“Are you kidding? I just may eat the rest of them before your taillights disappear.”
He walked her to the front door, and then drew her close and kissed her. He let his tongue move slowly through her mouth as he splayed one hand on her back and the other on one ass cheek. Lifting away from her at last, he nipped at her bottom lip. “See you tomorrow?”
“You know where I’ll be.”
He nodded and kissed her again because he just couldn’t help himself. She left and he ran a hand through his hair. That wasn’t what he’d expected tonight. Making out, sure. Maybe it was just getting a little something-something, but it felt like more. She was sweet. He hadn’t been exaggerating. Her touch was like magic on him, and he’d been more than thrilled to return the favor.
She seemed to like him, but then again most people did. That was what he exceled at. Getting people to like him. Caro was different somehow. There was that sad story in her past, which she’d talked a little bit about out at the lake. He wasn’t the guy to push for more disclosure. He kept his own sad story locked away behind smiles and charm.
She was a keeper, though. That was clear, from the friends she had here to the family that supported her. She was a keeper and he was a shiny toy that got tossed away when it was finished being played with.
“That’s the way it is,” he told himself as he cleaned and straightened his new place. “Never gonna change, my man.”
Even if he wanted it to? Even if he wanted to see what having a real relationship was like? It didn’t matter.
That was one deal he had no idea how to close.
Chapter 11
Oh dark thirty on Friday morning, or four thirty actually, Caro was humming as she sampled a tiny taste of the mixture of spices in the small glass bowl. Adding another teaspoon of nutmeg, she jotted it down on the recipe card and stirred.
“What has you so happy this morning?” Jane asked as she switched out baked cupcakes for ready-to-bake in the big oven.
Caro felt her cheeks warm but she kept her eyes on the swirl of brown spices. “Just breathing in the scent of fall in a bowl, Jane.”
Jane went quiet and Caro hesitantly brought her eyes up to hers. The older woman was shaking her head as she closed the oven door. “I’m not buying it. You were mopey at the beginning of the week and now?”
“Now I’m not mopey?” Caro offered.
“You’re downright chipper. Something happened.”
Yeah, it did. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jane snorted as she lifted the cupcakes onto a rack to cool. “I know you, Caro. I’ve seen you in the wee hours of the morning when nothing can hide.”
“You don’t know everything about me.” Caro sprinkled the spice mixture into the biscotti dough she’d already prepped. “Can’t a girl have secrets?”
Jane laughed now. “A girl can try, but I’m thinking something happened with that blond god we all know and lust after.”
Caro smiled and slipped on a pair of plastic prep gloves. “He’s not a god, but he’s sure close.”
Jane’s mouth dropped open. “You… You and Eli… Something happened.”
Caro turned the spiced dough onto the wide wooden board as she shook her head. “As you’ve said, you’re old enough to be his mother. You can’t possibly want to hear just what happened last night, do you?”
Jane clasped her hands together, the smile wreathing her face making her look closer to twenty than fifty. “Did you let your fingers do the walking?”
Caro’s hands stilled on the dough. “How could you possibly know that?”
Jane lifted her chin at the pile of dough. “Just look.”
Caro saw that she’d smoothed the dough into a long, thick cylinder and shook her head. “You have a dirty mind, Jane. I’m making biscotti.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing. That looks pretty darn big to me.” Jane opened her mouth to say something else that would probably have Caro confessing to what else had happened last night when the oven timer went off. “This isn’t over.”
Caro gave a noncommittal shrug and returned her focus to the completely-innocent biscotti dough. Kneading it thoroughly to mix in all the spices, she let her mind drift back to the incredible way Eli had made her feel. She’d teased him, which always seemed to get him to say the cheesiest or most outrageous lines. The banter had been absent as they’d begun to tease each other in an entirely different way. Oh, she’d never been so bold before but she’d had to get her hands on him.
She began to add the chopped walnuts to the dough, and was soon humming again as she mixed everything together. The dough would be baked twice, which would give it its crispiness. The spices had to stand up to it, and this first batch would be just the beginning. She formed a long loaf about five inches wide on a baking sheet lined with parchment and slid it into the waiting oven. She’d have to keep an eye on it, since in addition to the mixture of spices it had a healthy dose of canned pumpkin.
Discarding her gloves, she grabbed up the torch and crossed to the s’mores brownies that were nearly finished.
“It’s seven,” Jane chirped.
Caro glanced at the antique-looking oversized clock hanging in the dining area and nodded. “Let’s start the madness.”
It was just something to say, as she’d yet to open the doors this early to a hoard of customers. The sun was up, more or less, and she unlocked the door and pulled it open just to hear the chime. The silly little riff always lifted her spirits. She’d told Eli she’d needed fun when she’d first opened the bakery and, after last night? Apparently she still did.
She and Jane switched off helping with customers and finishing up the day’s offerings. Once the loaf of biscotti dough had baked the first time, she’d let it cool a little and now sliced it on the diagonal in even pieces to bake again. The baked dough was a lovely shade of tan with a touch of orange from the pumpkin, and sprinkled throughout with browns of different colors from the spices and walnuts. She arranged the slices on a fresh piece of parchment and slipped them into the oven for their second go-around. They would only take a few minutes to crisp up nice and toasty.
“Back in the oven, Jane,” she called.
“I’ll watch them,” Jane answered.
“Something smells so good!” a woman said from out in the shop.
Caro stepped out of the kitchen to find Claire Chapman standing in the middle of the dining area, holding a cup of coffee from next door. Claire, the CPA and controller of Cypress, was due to have her much-anticipated baby next month but other than her round belly she looked trim. Her long strawberry blond waves were held back with a wide headband and her face was nearly free of makeup. She was a natural beauty, and her freckles made her blue eyes sparkle. Not to mention she wore a thin cardigan in her trademark color of poppy orange.
“Claire Chapman, darkening my doorstep?” Caro teased.
“Hi, Caro.” Claire closed her eyes and lifted her nose in the air before facing her again. “Oh, what is that delicious smell?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Claire was one of the best home bakers Caro had ever met, and they’d had a friendly rivalry over whose treats were the best.
“No, Caro.” Claire beamed a smile at her. “You know I love everything you make.”
“You love everything you can’t make yourself.”
“Too true.” She rested a hand on her belly and sighed. “Besides, soon I’ll be too busy to bake much of anything.”
Caro felt a stab of want that took her breath away. She hadn’t thought very often about the baby she’d lost other than the awful anniversary each year, and now here she was envying what Claire would soon have.
“So what can I get you this morning?” Caro asked, hoping to hide her strange mood behind her usual courtesy.
“I need my fall fix, Caro.” She held up the cup in her hand. “A pumpkin spice latte loses something when it’s made with decaf.”
Caro shivered. “Ooh,
decaf. I feel for you. Why bother, right?”
“Right. So why don’t you tell me what you’re making that I smell? You know about pregnant women, right? We develop a heightened sense of smell.”
“The super-smeller. Yep. Tammy used to come floating in here all the time before she had Raffaella.”
Claire nodded. “Yep. Believe me, it’s not all sweets and flowers. The super-smeller is no treat when Jake comes home from the Adventure Trails.”
Caro laughed. Jake designed and developed the trails up and across the main lakeshore, and they were popular with corporate retreats looking for mild thrills and serious athletes looking to run triathlons. Jake’s sister Cassie worked there too, with the kids’ program. Nick, Rick Chapman’s little boy, served as their official test-marketer and research guy.
“I could imagine. I haven’t been on the climbing walls in weeks. It’s just too hot.”
“I’m with you.” She took a sip of her drink and shook her head. “Just not the same. Now what are you making?”
“You’re tenacious, you know that?”
“And you’re trying to distract me.”
Caro shrugged. “Jane and I are working on a new treat for the Fall Festival. Very hush-hush.”
“I’m the sole of discretion, Caro.”
“Maybe, but this isn’t about Cypress’s financial bottom line.”
Claire’s expression grew serious. “No, but it is about yours.”
Caro nodded. “Okay. Pumpkin Walnut Spice biscotti.”
Claire’s eyes went round. “Oh my God, I think the baby kicked just hearing you say that.”
Caro smiled. “Let me see if I have one cooled and ready.”
Claire nodded, her eyes bright. “Yes, please!”
Jane had set the tray of toasted cookies aside, and Caro picked one up with a small sheet of waxed paper. She brought it out to Claire and handed it to her.
“Now, this is just preliminary. Once we get the dough right, we’ll drizzle them with white chocolate.”
Claire took a bite and closed her eyes. “Oh, my God,” she mumbled with a mouth full of cookie. “This is so good.”
Caro felt a flush of pride like she always did when someone praised her work. “Thanks. Um, what do you think about the spices?”
“Well.” Claire took another bite and chewed before answering. “My sense of taste is off because of this little one, but I think its plenty spicy. I love the combination, and the pumpkin gives it a chewiness you don’t often find in biscotti.”
Caro nodded. “Good! We’ll probably ramp up the spices so the non-pregnant taste buds can get a shot.”
“You haven’t tried them yet?”
Caro shook her head. “They only just cooled.”
Claire finished the cookie and held her hand over her heart. “Thanks for trusting me, Caro. With the cookie, of course. But also with your work.”
Caro’s throat tightened. She might not have hung out with Claire, or Jessie for that matter, in a while due to their differing schedules but it was nice to know she had friends here in Cypress. “No trouble trusting you.”
“I should get to work, though. Mid-month numbers are due.”
“Have at them. It was really nice to see you.”
“Thanks. Good luck with the recipe and we have to get together soon.” She rubbed her belly again. “Clock’s ticking.”
Caro nodded and shooed her out the door. She turned to find Jane holding a biscotti toward her and another in her own hand.
“What did Claire have to say about it?” Jane asked.
“She loved it, but I think I might have to adjust the spices since she has pregnancy taste buds.”
She took the cookie from Jane and broke it in half. The walnuts and spices looked to be evenly distributed and the cookie smelled delicious. One bite and she knew her instincts were right.
Jane bit into hers and chewed. “The spices are nearly there, though. I’d add more clove, I think.”
“We’ll have to try again, and that’s the fun of it right?”
“Damn right,” Jane grinned.
***
Eli finished up his first solo tour and headed back into the Sales Center. It was just three o’clock, and his eyes automatically strayed toward the bakery. He could write up his impressions of the couple he’d toured in a few minutes. He had to see Caro first.
The five-note chime welcomed him into the shop, which was empty of any other customers.
“Be right with you!” Caro called from the back.
“Sure thing,” he answered.
She popped her head out from the kitchen. “Eli?” A smile curved her lips. “Just the man I wanted to see.”
He blinked at her words. “Yeah?”
She brushed her hands over her apron and nodded. “Yes. I want you to taste something.”
He arched a brow at her and her answering laugh made his belly clench. “Hmm. Interesting.”
She waved a hand and ducked back into the kitchen. When she reemerged she held a cookie in her hand. A biscotti, actually.
“Here. Taste this.”
He took the cookie and eyed it. It was a tan and orange color, and looked delicious. He sniffed it, and took a bite. Immediately his mouth watered as the spices mingled on his tongue. It was crunchy and chewy and just about perfect.
“Do you like it?” she asked, her eyes intent.
He swallowed and nodded. “Man, that’s good. Pumpkin spice?”
She grinned. “Yep. What do you think of the spice blend?”
He took another bite and moaned softly. “I’m no baker, but I think it’s damn near perfect.”
“Told you!” An older woman stepped out of the kitchen with a smile. “We’ve got it, Caro.”
“Definitely.” He popped the last bit of cookie in his mouth and chewed before holding out his hand to her. “Jane, I take it?”
“Yep.” She gave his hand a pump and released it. “Eli?”
“That’s me.” He faced Caro. “You’ve got this one, Cupcake.”
She flushed with obvious pride, and little bit of embarrassment unless he missed his guess. “Thanks. Wait until we add the white chocolate.”
He groaned. “You’re going to kill it at the festival.”
Caro did a cute little fist pump. “Yeah, we will!”
Jane was eyeing him and he wondered if she knew what he’d gotten up to with her boss. At least she didn’t seem to be measuring him, like he’d felt when Lettie had checked him out.
“So when are you done?” he asked Caro as Jane went back into the kitchen.
“We’re getting ready to close, and then we have to finish cleaning up. You?”
“I’m done at five. Want to grab dinner?”
She placed her hands on her hips. “Eli, people will talk.”
“In my experience, Cupcake? People will talk no matter what.”
“That’s just about what I told her,” Jane added from the back.
“Quiet, you!” Caro called back. “Okay, dinner it is. Do you have furniture yet?”
“Ordered it today. It’s being delivered tomorrow morning.”
“Wow, that’s fast.”
“I’m leasing everything but the bed. Even a washer and dryer.”
“You’re leasing your furniture?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“I…I’m not sure.” She fingered the tie of her apron. “Tomorrow, huh?”
“Yep. I plan to clean the whole place tomorrow and get all settled in. Maybe I’ll have a fire.”
“September in Florida, Eli.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, it got pretty hot in there last night.”
She slid him a smile. “I’ll have to get you a housewarming gift.”
He nearly choked as he pictured her wrapped up in a ribbon and nothing else. “I can think of something,” he said in a low voice.
She clicked her tongue as she ushered him to the door and flipped over the cardboard sign to read Closed. He glanced toward the
kitchen and saw they were relatively alone, and bent his head to kiss her. Their lips clung for a second, and he pulled back with a smile. She looked a little surprised by the gesture, and frankly so was he.
“See you later, Cupcake.”
Opening the door, the cheerful chimes sounded again as he walked out. Those chimes were fun, she’d said. She’d needed some fun when she’d first opened. She’d said that, too. It had to have something to do with whatever had made her so sad out by the lake that day. He sure hoped she needed the kind of fun he liked having with her, because they were only getting started.
The afternoon went by pretty quickly, and he began to shut everything down.
“Nice job with that last tour, Eli.”
He glanced up to find Jessie standing there. “Thanks, Jessie.”
“And guess what happened with the family you toured on Wednesday?”
“What?”
“Noah just told me they’re going forward with one of the spec homes in the green neighborhood.”
“That’s great.” This would be his first sale based on his own tour and sales pitch. “Very nice.”
Jessie nodded. “Noah said they couldn’t say enough about the way you really made them see how happy their family could be in Cypress.”
Eli gaped at her. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.” She blinked at him. “Why?”
“Honestly? I felt like I was talking out of my ass on that tour.”
“Well, they must have sensed something about it because they also said you seemed like you really got the whole family thing.”
Her cell phone rang and she went to go take her call. Eli sat back and tried to work his mind around what she’d told him. He must be better than even he thought he was, if he’d been able to make that family think he actually bought into the concept himself.
He scrubbed a hand over his face and finished clearing his desk in anticipation of another weekend off. He wouldn’t think about the way he’d framed just how that family’s life could be if they settled in Cypress Corners. He’d just recited what he’d read. What he’d heard Jessie and Bree and Oliver say on the tours he’d shadowed. He had no fucking clue about family himself.
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