Warmth bathed her cheeks. Could she ever get used to this? Try me! “Have I thanked you today?”
“Here? Really, Miss Hart, in front of everyone?”
“Not that thank you!” But she giggled. “For convincing the landlord to toss out my notice. I think Harrison and Jana will be over the moon when I bring them in as partners at Just Desserts as a wedding gift.”
Her epic baking contest fail had turned into a sensation. Customers lined up before they’d opened the last few days, orders had piled up, she’d sold out, and she’d sought out the local high school for students as part-time help. Gretchen sighed with a well of happiness; taking care of her family, providing for them and loving them, had all worked out in the end.
“Are you sure, sweetheart?” He brushed back her sweep of bangs and then trailed his fingertips down the side of her face.
She shivered at the promise of so much more with Noah. “I’ll still bake there and create gorgeous wedding cakes for King’s. We’ll have to travel back and forth, though.”
“Yeah, about that. I’m buying a place in Dallas. We’ll buy one, I meant. Not with eleven bathrooms, but more than one. I’ve got a contract with King’s and more business to drum up here. My folks can fight or make up. It’s up to them. Secret be damned. But I want something more. A home for us. A love to treasure.”
Her breath hitched and her insides melted. She bit her lip. Holding out her little finger, she asked, “Pinkie swear?”
Noah’s megawatt smile made her heart tumble even more. He hooked his little finger with hers. “On my honor.”
“I’m such a lucky girl to have you in my life, Noah Blackstock.” Her brother once thought sometimes life didn’t make sense for them. Thankfully, he’d been wrong. Finally, they’d won at something so rare and precious that few people could ever truly understand about going from having nothing to this wondrous joy. Love wins. And in the end they win.
“Like the cherry on top?” Noah and her soft chuckles mingled together.
The wedding march began.
Gretchen stood alongside Noah, smoothing any invisible wrinkles from her beautiful blue cocktail dress. She glanced down at her new strappy sparkly shoes, silently thanking Rico for urging her to live it up and get them.
Clasping Noah’s hand, her heart fluttered at the feel of his warm skin against hers. Wow! Can this be real? Noah loves me!
Nearly thirty guests—mostly the King family and a few of their employees— joined them to watch Max walk up to the altar, standing in front of the clergyman.
“Look at Danny. He’s so handsome in his new tux. And Jay and Jonathan right next to them.” Her friend waved to the crowd, gaining a fresh round of laughter.
“OMG! Look at her!” Rico cupped his face in his hands. “Divine! Paige outdid herself with the dress design!”
Annabelle, with her hand through Joey’s crooked elbow, moved like a dream in a frothy green gown. The fabric, light and delicate, seemed to float around her, making her look ethereal with her red hair flowing loose and long.
“Irish!” Max exclaimed, coming forward. “You’re so beautiful!”
Joey held up his hand. “Wait, Max! I got this, okay?”
A smattering of chuckles grew as the young boy, in his new red cape with the freshly attached SJ sparkling insignia—for Super Joey—escorted his mother to her groom.
“Is she walking on air?” Gretchen oohed and ahhed with the rest of the guests.
“Fan me, Pegster.” Rico choked up. “Our little girl has grown up.”
“Geez Louise! Empty nester again, pal.” Peg handed him a tissue from the bedazzled holder attached to her clipboard. She tapped the back of it, now draped in white tulle and lace. “Yep, dolled her up in her wedding finery.”
“She’s glowing!” Rico nearly shrieked.
“Pipe down.” One of the security guards drew near, shooting him a stern look.
“Ohhhh!” Rico whispered. “Tall. Broad shoulders. Hmmm. I likee. I saw him at the baking contest the other day when they crowned Caroline as the winner. She practically fainted right into his arms. Who is he?”
Noah leaned forward. “Name’s Samson.”
“Introduce us, Noah, and I’ll be your bestie.”
“Maybe.”
“Pretty please?” He nearly purred.
“For romance’s sake.” Gretchen nudged him. “You know, it’s in the air.”
He groaned.
She giggled.
“Good job, buddy.” Max shook Joey’s hand as he halted with his mom at the altar.
“Max. I can’t believe this is happening.” Annabelle reached out, touching his face.
“Yeah, you and me both.” He sighed.
The minister made the ceremony short and sweet—exactly as the bride and groom requested.
His words of cherishing each other echoed in Gretchen’s mind and she turned to Noah. “I like what he said.”
“Let’s not forget that, Gretch. Ever.”
She leaned closer. “That and the kind of tips we like to leave.”
Noah’s raspy laugh sent tingles through her.
Yeah, she could get so used to loving her very own John Doe.
“I hereby announce you husband and wife!” The man’s voice boomed. “You may kiss your bride, Max!”
“I thought you’d never get to that part.” Max grinned, taking Annabelle’s face gently in his hands, and then kissed her, long and slow.
“Phew! Finally!” Joey jumped up and down. He ran to his mom and his new dad, hugging them.
The Whitfield brothers rushed the couple, hooting and hollering.
“Hold on. I got to take a picture of this!” Gigi cried out, storming to get a good angle and clicking her camera.
Max and Annabelle, holding onto each other, laughed. “And so my life begins with my Irish!”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes romantic comedy, contemporary romance, and contemporary women’s fiction. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.
Laurie considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim. She loves to hear from readers.
You can connect with me online:
www.laurieleclair.com
https://twitter.com/LeClairbooks
https://facebook.com/laurieleclair.75
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Books by Laurie LeClair:
Once Upon A Romance Series:
If The Shoe Fits – Book 1
Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2
Taming McGruff – Book 3
The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4
Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5
Tangled At First Sight – Book 6
Finding Mr. Just Right – Book 7
Making A Splash – Book 8
Hoodwinked By A Wolfe – Book 9
Baking From The
Hart – Book 10
***
A Very Charming Wedding Series (Once Upon A Romance spin-off)
The Bachelor And The Bride – Book 1
The Boss And The Bride – Book 2
The Bodyguard And The Bride – Book 3
***
Wanted: Fairy Godmother
***
The Sweet Spot Series:
The Dating Dilemma – Book 1
***
Tempted By A Texan Series:
The Callahans – Prequel
Travis – Book 1
Cassie – Book 2
***
The Heart Series:
Secrets Of The Heart – Book 1
Crimes Of The Heart – Book 2
Lies Of The Heart – Book 3
***
The Bounty Hunter Series:
Murphy’s Law – Book 1
Riley’s Rules – Book 2
***
The Long Journey Home
***
Runaway Wife
***
Sweet Summertime
***
An Angel Mountain Novel:
The Heart Remembers
The Great Baking Contest Winners
How could I write a book about baking and not have a baking contest?! Thanks to all of you who entered The Great Baking Contest through my newsletter and online. Congratulations to the winners Joy Isley, Vicki Clevinger, and Michele Pepin! Here are their delicious recipes!
“Simple And Delicious”
Submitted by Joy Isley
1 piece of Angel Food Cake
½ half a pint of strawberries (cleaned and cut)
2 TBSP Cointreau
Whipped cream
Place Angel Food Cake in a bowl. Put strawberries on top. Pour Cointreau over cake and strawberries. Refrigerate overnight. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
***
Raw Apple Cake
Submitted by Vicki Clevinger
4 cups diced raw apples
2 cups sugar, mixed with apples
Add:
1/2 cup oil
2 well beaten eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Mix well
Add:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
Pour into a 9 x 13 baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake at 350° for 45 minutes.
Note: This cake is also fantastic substituting rhubarb for the apples.
***
Apple Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Submitted by Michele Pepin
1 cup butter, margarine or shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbs. water
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups oatmeal
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup apples (peeled and chopped)
1/2 cup nuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets or you can use cooking spray.
Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in water and vanilla and set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda, salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet. Stir until well combined.
Add oatmeal, butterscotch chips, apples and nuts.
Drop from teaspoon onto cookie sheets. Bake in oven for about 10 minutes. Makes about 8 dozen small cookies.
This was a recipe handed down by Michele’s Grandma Bea. Michele did modernize it a little.
Baking From The Hart (Once Upon A Romance, book 10) (Once Upon A Romance Series) Page 14