A Slice of Summer

by Melissa McClone

  “Nothing.” He rocked back on his heels. “I’ll see you around.”

  Not if Taryn could help it.

  Chapter Five

  The next day, Garrett typed an email to his assistant, Teresa. The name reminded him of Taryn. Okay, only three letters were the same, but it was close enough. He’d only left Margot’s house to take the dogs on a walk, but he’d gone in the opposite direction of First Avenue to avoid the bakery. But that didn’t stop him from thinking about Taryn.

  He rubbed the back of his neck to ease the tension building in the cords.

  His mind kept piecing together snippets of conversations he’d had with Taryn and Jayden. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces fit well.

  But he didn’t like the picture forming—Taryn and the bakery were in trouble.

  Financial? Legal? Health?

  Callie had mentioned a bakery in Summit Ridge. Was that it?

  His stomach hardened.

  It shouldn’t matter. Taryn’s problem wasn’t his. She’d made her feelings clear. They’d had fun in December, but there wasn’t more there. He’d told himself the same thing in January and again in April, using it as an excuse for not contacting her.

  In theory, the argument worked.

  In reality?

  Her words bristled more than they should. She wasn’t a girlfriend or an ex, but someone he’d hung out with for two weeks.

  Focus, Andrews.

  Garrett tapped on his laptop, the clicking of keys providing background noise in the quiet house. Margot was at her quilt shop. She’d taken the dogs with her so they could spend some time with Callie at the doggy daycare. He should make the most of the quiet.

  But random thoughts of Taryn distracted him.

  Garrett read over the email, attached his notes, and hit send. He glanced at the clock.

  Eleven.

  The rest of the day was free now.

  A door slammed.

  Given the way Callie and Brandt came in and out of Margot’s house as if it were their own, it could be any of the three. Garrett hoped it was his sister so he could ask her what she needed him to do.

  He went downstairs.

  In the entryway, Margot dug through her tote. Her long, gauzy skirt swayed with her movements. “Working hard?”

  “I was.”

  She pulled something out of her bag, smiled as if she’d found the Holy Grail, and held up her cell phone. “I knew it had to be in there.”

  He tapped his back pocket. His phone was there. “Glad you found it.”

  “Me, too.” She typed on the phone. “What are you doing today?”

  “I finished what I needed to do for today. Do you need me to run errands?”

  She glanced up. “I need your taste buds.”

  He hadn’t expected to hear that. “How so?”

  “I need another opinion on what the rehearsal dessert bar should include. Otherwise, it’ll be my favorites.”

  “Count me in.” His stomach growled in agreement. “I’m an expert on sweet treats. I’m happy to share my thoughts. Where’s your list?”

  “No list. We’re doing a tasting.”

  His mouth went dry. He scratched the top of his hand, almost not wanting to ask, but he needed to know. “Where?”

  “At the bakery.”

  Of course, there. Where else would Margot buy desserts in Silver Falls?

  Okay, he and Taryn were adults. This was business. Still, the itchiness continued, and a warning sounded in his head. “As long as we’re only there to taste sweets and not have you play matchmaker.”

  “Moi?” She motioned to herself. “You asked me not to interfere during this visit.”

  Which implied she would the next time Garrett came to town. No worries. He would deal with that when it happened. Not that he wanted to change his mind after agreeing, but Margot was the center of the town’s gossip circle. He didn’t need her getting suspicious about Taryn and him.

  “What time do we leave?” he asked.

  “A little before one. We’ll pick up the dogs on the way home. I left them with Callie so they could play with their friends longer rather than be here alone.”

  She spoke as if Angus and Sadie were human, not canines. Given she treated them like children, that shouldn’t surprise him.

  “I’ll fix lunch,” Margot added.

  “Or I can take you out.”

  Her face brightened. “A meal with a handsome younger man. I’m in.”

  Nearly two hours later, at the Falls Café, they’d laughed their way through salads and entrées. They’d skipped dessert because of the tasting.

  “Thank you.” Margot sat her empty glass of lemonade on the table. “This is the best lunch I’ve had in a long time.”

  Garrett signed the receipt. Margot was a twenty-first-century version of Auntie Mame. “It was delicious, but the company was better.”

  “It was.” She leaned against her chair with a satisfied expression. “I could get used to this.”

  He scooted forward. “Why don’t you find yourself a match?”

  Her cheeks reddened. “No. I couldn’t.”

  “I need more than that.”

  “This isn’t a cross-examination, counselor.”

  “We’re having a friendly conversation.” He emphasized the second to last word.

  “Well.” She glanced around the café before lowering her voice. “Have you seen the single men in town?”

  Leave it to Margot. His grin spread. “No.”

  “Most of the available ones are widowers of my friends who passed. Lovely women, but I didn’t know why they married the men or stayed with them.”

  He laughed. “You don’t have to limit yourself to Silver Falls. There are dating apps.”

  She shook her head. “I needed Brandt to explain the new remote for my TV. Knowing me, I’d swipe left when I wanted to swipe right and mess up everything.” She reached across the table and patted his hand. “That’s sweet of you to think of me, but I’ll stick to what I’m good at: living alone, quilting, and fixing up other people.”

  “As long as I’m not one of the other people, I can live with that.”

  She wagged her finger. “When you see who I have in mind for Keaton, you’ll want me to find you someone, too.”

  “As long as you wait until I ask.”

  With a harrumph, she stood. “Let’s go, so we’re not late.”

  They stepped outside, and a wave of heat hit. The bakery was only a few storefronts away, but sweat dotted his hairline and the back of his neck. He should have worn shorts instead of khakis.

  As Garrett opened the bakery door for Margot, the electronic ping brought memories of his last visit to mind. He hoped this one went better. If he were the superstitious type, which he wasn’t, he would cross his fingers.

  “We’re here for the dessert tasting.” She waved at Jayden, who stood behind the counter.

  A weight lifted from Garrett. Maybe Taryn wasn’t here. He didn’t think his presence would upset her, or he’d never agree to come, but keeping distance between them until the wedding seemed like a smart idea.

  The baker smiled at Margot and ignored Garrett. That was fine by him.

  Jayden motioned to the eating area. “Take a seat, and we’ll be right with you.”

  Did “we” include Taryn?

  Garrett couldn’t see into the kitchen, so he followed Margot to a table. Not that she had to worry about finding one. “The items here are better than any bakery I’ve visited in L.A. I can’t believe it’s so empty.”

  She sat, shaking her head. “It’s such a shame. This place has the best desserts around, but blame that no-good Nick Baxter, who convinced investors to open a bakery in Summit Ridge. That’s the closest town and has a university.”

  He took the seat next to her. “Keaton toured the college in December, but the name sounds familiar.”

  Margot’s expression soured. “He’s Brandt’s former best friend and business partner.”

  “T
he one who sold the company out from under him?”

  “One and the same.”

  That must be the issue Jayden meant last night. “The guy sounds slimy.”

  “He is. He was a sweet boy, but he’s nothing like the kid I used to know.” Margot came closer. “Let me tell you, the other is a pale comparison to this one, but they’re drawing in customers with the rock-bottom prices and destroying this place.”

  Taryn must be freaking out. “Can Lawson’s hang on?”

  “I hope so.” Margot’s voice didn’t have the usual confidence. “The bakery’s had no competition until now. Her father believes the newness will blow over.”

  “I hope he’s correct.”

  “Me, too, but Taryn’s doing what she can in the meantime.”

  Garrett glanced at the back door that wasn’t there in December. There’d only been the one in the kitchen, which they’d used to leave by after she closed the bakery. “The patio?”

  Margot nodded. “Her competition has only a small eating area, and it’s inside, so this sets Lawson’s apart. Plus, people enjoy having a new place to go in the evenings.”

  In the summer and early fall, at least. Once the rain and snow hit, no one would want to sit outside, but he didn’t want to be the Debbie Downer.

  “I wish Lawson’s well.” But that was all Garrett should do. This wasn’t his problem to fix. He needed to focus on the task at hand. “So, what do I need to know about the dessert tasting?”

  “Callie and Brandt don’t want cake since they’re having that at the wedding.”

  “Makes sense.”

  Margot rolled her eyes. “You can never have too much cake.”

  “True, but I see why they want a variety.”

  “I knew you were the right man for this job.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere, especially with baked goods involved.”

  It was Margot’s turn to laugh.

  Jayden set water glasses on the table before removing papers and pencils from his apron pocket and placing them next to the drinks. “Taryn will be right out. She’s running late.”

  That surprised him. She was always early.

  Margot raised her glass. “We’re in no rush. I’m relishing every moment of my part of the wedding planning.”

  “And I’m contributing my taste buds to the effort,” Garrett said.

  The corners of Jayden’s mouth lifted. “It’s good to have two opinions.”

  Did that mean the baker forgave Garrett? He hoped so. “Happy to give mine.”

  Taryn hurried out. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

  A teenager with short red hair and freckles carried a tray. He placed the desserts on the table. Each plate had a number on it. “Anything else, Boss?”

  “No,” she said. “Thanks, Brecken.”

  “Check the dough, Brecken,” Jayden said before turning to Taryn. “Holler, if you need me.”

  With a nod, Taryn sat, and her right arm hit the table. She winced, cradling her bandaged hand.

  None of his business, but Garrett had to ask. “Did you burn your hand?”

  Taryn startled as if surprised he was there. “Uh, no. I had a mishap with a hammer this morning.”

  “Oh, no.” Margot’s face scrunched. “The patio’s finished. What were you doing with a hammer?”

  Taryn blew out a breath. “Working on the bakery’s booth for the summer fair.”

  “I thought you finished it last year,” Margot said.

  “I did, but when I opened the shed to put it together, I found everything wet and moldy. Water got inside somehow, and I have to start over.”

  She sounded more resigned than upset, which surprised Garrett. He remembered how spectacular her Christmas window had been in December. He assumed she would have put the same effort into another project.

  “It starts on Friday afternoon.” Margot rubbed her chin. “Can you finish on time?”

  “I’ve got my work cut out for me, but I’ll get it done.” Determination laced each of Taryn’s words, telling him she would even if it killed her.

  “You need help.” The sentence flew out of his mouth.

  Taryn shrugged. “I’m using the same theme as before, but it took me two weeks working each night to make the first one. Jayden wants me to ask a paramedic for help.”

  Margot perked up. “Do you mean the new guy with gray eyes, a killer smile, and to-die-for body who asked you out a few months ago, and you turned down?”

  “Yes. I said no yesterday when Jayden brought it up.” Taryn held up her bandaged hand. “But I’m not sure I have a choice. I’ll be upfront about what’s going on, so he doesn’t get the wrong idea.”

  “Go for it,” Margot encouraged. “Be upfront, but you might still end up with a boyfriend or husband out of the deal.”

  Taryn blushed.

  Margot’s matchmaking must extend beyond family members, but Garrett didn’t like the idea of Taryn being forced to rely on someone’s help if she hadn’t wanted to go out with the guy before.

  “I need the booth ready on time.” Taryn lowered her arm. “If I knew anyone with construction know-how who was free over the next couple of days, I’d ask them. But people are too busy.”

  Garrett had experience and the time, but he didn’t have to speak up. If he said nothing, no one would know.

  Not true.

  He would.

  The cons of offering ran through this mind—his workload, helping with the wedding, how things stood between them, and Taryn falling for the hottie helper, who must be interested in her if he asked her out. Only had one pro appeared—helping her would allow him to make amends for his actions—but that was enough. “If you’re flexible about the time of day, I can help.”

  “You?” she and Margot asked at the same time.

  Okay, he usually sat behind a desk in a corner office or stood in front of a courtroom. His hands weren’t calloused and scarred, but… “I’ve worked on Habitat for Humanity projects for over fifteen years. I picked up a few construction skills.”

  “Wonderful.” Margot clapped her hands together. “You’ll finish faster with two people working on the booth.”

  Taryn said nothing, but she dragged her upper teeth over her lower lip.

  “I’m happy to help.” He wanted her to be as pleased by his offer as Margot was. “If you want my help.”

  “Of course she wants it.” Margot sounded as if this were a done deal. “Isn’t that right, dear?”

  Taryn swallowed. “I could use a hand, especially now that I hurt mine, but—”

  “No buts,” Margot interrupted.

  Taryn looked at Garrett, but he couldn’t read her face. The dark circles under her eyes suggested she wasn’t sleeping enough. She might consider him an enemy, but he’d been shouted at, attacked, and threatened by attorneys and clients. If it were for the right reason like making up for what he’d done, he could handle pretty much anything, including a hostile work environment.

  “I’m up for it.” Whatever “it” entailed. His voice remained confident, even if his insides twisted. “If you are.”

  She gave a slight nod. If Garrett hadn’t been so focused on her, he would have missed it. “Okay.”

  Her soft, tentative tone made him want to hug her and say it would all work out. But he couldn’t. “Okay.”

  “It’s settled.” Margot studied the desserts. “Now, tell us about these delicious treats you’ve prepared for us, and after we’ve finished, you two can figure out the booth while I get Angus and Sadie from Callie’s.”

  If Garrett didn’t know better, he would think Margot orchestrated this. But not even the Silver Falls matchmaker extraordinaire would have ruined the first booth.

  Taryn inhaled, her features relaxing. “Use the paper in front of you to make notes. The numbers on the plate will help you keep track of what’s what.”

  “That’s smart.” Margot shot him a sideways glance. “Isn’t that smart of her, Garrett?”

  Maybe Margot
hadn’t given up on the matchmaking. A pain formed at his temple. He rubbed the spot to stave off a headache. “It is.”

  What else could he say? Especially now they would work together. But that gave him an idea. He would try to finish the booth in two days. That would be better than three.

  “I chose Callie and Brandt’s favorites along with a couple of our top sellers. I picked ones that complement each other and appeal to a wide range of tastes.” Taryn didn’t miss a beat. “Rather than have you try them in any specific order, I’d like you to each pick one to start. You can use the water to cleanse your palate in between bites.”

  “I’d like to try the miniature pie.” Margot peered closer. “Number five.”

  “That’s a mini-marionberry pie. I can make any flavor of pie if you have a favorite.”

  Margot shimmied her shoulders. “Oh, I love marionberries.”

  “Marionberries?” he asked.

  “They were first grown in Marion County in Oregon but are becoming popular all over these days,” Taryn explained. “I use them when they’re in season, which is now, and I keep some frozen or canned during the winter.”

  “For Mr. Jones’s birthday?” Margot asked.

  Taryn laughed. “He loves them, and a person should have their favorite dessert on the day of their birth.”

  Now, this was the woman Garrett remembered. Warmth spread through him. The confident baker never forgot details about her clients and went out of her way for them, even if it meant watching an anime show so she could create a custom cake for a kid’s fourteenth birthday. She’d done that in December.

  Taryn stared at him.

  His heart jolted as if a 7.0 earthquake struck.

  Whoa. That was unexpected.

  “Did you pick the one you wanted to try first?” she asked.

  Garrett hadn’t because of his attention on her. He swallowed.

  “Number three.” He picked that one because he assumed if there were a five, the first four numbers would be there, too.

  Taryn raised a brow. “I didn’t think you liked mousse.”

  Busted. Garrett glanced at the plate. Number three turned out to be a chocolate shell filled with pink mousse. “It looks like something Callie would enjoy.”

  There. He’d saved himself.