by Eileen Green
“You should have invited Augusta,” Hillary commented before taking a sip of her drink.
“We did,” her father responded. “She had been up all day working at the bakery.”
“Did you ask her out for tomorrow?” the young woman asked with a smile.
“Hillary,” Hunter said sternly. “This is all new to all of us. We’re not going to rush her.”
The girl at least looked guilty. “Sorry.” She looked over at the stage. “I’ve seen these guys before. They’ve played at the university.”
“They’re good,” Hunter admitted.
“We’ll have to bring Augusta here,” Trent suggested. “She spends so much time at work that she doesn’t get out to enjoy herself much.”
Brian walked up to their table. “It’s good to see you guys out and about,” he said as he pulled an empty chair over and then sat. “You two work too much.”
All three of the original occupants of the table laughed at Brian’s words.
* * * *
“What are you doing here?” Margo asked as Augusta stepped through the back door. “This is your day off.”
“I brought back the decorating items. I didn’t want them waiting until tomorrow to get clean. Plus, since there weren’t any touch-ups needed, there’s a couple of tubes of frosting we can use on cupcakes for tomorrow’s sales,” Augusta said nonchalantly.
“Right. You just wanted to find an excuse to come to work.” Margo carefully laid out slices of kiwi on top of the torte she was making. “How was the party last night?”
Shrugging, Augusta placed the dirty items in the sink. “It was all right. Lots of food.”
“Lots of sexy policemen too?”
“I guess. How were the pre-church sales this morning?”
On Sunday mornings, various churches sent people in to buy dozens of donuts, Danishes, and muffins. Cookies were usually bought for the younger crowds, and there was at least one cake that was picked up if not more.
“They were really good.” Margo looked at her smiling. “You’re avoiding the question.”
Augusta shrugged. “I guess there was some good-looking guys there.”
A chuckle sounded from the younger woman. “Only some? I’ve seen a lot of those cops around. In fact, I think the state has a monopoly on fine-looking law enforcement. Have you seen that FBI agent and former Interpol guy? Those two are yummy.”
“I suppose you like the firefighters around here too?”
“Oh, yes,” Margo answered as she rubbed her hands together gleefully. “I’m not blind.”
Stepping closer to Margo, Augusta whispered, “How’s the new girl working out?”
They had hired a local high school girl for the weekends. After going over the books with her accountant a few months ago, Augusta realized she could afford to hire on a couple of people, so she wouldn’t have to spend so much time at the shop. Working pretty much seven days a week for the past seven years, she was wearing herself down. Also, now that she had come into money recently, she was a lot better off than before.
Then, she had been happy to hire just one person. Now, things might be changing again.
“She’s been a godsend. Now I’m not so rushed on Sunday mornings. Customers are happier too, especially the church crowd. They get in and out a lot quicker.”
“Great. She seems like a real go-getter.” Augusta peeked around the door to the café part of the bakery. The girl in question was serving an elderly gentleman a Danish and a cup of coffee.
Turning back, she found Margo still placing fruit on the torte. Augusta had been blessed when Margo applied for a job here. They had become quick friends and could tell each other their secrets. The only thing Augusta hadn’t told Margo was how much money she had come into. Otherwise, Margo would be insisting that she didn’t work anymore.
The bells that indicated someone coming or going chimed. She didn’t know why the urge to see who had come in was so great, but she turned to look out the door that separated the two areas.
Her breath seemed to get stuck while her stomach did a flip. Her heart also seemed to jump into her throat.
Three people walked up to the counter, all of them looking in the display case. Crystal, the new girl, stepped over until she was standing before the newcomers.
“Good morning,” Crystal greeted the trio. “What can I get for you guys today?”
Augusta was going to try to duck back from the doorway, but Hunter took that moment to look up and spot her. Damn!
“Hello, darlin’. I thought you weren’t working today,” Hunter said with a bright smile.
Hillary looked up. “Hi, Miss Augusta. It’s good to see you again.”
Trent moved around the display case and over to stand before Augusta. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek before she could say anything.
“Good morning, precious. You’re looking well.”
The smile on her face was accompanied by a heated flush to her face, neck, and chest. He took her hand and led her over to Hunter and Hillary.
“Good morning,” she greeted them, a bit nervous but happy to see them for some reason. Well, she knew the reason, but she had to hope she didn’t look like some giddy schoolgirl.
“Can you join us for a bite? Or are you tired of your own goodies?” Hillary asked with a laugh.
“I’ll have a cup of coffee with you. I already had breakfast at home.”
“Let me help,” Margo said, coming out of the back. She moved over to the coffee section and began to fix coffees while Crystal got their sweet’s orders together.
Hunter slipped his hand into Augusta’s free one, causing her to jump slightly. Here she was standing in her own shop with two men holding her hands, and the daughter of one of them standing close by.
“What would you suggest, Augusta?” inquired Hunter as he looked over the choices.
“Is this a treat or actual breakfast?” she asked in return.
“I didn’t have breakfast, so something filling would be good.”
Trent released her hand as he accepted the paper plate with a cheese Danish and a maple bar on it. He accepted another plate with a chocolate muffin on it from Crystal. He turned and stepped away.
“Crystal, can you get Officer Simpson a breakfast croissant with ham, egg, and cheese, please? Also, add a Dutch apple muffin to the order please.” Augusta stayed on the customer side of the counter so as not to make any indications of the girl’s inexperience.
Margo brought the drink orders around the counter and over to where Trent and Hillary were sitting. “Here you go. Let us know if you want refills.”
Crystal had put the croissant sandwich to warm in the microwave and then put the requested muffin on a plate. She headed over to the register, but Augusta stopped her.
“I’ll take care of this,” she said. “Just leave the bill on my desk, and I’ll take care of it in the morning when I do the accounting for the day.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The bell on the microwave sounded, and Crystal retrieved the sandwich. She then handed the plates to Hunter who had reached for them both.
Augusta and Hunter went and sat with Hillary and Trent. Looking around the table, she realized she was becoming more comfortable in these men’s presence. She didn’t know why, but it felt good to be sitting between two men who had made overtures toward her.
“So, what are you doing today, precious?” Trent asked before taking a bite of the Danish he held in his hand.
“I was going to clean house,” she said casually before she shrugged. “I’d probably watch a movie. You know, just take it easy.”
“Why don’t we take in a movie before Hillary heads home? We could catch a matinee. I would like to make sure my baby gets home before nightfall.” Hunter was the one who spoke.
“I could do a movie,” Trent agreed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve actually gone to a theater.”
Hunter laughed. “Yeah, he’s right. He has a digital library that is astounding
.”
Augusta noticed that when she was in their presence, they made her laugh, which was something she didn’t do often enough. Looking back at when she was with Josh, she could see that he didn’t have a sense of humor.
The more she looked back at her relationship with the man, she wondered why she had even gotten with him. Had she been so pitiful that she accepted him just because he paid attention to her? Had he taken advantage of her because she was lonely?
“That must be a dark place you went to, darlin’,” she heard Hunter say through a fog.
Was she so homely that Josh took pity on her?
“Augusta? Precious?” A hand touched hers. “Augusta? Are you all right?”
The fog in her head lifted, and she found Trent’s hand on hers and all three of her new friends were looking at her strangely. All talk from other tables had ceased also. Glancing around, she found people watching her.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized quietly. “I just had a few thoughts that popped into my head.”
“They must not have been good ones. You looked very troubled there for a minute. Are you having problems with this place?” Trent looked concerned.
“No. Nothing like that. Occasionally my ex gets into my head, and I start thinking about things I shouldn’t.”
“If you got rid of him, he’s not worth the space in your head,” Hillary offered. “Sometimes, people come into our lives for a little bit before they have to leave. You must put them to the back of your mind and lock the door. If you do have to see them for any reason, that’s the only time you give them freedom, and then you lock them away again.”
That was a good way to look at it. “Unfortunately, my ex keeps calling me for money. He needs to get some people off his back, but once he does, the cycle will begin again. I just don’t know what to do about him.”
“What kind of people are we talking about, Augusta?” Hunter asked, concern lacing his words.
She took a sip of the sweetened coffee Margo had made for her. Once she swallowed, she had to answer, “I’m not sure. But, I think they are probably the unsavory kind.”
Trent was watching her. He asked, “Does he live around here?”
“No. He lives in New Jersey.”
* * * *
A Jersey boy. Doesn’t sound good.
“Why does he need money?” Trent asked as he took another bite of his Danish. He had to admit that it was delicious.
Augusta looked at him as if digging too deeply into her life. It was good that she was guarded, but he and Hunter wanted her in their lives, which meant they cared. Finally, she answered, “Gambling.”
Being from New York, he had dealt with the people that her ex was dealing with. Most loan sharks worked for the mob. Money was taken from the coffers of organized crime and expected back with monstrous interest rates.
Regular people couldn’t afford to deal with them. A gambler might come up with a good payday, take care of the money lenders, but then because it was addictive, he would be back in debt within a week, if even that.
“I’m sorry that he keeps coming to you,” Hunter sympathized. “Have you changed your phone number?”
“He’d just call here, and I can’t change the number. People know how to get a hold of us. Besides,” she grumbled, “it’s my issue to take care of.”
“You don’t have to deal with him alone,” Trent pointed out.
Hillary apparently got the hint that he and her father wanted to speak with Augusta alone for a moment. She excused herself, stepped outside, and made a phone call.
Both men turned toward the woman they wanted. “Augusta, if you haven’t noticed, we want to have a relationship with you. We don’t want to tell you want to do, but we do want to help if you are in trouble.” Trent spoke first.
Hunter continued. “If your ex keeps coming back for money, he’s not going to stop. We don’t want to see you get hurt by him.”
“Don’t get me wrong here, precious,” Trent began as he took in the store visually. “I don’t see you making a fortune from the bakery. Does your ex know something?”
Nibbling on her lower lip, she looked as if she was debating if she wanted to talk to them about her problem. Trent found himself trying to tell his cock to settle down, for this was not the time, nor the place for it to get horny.
After taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. “I’m an only child, and my father passed away six months ago. He made a lot of money in his lifetime, and I’m the only beneficiary. Josh knows that.” Sadness settled on her lovely face. “Sometimes I wonder if that’s the only reason he asked me to marry him.”
To think that some jerk would take advantage of Augusta was shocking. From the few conversations they had with her, they found she was a thoughtful, caring, loving woman.
Trent wanted to meet her ex and have a few words with him. He had no right to use her for his own means. No one had the right to make someone question their love for them.
He picked up her hand and held it close to his chest. She didn’t try to pull it away which was a good sign. “Precious, if all he wanted was money from you, then he was a fool. Anyone can see your beauty. You’re smart, and strong, and funny.”
“We didn’t even know about your money, darlin’, and we were smitten with you the moment we saw you.” Hunter smiled sheepishly. “We were going to leave that night once everything was settled. Once we saw you down at the end of the table, we knew we couldn’t leave without getting to know you.”
Skepticism was written on her face, which Trent understood. She had been married, and divorced, and now her ex was bothering her. Why would she want to get involved with two men?
“There’s no pressure from us, darlin’,” Hunter said quickly. “We can wait.”
A glance at Trent, and then Hunter, she finally admitted, “It makes me nervous. I mean, look at me. I’m an overweight divorcee who works way too many hours. I’ve had a lot of time to think of these things.”
“First off,” Hunter began, “I don’t want you to ever put yourself down again about your weight. You have a real woman’s body. I can tell your breasts are full, probably at least a handful if not more. Your hips are good enough to hold on to while a man makes love to you.”
“Did you see the women at the party in Polson? There are quite a few of them that are like you, and their men love them. So, please, don’t shortchange yourself.” Trent hoped he didn’t sound like he was begging, but he really did want to try with Augusta.
“All right,” she consented. “I’ll go to the movies with you guys. We’ll see what happens after that.”
Trent beat Hunter to Augusta since he was still holding her hand and he pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight.
There was a hesitancy with her before she finally wrapped her arms around his waist. When he released her, Hunter pulled her over to him and hugged her also.
Hillary came back in and set her phone screen up in front of Augusta. “Here are the movies playing here in town, and the times. We’ll let you pick what you want to see,” she said with enthusiasm.
* * * *
The movie was some chick flick that he would’ve rather not seen, however, Hunter just wanted to spend time with Augusta. She sat between him and Trent, and Hillary sat on the other side of Hunter.
Every so often, he and Augusta would reach into the popcorn bucket at the same time, and their hands would tangle. Several times, he would take her hand, raise it to his mouth, and lick the butter off her fingers.
Hunter could tell she was unnerved by the action for she would try to pull her hand back. He just smiled in the dark.
After the movie, they had a late lunch before they said good-bye to Hillary. She would be back in Missoula before the sunset, which made him happy. He wanted to make sure she was safe.
He was touched when his daughter hugged Augusta. She had whispered something to the woman before she embraced Hunter. She had told him that she really liked Augusta, a
nd she hoped he was going to be happy after all this time.
His daughter never spoke badly of her mother, but he knew there was animosity on Hillary’s end. She had always been attuned to his feelings, and now, he hoped he wouldn’t screw anything up with Augusta.
They were sitting in his pickup in the alley behind the bakery. Augusta had left her car here when they went to the movies, and now they were dropping her off.
“So, when can we see you again?” Hunter asked as he ran his fingertips along her shoulder.
“Well,” she started. “It seems that would depend on your schedules since you work evenings. I’m usually done at the shop by three or four.”
“We can always get together for breakfast at the shop. But you’re right. Dinner would have to be on our nights off. How about…”
Before Trent could finish his question from the backseat, Augusta’s phone rang. She pulled the device from a pocket on the side of her purse, looked at the screen, and gave an exacerbated sigh. Hitting a button, she raised the phone to her ear.
“What do you want, Josh? I’m busy.”
Chapter Four
“They’re going to fucking kill me, Gussy! You have to help me!”
Josh hoped he sounded frantic enough that Augusta would give him the money. If she didn’t, he was so screwed.
The people he was dealing with were nasty people. People who wouldn’t think twice about shooting both his knees or putting a bullet in chest.
“No, Josh!” He could hear the irritation in her voice. “You need to stop calling me. If you do, I will be forced to call the police.”
“You don’t understand, Gussy. These guys are going to kill me. Don’t you care about that?” He was whining, and he didn’t care. She’d be sorry if he got killed.
“If you cared at all for me, Josh, you’d stop calling me,” she said through the phone. “Let me ask you a question.”
“Okay,” he said in confusion.
“Did you ever love me? Or did you marry me for my father’s money?”