"Sorry. Between my brothers and a toddler, I don't get a lot of opportunities to engage with a beautiful young woman."
The room grew warmer. Was I blushing? I glanced at the bowl of soup and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I bet you're used to being a flirt. You are former military, and it shows." He was no doubt gorgeous with thick muscles behind his shirt. I’d worked with a few guys who had quite the physique, but the way he stared at me, it was clear I held his attention. It was flattering.
"Believe it or not, most of the town is married or one of my military brothers."
"That can't be true." There were nearly nine hundred residents of Breckenridge, at least according to the internet. I had researched the town thoroughly before moving here.
"You'll see," he said with a knowing grin.
I laughed under my breath. I hoped there were more prospects in this town, not that Jaxson wasn't gorgeous on the eyes and had an incredible physique, but I also didn't want to throw myself at the first nice guy I met. It had been a long time since I met any nice guys. Ben, my ex-husband, was a bastard. The thought of marriage was like spoiled milk. I didn't want to go near it. I wasn't here looking to hook up or marry. I never wanted to marry again. Once was enough. I wasn't even interested in dating, but with his gaze on me, my stomach in knots, I had to push those thoughts aside.
We finished our stew, and Lincoln came out of the kitchen to clean up the dishes. "How was it?" he asked me.
"Delicious! Do you always cook everything?" I asked. He may have owned the restaurant, but that didn't mean he ran the kitchen.
"Yes," Lincoln said, a glint in his eye. He appeared pleased by the compliment.
"I'll take the bill when you're ready," I said, not wanting to keep Jaxson out any later, especially knowing he had a daughter at home and a brother watching over her. I intended to pick up his share of the meal too. After all, he'd saved my life earlier today. While I may not have been able to afford it, I’d figure it out.
"Your money's no good here."
"What?" I asked, confused.
Lincoln smiled. "It's on the house. Any friend of Jaxson eats free. At least for the first time. After that, we'll see what happens."
"Come on. Let me pay. This guy saved my life tonight. I can't leave knowing I owe both of you for your kindness."
Jaxson covered his mouth with his hand. He was grinning like an idiot, trying to hold back his laughter.
"What?" I asked, staring pointedly at Jaxson.
"You will not change his mind. Lincoln is the most stubborn of them all. Just say thank you and be done with it, or we'll never leave."
I glanced from Jaxson to Lincoln, staring up at him from where I sat at the table. He towered above. "Thank you," I said with genuine appreciation.
Lincoln gave a curt nod. "I'm sure I'll see you around. Jaxson, lock up the place on your way out. I'm going to clean up the kitchen and then head on upstairs."
"Will do, boss," Jaxson said, putting his hand back down on the table, grinning. "Are you ready to get out of here?"
I stood and grabbed my coat. No doubt I would need it back outside. Pulling my jacket back on, I zipped up the teeth and then shoved my hands into my gloves. I wasn't looking forward to the icy wind or the chill in the air outside, but it wouldn't be for long. We'd be in Jaxson's truck soon enough and then at the cabin.
Jaxson led me outside, his hand on the small of my back. I tried to hide the smile that shined right through me. Could he see it too? Was it that obvious that being around him made me at ease and free?
He walked me to his truck's passenger door and opened the door for me, offering me a hand inside. The truck was far taller than me and reaching the running boards took a bit of a jump at my height. "Thank you."
"It's my pleasure," Jaxson said. He waited for me to buckle before he shut the door and came around the truck to climb into the driver's side. He turned on the engine. A welcoming blast of warm air hit my face. I pushed the vents away, grateful the truck hadn't cooled off since we stopped for dinner. He pulled out of the lot and away from the restaurant. "Do you need to stop and pick up the key for the cabin?"
I'd already forgotten about the keys. "Yes! The owner mentioned he left the keys in the mailbox but that it was at the end of the driveway. He made it sound rather far like I'd need to drive down to get it."
"We'll grab it on the way up to the cabin," Jaxson said.
"Thank you. You think of everything, don't you?"
He smiled and laughed under his breath. His hands remained on the steering wheel, and his focus on the road. He took his time as we headed further north up the face of the mountain. I gripped the side of the door as the switchbacks grew steeper and more challenging to see with each turn. The headlights on the truck bounced back as a thin layer of fog hung in the air.
"Relax. I've got it. I take this route every day," he said, glancing at me.
"I know." I hadn't known, but I didn't want him to see through the fact that I was scared to death. Had it been obvious?