Kristine heard both the fear and desperation in his voice. But why hadn’t he asked Lori to stay over?
She immediately knew the answer to her own question. Lori didn’t like animals. She hadn’t hidden that fact from Joe.
“Uh, sure, Joe,” she said, though she felt entirely uncertain about the situation. But his father was hospitalized. He needed her. She couldn’t say ‘no.’ “I’ll do it. Is your father okay? I’m mean, of course not. He’s in the hospital. Is there anything I can do for either of you?”
“You’re doing it,” he said. “I really need to know Gracie is being taken care of.”
“Okay, sure. Give your father my best. I’ll keep him in my prayers.”
“Thank you. Oh, before I let you go, you’ll find a key to my place under the second stepping stone in the pathway through the flower bed—just to the right of the front corner of the house. Be sure you’re facing the front…”
“Okay, I’ll find it. I hope everything goes well in Norton.”
“Me, too,” he said. “Me, too.”
After Joe ended the call, Kristine sat quietly for a moment, contemplating what had just happened. Joe had asked her to stay at his place, in order to care for Gracie in his absence. His timing couldn’t have been worse, from the standpoint that her heart was breaking over him, but couldn’t have been better in that it afforded her an opportunity to live apart from her family—at least for the time being.
Should she run by her home and pack a bag? Still uncomfortable about seeing her sister and mother, she made an impromptu decision to do some real shopping at the mall. She hadn’t bought herself any new clothing for several years. Since she spent so much time in her white baker’s attire, she just hadn’t seen the need to own an extensive wardrobe. Deciding it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a couple pair of jeans and a few tops to tide her over, she headed for a department store. After making her selections, she paid and then headed to a nearby pharmacy. She purchased several toiletries, and then carried her bags to her car.
Before driving off, she quickly called the young man who had showed her the duplex and told him it would be several days before she could make a decision as to whether or not she wanted to rent it, due to a family emergency. It was true. She had definitely had a family emergency when the bakery had gone up his flames. And since she cared for Joe, his family emergency was hers, as well.
She ended the call and left the mall. She had somewhere to go now.
Chapter Fifteen
Kristine arrived at Joe’s home mid-afternoon. As she approached the front of his house, she quickly diverted to the flower bed and found the stepping stone under which he’d hidden his key. She glanced around her nonchalantly, hoping no one was around who might see her retrieve it. Regardless of whether or not someone happened to see her, she intended to suggest Joe move the key to a new hiding place.
She knelt down and lifted the edge of the stone. She immediately spotted the small metal box that housed the key. After snatching it up, she rose and walked to the front door.
She let herself in and moved past the foyer and to the wide hallway leading to the family room. She paused and glanced around the space. She hadn’t paid much attention to the décor when she’d visited previously, but Joe had done a wonderful job furnishing the room. Comfort seemed to be the predominant theme. A large sectional lined one wall and curved around a half-wall that divided the large space from the kitchen. A plush recliner, as well as a wooden rocking chair, leant additional seating. The walls were neutral, though his wall art featured splashes of color, as did the comfortable pillows along the back of the couch.
Kristine crossed to the French doors and opened them. A cool gust of wind struck her and she felt slightly chilled. She’d intended to retreat to the family room but she heard Gracie whining. Apparently the pitsky had heard her open the door.
Deciding to look in on the dog, she walked briskly toward the dog run. Gracie stood near the door. She watched Kristine approach and began wagging her tail. “Hello, Gracie,” Kristine said. “How’re you doing, girl?” The dog whined louder and moved around, as if agitated. “Do you want to come into the house with me?”
She opened the door and Gracie dashed out and leapt at Kristine. “No, girl!” she said firmly. She knew Joe was attempting to break her of the habit. To her credit, the dog immediately calmed down and walked with Kristine into the house. She charged to her empty dog bowl, which was in the kitchen area, and sniffed it.
“Are you ready for dinner?” Kristine asked.
Gracie let out a pitiful whine and began walking in circles. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’” she said, as she glanced around the room. Where was Gracie’s food stored?
As if reading her mind, Gracie led Kristine to a pantry in the kitchen. She pawed at it and then turned to Kristine. She laughed. “Good girl,” she said, as she pulled open the door. Sure enough, she found a clear container filled with dog food.
She reached for a scoop that was perched on the top and scooped out a generous portion. She dropped the food into Gracie’s bowl. The dog dug in.
Kristine returned the scoop to the cabinet and then turned in a slow circle, unsure what to do next. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she remembered she had yet to speak to either Minnie or Mitch about the fire and what it meant for their continued employment. How could she have been so insensitive? Although it was no excuse, she’d been focused on her own troubles.
She left Gracie to finish her meal and went into the family room. She took a seat on the couch and dialed Minnie first.
“Hello,” Minnie answered. “How are you?”
“I should be asking, how are you? I’m so sorry, Minnie. I should have called you sooner.”
“Kristine, it’s okay. I read about the fire in the paper, of course. And your mother called me this morning. She spoke to Mitch, as well.”
“Oh, okay. That’s a relief, I guess.”
“Kristine, I’m so sorry about the bakery.”
“Thank you. I just can’t believe it happened.” She drew silent. “It’s my fault.”
“Your fault!?” she gasped. “You didn’t set the place on fire. You weren’t even there at the time.”
“I know, but I shouldn’t have thrown a fit and stayed home from work.”
“Well, I guess it’s my fault the place burned down too then,” Minnie said.
“What?”
“Yes, yes, it’s true. If I use your logic, then I’m as culpable as you. I played hooky and left your mother and sister to their own devices. If I’d stayed…”
“Okay, Minnie,” Kristine said, “I get what you’re saying.”
“One thing…” Minnie began.
“Yes?”
“I hesitate to suggest this, but do you think…?”
“Think what?”
“Oh, I’ll just say it. Do you think your mother and sister torched the place? You know they wanted out from underneath it. Your mother mentioned to me this morning that she was almost relieved the fire happened. She said it was going to force you all to make a decision once and for all about the future of Branton’s.”
Kristine’s eyes widened with shock. It had never occurred to her that her mom or sister might resort to such extreme measures to sever ties with the bakery.
“I don’t think… I mean, no, of course they wouldn’t…” Her words trailed off. “Would they?”
“I’m just speculating, and I’m sure I’m wrong,” Minnie said. “And I should probably ask your forgiveness for even suggesting it, but yesterday, they were bantering back and forth about the pros and cons of keeping the place and I think it was Lori who joked about setting it ablaze.”
Kristine felt sick to her stomach. Surely her sister hadn’t done something as reckless and irresponsible as setting a fire. The whole block could have gone up in flames under the right conditions. They were fortunate the fire department was only a couple blocks away.
“Oh, wow,” Kristine murmured. “Wow.”
“I’m sorry, Kristine,” Minnie said. “I know how much the bakery means to you.”
“Minnie, what are you going to do until we get this mess sorted out?”
“I’m going to take a break,” she said brightly. “Spring is just around the corner… I’m going to do some gardening. I may even sit around and eat bon bons. I’ve earned a break, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Have you spoken to Mitch?”
She seemed to hesitate to answer.
“Minnie?” she prompted.
“Yes, I spoke with him this morning. It turns out he’s been weighing a job offer from an in-store bakery in Ridgeway.”
Kristine felt awful at the prospect of losing a talented baker, but the reality was, she no longer had a bakery. “That’s good,” she said sadly.
“It is good,” Minnie said too brightly. “Since he lives on the outskirts of Cooper Glenn, in the same direction as Ridgeway, he won’t have too bad a commute. The pay is actually better than…”
“Oh. Okay.” She forced herself to sound happy and positive when she spoke. “I’m thrilled for him. I’ll miss him…”
“I know you will. So will I. But things have a way of changing, whether we like it or not. And we just need to learn to roll with the punches.”
“True,” she agreed.
“What are you doing right now?” Minnie asked suddenly. “Are you and the family getting along any better?”
“No, not really. I, uh, spent part of my day talking to an insurance adjustor and the other looking for a place to rent.”
“You’re moving out?” Minnie cried.
“I feel like I have to. This morning, I came downstairs and Mom and Lori immediately lit into me. They were furious that I’d taken Devon around Joe.”
“I am so confused,” Minnie admitted.
Kristine filled her in on discovering Joe waiting with Devon after she had dropped her off at school. She told her about him picking up lunch and taking her and Devon back to his house.
Minnie weighed the information. “I don’t even know what to say. I guess if Lori believes Joe belongs to her, she thinks she can will it to happen.”
Kristine sighed. “She and Joe had lunch together today, in order to ‘sort things out,’ Lori told me. I happened to see them walking along the sidewalk together. They looked … happy.” She sighed again. “They make a beautiful couple.”
Minnie laughed at that. “No, you and Joe make a beautiful couple, and frankly, Kristine, until Joe defines his relationship with Lori, if he actually has one or intends to, I wouldn’t believe a word out of your sister’s mouth.” She sighed this time. “Kristine, I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t disparage your sister or mother, but frankly, I’m tired of watching them push you around. You deserve so much better and I can’t stand by and see you needlessly hurt—family or no family. You know Lori has always played by her own set of rules.”
“I appreciate that, Minnie. But I did see them with my own two eyes.”
“And looks can be deceiving,” she reminded her.
“That’s true,” she mused.
“Hey, where are you right now? Why don’t I pick you up and we can go to an early dinner?”
Kristine chuckled uncomfortably. “Well, I’m at Joe’s house.”
“What?” Minnie cried. “Now I am thoroughly confused.”
“I also spent part of my day at the mall in Ridgeway, in order to put some distance between me and the family, but anyway, while I was there, Joe called and…”
“Go on,” she urged gleefully.
Kristine chuckled at her enthusiasm, but sobered when she remembered why she was at Joe’s house. “Apparently Joe’s dad was admitted to a hospital in Norton. I don’t know any of the details, other than Joe was heading there and expected to be away a few days. He asked if I would stay at his house and keep an eye on Gracie for him.”
“Ohhhh,” she said, drawing out the word.
“It doesn’t mean anything, Minnie. He was desperate for help and thought of me. It’s not as if I have anything else to do, in light of the…”
“Why didn’t he call Lori?”
“She doesn’t particularly like Joe’s dog.”
“What’s she got against the dog?”
“Long story.”
“She’s never cared much for animals, if memory serves.” Minnie’s voice held a decidedly reproving note. Kristine knew her friend was an animal lover who distrusted those who weren’t.
“True.”
“You know, my friend, Joe could have called any number of friends to help him out.”
“He doesn’t know many people any more, since…”
“Not true,” she cut in. “Joe kept up with many of his friends when he was away. My point is, he called you.”
“His timing was good,” Kristine admitted. “I wasn’t certain if I was ready to sign a lease on an apartment, or rather, duplex, but I do know I need some space from Mom and Lori.” She emitted a beleaguered sigh. “I am worried about Devon.”
“I know you are. I’m just glad he’s older now and isn’t still in an infant seat. Remember all the times they…”
“I’d rather not think about it,” Kristine cut in. “He’s going to be confused as to why I’m no longer at home. He actually likes me,” she said with a humorless laugh.
“He’s a good little boy,” Minnie said. “Oh, hey, Ralph just pulled up… Wait, you didn’t give me an answer about dinner.”
“Well, since your long-haul trucker husband just arrived home, after days away…”
Minnie chuckled. “Thanks for understanding.”
“You bet.”
The two signed off and Kristine turned her attention to Gracie, who had just walked up and rested her head on her knee. “Let’s let you outside,” she said.
She opened the back door and let the dog out. Gracie immediately dashed to the back of the property and did her business. Kristine watched her play for a moment. The dog was clearly delighted to have such a huge backyard. She ran in tight circles that widened to the width of the lawn by the time she was done. After, she began dancing after a butterfly and then to Kristine’s dismay, she shot toward the fence and sailed right over.
“Gracie!” Kristine cried, and this time, it was her turning in a tight circle, unsure what to do. Finally, gathering her wits, she ran to the fence and looked over. She spotted Gracie at the back door of the home next door, pawing at it.
Soon, an older woman opened the door with a big smile and promptly bent to give Gracie a hug.
“I’m so sorry,” Kristine called. “I’m dog watching and that dog,” she said, enunciating the word, “just leapt over a six-foot fence.”
The woman, older with graying hair, laughed. “Yes, Gracie is uniquely talented when it comes to jumping fences,” she said, now lavishing Gracie with kisses on her head. “Isn’t she beautiful, though?” the woman gushed.
“She really is,” Kristine agreed, now smiling at the canine escape artist. “She’s a stinker, but beautiful.”
“I’ll meet you out front,” the woman called as she urged Gracie into her home. Soon she and Gracie joined Kristine out front. The woman thrust out her hand. “I’m Maeve Johnson,” she said. “And you are…?”
“Kristine Branton. I’m watching Gracie, and the house, while Joe is away.”
“Is it is father?” the woman asked fearfully.
“Yes. He’s in a hospital in Norton.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll be sure to keep him in my prayers.” The woman eyed her speculatively. “Don’t you work at Branton’s?”
Kristine nodded. “My family owns it.” Or should she have said ‘owned’ it?
“I’m so sorry to hear about the fire. I have to tell you, I’m already having sugar withdrawals. If I don’t have a slice of your strawberry cream cake with my dinner every evening…”
“I thought I recognized you!” Kristine said. “You’re fairly new to Cooper G
lenn, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “My husband Ken and I built our home here six months ago. Ken retired a year ago. Unfortunately, he received a cancer diagnosis soon after we moved here. It all happened so fast,” she added with a mournful sigh. “I lost him three months ago.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Kristine said.
“It’s difficult,” Maeve said, forcing a smile. “Sometimes I still can’t believe he’s gone.”
“It hasn’t been long,” Kristine said with sympathy. “I lost my dad a year ago. It was sudden. I still pick up the phone to call him.”
Maeve nodded. “I never expected to be on my own,” she said. “It just goes to show that we should treasure every moment we have with our loved ones.”
Kristine nodded, remembering that her loved ones were currently furious with her. She shook off the thought. “Well, welcome to Cooper Glenn, Maeve. If you ever need anything, I’m here.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate that. I don’t know many people here. I have a good friend who owns a shop downtown, and of course, I’ve gotten to know Joe.” She smiled. “He’s been a godsend. He’s a sweet, sweet young man.” Her eyes twinkled. “And he’s certainly a fan of Branton’s—or maybe it’s a certain baker there he’s enamored with…”
Kristine smiled self-consciously, uncertain how to respond. Maeve obligingly changed the subject.
“You do intend to rebuild Branton’s, don’t you?” she asked. “Surely you’re going to bring it back?”
Kristine sighed. “I’m afraid it’s complicated. The bakery belongs to my mother, sister, and I, and unfortunately, my mom and sister may be ready to move on.”
“I don’t believe I’ve met them,” Maeve said.
“Neither has been working at the bakery much lately.”
Maeve digested the information. “But you’re not ready to move on,” she said, eyeing her speculatively.
Kristine smiled softly. “I’ve worked at the bakery since I was a kid. It’s been such a part of my life—and a part of this community,” she added. “So no, I guess I’m not ready to move on.” She sighed sadly. “Unfortunately, the future of Branton’s isn’t really up to me anymore.”
The Icing on the Cake Page 12