Thunder rumbled to the north of the dark sky.
‘Hopefully, you’ll be home before the storm worsens. Happy anniversary.’ He tapped the man’s shoulder and ran into the bakery. Bending, he shook water droplets from his hair.
‘Travis, how lovely to see you.’
He straightened. ‘Mrs Dolinski. Done so soon?’ The clock confirmed five-forty-five. A half-hour meeting? Better timing than Mom. ‘What are you doing out in this nasty weather?’
‘We’re organizing a small birthday party for one of our members. She’s turning ninety.’ She moved aside and waved a hand at Jessie. ‘Jessie helped me choose the sweets for the festivity.’
Jessie raised an eyebrow. ‘Mrs Dolinski decided on a dessert bar.’
‘Jessie suggested we rent an old-fashioned cart on wheels and decorate it in vintage style. I love the idea. Beverly raised horses when she was younger, so the cart and decor are perfect.’ The senior held out her hands as if visualizing the setting. ‘A selection of treats to please even the fussiest members. Jessie called the event finger-food heaven. I love the term.’
‘Finger-food heaven?’ Travis nodded. In just thirty minutes, Jessie not only came up with the menu, but the design as well. Impressive.
‘We were thinking mini-cheesecakes, macaroon cookies, and cake slices.’ Jessie checked the notebook in her hand.
Travis didn’t understand how she accomplished so much in such little time.
‘Maybe a small basket with a cupcake and fruit for the guests to take home?’ The older woman raised an eyebrow.
He guessed Mrs Dolinski’s additional request also came from Cooper’s Cakes new employee. ‘We can do that, too. Sounds like you ladies covered a lot of details.’
‘This lovely lady is a keeper.’ Mrs Dolinski tapped Jessie’s arm.
‘She is indeed.’ Travis couldn’t dispute the woman’s statement.
A flash lit the sky followed by a boom of thunder.
Was the outburst a sign from the Gods to annihilate his growing intense attraction toward his employee?
‘I’d better get home.’ Mrs Dolinski paid the deposit on her order then whipped the hood of her jacket over her head. ‘Thank you, Jessie.’ She waved a hand. ‘Nice to see you again, Travis.’
‘Drive home safely.’ Travis opened the door and watched her cross the parking lot to her car. He locked the bakery door and closed the window blinds. Turning, he pulled Jessie into a hug. She moulded perfectly against him. Soft hair caressed his chin. Her hands warmed his chest where they rested.
She glanced up.
Their gazes met as he held tight to her back. The hammering rain ceased its attack on the roof. Time stood still. Her stare moved to his lips. He inhaled a quick breath. A loud boom rattled his sanity. He released her and walked to the counter, creating a safe distance. ‘Congratulations on a job well done.’
Her widened stare met his and her cheeks flushed. ‘Thank you.’
The thundering rain returned.
He ran a hand over his chin, pushing aside the memory of her hair touching his face. What had gotten into him? He wasn’t a touchy-feely type of guy. Hugs were normally reserved for his mother. Get a grip. ‘Would you like to join me for supper?’ What the …? Did those words come from my mouth? ‘My way of thanking you for a great first week.’ More unexpected words tumbled out without his brain’s permission.
Jessie stuffed her hands into the apron pockets. Her lips formed a tight line. ‘Sure.’
She accepted? Travis frowned, secretly hoping she’d decline. He needed time to locate his missing common sense.
‘Where were you thinking?’
I’m not thinking. He gripped the counter’s edge. ‘Have you driven over the bridge on the other side of the park?’
‘The Diner Crossing.’ Jessie nodded. ‘So many restaurants to choose from.’
‘You head over and pick a place. I’ll lock up and meet you in the parking lot.’ A craving wrenched his gut. He hungered for much more than food.
Chapter Five
Jessie wanted to take back her acceptance of supper as fast as the words fell from her mouth. Lightning had filtered through the bakery’s window blinds, highlighting a flash of panic on Travis’ face. Jessie guessed he regretted the offer. So, why had she said yes?
Sitting in her car and waiting for his truck to arrive, she wondered how on earth she could sit across from Travis in a restaurant and not crawl over the table to kiss him. The notion of carrying out the bizarre action terrified her. Never before had she so easily gravitated toward a man.
A knock on her window caused her to jump in her seat. Travis looked even more handsome with rain dripping off the tip of his nose. She opened her door and flicked the button on her umbrella.
He snuggled next to her, slipping his hand into hers and running to the shelter of the awning spanning multiple restaurants.
Jessie pointed to the Italian bistro where she hoped to afford something on the menu. She wouldn’t confuse this evening’s outing with a date. Tugging her hand free from the warmth of Travis’, she shook her umbrella then closed it.
He opened the door and waved a hand. ‘After you.’
Heat flushed her cheeks. She stole a glance at his rain-dripped t-shirt, knowing what she’d see. A sculpted chest, broad and solid. She resisted the urge to reach out and touch his bulky arms. ‘Do you want to have supper here?’ she blurted, desperate for anything to say. ‘We can go somewhere else.’
Travis followed her gaze to his shirt. ‘I forgot my jacket at the bakery.’ He brushed a hand over his chest. ‘Only a few drops. I’ll dry.’ He took her hand and led her to the front desk. ‘They make great pizza here.’
Walking into the restaurant, she was overcome by the smell of simmering sauces, grated cheeses, roasted garlic, and fresh-baked bread. She prayed Travis was as captivated by the aroma as she, and not feeling her trembling hand in his.
The hostess approached and seated them close to a gas fireplace.
Jessie didn’t miss the hostess’ lingering gaze on Travis. Jealousy tore at her heart. She caught the woman’s eye and returned a stare, declaring possession. She had no claim on Travis, but she didn’t intend to let this woman ogle him in her presence.
The hostess pursed her lips and left.
Travis released Jessie’s hand to pull out a chair.
The electric charge vanished. She mourned the loss of connection. ‘Thank you.’ She couldn’t give into temptation as she almost had in the bakery. Changing the direction of her thoughts, she focused on the dark wooden floor, red tablecloth, and the flickering candle in a glass container at the centre of the table.
He hung her coat and umbrella on the wooden stand next to the fireplace. Instead of taking the seat across the table, he sat beside her. Lifting the menu, he smiled. ‘My treat, so order anything you want.’
‘I’ll pay for mine.’ She cringed at the prices. Once she got on her financial feet, she’d return to try a few of the pasta dishes.
‘No, you’re not. I owe you big for taking care of Mrs Dolinski.’
Conceding the truth of his statement, Jessie gave in. ‘Interested in sharing a pizza with the works?’
‘A woman after my heart.’ Travis winked.
His heart wasn’t hers to obtain. The air grew thick. She couldn’t breathe.
He took the menu from her hands and placed it with his on the table. ‘I’ve been craving pizza all week.’
The waitress arrived at the table with a notepad and pen ready.
Travis ordered a large pizza and two sodas after Jessie declined a glass of wine.
‘I don’t think she likes me.’ He rested his elbows on the table.
‘The waitress?’
He chuckled. ‘No, Mrs Dolinski.’
‘Just the opposite.’ Jessie touched his arm in an innocent gesture, but the fever of goosebumps had her pulling away quickly. ‘Mrs Dolinski is smitten. I believe she finds you quite charming. You’re the reason she can’t make clear deci
sions.’
‘No way.’ Travis sat back, shaking his head.
Typical man, not recognizing the signs of a woman’s interest. ‘You said she’s okay with Heather, and she had no issues concentrating during our meeting.’ She smirked. ‘Until she spotted you. Mrs Dolinski lost focus when she heard you talking to Mr Stark. She kept peering around the corner. I had to tap on the table to regain her attention.’ The warmth of the fireplace removed the rain-chilled dampness from her arms, hopefully not revealing the real reason behind the goosebumps. She relaxed against the chair. ‘Before she left, Mrs Dolinski fumbled with the strap of her purse. She pushed her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t take her eyes off you. You didn’t notice?’
Frowning, he scratched his head.
Men! She resisted rolling her eyes. ‘Mrs Dolinski is a widow and obviously has an eye for younger men.’ Jessie grinned. ‘You probably make her nervous.’ She knew exactly how the older woman felt. ‘Which could be the reason she can’t concentrate around you.’
‘Good to know.’ He nodded.
The waitress delivered the steaming pizza and two plates. ‘Enjoy.’
Travis pulled apart a slice, set it on a plate, and passed it to Jessie.
The sight of the bubbling cheese set off her hunger. ‘Thank you.’ She popped a piece of portabella mushroom in her mouth.
‘Delicious.’ He licked his lips. ‘Welcome back, my old friend.’
Laughing, she lifted her napkin to wipe a drip of hot tomato sauce off her cheek. ‘You have a strong liking for pizza?’
‘Fridays are pizza night at the fire station.’ He grabbed another slice from the tray. ‘I’ve missed several to be at the bakery.’
‘No guys’ night out?’ Holding a hand over her mouth, she mumbled through chewing a piece of crust.
‘I don’t socialize much. No time between work and the bakery. One of my buddies got married last year, and another is getting married in a few weeks.’ He shrugged. ‘They invite me to join them, but I don’t make a good third wheel. And, pizza for one isn’t as fun.’
Story of my life. Jessie choked on a chunk of spicy Italian sausage she’d shoved in her mouth.
Travis pushed her soda closer.
She picked up the glass and swallowed a mouthful, clearing her burning throat. ‘Thank you.’ She opted to use a fork and knife to avoid further choking and embarrassment. ‘Your mother told me about raising you alone.’ The sadness in his eyes made her regret talking about a tender subject. ‘I’m sorry. I overstepped.’
‘You didn’t.’ He went for a third slice. ‘My father passed away when I was five. I have very few memories of him.’
The grief in his tone led her to change the topic. ‘How did your mother get into baking?’ She held out her plate to accept his offer of another piece of pizza.
‘She worked at a bakery cleaning tables then enrolled in culinary school. Mom quit both when my father got sick. The cancer was aggressive. Apparently, my father knew for several months before he told her.’ He squeezed his lips together, staring at the tray. He shook his head then continued. ‘Afterward, she’d hoped to continue classes, but going to school doesn’t pay the bills and feed a young child. She found a job at another bakery. The owner saw her potential and registered Mom into evening baking classes. Years later when he retired, he sold her the business.’
‘She’s a strong woman.’ Jessie wished she’d shown as much strength in her past. ‘When did you start baking?’ She shouldn’t pry, but she wanted to know.
‘I’d join my mother at the shop after school and help. I finally understood her passion for the art of making cakes. I would have continued with baking if she hadn’t forced me to follow my dream of becoming a firefighter.’
Jessie chewed the last bite of pizza crust and pushed aside her plate. She’d felt her waistline expand with every swallow. Grabbing a napkin, she dabbed her lips. ‘How did Cooper’s Cakes come to be?’
‘The original bakery stood in a prime location downtown, but we needed a change. Mom still lived in the old house. Memories haunted her. I encouraged a new location, and a new name to make the bakery hers. She only agreed if I accepted her condition of stepping into the role of manager … Mom’s way of keeping me close.’ He swallowed a mouthful of water. ‘We can’t live in the past. Moving on is healthy.’
When Jessie met Travis, she hadn’t understood how such an amazing guy wasn’t married, or didn’t have a steady girlfriend. She assumed he’d been burned in a previous relationship. Now, she understood his single status. He put taking care of his mother above all else. Even if Heather didn’t need caring for. Travis hid behind the loss of his father, and his mother’s grief. ‘To have loved and lost is better than never having loved at all.’
‘You sound like an expert.’ He leaned his elbows on the table. ‘Yet, Mom said there’s nobody special in your life.’
Jessie dabbed at her already-clean lips a second time. ‘I’ve never been in love.’
Travis’ eyes widened.
‘Not the type of love that makes you hold your breath or causes your heart to flutter.’ She fumbled the napkin between her fingers. ‘I chose career over love.’
‘Understandable.’ He squeezed her hand then smiled. ‘New topic.’
Butterflies scurried in the pit of her stomach from his comforting gesture. She didn’t want to talk about the losses she’d suffered. Not tonight. As much as she wanted to reveal her burdens, she couldn’t expose her inner vulnerability. Jessie liked the new life she’d created. A new start. A new apartment. A new job. A better her had surfaced since working for Cooper’s Cakes. The past contained hurt, mistakes, and loneliness—all which should remain buried.
***
‘Where’s the new girl?’
Travis’ buddy, Liam, leaned his elbows on a table.
‘She’s off.’ Travis wiped his buttercreamy fingers on a towel and joined Liam at the table. ‘I’m working today to give my mother a break.’
‘If I was new, I’d want to score extra points with the boss by working overtime.’ Liam winked.
Travis stretched out his legs. ‘Jessie did offer.’ Entering the busiest season, he almost accepted the help with the orders already piling in the schedule. Travis recalled her awkward handshake when he’d walked her to her car last night. Maybe his gawking at her lips and acting like a tongue-tied schoolboy had scared her off. She probably guessed his intention and stopped the advance by shoving the pizza leftovers into the minuscule distance between their bodies.
‘So, she is scoring brownie points with the boss. I like her already.’
Me, too. ‘She has an awesome personality. The customers love her. Especially the guys at the sporting-goods store.’
Raising an eyebrow, Liam leaned forward. ‘I love a woman with an awesome personality.’ He chuckled. ‘But is she good-looking?’
Gorgeous! Travis shook his head. ‘She’s an employee. I judge skills, not looks.’
‘Awe, come on.’ He pushed Travis’ arm off the table. ‘Either she’s pretty or not. You’re awful secretive about this gal.’
He squirmed under Liam’s probing stare.
‘Oh, man!’ Liam raised his hands in the air. ‘You like her.’
‘Don’t start.’ Travis rolled his eyes. His friend wouldn’t let go until he heard the truth. ‘Okay, she’s not ugly.’
Smirking, Liam pointed a finger. ‘You’re not denying liking her?’
‘No. Jessie is a lovely lady and an employee.’
‘You protest too much.’ Liam gazed at the goodies in the display cabinet. ‘Love has a way of arriving when you least expect it.’
Travis chuckled. ‘A year ago, you wouldn’t have voiced those words. Since you’ve met Carla, your head is in the clouds. All mushy and lovey-dovey.’
‘But now, I’m a believer. I’m marrying my soulmate.’ He continued to stare at the desserts. ‘Remember what you said after I met Carla?’ He didn’t wait for an answer. ‘You told me to stop b
eing afraid of the unknown. To move forward and take a chance.’ Liam turned to Travis. ‘You should take your own advice. Open yourself to the possibility—’
He held up a hand, but Liam pushed it aside.
‘I’d say fire her and start dating, but you’d need to hire someone else and that would delay your return to the fire station.’ Liam shrugged. ‘When are you coming back full-time?’
Travis longed to rejoin his buddies and resume his career. Jessie could step into his position—if she could bake and decorate cakes. ‘I can’t leave my mother yet. Jessie needs kitchen training. And … I won’t be dating Jessie. She made it quite clear she’s not interested. Her exit last night couldn’t come fast enough.’
‘So, you’d be okay if I were to suggest someone? Arrange a date?’
He considered the distraction as a way to avoid making a fool of himself with Jessie. ‘Sure.’
Liam stood and rushed to the counter. ‘Really?’
‘If going on a date gets you off my case, then yes.’ He hoped he wouldn’t regret this decision.
‘Great! I’ll make a call.’
Travis rose and pulled Liam away from the display cabinet. ‘Wait. Who are you thinking about?’
‘Maggie, a friend of Carla’s. You met her at the Christmas party Carla and I had at the house.’
‘Tall, brunette?’ He remembered. He also recalled her poster-boy date. ‘She came with a guy who stepped out of a fashion magazine?’
Laughing, Liam shoulder-bumped Travis’ arm. ‘They’re not together anymore.’ His attention returned to the desserts.
‘Are you sure you don’t want a muffin?’ Travis tapped the glass cabinet. ‘Maybe something to take home?’
Liam rubbed his gut. ‘Stop enticing me. I told you, if I don’t fit into my tux, I’ll have a very unhappy bride.’ He sprinted to the door. ‘I’ll have Carla contact Maggie and call you later?’
Travis took several quick steps to meet Liam at the door. He nodded.
‘Just think, we could be switching roles this time next year. I’ll be your groomsman.’
Travis shoved Liam outside. ‘Get out before I change my mind.’
Nothing to Lose Page 4