Sweet on Sophie ( (A Red Maple Falls Novel, #11)

by Theresa Paolo

  Now, with Charlotte in his care, he really didn’t have time for himself, much less for him to indulge his wants. That was, if Sophie was even willing. He’d almost kissed her after stitching her finger up and she hadn’t pulled away. But if given another second, would she have? If Kate and Caleb hadn’t shown up, he would know, but now he was left with uncertainty.

  “You should get going,” Sophie said, and he broke free of her gaze. “Don’t want to be late for your next patient.”

  “Right,” he said. “You have my cell number. I should give you the office number.”

  “I’m sure I can Google it if it comes down to it. Besides, I have Kristen’s cell number, too, just in case for whatever reason I can’t get in touch with you.”

  “Okay. You be good,” he said to Charlotte. “Don’t talk Miss. Reynold’s ear off.” That line got him a smile from both girls and he mentally patted himself on the back.

  With a wave, he got in his car and headed back to the office. Usually, he was excited about doing his job and seeing his patients, so why, as he drove away, did he wish he could spend his afternoon eating cupcakes instead?

  Chapter 12

  Sophie held Charlotte’s hand as they crossed Main Street and headed toward Sweet Dreams Bakery. She knew all she had to do was ask Shay to participate in the carnival, and she would say yes with no questions. The problem Sophie faced was the other festivals in town that she knew Shay had already committed to. And beyond that, the fall festival was run by her in-laws, so there was no way she would ditch her booth for the school carnival.

  With little time before the cold days of winter blew in, Sophie was beginning to think a carnival wasn’t the best idea. A bake sale could be held inside, but it would be on a much smaller scale and how many people in the town would go out of their way to attend a school bake sale when they could just go to Sweet Dreams Bakery for a cupcake or the Happy Apple for one of Terry’s pies.

  No, Bev and Joan came to her for a change and, damn it, that’s exactly what she was going to do. There wasn’t a challenge she couldn’t handle, and she was ready to figure this one out.

  Sophie opened the door of Sweet Dreams Bakery and let Charlotte in before following behind. Louise was at the register and a big smile spread wide across her face as they approached. Her black hair was in a single braid and draped over her shoulder. A pink apron adorned with the Sweet Dreams Bakery logo was tied tightly at her trim waist, showing off her lean figure.

  “Well, good afternoon,” she said.

  Charlotte’s eyes widened as she came to a stop, mouth dropping open, as she scanned the place filled with white and pink décor. Her gaze came to a stop on the display case housed with all the currently available cupcakes.

  “Hi, Louise,” Sophie said with a wave, then placed her hand on Charlotte’s shoulder and guided her closer to the display. “This is Charlotte, and she’s new to town, so I had to bring her by to try one of the famous cupcakes.”

  “Then you are in for a treat. We have some new ones on the menu that are personal favorites of mine.” Louise moved over to the display and tapped a finger on a tray filled with what appeared to be vanilla cupcakes, topped with buttercream and a chocolate chip cookie sticking out of each. “This is a chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake. Not only do you get a cupcake, but you get a fresh made chocolate chip cookie, too. Then there’s this one.” Louise stopped at a blue and purple swirl cupcake. “Cotton candy flavored topped with a cotton candy buttercream, glitter sprinkles, and a stick with cotton candy to top it off. Another twofer. And it’s really pretty.” Charlotte nodded her agreement, and Louise clapped her hands together. “So, what’ll it be?”

  Charlotte’s hand flung up, and she tapped the glass where the cotton candy cupcakes sat.

  Louise smiled. “Good choice. And Sophie, what can I get you?”

  “A cup of coffee would be fantastic, and I’ll take the chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake.”

  “You won’t regret it. It’s really good. I’m trying to convince Shay to put her chocolate chip cookies on the permanent menu.”

  “Speaking of Shay, is she around? I had a question for her.”

  “She ran out. Matt forgot his keys at home, so she went to let him in.” Louise held her hand up and leaned forward. “I think we both know Matt would never forget his keys.” Louise raised her eyebrows. “But with the kids at their grandparents’, I’m guessing they’re making use of their time.”

  Sophie laughed. “I guess you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.” A moment of jealousy hit her gut, but she quickly fought against it. She was thrilled for Shay and Matt and even more so that after everything they’d been through and even with kids, they were still so in love with each other. Still craved the other’s attention. Their relationship was everything that Sophie wanted. Everything that she feared, she’d never have.

  She ignored the thoughts of becoming an old spinster and reached in her pocket to pay, but Charlotte’s little hand reached out in front of her, holding a twenty.

  “Sweetie, put your money away. I got this.”

  Charlotte shook her head with determination and waved the bill at Louise.

  Louise peered between the two of them, then took the money from Charlotte. “She looked more determined,” Louise said with a wink to Charlotte. “Now would you like it in a pretty box to go or a pretty plate to stay?”

  “To stay. We’re going to take over that table right there and get Charlotte’s homework out of the way.”

  “Pretty plate to stay, it is. I bet Shay will be back before you’re out of here, too.”

  “That would be great. I’m thinking of doing a carnival at the school to raise money for new books in the library and I was hoping Shay would be willing to have a booth and possibly donate some of the profits.”

  Louise waved her hand. “You don’t even have to ask. Just give her a date and time, and she’ll be there.”

  Sophie laughed. “I actually want to discuss the date with her. I’m in the planning stages and with all the festivals coming up, I don’t want to step on any toes, but then there’s the weather.”

  “Why don’t you do it the second weekend in November? The Fall Festival will be over, Halloween will have passed, and kids will be getting antsy waiting on the holidays.”

  “My luck, it’ll snow.”

  “Then do it inside. No one said a carnival needs to be outside. And the school has such a large gymnasium. You can turn it into not just a carnival, but an experience. There can be a ringmaster at the door, taking tickets at a ticket booth, the teachers can dress up as clowns.” Louise’s voice raised in excitement with each suggestion.

  “You’re really good at this,” Sophie said, and Louise batted a hand toward her.

  “My cousin’s son turned five in July, and she had a carnival themed birthday party. I spent a lot of time on Pinterest. I can call her and see if she’d be willing to lend any of the props she has. She only lives an hour away, and I see her about once a month. We usually meet in the middle and spend the day together.”

  Sophie felt like she had just hit the jackpot. “That would be absolutely amazing. My budget is so small to begin with, and I don’t want to spend money that I can just use on the books, but I also want to give the kids a great experience.”

  “I’ll talk to my cousin, and I’ll give you a call.”

  Sophie threw her arms over the counter and pulled Louise into a hug. “You’re the best.”

  Louise tossed her braid over her shoulder and smiled. “I know. Now go sit down and I’ll bring your coffee and cupcakes over. Poor Charlotte here has been waiting patiently for her cupcake.”

  “Yes, of course. What table do you want to sit at?”

  Charlotte pointed to the table in the corner by the window.

  “That’s exactly what I would have picked.” They walked over to the table and sat. Charlotte placed her backpack on the floor and unzipped it, taking out her notebook.

  “We can eat our
cupcakes first, then we can do homework. Sound good?”

  Charlotte’s eyes lit up, and she gave a very enthusiastic nod.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Louise brought over the cupcakes and placed them down on the table. The plates reminded Sophie of the ones Ellie just got at Brimstone, which reminded her she needed to call her sister.

  “Thank you, Louise.”

  “You’re welcome. Now let me just grab your coffee.”

  She brought it over in a Victorian mug with pink flowers and gold trim. Out of habit, Sophie picked up the mug and looked at the stamp on the bottom. “Has my sister seen these?”

  “I’d say so, considering Shay went on a spending spree at her shop the other day.”

  “Well, they make a fine addition to the bakery.”

  “I thought so, too.”

  “Now enjoy.” Louise turned toward the register when she stopped and headed to the door. She pulled the door open, a big smile on her face. “Look who’s back,” she said as Shay hurried through the door, her brown hair also in a braid. “Matt get in the house okay?”

  Shay glared at Louise, and her lips pursed before a laugh slipped out. “Shut up,” she said, giving Louise a playful swat to the shoulder. Shay adjusted her bag on her shoulder and her eyes landed on Sophie. “Sophie! How are you?”

  “Hey Shay. I’m good. How are you?” Sophie gave an insinuating raise of her eyebrow.

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake. The two of you need to get your mind out of the gutter.”

  “Says the woman who runs out in the middle of the day to let her husband in. If you know what I’m saying?”

  “Don’t you have cupcakes to bake?” Shay asked, and Sophie laughed. Louise had worked for Shay from the very beginning, and they always had an older sister, younger sister banter that Sophie found very amusing.

  “Actually, we’re all caught up on orders.”

  “Oh, that’s music to my ears.” Shay walked over to the table. “And who is this?”

  “This is Charlotte.”

  Shay held out her hand, and Charlotte shook it. “It is nice to meet you, Charlotte. I’m Shay. This is my bakery. Do you like your cupcake?”

  Sophie turned, only now realizing that Charlotte hadn’t wasted any time. While Sophie was speaking to Louise and watching Shay and Louise’s banter, Charlotte had pretty much demolished her cupcake. She had a mustache of blue and purple, and she was licking her finger.

  “Let’s get you a napkin.” Shay walked over to the counter and grabbed a stack of napkins. “Here you go.” She handed one to Charlotte and then one to Sophie. “You’ll probably need one, too.”

  “Thanks.” Sophie placed the napkin next to her coffee.

  “Sophie wanted to talk to you, but since you weren’t here, I solved all her problems,” Louise said from behind the register.

  Shay shook her head. “You’re lucky I love you.” She plopped into a chair at the table across from them and turned to face their table. “What did I miss?”

  Sophie filled her in on the carnival and all of Louise’s ideas.

  “I think Louise makes a good point. As long as the weather holds, people are still out enjoying their weekends, squeezing in those last days before we get blasted with snow. I’d love to set up a booth. I have one so you won’t have to worry about that. Whatever I make, I’ll just take the cost of supplies and give you the rest.”

  “Really? It’s your time. You have to take a little extra.”

  Shay rested a hand on Sophie. “My kids will be at the school soon enough, and their cousins, and if the school library needs help, then I’m going all in.”

  “I don’t know what to say. Thank you!”

  “Of course.”

  “Also check with Kate and see if she can do something with glass with the kids. I don’t think she can bring her furnace or whatever it is she uses to melt the glass, but maybe she can do something.”

  “Check with Daisy, too,” Louise piped up from behind the counter. “She handles all the marketing and event planning for the brewery, so while beer is a definite no for a school carnival, she might be able to help you with other local business or ideas.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Shay said.

  Louise looked at her nails, blew lightly on them, then pretended to rub them on her shoulder.

  “I have a lot of those.”

  Shay rolled her eyes, but it was all in good fun.

  “I’m so happy I stopped here first. I wasn’t sure about the carnival and now I couldn’t be more excited.”

  “Let me know if you need anything else. I’d be happy to help. But now I must get back to work. My inventory list isn’t going to update itself, unfortunately.” She bent down to Charlotte. “It was lovely meeting you. I hope to see you again soon.”

  Charlotte waved, and Sophie assumed Shay already knew about Charlotte’s silence. Word spread fast in the small town, and especially when she was related to half of it.

  Sophie took a sip of her coffee, then sighed before looking at Charlotte. “Homework time.”

  Charlotte, now free of the purple mustache, reached into her bag and took out her notebook.

  Sophie bit her cupcake, then helped Charlotte with the night’s homework assignment. Thirty minutes later and another round of cupcakes, they were finished.

  Charlotte, though she didn’t speak, was an exceptionally smart girl, and Sophie hoped that one day she’d find her voice again, but in the meantime, she would do all she could to make sure her classmates treated her kindly, giving her a renewed sense of security, and just maybe that along with Drake’s love and dedication to her well-being, thought she’d be just fine.

  “Let me bring these plates up to the counter and we can go on our way.” Sophie grabbed the two plates and the coffee cup. Shay was at the counter and happily took the dirty dishes.

  “So,” Shay said with a glint in her hazel eyes. “Kate said you were at Drake’s office the other night.”

  “I cut myself with a knife, and he stitched me up, so I didn’t have to go to the hospital and pay a copay.”

  “That was awfully nice of him. Did you call him?”

  Sophie knew exactly where the line of questioning was going, so to appease Shay she jumped right to the truth. “Charlotte left her doll at school, and since I drive by his place to go to my sister’s store, I dropped it off on the way home. He was stressed out about Charlotte’s homework, and since I was the one who assigned it, I offered to help.”

  “Why were you using a knife then?”

  “He invited me to stay for dinner since he has more casseroles and prepared dinners than he knows what to do with.”

  “Have to love this town.” Shay took a sip of her own coffee. “Then you went back to his place because Sam said Chase and Miguel had to go out to Drake’s place and they saw you there.”

  “In our rush to get me stitched, he left the casserole in the oven on broil… yeah,” she said when Shay’s eyes widened. “Though I’m surprised you didn’t know that already.” Kate was her sister-in-law, Sam her brother-in-law, there was no escaping the Hayes family in Red Maple Falls.

  “You know men. They only answer the bare minimum. So you went back to his place.”

  “To get my car.”

  “Oh. Well, that’s disappointing, but now here you are with his niece.”

  “He was going to bring her back to the office and have her sit there for the next four hours. I was running errands, so it made sense to see if she wanted to come along. Once I mentioned cupcakes, she was sold.”

  “Of course. Who can say no to a cupcake?”

  “And there you have it. My very boring story of nothing that is going on. Make sure to spread it to the rest of the clan.”

  “I should throw them off a bit.”

  “Throw them off of what?”

  “Oh nothing.”

  “Shay?”

  Shay’s shoulders sagged. “I may or may not have a friendly bet going that you two
will wind up together.”

  “Shay!”

  “What? You two would make an adorable couple. I mean, doctor and school teacher… you don’t get much more pure than that.”

  If Shay only knew the thoughts that went through Sophie’s head when she was near Drake; she wouldn’t think her pure at all.

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but nothing’s going to happen.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Because Drake had all but rejected her once before. Every time they’d been together was for Charlotte. The store, his house, at the school. Without Charlotte, he wouldn’t need her.

  “I’m just helping him out.”

  Shay’s eyebrow arched, and she stared at Sophie as if she didn’t believe a single word Sophie said. “We’ll see, but I’m still keeping my money on you.”

  Sophie only hoped there wasn’t a lot at stake.

  Chapter 13

  Drake finished with his last patient a little later than expected. He grabbed his keys and headed out. Kristen had already left for the night, so he locked the door behind him. Sophie had texted him that she and Charlotte made their final stop at the Happy Apple for something other than cupcakes and asked if he wanted to meet them there.

  He couldn’t think of anything better than Terry’s food and time with Sophie and Charlotte. He got into the car and drove right to Main Street, parking on the street a few doors down from the Happy Apple.

  It was a beautiful night, free of summer humidity and a hint at the cooler fall weather that was on the horizon. Pretty soon the trees lining Main Street would be changing to orange, red, and yellow. The sidewalks would be filled with scarecrows for the annual contest amongst the businesses. He couldn’t wait to bring Charlotte to check them all out and see which one she would choose as her favorite.

  His sister would have loved autumn in Red Maple Falls. A pang of guilt hit him low in the gut. If only he’d invited her to stay with him for a weekend before she’d gotten sick. If he’d have picked up the phone and called her, he would have known that she had changed and left her asshole ex. Maybe he could have convinced her to move to Red Maple Falls, where he would have been able to establish a relationship with Charlotte. He could have helped them out financially and just maybe, being a doctor and knowing the signs, he could have caught her cancer earlier and extended her life a bit, or at the very least, he would have been there for her.