Shades Of Chocolate (The Bakery Romance Series Book 2)

by Cecelia Dowdy

  She’d spent too much time thinking about that this morning. There was work to be done. Within the confines of her kitchen, life still made sense. Here she could find a place of refuge, where she could calmly consider the shape and direction of her life. Her aunt had said that baking was like faith, but what did that really mean? She considered the question while she measured and mixed.

  After her first batch of donuts were in the oven, she removed the butter from the refrigerator, prepared to make her chocolate croissants. She shoved the croissants into the oven, realizing what she needed to do. Her life had been in an uproar, and she just couldn’t seem to get over the anger she harbored against her childhood. Religion had always been a touchy subject for her, and Sheila’s suggestion made sense. If religion caused her unease, made her angry, then she needed to do something about it.

  Jason strolled into the kitchen. He’d been quiet after she’d turned down his dinner invite. She’d also told him later to thank Mrs. Dukes for the offer of a room, but that she simply could not accept. She was not a charity case. Mrs. Dukes had called her last night, asking Toni to reconsider. Couldn’t she stay until her burglar alarm was installed? Sheila had also visited the previous evening, spouting that Toni was too stubborn for her own good. She’d advised that Toni put her pride aside and accept Mrs. Dukes’s offer.

  Jason washed his hands. She gestured toward the pie recipe printed on a piece of paper. “Could you get started on the pies?” She’d printed out the recipe so that Jason could make them. She couldn’t find the courage to taste the pie, but just being able to make it without feeling ill was a major accomplishment. “We’ll only make a few today until I can figure out how much they’re in demand.”

  Jason nodded. He measured the ingredients for the pie filling and dumped the sugar into a pan. “Before you found the graffiti on your walls yesterday, I know something was bothering you. I wish you’d tell me what it was.”

  Oh, how she wished she could tell him, but she wasn’t sure she should. What if she told him that she was jealous of his relationship with Sheila? How would he react?

  “Toni, I really care about you.” He stopped putting the chocolate into the pan, turned toward her. Oh no, she hated it when he did that. He was giving her that intense look, a look so strong that she sensed that he could see right into her soul. He did seem concerned about her. But did he care for her because it was his Christian duty, or did he have deep feelings for her?

  Several concerned customers herded into her bakery that morning, claiming they’d heard about the vandalism. Their caring concern warmed her heart, making her glad that she lived in a town where everyone cared for one another. Martha arrived to get her donuts and coffee. Her large bag was slung over her shoulder and her eyes sparkled. “Hi, Toni.”

  Toni returned her smile, hugging her. “Hi, Martha.” She placed two big donuts into a bag and gave Martha a large coffee with cream and sugar. She eyed the bakery, seeing that Jason had everything under control. She had a few minutes so that she could sit and chat with her friend.

  Martha chose her favorite table near the window. They settled into their chairs. Martha opened her bag, took a huge bite of her chocolate donut before taking a sip of coffee. “I heard about what the bad people wrote on your bakery.” She shook her head. “Those bad people. Can the policeman stop them?”

  Toni glanced around the shop. “The police know about it. I’m not sure who did it.”

  “What about your boyfriend? Can he help you catch the bad people?”

  Perhaps Martha was talking about Jason. “Who are you talking about?”

  “Your boyfriend. I saw him walking to your bakery yesterday.”

  She had to stay calm. It wasn’t a good idea to let Martha know that she was upset. The woman opened her bag and removed her second donut.

  “What boyfriend? I don’t have a boyfriend.” Customers crowded the counter. Jason needed her help. She also needed to make a fresh pot of coffee.

  Martha giggled, finished her second donut before licking her fingers. She slurped her coffee, her eyes twinkling. “I saw him, your boyfriend Brian. He was walking to the bakery yesterday.”

  Toni could barely function for the rest of the day. During their break, Jason asked her what was wrong. She told him about what Martha had revealed. “If Brian came to the bakery yesterday, then he didn’t come inside.” She scratched the back of her neck. “I wonder if he knows something about the graffiti.”

  Before Jason could respond, the work crew arrived to do the cleanup. Once Jason had shown them the graffiti, he returned to the table, leaving the crew to get started. “So, do you think that Brian was here yesterday?”

  “I don’t know. Martha could be wrong, or maybe she simply saw somebody who resembled Brian coming toward the bakery. She gets confused sometimes, and you can’t always believe what she says.”

  “Are you going to ask Brian about it?”

  “No way. I’m not calling him.”

  “Okay. But I don’t trust Brian. I had a bad feeling about him. Seeing him made you upset.”

  He didn’t need to remind her about that. Seeing Brian was highly upsetting. Perhaps he had come to the bakery yesterday, but had changed his mind about approaching her since she’d been so angry during his last visit.

  “You’d mentioned that you’re getting your burglar alarm installed next week, right?”

  “Yes.” She’d settled on an alarm company that had an excellent reputation. They didn’t have an opening until next week. She’d already decided to keep the bakery closed on the day that the burglar alarm was installed.

  “Please come and stay at Mrs. Dukes’s until your alarm is installed. I’d feel so much better if you weren’t in this place by yourself.”

  She’d been scared lately, too, still wondering who’d be doing this to her. She’d never admit that to Jason, though. “Well…okay.”

  She needed to tell him about her recent decision. He’d probably want to know. “I’m going to church this Sunday.”

  Chapter 25

  The following Sunday, Toni sighed as she scanned the small church. Kind of hard to believe she was actually sitting here, in this pew. Closing her eyes, memories of her last church visit consumed her. She’d been twelve years old and had gone to church with her mother. That night, her dad had beaten her mom so bad that Toni had to call the ambulance, escort her mom to the hospital. She’d also called the police. Her dad had passed out by the time the police had arrived.

  She finally opened her eyes, and salty tears stained her cheeks. She sniffed, fished in her purse for a tissue. Karis, one of her customers, pressed a box of Kleenex into her hand. Toni barely recognized Karis wearing her white uniform, with her hair slicked back into a bun. “You okay, Toni?”

  She barely managed to nod. “Thank you.” She pulled several tissues out of the box. The sun poured through the stained-glass windows, spilling a rainbow of colors on the dark cranberry carpeting. The pews basked in the sunlight. A huge wooden cross dominated the pulpit. Someone mentioned the pastor had recently preached that all the important questions in life ultimately found their answers at the foot of the cross. Was that really true? If that were true, then the Lord needed to give her some answers. When would her life be truly happy? When would they find the person who kept harassing her?

  She closed her eyes again, recalling the past week. Her routine had been in a major upset since she’d started staying at Mrs. Dukes. Sheila and Jason had attended a mid-week Bible study together, returning very late. She could only assume that they’d gone out for coffee after Bible study.

  Maybe she was jumping to conclusions. She just needed to be brave and ask them what was going on. When she’d arrived this morning, she’d overheard two women gossiping about Jason and Sheila. This didn’t make any sense. Whenever Sheila liked a guy, she never kept it a secret.

  Perhaps all of that had changed? Maybe Sheila was still a little bit upset about Toni confiding to Sterling and Rhea about Brian�
�s infidelity.

  Sheila came into the sanctuary. She waved to Toni and joined her near the back of the church, giving her a hug. “It’s so good to see you here.” The organist played a vaguely familiar tune.

  The side doors near the pulpit opened, and a long line of men streamed in. They were dressed in black and white suits, and they hummed. Toni spotted Jason in the choir line. His dark suit hugged his muscular body, bringing attention to his beautiful brown skin. His clean-shaven head shone under the church lights. “He’s so handsome.”

  Sheila leaned toward her. “What did you say?”

  “Nothing.” She bit her bottom lip. Jason had again asked her out to Pedro’s, and she had again declined. Her feelings for him were growing, and now she knew she needed to do something about it. After service, she needed to get her doubts cleared up before she let her feelings for Jason to grow any stronger.

  The organist continued to play, and the men’s voices spread throughout the sanctuary. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!” The men’s voices joined together, creating a deep, powerful tone that seemed to come from their souls. She closed her eyes, the music flowing through her.

  When Pastor Wilkins came onto the platform, the music stopped. She opened her eyes and again discovered tears on her cheeks. She wiped her eyes and focused on the men’s choir. Her eyes locked with Jason’s. He smiled just before the pastor led the congregation in prayer.

  After the prayer, Toni breathed deeply, her shoulders relaxing. Sheila touched her hand, her dark eyes encouraging.

  She paid attention to the pastor’s sermon about the Apostle Paul’s journey on the road to Damascus. After the sermon, announcements were made. Once the announcements were over, the deep voices from the men’s choir interrupted her thoughts. “Go tell it on the mountain…,” Their voices, blended together so smoothly, it was almost as if they were being led by angels. The musical notes drifted through the air.

  After the benediction, she gathered her purse and her program. “That choir sounded awesome.”

  Sheila nodded as they made their way toward the exit. “They sure did.”

  The preacher waited at the door, speaking to each of his flock. Toni shook his hand, and he grinned. “I’m glad to see you this morning, Toni.” After Sheila had shaken the pastor’s hand, they exited the church into the warm, late spring day. A light breeze blew, swaying the leaves on the nearby trees.

  “Sheila, did you mind if we went to Henderson’s Drug Store for lunch? I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  Sheila giggled, her dark eyes sparkling. “Funny you should mention that. I was about to ask if you wanted to eat lunch with me.” She scanned the crowd in the parking lot. “I’ll find Jason and ask if he wants to come with us.”

  Toni took Sheila’s hand, squeezed her fingers. “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer if Jason didn’t come.”

  Her smile faded. “Why? Are you mad at him?”

  She was falling for Jason Matthews pretty hard and that was one of the reasons why she’d wanted to talk to Sheila alone. “No, it’s nothing like that. I just want some time alone with my best friend. Besides when they did the announcements, they said that the men’s choir had a meeting after church.”

  “That’s right, they did announce that.” Sheila grinned while they strolled to Henderson’s Drug Store.

  They found an empty table near the window. It was the same table where Jason and Sheila had been sitting the previous week. After they’d ordered their lunch of burgers, fries and shakes, Toni didn’t waste time telling Sheila her thoughts. Sheila sipped from her water glass. “Are you dating Jason?”

  Water flew from Sheila’s mouth. She sputtered, coughing. The server brought her some napkins, and she coughed while Toni patted her on the back. Once she’d calmed down, she threw her soiled napkins into a trashcan. “Sorry about that. Your question caught me off guard. I started laughing while I was drinking my water. I think it went down the wrong way.”

  “Well, are you dating Jason?”

  She giggled. “No, why would you think that?”

  Sheila acted like this wasn’t a serious conversation. In a rushed voice, Toni told her about what she’d witnessed at Henderson’s the previous week. She also mentioned the late nights they went out after Bible study.

  “So? Listen, when you’re a child of God, you share lots of things with fellow believers. I love my church family. I love every single person in the congregation, including Jason.”

  “But you two seem to enjoy each other’s company so much.”

  “We do, but we’re just friends! I also spend time with other men in the congregation. I’m even interested in someone in the singles’ ministry, and I can guarantee you that it’s not Jason.” She grabbed Toni’s hand. “Listen, Jason only has eyes for you. No one else.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. He’s told me so. He even wants to know more about why you have an aversion to church and organized religion. I told him that I couldn’t break your confidence since you were my best friend.”

  Sheila took a deep breath. “Jason cares about you. Jason and I share a commitment to Christ, and we both want to help you. But there’s no way we’re interested in each other romantically.”

  “I feel so stupid. I can’t believe you’re not angry with me. After all, I’ve just accused you of something that you’re not even guilty of.”

  “I’m just glad to hear that you have feelings for Jason. I’m sure he’d be surprised to hear what you said. We’ve been wondering what’s been eating at you lately, and now I know.”

  “Jason’s been asking you about me?” This was a shock.

  The server brought their food. Sheila blessed her meal before biting into her bacon cheeseburger. “He sure has.”

  “He asked me out on a date, twice.”

  “Why didn’t you go?”

  “Because I thought you liked him. I thought he may have been asking me out because he felt sorry for me. He just wanted to cheer me up and make me feel better since so much has been happening lately.”

  Sheila shook her head. “You can be so foolish sometimes.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “He bought you that Easter basket to show you how much he likes you. Men don’t usually buy gifts for women unless they care for them. You should know that by now.”

  She took a bite of her burger. Ate several of the salty, greasy fries, digesting what her best friend had said. Regarding gifts, she did know that but since she didn’t know much about Jason, she didn’t know if those same rules would apply to him. The few times he’d mentioned things about his background, she got the impression that his family had some wealth. It sounded like his mom taught him to treat women with respect.

  “So, are you going to go out with him?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “One date can’t hurt. Come on, Toni, the man’s asking you out for pizza. It’s not like he’s asking you to marry him.”

  The two friends spent the rest of their lunch catching up on each other’s lives. Toni told Sheila about running into Gia at the homeowner’s seminar at the bank. She also mentioned that Martha claimed she’d spotted Brian walking toward her bakery.

  “Do you really think Brian has something to do with the graffiti?”

  “I don’t know what to think anymore, Sheila. I’m so confused.”

  “Do you think Gia’s telling the truth?”

  “I don’t know. It’s hard to say.” She sipped her chocolate shake. “I showed Jason my secret cookie recipes.”

  “You did? I’m surprised. You’ve never even showed me those recipes.”

  “But you aren’t Jason.” Sheila laughed. They finished their lunch, paid their bill, and strolled back to the church.

  Toni waved to Sheila while she drove away. Their lunch appointment had been awesome! Such a load off of her mind, knowing that Jason and Sheila were not dating. She pulled her keys from her purse.

  �
��Toni!” Jason strolled out of the church. The men’s choir had probably just been dismissed from their meeting. Her heart skipped a beat. Jason approached, giving her a huge grin.

  “Hi, Jason.”

  “You’re just now leaving?”

  “Sheila and I had lunch at Henderson’s.”

  He touched her shoulder and warmth skittered across her skin. He studied her. “You seem different…happier.”

  “We had an awesome lunch.”

  He nodded. “Listen, I know I’ve already asked you this twice, but I’m a persistent man.”

  “Asked me what?”

  “Would you go out to dinner with me tonight? We could go to Pedro’s.”

  She grinned. “I’d love to.”

  His honey-colored eyes sparkled. “You will? What changed your mind?”

  “I’ll tell you more about that tonight.” Since she was going out with him, she needed to make sure she wore a nice outfit. Granted, Pedro’s was just a casual, family-friendly pizza joint, but she still wanted to dress up. Most of her clothes were still at her apartment. She’d run over there before returning to the B & B later that afternoon.

  Grinning, he touched her cheek. “Are you heading back to Mrs. Dukes’s?”

  She shook her head. “I needed to go to the bakery and get something.”

  His smile melted, his light-brown eyes concerned. “I don’t want you going over there by yourself.”

  She scoffed. “I’ll be okay. I just need to run in and get something from my closet.” She already knew what she wanted to wear. She was going to wear her robin’s egg blue printed dress and leather sandals. She also needed to get her hair pins so she could put her hair up in an elegant French twist. It’d only take her five minutes to grab her clothes before returning to the rooming house.

  “You shouldn’t be going over there alone. I’m coming with you.”

  “Oh, all right.” It’d be easier for her to agree than to stand in this parking lot and argue with him. She got into her car and drove to her bakery, and Jason followed close behind. When she arrived, she quickly parked in the back lot, deciding to go in through the back entrance. She’d been skittish since graffiti had been painted on her walls and she wanted to make sure the perpetrator hadn’t returned and sprayed more of it on her building. Jason pulled in behind her, and she got out of her car and rushed to the door and stopped.