Dougie
Dougie checked his reflection in the mirror one more time before exiting the car. It wasn’t the date with Holly that he’d hoped for, but his mother had raised him to treat all women with respect, and he would focus on Becca tonight, even though he had no romantic feelings for her.
She’d asked him to pick her up at the bakery, stating she’d be working until their date and have to return to it after, but when he pulled on the front door, it wouldn’t open. Cupping his hands, he peered through the windows, but though the lights were on inside, there was no sign of Becca. Great, he knew they should have exchanged numbers.
“You look like you’re casing the joint.”
The unfamiliar voice made him jump and he turned to see the man who’d been paired with Holly looking at him with a smarmy expression. Though dressed nicely, he still felt oily to Dougie like he belonged on a used car lot rather than the peaceful streets of Courage, Colorado. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Teddy Douglas.” He held out his hand, hoping it would intimidate the much smaller man in front of him.
The man twitched only slightly before meeting Dougie’s hand. “Frederick Dagwood. I assume I don’t actually have to call the cops on you.”
“Not at all. I’m here to take the owner of the bakery out, but I think she’s in the back and lost track of time. I don’t have her number, but I’ll bet Holly does. I guess I’ll go over and ask.”
Frederick shook his head. “You know what? I’m headed there right now to pick Holly up for our date.” He emphasized the word “our” as if to cement his claim in Dougie’s mind. “I’ll have her give the owner a call for you. That way you can wait in case she comes out.”
Dougie figured there was a deeper motive behind Frederick’s gesture, but it made sense; he would hate for Becca to realize what time it was, come looking for him, and not find him outside. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“No problem,” Frederick said, but as he walked across the street to Holly’s restaurant, Dougie couldn’t help feeling that Frederick was definitely going to be a problem.
A lock clicked behind him, and a harried Becca opened the door, her hair in a haphazard ponytail and traces of flour on her cheeks. “I am so sorry. When I’m baking in there, I like to turn up the music, and I completely lost track of time. Come on in, and I’ll clean up a bit before we go.” Her hand went to her hair and her eyes widened. “I must look like a mess.”
“You look fine.” He couldn’t make himself say she was beautiful because he didn’t want to lead her on. “Go ahead and clean up. I’ll wait.”
“Okay, thanks,” she said and scurried away.
Dougie sat down at one of the tables closest to the window and watched Holly’s restaurant. He didn’t like this feeling of jealousy in him; Holly had been paired with Frederick just like Becca had been paired with him. Their date didn’t necessarily mean anything, but the jealousy would not go away. Lord, help me accept the things I have no control over and help me to remember that You are in control of all things.
A moment later Becca re-emerged with her hair brushed and pulled back in a ponytail and her face freshly washed and devoid of flour. “I’m ready if you are.”
Dougie cast one final glance out the window before smiling and joining Becca. “Absolutely.”
The air was cool as they stepped outside the bakery and a shiver raced down Dougie’s spine. He glanced around as he held his arm out for Becca. He’d worked security long enough to know to trust his instincts and something told him he was being watched right now, but he couldn’t see anyone.
“I thought we could go to Nettie’s and make chocolate. You’re not allergic, are you?”
Becca shook her head. “Nope, and I love chocolate.”
“Will you be warm enough to walk?”
She chuckled softly. “I’m from North Dakota originally. It gets a lot colder there. This doesn’t even feel cold to me.”
“North Dakota, huh? What brought you here?” Dougie realized in the three years Becca’s bakery had been in operation, he’d barely spoken to her, but then again his job at the resort kept him busy.
“My parents used to bring my siblings and me here when I was young, and I guess I kind of fell in love with it. When my parents retired and moved to Florida, I figured I’d see if I could make a fresh start here. So far, I really like it. What about you?”
“I wanted a quiet place when I got out of the military. Never really thought about security when I was in, but it made sense when I got out. And yeah, Courage has been great.” Though they’d walked half of the downtown strip, Dougie still felt as if eyes were on them, and he glanced around as discreetly as he could. He didn’t want her thinking he was bored with her company.
“Do you have family here?” Becca asked as they reached the door of Nettie’s Chocolate Shop.
“No, my family lives in Illinois, but I haven’t seen them in a while. My dad wasn’t really in the picture growing up and while I turned to a life of service, my brother turned to a life of crime. My sister turned to men and my mother turned to work. Don’t get me wrong, I still love them, but Chance and the others at the resort feel more like family now.”
“And Holly?”
Dougie paused and turned to her. “What?”
She shrugged. “I saw you watching her when she got paired with that other guy. It was pretty obvious you were disappointed. I’ve never had a guy look at me like that.”
He thought he’d done a decent job schooling his emotions, but he’d have to work harder in the future. “I’m sorry, Becca. It has nothing to do with you, but I’d been planning to ask her out before she got paired up with Frederick.”
Becca placed a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. I understand. I was kind of hoping to get paired with Colton. No offense, but I think he’s a little closer to my age.”
Dougie chuckled. “No offense taken. I work with Colton, so maybe I can put in a good word for you.”
She smiled softly. “I’d like that, but until then, shall we enjoy the evening and make some chocolate?”
“Sounds like a plan.” He opened the door and cast one last look around before following Becca inside.