by Sabrina York
Granted, his swirls were not as clean and perfect as hers, but he still felt proud that he was at least beginning to get the hang of it...and that he was able to do something to help speed her through the pile of orders that awaited her.
He grinned at her as she carried the finished batches to the fridge. “I’m getting pretty good at this,” he said as he picked up one of his cupcakes and licked the frosting. Strawberry. It was delicious.
It was bad timing, though, because Snoopy chose that moment to leap onto his lap, which somehow smooshed the frosting all over his face. Still, pretty delicious.
“Oh, no,” Roni said sternly, as she ran back to the table and pulled Snoopy from Mark’s lap. “That’s not for doggies. Here.” She handed him a different treat, which he gobbled up.
“I want one of those,” Mark said.
She laughed. “It’s a dog treat.”
“It looks like a cookie.”
“It’s a dog treat. I should know. I make them special.” She eyed him for a moment and her expression changed. He wasn’t sure what that look was, humor or horniness. His pulse kicked up as she came closer, and closer still. “And you look...”
A shiver skittered down his spine. Heat pooled in his lap. “What?” he asked, on a bated breath. “What do I look like?”
She eased herself onto his lap. His interest...rose. She noticed and smiled, then wiggled around. “What do I look like?” His voice cracked.
“You look...delicious,” she murmured, and then, she licked him.
“What did I tell you about starting something you’re not prepared to finish?” he growled.
“Oh, I intend to finish,” she said, leaning in, and licked him again.
She probably would have continued forever—and he would have let her—but she was distracted by Snoopy’s manic barking. They both glanced at the dog, and then turned toward the stairs, the location of his distress.
Mark’s mood deflated immediately. Because there was Gwen, with her arms crossed, frowning at them both.
* * *
Roni leaped from Mark’s lap and smoothed down her apron. She wasn’t sure why, other than she was fairly certain her cousin was annoyed.
“You asked me to come over this evening. So we could chat,” she said with a stiff voice. Oh, and a glare at Mark.
“I did. I did!” Why was she so jumpy? She had every right to be kissing Mark, darn it. “Thank you for coming. Uh, Mark and I were just celebrating a very successful day.”
“I see that.”
Oh, dear. He still had a swathe of frosting on his cheek. She went to the sink, quickly dampened a cloth and handed it to him. “We just finished most of the prep for tomorrow, so you have perfect timing.”
Mark stood and took off his apron. Roni hated to see it go, because he was really, truly cute in an apron. “I should head home, anyway,” he said, a hint of apology in his tone.
“Do you have to?”
“I have a lot of work to make up for at the ranch. Plus, I’ve got to take care of the dogs.” His smile was resigned.
She hadn’t realized how much she’d been expecting that they would make love tonight, that he would stay over. She hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted that. For some reason, her fingers tightened on his arm. He smiled down at her and gave her a kiss. “I’ll come by tomorrow after I finish work. You call if it gets busy and I’ll try to break away—”
“Actually, if it gets busy, she can call me,” Gwen announced.
Mark didn’t even look at her. He kept his gaze on Roni. Something about it made heat rise within her. When he leaned in again, she thought it was to give her another kiss, but he whispered in her ear. “I’ll be thinking about you tonight,” he said in a teasing voice, one that made her grin. Then he snagged his deformed cupcake and his Stetson, and headed out the door. He waved at her as he started his truck and then flashed her with the lights for good measure.
It was hard watching him go, but she did so with a smile on her face. Because she’d see him tomorrow. And the day after that, most likely.
She locked the front door and leaned against it with a sigh.
Gwen erupted, ruining her moment. “What the hell was that?” she bellowed, sending Snoopy into another rhapsody of howls.
“Hush, Snoopy.” Roni took off her apron, folded it and set it on the counter.
“Veronica. What. The. Actual. Hell? You were kissing Mark Stirling!”
“Yes, Gwen, I was. What’s the big deal?”
“Really? Really?” Her cousin rolled her eyes heavenward. “‘What’s the big deal?’ she says. I told you to be careful with him. I told you not to get involved. Why didn’t you listen to me?”
“Can we take this upstairs? I’m tired.”
“Because you think I won’t yell in front of Gram?”
Roni started shutting off the lights and tried to hold on to her earlier elation. It had been a magnificent day, and the evening had been tremendous fun with Mark. Gwen and her negativity threatened to erase her happiness. But she knew better. She would not allow anyone to do that to her. Not anymore.
She forced a dazzling smile. “You need a cookie,” she said as she flicked off the last light and shooed Snoopy up the stairs. She gestured for Gwen to precede her. “Come on. Let’s go up.”
Gwen harrumphed, but complied, though she clomped heavily on the stairs. As she pushed through the upper door into the kitchen, she grumbled, to Gram apparently, who was sipping a cup of tea, “They were kissing.”
“Oh.” Gram took a sip. “Good. I like that boy.”
“Seriously?” Gwen asked, imploring the ceiling. “What is it about Mark Stirling that makes women lose their minds?”
“I have not lost my mind,” Roni said, raiding the cookie jar for three of Gram’s molasses cookies, which she plated and set on the table. Two had been co-opted before she sat.
Gwen waggled hers in Roni’s direction. “You were canoodling with a guy who goes through women like toilet paper. After I warned you to steer clear.”
“Mark Stirling?” Gram asked. “Didn’t you date him, Gwenny?”
Gwen went red. “I didn’t date him, but my best friend Polly did, and he dumped her. Heartlessly.” She whirled on Roni. “She never really got over him.”
“Hmm.” Gram nibbled her cookie. “Isn’t Polly married to Ricky MacLean?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t they have five children?”
“Yes.”
Gram shot Gwen a glance, then returned to her tea. “I think she got over him.”
Roni scooted closer. “Is that why you have negative feelings for Mark, Gwen?” Her over-the-top reaction to a simple face-licking seemed to indicate that was the case.
“I don’t have any feelings for Mark.” Her flush deepened. “I just can’t stand him.”
“Those are feelings,” Gram observed.
“Look, he dumped Polly. Just like he’s dumped every woman in town.” She turned to Roni. “I’m worried that he’s going to do the same to you. And after your divorce, well, I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Roni set her hand on Gwen’s clenched fist. “He’s not going to hurt me. I won’t allow it.”
Gwen’s snort was vociferous. Roni handed her a much-needed tissue. “You won’t allow it? How on earth are you going to keep that man from breaking your heart? Seriously. How are you going to be the only woman in the entire state to emerge unscathed from his evil wiles?”
Gram, now deep into her cookie, waggled her eyebrows. “Evil wiles,” she murmured to herself and then chuckled as though it reminded her of something.
“He is not evil, Gwen. I wish you would stop being so negative. I really like him.”
“Polly really liked him, too. Look where that got her.”
“Married to a hunky rancher with five child
ren?” Gram grinned. “Ricky is hunky.”
“That is not the point.”
Gram shrugged. “He is.” She glanced at the clock. “Oh, dear.” She quickly refilled her teacup, snagged the third cookie and hustled into the living room.
Gwen made a face. “What was that about?”
Roni smiled. “Probably time for one of her shows.” And, indeed, the TV erupted with the trademark ca-kung of a famous show about law and order.
“Good.” Gwen fixed Roni with a hard stare. “Now that we’re in private, you can explain to me how you intend to elude the Mark Stirling curse.”
“That is not a thing.”
“It actually is. Come on, Roni. Look at the facts. Be realistic. He’s a charming, fun-loving, cute-as-all-get-out man who has no intention of settling down. Ever.”
“And that’s why he’s perfect for me.”
Gwen gaped at her. “What?”
“Mark and I have an...agreement.”
“Oh, no.” Gwen grimaced. “What kind of agreement, exactly?”
Roni leaned in. “Well, exactly...it’s none of your beeswax.”
“Come on.”
“Mark and I are just friends.”
“Just friends don’t make out with each other,” Gwen snorted. And then, realization dawned. Her eyes widened. “Oh, my God. Friends with benefits?” She said it like it tasted bad. “Is that what you are? With Mark Stirling?”
“What was that I was just saying about beeswax?”
Gwen shook her head. “Roni. No. Women always lose in relationships like this. Guys take advantage, and then, when they’ve had their fun, poof, they’re gone. You’re setting yourself up for heartbreak.”
How on earth could she make her cousin understand? She knew she had to, or every single time they saw each other the conversation would go exactly like this. For all eternity. “He’s great company. I love being with him. Neither of us wants marriage. How is this a bad choice? How could spending time with him destroy me?”
“He could dump you.”
Roni ignored the little jab in her chest. “He could. And I could end it with him. But we’re both adults. We both know what we are doing and, frankly, we respect each other. And we trust each other.” And then, when Gwen refused to be moved, she added, “Look, this is what I want. For good or bad.”
“But mostly bad.”
“No. Mostly good.” She let her feelings shine through her smile in the hope that it would convince Gwen that she knew what she was doing, that Mark would never hurt her, that this arrangement could go on forever and ever. “I know what I’m doing. Trust me.”
But all it did was make Gwen grunt something that sounded like, “Whatever. It’s your funeral.”
* * *
Mark was irritated with himself for leaving the bakery, even though it was obvious Roni and her cousin had issues to discuss. Although he was happy enough to escape Gwen’s vitriol, he had to admit to himself that he’d hoped the night would go a little differently.
So he was irritated and regretful when he got home, and then couldn’t sleep for thinking of her. Even the dogs were restless.
He thought about calling her several times, but reminded himself that they both had to get up early for work. Still, somehow, he found himself with his cell in his hand and pressing Call under her picture.
The phone rang for a bit before she picked up. “Hello?” she said.
He heard the smile in her voice. He leaned back on the pillows and grinned up at the ceiling. “This isn’t too late, is it?”
She chuckled. “I don’t care. I miss you.”
“I wish I hadn’t left.”
“I know. But it was for the best. Gwen and I needed to have a talk. She’s convinced you’re going to break my heart.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“I know. How could you? After all, we both agreed to keep this casual.”
Something sizzled through him at her words, and it wasn’t a good kind of sizzle. She was right. They had both agreed. But he didn’t feel casual in the least. Not about her. Not anymore. When the heck had that happened?
“Mark?”
“Yeah. I’m here. Just thinking about you.”
“Mmm.” A sexy purr. “What are you wearing?”
He huffed a laugh and glanced down. “Sweatpants?”
“Oooh. Sexy.”
A full-bodied chuckle came out. “What are you wearing?”
“I shouldn’t tell you.”
“Why not?” God, it felt good, the warmth in his chest. Just hearing her voice made him feel good.
“As you always tell me, I shouldn’t start something I can’t finish.”
“Right.” He grinned.
“I’m wearing my Elmo pajamas. I hope you can handle that.”
“That is...so hot.” God, he loved her sense of humor. Her everything, maybe. “I wish I was there.”
“Me, too.” She was quiet for a while—they both were, and it was comfortable. “So,” she said in a chipper tone. “Did you call to have phone sex?”
Had he? He wasn’t sure. “Do you want to have phone sex?”
She snickered. “Not tonight.”
“Do you have a headache?”
“Quit it. I would love to have phone sex with you, but I have to get up in a few hours and I should really go to sleep.”
He glanced at his alarm clock. “A few hours?”
“I’m a baker, remember. I still have to box up the special orders, make the croissants and the pastries, not to mention the loaves for the customers who ordered them. Those all have to be made fresh each morning. I can’t let my customers down. Not on the second day.”
He winced. “I should have known. I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Mark,” she said with a smile. “You know you can call me anytime. About anything. Get it?”
“Got it.”
“Good. Now, close your eyes and go to sleep. I will see you tomorrow. Okay?”
“Okay,” he said in a whisper, and then he stayed on the line until she hung up. He did close his eyes and he did fall asleep. And his dreams were filled with thoughts of her.
* * *
The second day, the bakery was a little quieter. While Roni was disappointed it wasn’t a mad rush again, she was also a little relieved. Until school got out. Then it got busy again.
She grinned as she saw one of her favorite people coming through the door.
“Emma!” she called, rounding the counter and kneeling down to her eye level. “How was your first day at school? Tell me all about it!”
She stared at Roni, her eyes wide and her cheeks aglow. She threw out her arms and twirled. “It was fantastical.”
“Was it?” Roni glanced at Lizzie, who grinned.
“My teacher is Miss Linder and we did math on a chalkboard, and mom packed me a lunch and I traded my banana for some chips and there are boys in my room. Boys.”
“Why don’t you keep me company at the counter and tell me everything?”
She had more to say, so Lizzie set her up on a stool with an éclair and Emma talked as Roni helped customers.
As promised, Mark came by when he finished work at the ranch, and because Roni had been able to finish most of the prep for the next day in between the rushes—and because she had so much repounded butter—there was no need to conscript him to help that evening. As a result, they spent a lovely evening chatting and watching TV with Gram. And then, when Gram went to bed...they did, too. It was extra exciting because they had to be really quiet.
As the days passed, Roni began to feel the rhythm of her business and the community she served. She got better at guessing how much she needed to make each day and got really good at making—and selling—frozen pies, banana breads and cookies. Aussie Bites—with quinoa, thank you very mu
ch—were customer favorites. Even Mark liked them. So she didn’t mention they were healthy in any way.
The fact was, business was just way too good. Not a bad problem to have, but still, the only time she got to see Mark was when he came over in the evenings.
He came by almost every day after working on the ranch. Some days he’d come in all dirty and she’d make him go up and take a shower. Sometimes he spent the night. Sometimes he didn’t.
Gram loved the busyness in the shop. She held court like a Grande Dame. Although there were definitely more customers in the store than before, they sold a lot more baked goods than books—which certainly made Gram happy. In response, Roni ordered all kinds of magazines, and left them scattered around on the tables for her customers to read. It wasn’t long before people started coming in for a cup of coffee and a pastry and staying for hours.
Gram especially loved lounging on the divan near her books with Snoopy on her lap. Those two had quickly become fast friends. Now that he’d been around for a while, Roni couldn’t imagine life without him. Somehow he knew not to bark at strangers in the store, but upstairs, in their apartment, he was like a rottweiler if he heard so much as a creak on the stairs.
To Roni’s surprise, the B&G was one of her biggest customers. They wanted fresh cakes and pies to fill out their dessert menu. The owner, Chase McGruder, also asked if she could take on his bread order, but she had to ask him to come back to her once she had help.
While Lizzie said she didn’t have the capacity to help—with the pregnancy and all—Maria, the housekeeper at the ranch, had a brother who was looking for work. Roni was nervous interviewing Carlos—she’d never interviewed anyone for a job before—but she liked him. He was tall and strong and seemed capable of working with both the heavier bread doughs and some of the more delicate pastries. He’d worked in a bakery before and was willing to work the crazy hours and learn the recipes. His wife, Lupe, had baking experience, too. They seemed like a perfect fit, so Roni hired them both.
