Page 17 of Working For Her Sweet Treats

I continue writing. The front bell rings. This time, I do not look up immediately.

“Welcome to Sweet Treats,” I say. “I’ll be with you in one …”

“Did you miss me?”

My pen stops as I lift my head. Jake stands inside the door wearing the same dark T-shirt and worn jeans, although a streak of pale dust now crosses one shoulder. His boots are cleaner than they were earlier. Not clean, but cleaner.

“I forgot something.”

“Did you?”

His hazel eyes settle on mine.

His mouth shifts. “You found it.”

“I secured it.”

“In a secret location?”

“It would not be secret if I told you.”

His gaze drops toward the drawer beneath the register. I sigh, retrieve the multi-tool, and place it on the counter.

“There. Reunited.”

Jake picks it up but makes no move to leave. “Too much coffee today?”

My fingers rise instinctively toward my twitching eyelid before I stop them. Loralee makes a suspicious choking sound and retreats toward the coffee station.

“I may have my first large catering order.”

That gets Jake’s attention.

“The Foundry is holding the Forge Creek Renewal Celebration next Saturday. They’re expecting close to two hundred people, and I’m submitting a proposal for the pastries.”

“Two hundred items?”

“A mixture. Caramel apple muffins, lemon-blueberry, apple crisp cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, and possibly strawberry cream cheese if I can manage the refrigeration.”

“That’s a big order.”

“I can handle it.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t. How will you set it all up at The Foundry?”

Jake glances around the bakery, but this time I recognize concern rather than criticism. He waits for my answer as I glance at my notes on the legal pad.

“The Foundry has folding tables. I need something better than plastic trays lined up in rows, but I don’t know what I can order and have delivered in time.”

Jake leans one hand against the counter. “What do you want it to look like?”

His question surprises me.

“Warm. Rustic, but not rough. Something that fits The Foundry without making the pastries look like they were dropped off at a construction-site lunch.”

“I can build that.”

I stare at him.