The Illegitimate Billionaire

“Can we have cookies?” James asked.

“Since you skipped the ice cream, you can each have one.”

“I want peanut butter,” James said.

“Color candies,” Ethan sang out.

“What about you, Pam?” Callie asked the teenager.

“I’m fine.”

“We just took some oatmeal monster cookies out of the oven.”

Pam laughed. “You talked me into it.”

She ushered the boys to a table by the wall.

Deacon rose and crossed to the counter.

“Those are your sons?” he asked Callie.

The question obviously took her by surprise. “Yes, they are.”

“They seem terrific.”

Her expression stayed guarded. “Thank you.”

“Did I hear you say you had warm monster cookies?” Deacon asked.

“Fresh from the oven,” she said, putting on a professional smile.

“I’ll take one.”

“Coming up.” She pressed some keys on her cash register.

He held up his credit card. “Your advice was good yesterday.”

She looked puzzled.

“You suggested the sourdough bread. You were right.”

“I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it.” She pointed to the small terminal, and he swiped his credit card over the window.

“I’m back today for more.”

“That’s what we like to hear.”

The machine beeped its acceptance of his payment, while another staff member set his cookie plate on the counter.

He knew his time was almost up.

“I was wondering,” he said to Callie.

Her pretty brows went up in a question.

“Would you join me for coffee?”

The question clearly unnerved her. She touched her wedding ring, and her gaze darted to her sons.

“I don’t mean right now,” he clarified. “Maybe later?”

Her forehead creased.

“Or tomorrow,” he hastily put in, sensing her imminent refusal.

“It’s really nice of you to offer,” she said.

“I hear a but in there.”

Was she dating the Mayor? She’d certainly say no to coffee with Deacon if she were dating the Mayor.

“The but is that I’m really, really busy.”

“I understand,” he said, pocketing his card.

Being busy was probably just an excuse. It likely had more to do with Mayor Watkins. But pushing her wasn’t going to get Deacon anywhere—better to regroup.

Not that he’d made a decision to romance her. He was still assessing the situation.

He wasn’t about to take advantage of an innocent woman. But if she was gaming the rich Mayor now, she might have been gaming Frederick before him. And that changed the equation entirely.

“Maybe another time,” he said to her.

“Are you staying long in Charleston?” she asked.

“I haven’t decided.” He gave her an intimate smile. “It depends on how well I like it.”

Her cheeks flushed.

He lifted the plate with his cookie. “Thanks for this.”

“Any time.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

She didn’t seem to know how to respond.

He backed off. He’d ask around town. Maybe he’d get lucky and someone would know if Hank Watkins was in a relationship with Callie.