Page 39 of Cuddling Carly

“You’re going to help?”

“Why not?”

Carly laughed. “I can’t picture you in the kitchen.”

“You saw me make breakfast this morning.”

“Okay, you got me there. But baking?”

“Honey, I’ve been a bachelor. If I wanted something, I made it myself—unless I was working at a ranch that had a cook. But mostly, it’s been just me cooking for myself and, often, other ranch hands.”

That made sense after she thought about it. “Cowboys can do pretty much everything, huh?”

“Now, don’t go giving me the big head. But we can sure do a lot.”

They were both laughing as they arrived at the community center to find Katie, Stella, and Eli waiting outside.

“Our baker is here!” Katie said. “And might I say, seeing you two walking and smiling, holding hands, warms my heart.”

It warmed Carly’s, too. “Thank you. Are y’all sure you want to help. I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”

“You kidding?” Eli said. “I wouldn’t miss this.

“Neither would I,” Stella said. “I’m so excited to learn.”

With that, the group went inside, and Carly got everything going.

There were lots and lots of cupcakes to bake. She just hoped she could do it.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Carly held her breath as Wade, Eli, Katie, and Stella picked up cupcakes.

Flour remnants remained on the countertop. She wasn’t certain, but she wouldn’t be a bit surprised to find flour in her hair, too, if she looked in a mirror.

The smell of baking cupcakes filled the space. The first batch had come out of the oven, cooled, and was now frosted.

So far, they’d held together just fine.

All that was left to do was try them.

“Well?” she said nervously, “Please, don’t hold back. Tell me what you really think.”

They all ate their first bite at the same time.

Wade hadn’t even swallowed before he said, “This is great! Darlin’, it’s better than those ones you had at the fair.” He gulped the bite down and then added, “And those were darn near perfect.”

Katie had icing on her mouth as she said, “Literally the best I’ve ever had. And I’m not just saying that because we love you.”

Carly smiled, warmth filling her body.

“I second all that. And don’t mind if I do,” Eli said, grabbing a second one from the counter.

Carly laughed. He’d eaten that first one in two bites!

“These are wonderful, Carly,” Stella said. “I can see why you won that competition at the fair.”

“You know what this means, right?” Katie asked. “Friend, you got your baking mojo back!”