She still doesn’t say anything and I can’t figure out if she’s just a horrible conversationalist or unusually shy, both of which will really suck because I like my women to have some sort of personality.

So I try one more time to get the ball rolling. Reaching my right hand across, I hold it out and say, “My name’s Max Fournier.”

She finally moves, as if introductions are something she can finally handle, and shakes my hand. “Julianne Bradley, but my friends call me Jules.”

Her hand is soft and the bones feel delicate but her shake is surprisingly strong. I like that. I also like that she has put me in a friend category and not a weird creeper category.

Our hands break apart. I don’t like that.

“Well, Jules . . . when are you working again next? I’ll drop in and keep you company. Might chase off a few more rednecks for you.”

Finally, I get a true smile from her and it reaches her eyes. “Well, that’s sweet of you but unfortunately I got fired from that job, so you won’t be able to stalk me there.”

“Why did you get fired?” I ask, a little dismayed I can’t see her there since it’s the perfect excuse for me to . . . well . . . stalk her, but also a little happy because I felt that job was beneath her.

“My boss found out I had the kids that night and that’s against company policy,” she says sadly. “And I had to miss work one day because my babysitter fell through, again.”

I tilt my head. “Assume this is your full-time job here. Are you a nurse?”

“Yeah, this is my full-time job. I only worked at the convenience store Monday through Friday from seven to twelve in the evenings. And I’m a certified nurse’s assistant.”

“So you were working two jobs and raising three kids?” I ask, astounded.

“Pretty much.”

Just . . . wow.

“Husband or boyfriend to help you out?” I can’t help but ask.

She shakes her head accompanied by another pretty smile, but this time she drops her eyes in a definite shy gesture. She takes her hand and tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear that has escaped her ponytail. “Just me.”

Jesus. No wonder she looks like a strong wind would blow her over. And I’m guessing whatever prick got her pregnant and left her with three children should have his ass kicked.

While I’m pleased to hear there’s no man in the picture, I’m still left with an unsettled feeling over her plight. “No other family to help a young mother out with her kids?”

Her face gets a little guarded and I think she might tell me to mind my own business, but I’m stunned when she says, “I’m their legal guardian and it’s just me. The kids came to live with me four months ago when my sister died.”

Fuck.

Just . . . fuck.

And everything is suddenly clear and fitting into place. Young woman working as a nurse’s assistant and probably getting by okay on her own. Sister dies and she takes on raising her niece and nephews on what is probably a terrible salary for what she does. No wonder she was working a second job.

Hell, no wonder she looks like she’s about ready to collapse.

And given how unruly those little hellions appeared to be, I bet she’s in over her head.

I know that this should be causing all kinds of warning bells to go off in my head, but for some reason it merely makes me want to pull her into my side, press her head on my shoulder and assure her that I’ll make everything right.

Which . . . that’s fucking weird. I’ve never been a guy that feels like he has to rescue a girl just to prove his manliness. And besides . . . I remember when I tried to help her pull the tape off the little girl the other night, and she gave me a firm “Don’t.” I remember that tilt to her chin even though she looked on the verge of crying. I could tell right then Julianne had a backbone and I’ve always been attracted to independent women. She may be having troubles, but she’s definitely strong.

“Max.” I hear Hawke calling my name and I turn my head toward the lobby doors. Jim is standing with him. “Let’s go, buddy. We’re ready to present the check.”

“Be right there,” I say as I hold up a finger.

Hawke nods and they both turn back inside.

I look back to Jules, who still has no clue who I am, or if she does, she’s not impressed by it.

I like that too.

“So . . . I know this is totally forward, but any chance I could take you out sometime?” I ask with a full smile, which I know is one of my better features as I’ve been told my dimples are panty droppers.

She’s shaking her head no before I even get the words all the way out, and that is a definite ego crusher.

“That’s sweet,” she assures me with apologetic eyes. “But it’s just . . . well, I can’t. I don’t have any free time, and even if I did, I can’t afford a babysitter . . .”

Her words fall off and her eyebrows knit together in confusion again, as if she’s just now realizing that her life is far more complicated than she ever realized.

“Part of the date would be me covering the cost of a babysitter,” I urge with hopeful eyes, and fuck . . . why do I want to go out with this woman so much? Everything about her circumstances spells trouble to me and yet it’s drawing me closer rather than repelling.

But then she smiles at me.

And those whiskey eyes go warm.

And she says, “You really are very nice, but my priority is with those kids right now, and until I can get a bit more stable, I’m not doing you any favors by going out with you and my mixed bag of troubles.”

Yes, it’s clear. She’s simply an incredibly intriguing woman who seems to be focused, driven, dedicated, and caring. Add on the fact she’s stunning, what fucking guy wouldn’t be interested in that?

Despite the fact she has no time and is flat broke and looking quite broken.

“Max,” I hear Hawke call out, and he’s standing outside the lobby doors again, this time pointing to his watch with a look on his face that says “Get your ass in gear.”

I nod at him and stand from the bench, turning to face Jules. She looks up at me, same sweet smile on her face even as she starts to unwrap her sandwich, which had been resting on her lap.

“It was nice meeting you, Jules,” I tell her sincerely. Even more sincerely when I say, “I hope we run into each other again someday.”