Cookies & Candlelight: An Arcadia Valley Romance (Baxter Family Bakery Book 3)

by Elizabeth Maddrey

  “And that’s one reason I love you. I’m not sure I’ve given the whole thing much thought. I grew up believing the theories I was taught in school. Maybe I need to spend some time questioning that.”

  Micah relaxed a little and shook his head. “Honestly? I’m not sure why. It’s something people like to bring up and debate when, at the end of the day, it doesn’t change the fact that God made it all. Jesus still died for our sins. He still requires us to put our faith in Him for salvation. Unless you’re going to argue with a whole bunch of people who are out to prove that the Bible is just a fantasy as a means of discounting what you believe, there’s really no point.”

  “I just might be in that position.” She tugged his hand and they moved to the next set of fossils.

  He hadn’t considered that. There was no question her faith would be under attack while she was in Hollywood. That was simply what the culture here demanded. “I’ll send you some links. You can read up in your spare time.” He took a deep breath. “And for the record, I love you, too. Do you think there’ll be any big steps in our relationship you’ll let me take the lead on?”

  “I promise to let you propose. Provided you don’t take too long.” She grinned and put her arms around him. “I wish you didn’t have to leave today.”

  Micah held her tightly. “Yeah. Me, too.”

  “You don’t have to walk me in. I know airports are a pain.” Micah sighed as they exited the freeway.

  “Nope. I want every last minute with you that I can have.” She reached over and grabbed his hand.

  “Well, I’m not going to argue. I was trying to be nice.”

  “Noted. Brownie points added.” She glanced over at him and grinned. “Sorry we’re stuck with Mom’s old car.”

  Micah snorted. It was a nicer car than he’d ever own. “It’s a fine piece of German engineering. I’m not sure why you’re so down on it.”

  “It’s just so...expected.” She shrugged. “At least Dad’s cars are fun.”

  “Being with you is fun. Don’t really care about the car.”

  “Aww.” She grinned. “That’s just the right thing to say. I should be back in Arcadia Valley this weekend, middle of next week at the latest. Then they won’t need me here in L.A. until the end of the month. So it’s not too long. You call whenever you want. Or text.”

  “It’s not the same. But you can count on it.” He wasn’t going to dwell on it, at least not for the last few minutes they had together. “Thanks for having me out. Your parents put on a pretty amazing party.”

  Serena laughed. “It’s one of their skills, certainly. I think this is the first one I’ve ever enjoyed.”

  “I find that hard to believe. You have quite the reputation as a party girl.” He grinned. Hopefully she realized he was joking.

  “Yeah, yeah. Most of that was me simply trying to figure out why I felt so empty inside.” Serena pulled into a parking spot and switched off the engine. “And if we’re being completely honest, this is the first of my parents’ parties since I was...oh, let’s say fifteen...that I woke up without a hangover. It’s a good change.”

  He grinned. “I’ll have to agree with that.”

  She sighed heavily.

  “Hey, you all right?”

  “Yeah. I’m good. Just missing you already.” She leaned over the center console and kissed his cheek. “Let’s get you inside and checked in. We probably have time to get a little snack before you need to hit security.”

  Micah studied her for the space of several heartbeats before nodding. “Sounds like a plan. I love you, Serena.”

  Her grin melted his heart and made him wish he could stay. Or that she could head back home with him right then. “I love you, too.”

  16

  Serena pulled her car into a parking spot in front of the bakery. She’d only been in L.A. a few days after Micah left, but she ached to see him. She had a suitcase full of dirty laundry, more orders than she was confident she could fill in the next two weeks, and the lure of her own house waiting for her, and yet here she was.

  The door chimed as she pulled it open and Micah looked over from where he stood filling a mug with coffee. His whole face brightened. He set down the drink and strode across the bakery, wrapping Serena in his arms. “You’re back.”

  She laughed as he spun her in a small circle. “I am. For just over two weeks.”

  “I know, I know. Too short. Don’t remind me.” He pressed his lips to hers.

  Serena sighed and leaned into his embrace. Home. It was the only word to describe it. She leaned back and smiled. “I missed you.”

  “Don’t tell my brothers, because they’ll say it’s ridiculous, but I missed you, too. What am I going to do when you leave for four months?”

  “Visit me. A lot.” She wasn’t going to dwell on the time apart that loomed on the horizon. She’d had too many relationships in the past that hadn’t been able to weather the difficulty of conflicting filming schedules. What was it going to be like trying to juggle a normal life like Micah’s with the craziness of hers? “One of the things I was waiting for was the schedule. I have a copy in my bag in the car. Maybe after I have a chance to unpack and get settled, you could come over and we can go through it and see when you can come out?”

  “Absolutely. Want me to bring dinner?” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Or we could go out? I can see if we can get a table at L’Aubergine finally.”

  Tempting. She’d gone by herself several times since she moved to Arcadia Valley. Their food was so delicious. But the thought of going out again once she got home didn’t appeal. “Rain check on that. In fact, why don’t you get us a reservation for just before I leave? It can be like a little going away party.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll be celebrating that.” He frowned. “But I’ll see what I can do. That reminds me, though. Ruth wants to have an actual going away party for you. Just something small—our family, including Ursula and Corban of course, and then Pam and Emerson and Gloria, if she can swing it. She was hoping to do it your last night here, unless you have other plans?”

  She’d tentatively planned to spend her last evening alone, soaking in the solitude of her house and studio, but that could also lead to brooding. Brooding was never a good thing. “Sure. That sounds great. Do you need me to come up with a few other names so Gloria doesn’t feel like we’re trying to force her and Jonah together?”

  Micah snorted. “I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what Ruth is trying to do. And honestly, I don’t have a problem with it. They’re good together. Even if they are both too boneheaded to realize it.”

  Gloria insisted she wasn’t ever going to marry. Should Serena mention that? Maybe take some of the pressure off? She didn’t have the answer to the inevitable question of why. Gloria kept her reasons close and had only shared little hints here and there before changing the subject. Probably better to leave it alone. “I can’t say I disagree. They look good together and seem to get along, but...”

  “I know, I know.” Micah shrugged. “Still, they’re friends. Surely friends ought to be able to get together and have fun without feeling pressured to pair up if they’re set against it.”

  Unless they were the only unpaired people at the party. Still, it wasn’t her problem to solve, if it even was a problem. “Sounds good. Have Ruth call me with the time and let me know what I can bring.”

  “She’s not going to let you bring anything. You know that, right?”

  Serena chuckled. “I have to offer. It’s ingrained.”

  “Fair enough.” The phone on the wall behind the cash register began to ring and Micah sighed. “I should grab that. I’ll see you tonight?”

  “Absolutely.” She meant to keep the kiss brief, but found her hands slipping around the back of his neck.

  With a sigh full of regret, Micah stepped back. “Go. I’ll see you soon.”

  Right. Go. She forced her lips to curve and headed back out to her car. At least the prospect of Micah co
ming over tonight motivated her to work quickly. She didn’t need anything hanging over her head nagging at her when he arrived. Although...maybe having a work-related distraction would keep her from thinking about how easy it’d be to let things go too far. Not that Micah was likely to let that happen, thank goodness, but he was certainly a temptation.

  Whistling cheerily, Serena stepped out onto the deck with a giant mug of tea steaming in her hand. She’d slept better the previous night than she had the whole time in California. There was something to be said for being in your own bed. She took a sip and let her gaze wander over the little plot of land that had claimed her heart almost the instant she’d set eyes on it. What was she going to do for four months in L.A.?

  At least she and Micah had worked out a reasonable plan for visits last night. If the movie stayed on schedule—and she’d tried to make it clear just what a big if that was—there was at least one weekend a month they could spend together. Sometimes there were even two. She could probably even make it back to Arcadia Valley for Malachi and Ursula’s wedding over Labor Day. That was the closest to a sure thing, given that it was so early in the process. Everything else was tentative, but having a plan helped ease her mind. Now, like Micah had said, they just had to put it in God’s hands and trust that if He wanted them together, He’d help it work out.

  Talk about stepping out in faith.

  When her tea was gone, she took the mug back inside before heading over to unlock her studio. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d told Micah the list of orders she had was more than she was certain she could finish before she had to leave. If she threw everything this week, she could glaze—and in some cases carve—over the weekend and into next week. Run the kiln at the end of next week and get everything packaged and to the post office right before she left. If everything went according to plan.

  Serena snickered. Like that ever happened. Still, she had a tiny bit of wiggle room in there, and that even left evenings for Micah, because she wanted to spend as much time with him before she left as she could. Which meant she needed to get busy with her clay.

  She’d taken the time yesterday afternoon to make sure her online store was in vacation mode, with a cheery note on the front page explaining where she was and that she hoped to be back in the studio in December. She’d also set up the auto reply for her business email. If there’d ever been a thought to hiding who she was—and there hadn’t been, really, after all it was linked already in several places if people cared enough to look—that was all over now.

  Serena lifted a block of clay out of its plastic bag and sliced off what she’d need for the first project of the day, then tucked the rest back into its wrapping before beginning the process of kneading the clay to ensure there weren’t any bubbles that would wreck the pot when it was fired.

  As the morning progressed, she repeated this process once more after turning the first lump into a serving bowl. She was in the process of making the body for a teapot when someone knocked on the studio door and stepped in.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Serena VanderMay?”

  Serena bit back a sigh. She should’ve locked the door. And probably set out the private property signs at the end of her driveway. She slowed the wheel and removed her hands from the vessel. “That’s me.”

  “I’m from the—”

  “Let me go ahead and stop you. I’m not doing any interviews right now. If you get in touch with my agent, she can let you know when I’m scheduling media contacts. I’m only in Arcadia Valley through the end of the month, and I have a lot to get accomplished with my pottery business between now and then. I’m sorry you wasted your time.” She stood and wiped her hands on her jeans.

  “Well, but since I’m here, do you think you could—”

  “No. Sorry. And you’re on private property. Please leave. Have a good day.” Serena took a few steps toward the door, her heart pounding. What if he didn’t leave? Her phone was sitting by her pottery wheel, so she couldn’t even get to it to call the cops without turning her back on him. That was poor planning.

  The man didn’t move. “Can I at least—”

  “Hey, girl.” Gloria rapped on the door frame with her knuckles. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.”

  “He’s just leaving.” Serena had to force herself not to run to her friend and hug her. She looked so official in her uniform.

  The man frowned and turned, his mouth snapping shut when his gaze landed on Gloria. He pressed his lips together and gave a curt nod before turning and stalking out to his car.

  “So. What was that all about?” Gloria hooked her thumbs in her pockets and turned to watch the man get in his car and drive off.

  Serena groaned. “I need to put the private property and no trespassing signs out again. I didn’t even think about that this morning, but with my name back out there—and of course it’s all getting tied to Arcadia Valley—the press is sniffing around. Usually they won’t trespass.”

  “Why’d you let him in?”

  Heat crept across Serena’s cheeks as Gloria pinned her with her gaze. “I, um, forgot to lock the door. It won’t happen again.”

  “Where’s your phone? You should’ve been on it to either 911 or to me if he was refusing to go.”

  Serena pointed to the pottery wheel. “But you got here before there was an issue.”

  Gloria shook her head. “Five years and you’ve forgotten common sense when dealing with strangers.”

  That was close enough. It wasn’t an issue, usually, in Arcadia Valley. People here were friendly—neighborly—and they respected your privacy. It was a small town and they didn’t care who she was. “Yeah, well, it’s coming back fast. What brings you around, other than to be my guardian angel?”

  “I was hoping you had time for lunch.”

  Serena chewed on her lip. She needed to throw at least three more pieces today, but two were smallish. If Micah didn’t mind moving dinner back an hour it would work. “Let me text Micah and then yes, I’d like that. I...have a relatively empty refrigerator, so I guess we need to head into town.”

  Gloria chuckled. “That’s fine. I don’t mean to make you cancel a date though.”

  Serena’s fingers tapped on the screen of her phone. She shook her head. “Not cancelling—just pushing dinner back. We kind of planned on hanging every evening until I have to leave. Tonight we’re going to be over at the farmhouse with his brothers—as much as we’d like to spend the bulk of the time alone, it didn’t seem like the best idea.”

  “Smart. They won’t mind eating later?”

  “That’s what I’m checking.” Serena’s phone buzzed with a response and she grinned. “He says they don’t.”

  “Great. Let’s get those signs posted before we go. Where do you keep them?”

  Serena sighed. Where had she put them when she realized this wasn’t the kind of place that needed them? “Let’s look in the entry hall closet. I probably stashed them in there with my snow stuff. I’m really glad you came by—and not just because of the reporter.”

  “Yeah? ‘Cause I started to worry when you didn’t get in touch yesterday.”

  Serena hunched her shoulders. “Sorry. Settling back in and then Micah came over and—”

  “I’m giving you a hard time. Come on.”

  Serena shook her head, locked the studio door, and followed her friend toward the house. She was excited about the movie, but L.A. would never be home again. Not compared to here.

  17

  Micah adjusted his bowtie in the mirror before slipping his arms into the sleeves of his camel jacket. The weeks since Serena returned from L.A. had left him with a growing sense of panic. She was leaving in two days. Tonight was their last night alone. Ruth’s farewell party was going to be fun and small, but it wasn’t the same as a date. At least he’d finally managed to swing reservations at L’Aubergine.

  “Knock, knock.” Jonah leaned on the open door of Micah’s room and let out a low whistle. �
�Looking snazzy. You sure you’re not planning on proposing?”

  He’d thought about it. A lot. But the reality was they’d only known each other two months. He loved her. There was no question. There was also no question that he believed fervently that Serena was the woman God had for him, but the timing was off. He didn’t want her to think he was trying to put his stamp of ownership on her—like he was worried she wouldn’t come back to him. He wasn’t. He believed in her—in her love for him—absolutely. “It’s not right yet. Maybe when the movie’s wrapped.”

  “Listen to you, ‘when the movie’s wrapped.’ One visit to California and suddenly you’re Mr. Hollywood.” Jonah’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “I still think you ought to ask her. The two of you, man, you’re a set. A perfect matched set. Just like Mal and Ursula and Corban and Ruth.”

  Micah frowned. “Hey. You’ll find someone.”

  Jonah jerked a shoulder. “I’m not worried about that.”

  “Sure. I still think you and Gloria—”

  “Stop, okay? Have a great time tonight.”

  “Yeah. Thanks.” Micah watched his brother amble down the hall. He couldn’t fix that, but he could do a better job praying about it. Jonah deserved an amazing woman in his life—someone who got him—someone like Gloria.

  He double-checked that he had his wallet and keys and headed downstairs. Malachi glanced up from the video game he was playing and gave him a thumbs up. Micah smiled and returned the gesture. Even though he wasn’t asking her to marry him, the night felt important, like it was some kind of milestone. Hopefully he wouldn’t mess it up.

  The drive to Serena’s house was long enough to lull the butterflies in his stomach to sleep, but they all took off again when she answered the door. The simple navy blue dress hugged her curves in all the right places. Her fiery hair hung in loose waves around her face. “Wow.”

  A slow grin spread across her features. “You always know just the right thing to say.”