. Rachel and I are married now and raising twin toddlers.” He grinned. “God blessed me when I least expected it.”

“You deserve every ounce of happiness,” Connor said, raising his glass of orange juice in Gabe’s direction.

“We’re here for you, Connor. You know that. The Three Amigos for life.” Hank held up his hand and bumped fists with him.

Connor grinned. Having his two closest friends in his corner always made him feel as if he could conquer the world. And since Braden had recently decided to forgo working at the family business, the North Star Chocolate Company, he would need all that confidence and determination to ensure the company’s success. Not that he held it against his younger brother. He admired Braden’s desire to live life on his own terms. He had the type of courage Connor wasn’t sure he himself had.

For the next half hour Connor and his friends ate and talked, focusing on local matters in Owl Creek. As town sheriff, Hank always had his ear to the ground. A few times Connor found himself looking across the diner at Ella as she ate her meal. He was curious as