Before Today

by Leeanna Morgan

  Brooke took a sharp knife out of a cutlery drawer. “Partly. Do you remember watching the movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when you were younger?”

  “I do. After I saw it, I never looked at another chocolate bar the same way. I was convinced I’d find a golden ticket inside the next bar I bought.”

  “I used to dream about the candy in the meadow where the Oompa Loompas lived. I spent hours in Mom and Dad’s kitchen, creating new candy recipes. I never perfected the lickable wallpaper, but I gave it my best shot.”

  The grin on Brooke’s face was good to see. Levi knew she was worried about her store. To be able to distract her with happy memories of her childhood made him feel good.

  “I thought you always wanted to be a nurse. If you loved making candy so much, why did you work in a hospital?”

  Brooke placed the knife and a chopping board in front of him. “Mom and Dad wanted me to be a doctor. I couldn’t think of anything worse. So we compromised, and I trained as a nurse. If I’d told them I wanted to make candy they would have had a fit.”

  “But it would have made you happy.”

  “Nursing wasn’t so bad. I worked with some great staff and the patients were wonderful. But making candy was what I was born to do.” She leaned against the counter and frowned. “I never realized how different my life would be after I opened Sweet Treats. Making candy from the garage of my first home was a lot easier.”

  Levi wanted to let her know it was okay to feel out of her depth. He admired what she’d done, the future she was creating.

  He touched her hand. A bolt of electricity shot through his fingers and straight into his heart. He pulled his arm away, wondering if Brooke had felt it too.

  Her startled gaze connected with his.

  “I…umm…I’m sorry,” he stammered.

  “What for?”

  “Touching your hand. I wanted to let you know that I understand what you’re going through.”

  Brooke gripped the edge of the counter. “I didn’t take it any other way.” She opened the refrigerator and took out a bag of lettuce and some tomatoes. “I have an apology to make, too. I’m sorry I left Phoenix the way I did. You were kind and sweet, and I let you down.”

  “You didn’t let me down.”

  Her eyes widened. “I left a garbled message on your cell phone before packing my bags and leaving. You deserved more than that.”

  “At the time, I would have agreed with you. But you did what you thought was right.” He picked up a tomato and cut it in quarters. “In a strange way, having to stand on my own two feet was the best thing that could have happened. You’d become my soft place to fall and I relied on your emotional support too much.”

  “I panicked,” she said softly. “You offered me the world and I didn’t know what to do.”

  He looked into her eyes. “A relationship needs two people to make it work. It was better to realize it wouldn’t work then, than after we were married.” He forced a smile. “It hasn’t all been bad. We’ve both done things we wouldn’t have dreamed about a few years ago.”

  Brooke sighed. “That’s true. I never thought I’d see you again.”

  “I didn’t think I’d see you, either.” With an unsteady hand, Levi picked up another tomato. It was time to change the subject. Brooke had run from him once before. Talking about what had happened would only bring back bad memories, and he didn’t want to lose her again. “While I was fishing with William, I thought about your roof.”

  Brooke’s eyes widened. “Why would you do that?”

  “Plan B. I figured if you were having trouble working out what to do next, then maybe I could help.”

  “You thought of another way I could fix my building?” Brooke emptied the lettuce into a bowl.

  Levi nodded. “You need to keep an open mind, though.”

  “How open?”

  Despite the knots in his stomach, he smiled. “Open enough to let me remodel your attic.” When Brooke started to say something, he held his hand in the air. “Let me finish. I worked for Dad’s construction company before I joined the Army. For the last two years, I’ve been working on building sites. I have my general contractor’s license and I know how to remodel a room. It might take a couple of weeks longer than the contractor you spoke to, but I could start at the end of next week.”

  Brooke shook her head. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “You weren’t going to spend more than a few weeks in Sapphire Bay. Just because I can’t afford to fix my attic, it doesn’t mean you have to do it.”

  “At least think about it.”

  “You haven’t even seen how bad it is.”

  Levi placed the tomatoes on top of the lettuce. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “But I haven’t got enough money to pay for the materials or your labor.”

  “As long as you bring me some candy each day, I’ll replace the rotten wood and drywall, and make sure it’s safe.”

  Brooke bit her bottom lip. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “I wouldn’t have offered if I weren’t.” He took the trout out of the cooler and placed it on the chopping board. “If it makes it easier, think of my time as payback for when you listened to me talk about Afghanistan. You helped me a lot more than I’m helping you.”

  “I listened because I cared.”

  He gently tapped the end of her nose. “And now it’s my turn.”

  The blush on Brooke’s cheeks made Levi’s heart pound.

  Because fixing her attic wasn’t the only thing he was hoping to do.

  Chapter 4

  The following day, Brooke slid a tray of ginger fudge onto the kitchen counter. She’d been making candy for the last four hours. In between batches, she’d restocked the shelves in her store to give her customers something different to buy.

  With a large knife, she sliced the fudge into neat rows. After she’d wrapped each bar in a cellophane bag, she’d make more Easter eggs, then make another batch of rock candy.

  Last night, after Levi had left, she’d gone downstairs and completed an inventory of her supplies. It wasn’t what she’d planned on doing at ten o’clock at night, but it calmed her overactive mind.

  Not that it had helped her decide whether or not she’d accept his generous offer. She still didn’t know why he wanted to help her, especially after the way their relationship had ended.

  The back door crashed open and Megan rushed inside. “Sorry I’m late. Nora had a dental appointment and it took longer than I expected.”

  “Is she okay?”

  Megan took off her jacket and hung it over the coat stand. “She’s fine. The dentist wanted to take some X-rays so that he could see what was happening under the enamel.” She studied the trays of fudge on the counter. “Someone has been busy.”

  “I couldn’t sleep, so I got up early and made more candy. I can’t believe how fast everything is selling.”

  “I hate to tell you this, but it’s only going to get worse. People are talking about your candy. Mabel reviewed your white chocolate Easter eggs on the community Facebook page yesterday. Everyone was incredibly impressed.”

  Brooke took some cellophane bags out of a box. “I’m hoping it will be less busy once Easter is over. Do you have enough cake orders coming in?”

  “More than enough. Last night, I was thinking about Pastor John’s workshops. There aren’t many opportunities for young people to work in Sapphire Bay. After I’ve finished teaching the cake decorating class, I might ask if anyone wants to work with me. It can’t hurt to have another person on my team.”

  “Especially if you’re sick or need a vacation.” The same thing had occurred to Brooke. She knew a lot of people would love to work locally but, apart from becoming a tour guide or a retail assistant, there weren’t a lot of businesses that were taking on new staff.

  Megan tied an apron around her waist. “How was Levi’s fishing trip?”

  Brooke looked at her frien
d. William must have told her he was taking Levi onto the lake. “He enjoyed himself.”

  “So did William. If Levi didn’t give you any fish, we’ve got plenty of brown trout in the freezer. Just let me know when you’d like me to bring some into the store.”

  “I’m okay. Levi stopped here on his way home and gave me a fish.”

  Megan’s eyebrows rose. “I hope he stayed for dinner, too.”

  “He did.” Brooke placed a bag of wrapped fudge on the counter. “He wants to fix the attic.”

  “That’s great.”

  “For free.”

  “And from the way you’re scowling, I’d say that isn’t an option?”

  Brooke nodded. “It’s too much work for one person. I can’t expect him to do it for nothing.”

  “How long will it take?”

  “At least three weeks. It’s not like he’s offered to fix a hole in the drywall. It’s a complete remodel.”

  “You could always discuss some kind of payment plan.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  Megan carried a container of piping nozzles across to the counter. “But if Levi is determined to help, he might not like the idea of being paid in installments.”

  “I can’t pay him with candy,” Brooke muttered.

  Megan grinned. “Was that your suggestion or his?”

  “His. He likes my fudge.”

  “I’m guessing that’s not all he likes.”

  “Don’t be silly. Levi knows how important it is to get the roof fixed before winter. That’s the only reason he’s offered to help.” Brooke slid another bar of fudge into a bag. At least she hoped that was the reason. She didn’t want him to think it was his fault that she hadn’t married him—because it wasn’t.

  Megan mixed a few drops of food coloring into a ball of fondant. “If you won’t accept Levi’s help, will you accept mine? We’d make great business partners.”

  “I know we would, but I’m not lumbering you with the cost of repairing the building. I’ll think of something else.”

  “You don’t have to do everything on your own—and that includes making candy for the store.” Megan studied the half-full shelves. “Sam and I are happy to have a mega-baking session with you. How does this weekend sound?”

  Brooke looked at her depleted supplies and sighed. “I know you’re both busy, but I’d appreciate your help. This weekend sounds great.”

  Megan hugged her. “At least you won’t have to worry about running out of candy.”

  And as long as it didn’t rain, Brooke wouldn’t have to worry about being washed away in the next downpour, either.

  Brooke looked around the kitchen. It wasn’t the first time Sam and Megan had helped her make fudge, but they’d never made different candy at the same time. To make it easier, she’d created work stations around the kitchen. That way, she could make sure everyone had the ingredients they would need. The last thing she had to do was leave some ginger beside one of the commercial mixing bowls and everything would be ready.

  While she was making candy with Sam and Megan, Kathleen would be working in the store. Brooke had organized, Daniella, another part-time assistant, to start work at ten o’clock, when the store would be busy.

  The back door opened and Sam walked into the kitchen. “Happy Saturday!”

  “Hi. Thanks for coming in to give me a hand.”

  “That’s okay. I enjoy making fudge, but the best part is eating the rejects.”

  “What’s that about rejects?” Megan asked from the same door Sam had walked through. “Have you started making candy without me?”

  “Not yet, but everything’s ready to go.” Brooke hugged her friends. “I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

  Megan patted her tummy. “We’re happy to help, but keep the extra pieces of fudge away from me. If I keep nibbling on candy my wedding dress won’t fit.”

  “There isn’t much chance of that,” Sam said with a smile. “I don’t know anyone who enjoys eating salads as much as you do.”

  “I have simple tastes. Especially if the salad is covered in chicken or bacon.”

  Brooke handed each of her friends an apron and hairnet. “You’ll like what I’ve made for lunch, then. But, for the next three hours, you won’t see any lettuce in the kitchen.”

  Sam picked up a recipe sitting on the counter. “Sounds good to me. Can I make the chocolate fudge?”

  “That would be awesome,” Brooke said. “All of the ingredients should be in front of you. Let me know if I’ve forgotten anything.”

  Sam walked across to the sink and washed her hands. “What time did you get out of bed? It looks as though you’ve been here for hours.”

  “I haven’t been here that long.”

  Megan rolled her eyes. “Where have I heard that before? Where would you like me to start?”

  Brooke pointed to an area on the right-hand side of the room. “Do you want to make the ginger fudge? We can dip it in chocolate after it’s cooled.”

  Megan sighed. “My taste buds are drooling already.” She slipped on her hairnet and grinned. “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting used to seeing myself in these gorgeous fashion accessories.”

  Sam adjusted her hairnet and moved to the counter. “They’re better than the bullet-proof vests I’ve had to wear. At least no one is going to shoot us.”

  “I’ll second that,” Megan said as she washed her hands. “I was thinking about this building last night. What if we held an auction to pay for everything?”

  Brooke’s hand froze over a bag of confectioners’ sugar. “Definitely not. Everyone would think I can’t pay my bills.”

  “No they wouldn’t,” Megan said firmly. “It would be a great chance for the community to come together and help a local business.”

  Brooke still wasn’t happy with the idea. “I appreciate your help, but what would we auction?”

  “I called Natalie and Gabe. Natalie is happy to donate one of her paintings and Gabe said he would donate some signed copies of his books. I could donate a couple of decorated cakes and Sam said she would build someone a website. There’ll be other people who want to donate something. It would be fun.”

  “Even if we don’t raise enough to pay the entire bill,” Sam said, “we should be able to pay for most of it. What do you think?”

  Brooke tipped the bag of confectioners’ sugar into a bowl. “I think it’s a great idea, but I’m not sure it’s the right idea for me. There are plenty of community groups who would benefit from the extra funding.”

  Megan picked up the recipe for the ginger fudge. “At least keep the idea in the back of your mind.”

  “I will.”

  Sam studied the recipe card in front of her. “Last time I made chocolate fudge, I doubled the recipe. Do you want me to do the same thing again?”

  Brooke nodded. “Doubling the mixture works well. There are plenty of pans under the counter for when the fudge is ready to be poured.”

  “Do you want me to do the same with my recipe?” Megan asked.

  Brooke took a sheet of chocolate molds off a shelf. “That would be great. For some reason, the ginger fudge has been more popular than usual.”

  Sam laughed. “It could have something to do with Mabel Terry. She’s been telling everyone how yummy it tastes.”

  Brooke would thank Mabel next time she saw her. But for now, they had a massive amount of work ahead of them.

  Two hours later, Megan rested her hands on her hips and stretched her back. “I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m ready for a coffee.”

  “I’ll second that,” Brooke said as she put the finishing touches on another Easter Egg. “I bought some cookies yesterday. I’ll run upstairs and get them.”

  Sam rolled her shoulders. “I’ll turn on the coffeepot. Is it just me, or does the kitchen smell even more divine than usual?”

  Megan sniffed the air. “It’s the combination of ginger and chocolate. I swear I’ve gained at le
ast ten pounds from the smell.”

  Brooke smiled as she climbed the stairs to her apartment. Megan and Sam weren’t the only people who loved the smell. Each time she made fudge, the sweet scent drifting onto the street brought in even more customers.

  She found the packet of cookies and returned to the downstairs kitchen. “I hope you like chocolate chip shortbread.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Levi stood on the far side of the counter, looking completely at ease amongst the trays of candy and mixing bowls. “Megan and Sam have been showing me what they’ve been doing. I’m impressed.”

  Brooke’s gaze darted to her friends. As far as she was aware, neither of them had met Levi before.

  Megan had a huge smile on her face. “It was nice to meet Levi. I’ve heard so many good things about him.”

  From the surprised look on Levi’s face, Brooke couldn’t tell whether he believed Megan or not.

  Oh, man. This was going from bad to worse.

  Megan gave Levi a piece of ginger fudge. “Brooke is a great teacher. Did she tell you she’s showing other people how to make candy at Pastor John’s church?”

  Levi’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “No, she didn’t. If my kitchen could smell this good after making candy, I might have to join the class.”

  Brooke’s eyes widened. The last thing she needed was Levi staring intently at her as she explained how to make fudge. “I’m almost certain the class is full. But you could always enroll in Megan’s cake decorating workshop.”

  “I’m sure Pastor John could squeeze in another person,” Sam said unhelpfully. “It would be a shame if Levi didn’t get the chance to learn from one of the best confectioners I’ve ever met.”

  As far as Brooke knew, Sam had never met anyone else who made candy for a living.

  “You could always give me private lessons,” Levi said with a wicked grin. “I’m a quick learner.”

  From behind Levi’s back, Megan fanned her face with her hand.

  It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Megan thought he was hot. Even Sam, the most level-headed person in the room, looked smitten.