Max pulled off her oven mitts and threw them on the counter before grabbing her water bottle. “Spit it out.”
Layla shook her head and grinned at the belligerent, in your face, rough baker and had to admit that Max was growing on her.
“Fine, here it is. Please don’t leave. Don’t retire yet. We’re just not ready. Kit and Jane think we are, but you and I both know we’re not. There’s just so much we still don’t know. We need at least a year of experience before we should be left on our own.”
Max took a sip and grinned at Layla, leaning against the counter tiredly. “You got that right. I told Belinda she was crazy thinking three girls could take over not knowing a blasted thing about baking, but she was a stubborn old witch. I promised her one month Layla. That’s it. As much fun as it’s been watching you three blunder through every recipe I have, it doesn’t hold a candle to taking my grandkids to the zoo or the swimming pool. My time here is over little girl. Learn fast or sell it to that weasel Alex.”
Layla stared broodingly at the older woman and sighed as she looked at her feet. “I’d die first before I sell it to him. He’s an evil little snake,” she said wearily.
Max paused and put her water bottle down, looking at her considering. “Now, how did you know that? What, you’ve met him, once?”
Layla looked at Max and shrugged. “It’s my special little gift in life. I can spot them and then I used to do whatever I could to bring them down. I was given the hardest cases because I never backed down. I was never afraid,” she said frankly.
Max nodded, frowning. “And now you’re here. What happened?”
Layla looked at her starkly, shaking her head. “Sometimes you get there too late. And sometimes you don’t get there at all. And the souls of those children you didn’t get to in time weigh on your heart so heavily that you might as well be dead too.”
Max winced and bit her lip. “Dang. Belinda showed me a newspaper clipping about you last year. Something about you testifying against that sex offender. That young man you saved ended up killing himself, didn’t he?”
Layla closed her eyes as the familiar slash of pain ripped through her heart.
Max blew a loud breath of air out of her lungs. “Well, you’re right about Alex. He’s no good. His wife ran off a few years ago with their two little girls and they haven’t been heard from since. I know he sent private investigators out looking for them, but there’s no trace. If you ask me, she’d been planning it for a long time. She must have had fake I.D.’s and everything. For a woman to go to that effort, there has to be a reason. A good one,” she said darkly.
Layla bit her lip pensively. “There usually is. He wants Jane,” she said, saying it out loud.
Max looked horrified for a moment and stood up straight. “Don’t you let him get near that sweet little thing. He’d chew her up and spit her out and there’d be nothing left of her,” she said angrily.
Layla looked at her feet. “Don’t you think I know that? I sent him packing, but he’ll be back sooner or later.”
Max stood up and walked over to the window. “You’re stronger than him Layla. You’re made of steel. I’m not even worried for Jane. She has you. Who do you have?”
Layla frowned and looked at Max’s back in surprise. She’d always been the one to look out for her sisters and everybody else for that matter. She’d never needed anyone to look out for her.
“What do you mean?” she finally asked, because for the life of her she couldn’t figure it out.
Max turned back to face her. “You’re tough Layla, but you’re wounded. You’ve been hurt one too many times. You’ve seen too much and you’ve bled out inside. If someone doesn’t start looking out for you, there won’t be anything left.”
Layla blinked back the sudden tears and looked away. “That’s why I’m here Max. I got away from it. I’m here to heal and get better. I’m going to bake and hang out with my sisters. I’m going to be fine.”
Max studied her sadly and shook her head. “Nope, you’re still bleeding Layla. The only cure for dying inside is letting love in. Take it from someone who knows.”
Layla closed her eyes and listened as she heard Max walk out of the kitchen and outside to her car. After she heard the car door slam, she turned around to lean her head on her arms as she felt a deep harsh sob rise up in her throat. Her whole body shook with the grief and pain that would never leave.
She heard Max walk back into the kitchen but couldn’t stop the sobs now that they’d started. It seemed as if she’d been holding the pain back for so long, that now that she was finally allowing herself to feel it, she couldn’t stop the avalanche of emotion. She felt a comforting hand on her back and shook her head. If Max hadn’t wanted to see this, then she shouldn’t have ripped her chest open, revealing all the wounds that now lived where her heart used to. She gripped her hair in her hands as horrible, wrenching harsh sounds continued to well up inside of her spilling over into the quiet kitchen.
The hand, rubbed slow soothing circles on her back and she was surprised to feel a degree of comfort seep into her. She felt two arms gently pull at her shoulders and turn her so that she was now being held firmly against a strong chest. Minutes passed as she continued to cry, letting every tear she’d ever held back in the homes, hospitals, courtrooms and police stations finally free. As her shaking and sobbing subsided, she realized something strange. Max was a lot taller and harder than she looked.
Layla pulled back from the arms holding her and wiped her eyes, now feeling embarrassed at having cried for so long. “Sorry about that,” she said, in a hoarse, husky voice as she opened her eyes.
She was not looking at Max.
She was looking at Michael Bender.
He was staring down at her with sad, worried eyes. Layla’s mouth fell open and she stumbled backwards, gripping the counter with her hands as she stared at Michael, aghast and horrified at what he’d just witnessed.
“I thought you were Max,” she whispered, covering her mouth with her hands and turning away in mortification.
Michael stepped forward, taking her hands in his and lowering them, forcing her to look up into his face.
“Don’t be ashamed about your feelings Layla. You just had too many of them. It was good that you let all the sadness out. If you don’t, it just eats at you,” he said as if he knew somehow.
Layla shook her head and shut her eyes “I don’t know how to get rid of the pain. It just stays and stays and never leaves.”
Michael stepped closer and wiped the tears off her cheek as gently as if she were four years old. “I go sailing. The water helps for some reason. I like to go hiking too. Sometimes when I reach the top of wherever I’m trying to get, I just scream until I can’t scream any longer.”
Layla opened her eyes and blinked at him, not even pushing him away when he pushed her hair back from her face and caressed her cheek with his thumb.
“I’d like to try that someday,” she finally said, her throat hurting after all of her sobbing.
Michael smiled down into her face and nodded. “I’ll take you hiking with me next time.”
Layla closed her eyes and took in a deep shaky breath, still trying to gain control. She was surprised when Michael sighed and then pulled her into his arms again. She shocked herself even more by putting her arms around his waist as he held her tightly and more tears seeped out of her eyes, wetting his dress shirt.
When she finally pulled away, he let her go slowly. “Is there something I can do? Has someone hurt you or upset you?” he asked, his eyes going hot and dangerous.
Layla shook her head, smiling as she moved away from him so she could grab a towel to wipe her eyes. “No, not really. It’s nothing like that. Well, yes and no, I guess. I um, used to be a social worker before I came here. I had a really rough year and I burned out. Max was kind enough to rip open a few unhealed wounds just now and you walked in at the wrong time. Sorry,” she said, looking away, feeling awkward.
Mi
chael frowned and stepped toward her, taking her shoulders in his hands. “Don’t be sorry,” he said softly shaking his head at her. “Just let me help.”
Layla looked up at him and dabbed at her eyes again as they refused to stop leaking. “You don’t even know me Michael. Why in the world would you want to help me?” she asked, trying to grip the shreds of her dignity together and put a little distance between them.
Michael frowned down into her eyes as he looked deep. “Let me in Layla. I’ll help you heal and maybe you can help me heal. And in the end, we’ll both be better. Friends?” he asked with a slight smile around his mouth.
Layla blinked in surprise and bit her lip. Helping each other heal? Friends? “No,” she said automatically.
Michael grinned down into her eyes, making her heart catch. “I was hoping you’d say that,” he said and then leaned forward a few inches and kissed her softly.
Layla jerked back in surprise, but he held her firmly in place, tilting his head to the side in order to kiss her more fully. Layla felt light headed and her sore heart started beating faster as her hands reached up to push at his chest. He moved to her cheek and her temple, kissing her softly and she found instead of her hands pushing, she was grasping onto him, as if she didn’t, she’d fall.
He pulled back and stared down into her eyes. “That’s a good start,” he said with his crooked smile.
Layla licked her lips and started to say something, but she heard the front door bang open and her sisters return from the store. Michael looked up at the sound and moved back a few steps right as Kit and Jane breezed in holding bags in both arms.
“Hey Layla, we’re back,” Kit said with a smile and then noticed Michael standing in the kitchen. She turned with raised eyebrows to look at Layla, but then frowned and hurried to her sister’s side, practically throwing the bags on the counter.
“Layla! What’s happened? Tell me!” Kit ordered throwing her arms around her sister’s shoulders.
Jane stood just inside the kitchen, holding her bags and looking unsure and upset. She looked at Michael suspiciously. “Michael, what’s going on here?”
Michael walked over to Jane and took the bags out of her hands. “I’ll let Layla explain it to you. I just stopped by to see if I can bring Stella over later this afternoon. She’s been after me for days to drop by for another treat and I thought I’d better ask before we barge in on you,” he said, looking at Layla with soft worried eyes.
Jane walked over to Layla who was blotting her eyes again. Layla looked at Michael over Kit’s shoulder and nodded. “Please bring her Michael. I could use a little sunshine today if you don’t mind.”
Michael nodded and walked out, leaving the sisters alone in the kitchen. Jane walked over to Kit and Layla and threw her arms around both of her sisters at the same time.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but it’s killing me,” Jane said, with tears in her voice too.
Kit nodded and pulled back, with tears on her cheeks. “If you cry, we all cry,” she said with a wavery voice.
Layla laughed through her tears and pulled her sisters over to the counter so she could sit down. After all the crying she’d done, she felt empty and exhausted. Purged.
“I’m okay. I was just having a conversation with Max and she brought up a case that still hurts me from last year. Our grandmother had shown her a newspaper clipping of me that she’d kept I guess. She told me that I was bleeding inside and that if I didn’t let someone in that I would die. She left and I kind of fell apart. Michael walked in and saw me sobbing my heart out and there you have it. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my entire life,” she admitted, looking away.
Kit leaned her head on her hand as she stared at her sister, her eyes filled with sympathy. “Oh Layla, I’m so freaking sorry. Michael looked kind of torn up when we walked in. I thought it was something he’d done at first,” she said, grabbing her sister’s hand.
Layla shook her head and smiled in gratitude as Jane handed her some tissues. Layla took a moment to blow her nose loudly before continuing. “No, Michael was actually . . . pretty sweet about the whole thing. He put his arms around me and kind of, um, held me while I cried my eyes out.”
Jane and Kit stared at each other wide eyed and then stared at their sister. “Holy crap,” Jane breathed out. “I cannot believe this.”
Layla pushed her hair out of her face and looked at Jane in surprise. “What? That I cried my eyes out or that Michael was so nice about it?”
Kit looked at Jane and nodded. “No, we’re surprised that our tougher than nails, I don’t need anyone especially some rotten man, sister allowed a man to comfort her. Wow,” Kit said, shaking her head.
Jane nodded. “I would have never believed it.”
Layla frowned and stood up, walking over to the fridge to grab a water bottle. She felt a little weak and dehydrated after all her crying. “Look guys, you might think I’m tough and mean and all that, but it turns out I’m pretty human. I hurt, I cry and sometimes, it feels good to have someone hold you while you hurt and cry,” she said, surprising herself to realize that it was true.
Kit and Jane looked at each other wide eyed. Layla sighed in irritation. “Look, I have one of those weird crying headaches. I think I’m going to go lay down for a little while. Do you guys mind making Stella something special?”
Jane and Kit agreed quickly and Layla walked upstairs tiredly. She kissed Bubba on the head and then lay down on her beautiful bed, closing her eyes and then immediately falling into a deep and dreamless sleep.
Chapter 8 - Michael
Michael brought Stella to the bakery later that afternoon and had to admit that he very much wanted to see Layla again. Earlier that day when she’d allowed him to hold her and comfort her was one of the most emotionally intimate experiences he’d ever had. He hoped she wouldn’t look at him with cold suspicious eyes anymore. Maybe now they could move forward. He smiled at himself and admitted that what he really wanted was to ask her to dinner. He couldn’t wait to kiss her again. He wanted to know what it would be like to kiss her when she was happy.
Stella jumped up and down as they came into view of the bakery. “Look Daddy! We’re here,” she sang out, skipping beside him.
Michael grinned down at his daughter and enjoyed the sight of her in her little jean skirt and bright striped leggings. Combined with her bright yellow t-shirt no one could miss her. “Now remember your manners Stella. Please and thank you,” he said automatically as they opened the door and walked into the bakery.
They both stopped and breathed in the special scent of the bakery before walking into the kitchen. Michael and Stella grinned at each other. Nowhere on earth smelled as good as Belinda’s bakery.
“Come on Daddy!” Stella urged, letting go of his hand and running back to the kitchen.
Michael followed more slowly, feeling a sudden shyness he hadn’t felt before. He’d always been confident when it came to women. The past few years had taught him to be cautious where women were concerned, but this shyness he was feeling now was completely alien to his nature. He was just so completely intrigued by Lalya Kendall that he didn’t want to mess this up.
He walked through the doorway and into the kitchen, smiling as he saw Layla kneeling down and giving Stella a warm hug. He felt his heart flip over and knew for sure he was in trouble. Layla glanced up right then and looked at him. Instead of that shuttered cold look she always gave him, she smiled at him hesitantly as if she’d forgotten how. Her eyes were warm though and pleased. Michael felt himself smile back at her and they just stood there for a moment looking at each other.
Stella looked back at him to see what Layla was looking at. “Daddy! Come see what they made for me. It’s the best treat ever!” she said, breaking the spell.
Layla looked away and Michael stepped forward, realizing belatedly that Kit and Jane were in the kitchen too and looking at him with knowing grins on their faces. Michael cleared his throat and smiled at the sister
s. “Thanks again for letting us stop by,” he said, walking over to the counter to see what Stella was so excited about.
Jane stepped forward and pointed to a large cupcake in front of Stella. “We’ve been busy since you stopped by earlier. I wanted to try my hand at cupcakes and you two will be my taste testers. Red velvet with a cream cheese center. Try one,” she said, putting one in his hand.
Michael looked down at the beautiful creation in his hand and smiled. “I really don’t have much of a sweet tooth, so I’m not the best guinea pig.”
Kit stepped forward and stared at him like he was crazy. “What sane person turns down a cupcake? Michael, honestly, we insist that you try it,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest and staring him down.
Michael glanced at Jane who was looking at him sternly and then looked at Layla who was looking at him with an amused smile. He grinned back at her and pulled the paper down on the side. “Well, if you insist. I guess trying new things is good for the soul,” he said softly looking into Layla’s eyes.
Layla nodded her head, not saying anything as everyone watched him take a bite. He closed his eyes better to concentrate on the flavors and chewed slowly. The moist flavorful cake combined with the rich sweet cream had his eyes popping open in surprise. “Oh wow. That’s good,” he said in surprise.
Jane jumped and down and pumped her fist in the air as she laughed delightedly. “I did it! I did it!”
Kit laughed and patted Michael on the back. “Well, if we can get someone who doesn’t even like sweets to like our cupcakes then we’re doing okay,” she said and walked over to the counter where twelve more cupcakes sat ready to be frosted. Jane walked over and started helping her.
“Did you just say that, or do you really like it?” Layla asked, coming to stand next to him as she pulled the paper down for Stella so she could eat her cupcake easier.
Michael grinned and took another bite. “Mmm, I promise I’m telling the absolute truth. It’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten,” he said, smiling at the way Layla pulled Stella’s hair back so naturally.
You Belong With Me (Book 1 in The Love and Dessert Trilogy) Page 6