Nathan: Heroes of Daisy Hills, #1

By Kali Hart

Audrey
Once upon a time, I used to think police chief Nathan Walker was attractive—sexy, even.
Until he put my brother in jail.
Some things I just can't forgive.
But when someone breaks into my bakery and robs me, I'm forced to work with the man I swore to hate.
The more dangerous the case becomes, the more I'm stuck with Nathan as my personal bodyguard.
The real problem?
I'm beginning to like it.

Nathan
Any chance I had with Audrey went out the window when I was forced to arrest her brother.
I've never stopped wanting her.
But I've kept my respectable distance.
Until someone robs her bakery in the middle of the night.
I don't care if she hates me.
Her safety matters above all else.
I'll do whatever I have to do to protect her.
Even if it means risking my heart in the process.

Welcome to Daisy Hills. Where love is waiting around every corner for those who are ready to accept it. This small town has a little bit of something for everyone. Meet the different local heroes in this Heroes of Daisy Hills series, set in this charming world filled with guaranteed HEAs. All sweet & steamy short insta-love romances. Come, stay awhile and make yourself at home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie M. Wallick
• Release date: Apr 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9798224531042

Book preview

1

AUDREY

Don’t look now, but Chief Hot-enough-to-melt your panties is on his way in, Summer Maxwell, employee and close friend, says in a low voice as I hand change to an out-of-town customer.

Enjoy your bear claw, I say to the sweet elderly woman, wishing Summer was a little closer so I could accidentally stomp her foot.

Oh I will. The woman turns to look over her shoulder, right at Nathan, then back at me. A mischievous twinkle dances in her eyes. "He is yummy!"

My smile isn’t entirely forced. The woman has to be in her late seventies, early eighties. She’s ridiculously adorable. Who am I to rain on her parade and tell her what a prick our local police chief is? Have a wonderful day, I add, wishing the line of customers were shorter so I could dodge into the kitchen until Nathan left. But the string of people represents a healthy bottom line, so I stay put. It’s my bakery, after all.

It’s no secret to anyone in Daisy Hills that I loathe Nathan Walker.

At least the man who arrested my brother almost a year ago has been smart enough to stay away from The Sweet Tooth since that dreadful incident. An incident that ruined any chance of what was developing between us. So why he’s bravely stupid enough to saunter in here today is beyond me. Just because there’s a crowd doesn’t mean I won’t make a scene.

"You’ve really never talked to him?" Summer asks as the next customer steps up to place their order.

Nothing to talk about.

Liar.

That’s not— But before I can defend myself, Nathan swaggers to the front of the line. Damn him in that uniform. The crowd practically parts in awe to let him cut ahead. Half of them are tourists. But the others ought to know better, if only they’d pick their jaws up off the ground.

Yes, Nathan Walker is sex walking.

The man is over-the-top hot. From his dark eyes, chiseled jaw, hard, cut muscles, to his perfectly kissable lips. He’s been approached more than once to model for a Daisy Hills heroes calendar in nothing but his gun belt. I hate how the image makes my mouth water, even now.

Good morning, Audrey. His deep, silky smooth voice threatens to undo me in a single breath. It’s not fucking fair that this man who put my brother behind bars, while he let the rest of the guilty ones go free, still has this strong effect on my body. My nipples pebble of their own accord, and don’t even get me started on the slickness building between my legs. Can I get a coffee?

I stare at him, my smile from earlier completely gone. I hope I look fierce on the outside, because inside, my pulse has sped up faster than a launching rocket. I vowed to hate this man forever. I shouldn’t want to jump his damn bones. I’m out of coffee, I say flatly.

Nathan leans to the side, peering around me. Pot looks full to me.

That’s decaf.

It’s those obsidian eyes that unhinge me, reminding me of what could’ve been between us. His intense gaze pierces me, promising me I’m not fooling him—about the coffee or the way I still crave this man. It’s been a year, Audrey.

His words, tossed so carelessly at me, fuel my resolve. "Only four more to go."

Here you go, Chief, Summer says, handing Nathan a cup of black, fully caffeinated, coffee. I can’t decide whether to kill her or hug her. She doesn’t swoon over Nathan like so many other women in this town—young and old alike.

Thanks, Summer. Nathan stares at me, so many unspoken words lingering in that gaze. If