by Mary Manners
“I’d have to agree, and the ice cream season is just beginning to crank up—pardon the pun. With this beautiful spring weather, we’re sure to draw some huge crowds.” Emmy took the cookie platter from Marcie and squeezed through the serving area to place it beneath a warming light. Soft, warm cookies were always a better option than room temperature discs. “Good thing this building has the space to make the sky the limit when it comes to expanding, but let’s not count our chickens...”
“It’s not the chickens I’m counting, my friend.” Marcie opened the dessert case and placed a second platter filled with slices of cinnamon raisin bread beneath the lights. “I doubled the order for Coconut Crunch this week and sales of Very Berrylicious are soaring off the charts.”
“Oh, yes…we ran out of that flavor yesterday.”
“Then there is the slew of people who’ve requested we serve coffee—”
“Coffee?”
“Yes, especially at these Saturday morning shindigs of yours. The kids come in ready to hang from the rafters while their poor, sleep-deprived folks—count me among them—need a jolt of caffeine to get their engines revved.”
Emmy’s gaze lowered to the slight swell along Marcie’s midsection. “Caffeine is definitely off limits for you.”
Emmy tamped down the prick of envy that swept like a current to the surface alongside the words. For Marcie and so many of the women who brought children to Saturday Sprinkles, pregnancy came as easily as sneezing. For Emmy, there was a good chance it would never happen—even if she should have the good fortune to meet a man with whom she’d like to share the rest of her life.
“Nothing is impossible, but medically speaking, considering the loss of one ovary from your surgery and damage to the second, you have about a ten percent chance of conceiving, Emmy, and that’s under the best conditions,” The doctor’s voice resonated through her memory. “I’m sorry.”
Emmy wished for the umpteenth time that she could turn back the clock and step away from the event that may have very well stolen any chance at motherhood. She had to face the fact that she seemed to be damaged goods. Emmy struggled against tears that always found their way to the surface at the realization that, although she might look complete on the outside, internally she’d never be completely whole again. What sort of man would want to take a chance on ten percent odds at fatherhood, anyway?
“So, no caffeine.” Marcie’s voice broke into Emmy’s thoughts. “But a girl can still dream, can’t she?”
“Sure she can.” Emmy shook off the veil of gloom. No point in ruining a perfectly good Saturday grieving over something she couldn’t control. Instead, she sent her desires skyward in silent prayer and then forced the tears back as she flashed a smile. “And I suppose we can purchase a commercial-sized coffeemaker and sell the flavored variety by the cup. We’ll include a selection of decaf in your honor. It’s time to update the drink and sweets menu anyway. I’ve also been looking into adding a few new ice cream flavors to the mix, and perhaps a small variety of sandwiches and soup, as well, to draw lunch customers over from the park mid-day. That should be doable, don’t you think?”
“The sky’s the limit. I’ll get on it.” Marcie proved to be an expert at searching out competitive prices for their inventory. She held Babycakes’s budget in check and also took care of its website. It was work she could manage from home by way of the Internet and with small children at her heels.
“Good. Thanks.” Emmy snatched a clean apron from a stack beneath the counter and slipped it over her head. As she tied the strings around her waist, she added, “Let’s sit down early Monday morning before things crank up here and have a look at where we’d like to go with it.”
“For someone who’s not in the market to change things, you sure have a list of projects stuffed up that proverbial sleeve of yours.”
“The wheels are always turning…”
“Speaking of wheels, I think our first customer just pulled up and he’s…” A wisp of a grin bowed her lips as Marcie motioned toward the boulevard and then pulled her hand back to fan her face in a mock swoon. “Well, he’s off-limits to me, but you ought to indulge in a nice, long look for yourself.”
3
Emmy followed Marcie’s lead to study their new arrival. Through the expansive display window, she quickly spotted a polished black SUV at the curb. The driver’s door opened and long, jean-clad legs capped by scuffed hiking boots unfolded to find purchase along the pavement.
“You’re sure to catch flies with that gaping mouth, my friend.” Marcie’s singsong voice drew Emmy back.
“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s got a child with him…a precious little girl. Just look at her. I would never…”
“Would never what…Introduce yourself to Cade Magnuson and his niece?”
“Cade…and his niece?” Emmy’s pulse did an odd little two-step. “How do you know his name and that the cute little cherub with the dimples-to-die-for is his niece?”
“My husband’s the sheriff, Emmy, and with that said, nothing’s a secret around a small town like Angel Falls.”
“Oh, umm…right. How could I possibly forget?” Emmy fiddled with the napkin dispenser, righting it along the countertop. It wasn’t that Marcie indulged in gossip. She simply enjoyed being loaded with information and took pleasure in sharing said information when the mood hit. And, Emmy had to admit, this sort of information was share-worthy stuff. She rounded the counter and took a tentative step toward the door in hopes of a closer glimpse.
Cade Magnuson. Dark hair, blue eyes, and a smile that sticks like glue. Yes, definitely share-worthy material…
“Hmm…” Emmy smoothed a wrinkle from her apron. “You don’t suppose they’re here for the—”
“Affirmative, my guess is Cade and his niece have ventured in for your soon-to-be-world-famous Saturday Sprinkles.”
“You guess or you know?”
“Well, I might have asked Miss Vivian to place one of your flyers in their Heart’s Haven welcome packet.”
“You did?”
“Uh huh…free marketing never hurts, especially when it involves a new arrival to town, who also just happens to be handsome and unattached.”
“Marcie, put your matchmaker hat away. You know better than that. I don’t—” Emmy paused to switch gears. “Did you say Heart’s Haven?”
“You heard right. Cabin seven.”
“That’s the cabin Miss Vivian asked me to make a food basket for. But I had no idea….”
Marcie rounded the counter. “Of course you didn’t.”
“What else do you know about him?” Emmy considered the basket she’d filled to the brim. She hoped Cade and Gracie liked the fixings.
“He’s the Angel Falls Trumpet’s newest reporter, fresh from the New York Times Bestseller List…and he’s one-hundred percent single.”
“Marcie!”
“Just stating the facts, ma’am. Take a look at his ring finger…no metal there.” Her wink spoke pure mischief while her laughter tinkled over the polished-glass display cases. “Besides, there’s no harm in looking…or chatting a bit while you wait for our regular crowd to arrive. And by my estimation, those mouse ears you’re sporting are just the thing to start a conversation…”
“Honestly, Marcie…you are a certified goof.” Emmy ran a hand through her hair and realized she was wearing the felt mouse’s ears attached to a headband that she’d ordered from a costume catalog in preparation for her reading of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
“Maybe so, but I’m not the one dressed in stubby gray ears.”
“Oh…right.” Emmy yanked the headband from her crown. “I can wait ’til story hour starts to put them back on.”
But there wasn’t much she could do about her wrinkled apron as the bell over the door jangled merrily. She wished she’d folded the pink cotton fabric more carefully after pulling it from the dryer last night. She smoothed the front and checked for stains. Finding none, she turned her attention to the en
tranceway. The little girl, sporting a halo of blonde ringlets and a smatter of freckles over the bridge of her nose, entered first, skipping happily across the doorway while her uncle followed.
“I know it’s early…” Clearly, the man Marcie had announced was named Cade could benefit from a cup of coffee. A light scruff of beard added a rugged look to his solid frame, and worry lines did little to detract from eyes blue as a warm summer-evening sky. He stood tall, and Emmy barely met his shoulder in her flat-heeled navy tennis shoes. He jammed his hands into the pockets of his faded jeans. “I thought the door might still be locked, but…well, I hope we’re not interrupting an important business conversation.”
“As you found, the door was unlocked, which signals it’s A-OK to enter.” Marcie snatched the mouse’s ears from Emmy’s hands and placed them back atop Emmy’s head. “Besides, do we look serious?”
“Well, not especially.” Cade’s laughter sang up from his belly, rich and deep. “But it’s of critical importance to know if you serve coffee here—”
“See, I told you…” Marcie poked an elbow along Emmy’s mid-section as she acknowledged the request. “Cups of coffee will fly off the serving line.”
“We can manage to fill that order.” Emmy struggled with the words, as suddenly her mouth felt full of mush while the rush of her pulse caused the room—and Cade—to fade in and out. What was wrong with her? She lifted a hand to fan her sweltering face as she added, “I’ll pour you a cup from our personal stash. How do you like it?”
“Black is fine and as strong as it comes…with legs if that’s possible.” Cade studied her. “Hey, are you OK? Your face is a little flushed.”
“Emmy’s just fine,” Marcie cut in. “And here at Babycakes, anything is possible. How about if I get the coffee while you two indulge in a little chat. Show Cade and Gracie around, Emmy. I’m sure our new friends would like a tour of the place.”
“How did you know our names?” Cade’s gaze narrowed.
Emmy found her voice. “Oh…Marcie knows everything.” Her cheeks felt consumed by flames. Even Cade had noticed the flash-fire of blush. Emmy wondered if he could hear her heart pounding like a bass drum.
“But I’m supposed to be the investigative reporter.” Cade shrugged. “Anyway, a tour would be awesome. Gracie’s done nothing but chatter on about this place since we passed by on our way into town yesterday.”
“That was you?” The words slipped out before Emmy could rein in the memory of Cade paused at the traffic light and the way his gaze had lifted to devour her. “I mean…I thought I recognized your car.”
“You were at the counter, right?” His gaze did a slow sweep of her, causing Emmy’s breath to hitch in her throat.
“G—” She stumbled over the word “Guilty as charged.”
“I thought so.” Cade flashed a smile as he drank in the wall of soft-serve machines, whirring merrily, before turning his attention fully back to her. “You were wearing that same, cute apron—”
“No, this one is clean.”
“Of course. Even through the glass, I noticed your eyes framed by that blonde hair. You know, your eyes are even bluer in person.”
“I…um…” Flustered, Emmy averted her gaze while she smoothed a hand over her apron once again. No measure of coaxing seemed to remove the wrinkles. “Marcie, maybe I should go after the coffee.”
“Nope, I’m on it.” Marcie backed away toward the kitchen where they kept the single-serve machine. “You two just…carry on.”
“Is it too early for a sample?”
“A sample?”
“Yes…the ice cream. If it’s not too much trouble we’ll need some for breakfast, because I promised Gracie…”
“Gracie….” Emmy lowered her gaze to the child. “So you’re the Gracie Miss Vivian mentioned to me…the one who likes raisins?”
“Yeah. I’m Gracie and this is Polly.” She squeezed a well-worn baby doll to her chest. “And I’ll bet you’re…”
“Emmy… Emmy Lassiter.” Emmy crouched eye level to the cute little girl. The scent of strawberries drifted, most likely from a detangling spray. It looked like her uncle might have quite a chore taming that mass of curls. She reached for Gracie’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before pausing to fawn a bit over the doll. “And that’s quite a fine friend you have there. Does she like ice cream, too?”
“Uh huh. Her favorite is chocolate with sprinkles, just like me.” Gracie nodded briskly. “Do you have that?”
“I most certainly do.”
“Yay.” The single word came with a flurry of tiny claps. “Do you live here?”
“I spend a lot of time here, but I don’t actually live here.” Emmy smiled. “Although sometimes it feels as if I do.”
“Me and Uncle Cade had a ’partment in the Big Apple, but now we live at Heart’s Haven. Do you know where that is?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Emmy nodded, smiling. “Because I live there, too.”
“Did you hear that, Uncle Cade?” Gracie turned to peer up at her uncle. “Emmy lives at Heart’s Haven just like us.”
“Yes, I heard.” Cade stepped forward, offering a hand. “Since we’re neighbors, and since you’re also graciously supplying me with a much-needed ration of java, I suppose a proper introduction is in order. I’m Cade Magnuson.”
“Emmy Lassiter.” She stood to face him as suddenly the words clung like cotton to her throat. Her pulse jolted at his touch to match her racing heart and she couldn’t, for the life of her, fathom why. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise. And thank you.”
“For what?”
“You put together that basket of food for Gracie and me, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but it was no trouble at all.” Emmy’s shrug emphasized the fact. “I helped Miss Vivian welcome you, that’s all.”
“She mentioned in her note that she had to leave suddenly. It was awfully kind of you to step in. I dropped the ball concerning groceries, and Gracie and I might have starved if not for you.”
“Well, I’m glad you made it through.”
“Ditto.” Cade did a slow three-sixty of the shop. “This is a really nice place you have here.”
“Thank you.” Emmy was further warmed by the compliment. Flames of heat curled from her cheeks to dance along her spine. “It’s a work in progress.”
“A good one, by the looks of it.” He paused a moment as his gaze came to rest on her once again. “You know, Emmy, when I caught a glimpse of you through the glass yesterday as we waited at the stop light I wondered…”
His gaze skimmed her head-to-toe and something shifted deep inside. Suddenly, Emmy felt as if the air conditioning had been doused by a flame-thrower. She wrapped her arms over her mid-section and tried not to fidget as she tugged at her lower lip with her teeth.
“What did you wonder?” Emmy managed.
“If you—”
“Here you go,” Marcie strode through the office doorway with a go-cup of coffee. “Fresh and steaming hot.”
“Thanks.” Cade took the cup. He lifted it and drew a sip, his gaze never leaving Emmy as he searched her over the rim. He swallowed. “Oh, man this is perfect…heaven in a cup.”
“Rough night?” Emmy struggled to focus on the conversation at hand and not what he’d intended to ask her.
“You could say that.” He sipped once more. “The first night in a new place is never a picnic, especially after a fourteen-hundred-mile drive.”
“You came all the way from New York City?”
“We did—Gracie and me, that is.” He nodded grimly. “Two days, one night, and a four-year-old confined to the backseat. I’m sure I have every word of every princess song ever written and recorded fully memorized. Need I say more?”
“Not at all.” Emmy shook her head as laughter tumbled. “I don’t even think they put Navy SEALs through that sort of training.”
“Wait ’til you have two cherubs arguing in the backseat and one more
on the way.” Marcie chuckled as she patted her rounded belly. “On that note…I’m heading back toward the office for a bit. The financial ledgers are calling.”
Emmy reached for her. “But I need—”
Marcie sidestepped out of range. “I believe Cade and Gracie can help with anything you may need.” She winked. “But, for now, I’m knee deep into sorting invoices and tending to web updates.”
“She’s right.” Cade sipped the coffee. “I’ll pitch in and help with anything that needs to get done, since we’ve crashed here early and kept you from your preparations. It’s the least I can do to repay you for the amazing food basket, not to mention this coffee. What is it…French vanilla?”
“Hazelnut with a dash of cinnamon.” Emmy sniffed the air, inhaling the familiar aroma. “That particular flavor is a staple around here.”
“Lucky for me.” Cade pressed one hip against the counter and settled in. “You’re spoiling me. I like it.”
“In that case…I was just getting things ready for Saturday Sprinkles—that’s our story hour.” Emmy glanced at her watch. The others would be arriving soon. She turned to Gracie, who had wandered over to the topping bar, her eyes wide with wonder. “Would you like a quick dish of ice cream before you and your Uncle Cade help me?”
“Oh, yes, ma’am.”
“Come with me then.” She took Gracie’s hand. “I’ll show you the way.”
****
“Books!” Gracie’s shout of delight rang through the ice cream shop. “Uncle Cade, come look!”
He followed the sound of her voice to a cheerful room that opened to a splash of sunlight and festive colors. His immediate thought was, happy. The place just felt happy.
And warm as a breath of summer breeze…or was that Emmy?
Yes, she was the intriguing blonde he’d glimpsed through the display window. He’d laid eyes on her for the first time just yesterday, and then for merely moments as he’d passed by on his way toward Heart’s Haven. Yet he felt as if he’d known her forever. How could that possibly be?
And how could it be that she just happened to also reside at Heart’s Haven, her cottage no more than a stone’s throw from his? What were the chances? Cade thought of the placards that graced every Heart’s Haven cottage entranceway. Each slender piece of carved wood was inscribed with the same heartwarming message.