LITTLE BIT STRONGER | A COUNTRY ROMANCE

Chapter Eleven

The Monday following her evening of dancing, Kate decided to drop breakfast off to her brother and sister's places of business.

She bought four dozen assorted pastries as well as two insulated jugs of hot coffee. The dental office Kyle and Mary ran together was always busy but she found a lucky parking spot right in front.

Picking up two boxes of pastry and one of the coffees, a bag of condiments and napkins over her wrist, she pushed open the door and smiled at the front desk staff.

"Good morning! I thought you could use a treat."

"We love it when you visit, Kate!"

"I'm snagging a cinnamon roll before I take this in the kitchen."

"Sweet lord, she remembered the pecan braids."

Her brother emerged from the back and kissed her cheek. "I have a crown in three minutes and Mary is in the middle of an implant. You look gorgeous, you are literally an angel sent from heaven, and we all adore you."

"Go. I'll see you later." Waving at the men and women who worked with her brother and his wife, she mock-whispered, "Save him a cheese danish and save Mary one of the pecan braids."

Kyle blotted at a fake tear. "You brought me danish...I can't. I just can't handle it."

She laughed as she returned to her car, gathered the rest of the goodies, and walked to the retail space next door.

Her sister's shop was always a hive of chaotic energy.

Kate entered to shouts from the other stylists and several customers. She'd lived in this town all her life, as had her parents and grandparents. She knew just about everyone.

Krista grinned. "Girl...I love when you visit with morale boosters. We're booked back to back so we'll be grabbing bites between clients."

"I don't want to interrupt. Just here for a minute. I brought several of the sausage rolls so you can get more than just sugar. You're terrible about eating before dinner." Smiling at the woman in Krista's chair, she added, "I love that color, Miss Tilda."

"Thank you, honey. I'm channelin' Ms. Maxine Waters and reclaimin' my time. Sick of lookin' like an old fart."

"You could never. Can't wait to see it." After kissing her sister who was in the middle of a dye job, Kate walked to the back to leave everything in the kitchen.

She peeked her head around the corner to say hello to the men who operated the barber shop that had a separate entrance along the side of the building. Krista recruited some of the best for her salon and didn't want to forget the potential male clients.

"Hey guys, I brought pastry and coffee. They're in the..." Whatever she'd been about to say vanished as she registered the man sitting in Peter's chair. "Josh. Wow, I-I didn't know you got your hair cut here."

He smiled at her with full lips, bright white teeth, and sparkling brown eyes. Even sitting, his physique was tempting. She knew it came from hard work, day after day.

Kate acknowledged the way her body instantly responded and tried like hell not to feel guilty about it.

"Kate. Hello again."

"Hi." Her brain felt scrambled seeing him in such a normal setting. "I didn't know you came here."

"Had to follow Peter."

The barber chuckled. "I've been trying to get my hands on his shaggy mop forever. What do you think?" He motioned her forward and Kate stepped closer.