Baker's Bob (River's End Ranch #16)

by Kirsten Osbourne

  “When will they be done?”

  Miranda shook her head and shrugged. “No idea. By one, but maybe not much before. It’s been a rough week.”

  Elf turned and looked at the line behind him. “I can see that. I’ll be here right at one then.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate you making things easy for me.”

  “I’m not the one baking thousands of cookies this week. I wouldn’t mind an occasional goodie bag though…” He headed toward the door. “See you tonight! Will you be at the ornament party?”

  “Absolutely. Where else would I be?” Miranda watched him go. He seemed like a nice man.

  Pastor Kevin stepped up behind her. “Thank you. I needed the break, but I’m ready to take over again.”

  Miranda smiled at him. “I was thinking earlier if it wouldn’t upset Bob and Bridget too much, I’d totally kiss you for all your help this week.”

  The pastor blushed. “I don’t think that’s necessary, but thank you for the thought.”

  She laughed. “Back to work with me. I’ve got cookies to bake for tonight yet.”

  “So many cookies…”

  When the bakery closed at one, she had every cookie finished baking and boxed, and she’d done a lot of the prep work for Thursday. Not all, because she was so much busier than she’d ever been, but a lot. She piled up the boxes of cookies for the evening’s event, and rubbed the back of her neck.

  Pastor Kevin walked over. “How can I help you get out of here faster?”

  “You’ve done all I could possibly ask of you. Thank you!”

  “Are you sure? I could do the dishes or something?”

  She laughed. “All done. All I have left to do today is count the money we made and make a note of what I need to fix tomorrow. And then deliver the cookies to the event-barn just before the event.”

  “Sounds easy enough. Why don’t I do the inventory of what you have on hand to make things a little easier, and Bridget and I will make sure the cookies get to the event-barn. Then you can get a nap for a little while.”

  Miranda bit her lip. “I hate to ask that of you…”

  “You’re not asking. I’ll get it done quickly, and then you can concentrate on counting the money.”

  “Thank you. You’ve been a good friend to me.”

  He shrugged. “You’ve been a good friend to my wife. I can’t even begin to pay you back for that.”

  She hurried to the cash register, noting that she’d made almost as much as yesterday. Her receipts this week were amazing. If she stayed this busy after Christmas, which would be a blessing and a curse at the same time, she’d have to hire an assistant to help her out. It was ridiculous how much work was involved.

  Pastor Kevin brought her the list of what she had left, and she shook her head. “It’s a good thing we closed when we did. We’re out of almost everything.”

  “I’ve been telling people we were out of things for the past couple of hours.”

  “What went first?”

  “Your Christmas cookies. I’d say make a double batch tomorrow.”

  Miranda tilted her head to the side as she thought about that. “Everyone who was at the party took home ten of them. How do they want more?”

  He laughed. “Really? Most people were already down two or three cookies when they left the barn that night. A midnight snack and cookies for breakfast, and there are no cookies left!”

  She sighed. “I guess I’m making Christmas cookies tomorrow morning.”

  “Do you want help?”

  She shook her head. “You’re doing enough just by taking care of customers. I can’t ask you to come in at three with me.”

  He nodded, but his face was thoughtful. “All right.”

  Miranda locked the door and walked to her car to find Bob leaning against it. “I’m driving you home. You’re dead on your feet!”

  Miranda nodded, too tired to even protest. “It was tiring last year as I was readying the bakery to be opened. This year? I feel like death.”

  She got into his Jeep, which was parked beside her VW. “I have dinner from the café in the back. It’s just a couple of burgers, but I don’t think you care at the moment.”

  She shook her head. “I really don’t. I need food and sleep in that order.”

  “You need an assistant.”

  “I will make sure I have one for the holiday season next year.”

  “I’ll remind you if you forget,” he told her sternly.

  She laughed. “Do you think we’ll be fighting over chocolate chips or kissing at this time next year?”

  “I hope your body will resemble Kelsi’s at this time next year.”

  That woke her up. She looked over at him, surprised by his words. “You mean seven months pregnant?”

  He shrugged. “I think you’ll be beautiful pregnant.”

  “You’ve lost your mind. For me to be seven months pregnant by this time next year, we’d have to be married by April or so.”

  “And?”

  “Do you really think that’s long enough to get to know someone well enough that you know you want to spend the rest of your life with them?” She wasn’t even sure what to say to that. He couldn’t possibly be thinking along those lines.

  He stopped the Jeep as he parked in her driveway. “Here’s how I see things, and maybe it’s odd, but it’s how I feel. I knew from the first time I saw you that I wanted you to be a permanent part of my life. It took me a while of watching you and getting to know you a little to realize that I hadn’t just lost my mind.” He took a deep breath. “The past few weeks, getting to know you so much better, they’ve been a dream come true for me. Call me crazy if you want, but I see us spending our lives together as a never-ending adventure. I want to learn something new about you every day for the rest of my life.”

  Miranda felt warmth spread through her body. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”

  He shrugged. “Think about it. I’ll know better how we mesh after meeting your mom and you getting to know my sister and niece. What time do you want us at your house Christmas morning?”

  Her eyes grew wider. “You’re planning to come to my house Christmas morning? Really?” She hadn’t even considered he might want to see her since he’d have family in town.

  “Of course. Then we can all head over to the feast on the ranch. I love that the guests feed us one day of the year. It kind of makes me feel a little loved.” He looked at her curiously. “Were you really not planning on being together on Christmas?”

  “I guess it never occurred to me that you planned to.” She frowned. “I have to run that past my mom… In my family, Christmas has always been for immediately family. I wouldn’t be surprised if my brother decided to come at the last minute.”

  “I agree. Christmas is for your immediate family. I—well, I feel like you’re part of my family.” He shrugged, looking away from her. He wasn’t ready to pour his heart out to her yet. He had plans, and he was going to follow them if it killed him.

  Miranda watched him, unable to read his face, because he was partially turned away from her. “I’ll ask Mom if she’d mind if you guys came over.”

  He reached over and squeezed the hand she had settled in her lap. “Thank you.”

  “Let’s go eat. I haven’t had one of your burgers in days, and I think I’m going through withdrawal.”

  He smiled at her, a sadness in his eyes. “I’d better feed you then. I can’t have my Miranda wasting away to nothingness.”

  They didn’t dirty any dishes, simply using the wrappers he’d packed the food in as their plates. As soon as she’d eaten her last bite, she stood. “I’m going to get my nap. Are you sleeping on the couch again, or coming back to get me?”

  “I’m sleeping here, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course, I don’t.” She hurried off to her room, taking deep breaths. She knew she’d hurt him by not responding to him the way he wanted. She had feelings for him, but he was moving so fast. She fel
t like he was sweeping her away in a Bobnado!

  She slipped into bed, letting Cinnamon burrow under her cover beside her. “I hope you like Bob, because it looks like he’s here to stay,” she said quietly.

  *****

  Bob picked Miranda up at two-thirty the next morning. “I’m going to help you until it’s time for you to work,” he said softly.

  “I’d like that. Thank you for being so good to me this week.”

  He shrugged. “It’s my job to take care of you.”

  “And my job to take care of you.” She covered his hand on the gear shift, looking at the difference. Her hand was tiny in comparison with his.

  “I’m ready for Christmas week to be over, so we can spend more time together.”

  She looked at him with surprise. “I feel like we’re spending more time together now than we usually do.”

  He nodded. “Probably. But we’re both exhausted from all the festivities, and working ten times as hard as usual.” He parked the car in the small lot next to the Old West town, turning to her. “I miss the time we usually have together. You know, when we can kiss and shop and kiss and snowmobile…”

  “And kiss?” she asked, laughing. “I still carry my Chapstick everywhere, ready for any sneak attacks that may come my way!”

  He grinned. “You’re a wise woman, Miranda Sue.”

  “It’s really Miranda Marie…”

  Bob shrugged. “Do you really think I’m going to change what I call you at this late date?”

  She leaned toward him, her forehead against his shoulder. “Probably not, but I do feel compelled to make sure you know my real name.”

  He cupped her face in his hands, leaning down and kissing her softly. “Let’s go make muffins and cookies.”

  “And pies,” she said with a groan.

  “At least you don’t open until eight. You have lots of time to bake your heart out.”

  At his words, she realized she didn’t have a heart to bake out any longer, because hers belonged to him.

  As they approached the bakery, she saw her gift waiting for her, and she hurried and picked it up before opening the door. He didn’t ask what it was, and she wasn’t sure if he’d even noticed it there. “Would you mind baking the muffins again? You did great with that yesterday. I’ve made up the batter, but I made lots more than yesterday. I’m selling out of everything so fast it’s ridiculous, and I don’t have kolaches to fall back on today.”

  “I’m happy to make the muffins.” He watched her to see if she’d open the gift, but when she didn’t, he started on the muffins. He had only an hour to help her before he had to head to the café and the pregnant woman who would drive him mad all day.

  Miranda immediately pulled the cinnamon rolls she’d prepped the night before from the refrigerator and popped them into the oven, mixing up the cream cheese frosting she made for them.

  They worked together in companionable silence, and she realized as they worked it was one of her favorite things about Bob. They didn’t have to be constantly talking. They could be in the same place and have their own thoughts.

  Bob finished the muffins, leaving them to cool on a wire rack before he had to leave. “I’ll pick you up after work. I don’t want you driving this week. You’re not sleeping enough.”

  Miranda nodded. “You’re not getting any more sleep than I am.”

  “I know, but I know how I drive when I’m overtired, and I don’t know how you do.” He walked to her, kissing her forehead.

  She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her lips to his. “I’ll miss you today,” she said softly.

  Bob held her close for a long moment. “I’ll miss you too. See you after the work is done. Bake lots of cookies.”

  “I’m starting on cookies now!” She stood quietly watching him leave before she pulled the gift out of her purse. She laughed as soon as she opened it. A cheeseburger. Now there was no doubt in her mind who the gifts were from. It was Bob. It had to be. No one else would think to give her a chigger or a burger for her charm bracelet.

  At four there was a tapping of keys on the front window, startling Miranda. The Old West town was a bit eerie in the middle of the night when she was working alone. She walked to the door, peering out, before opening it wide. “Kaya? What are you doing here?”

  “Pastor Kevin told me that you needed help baking cookies this morning. I finished my book yesterday, so I figured I’d help you out.”

  Miranda hugged Kaya. “Thank you! I feel like I keep needing to be rescued, but it’s been a hectic week.”

  Kaya grinned at her. “It has been. Christmas here at the ranch is amazing, but so busy! Glen’s been taking people on sleigh rides during the day, which is fun, but he’s exhausted too. I’ll be here to help you for several hours.”

  “When are you going to sleep?”

  Kaya shrugged. “I got a good nap today or yesterday. I get confused on which day it is, but I’ll be fine.”

  “Well, if you’re here and willing, I’m going to put you to work. Let’s get some cookies going!”

  Pastor Kevin was there as soon as she opened, smiling when he saw Kaya working with Miranda. “If it isn’t my favorite sister-in-law!”

  Kaya wrinkled her nose at him. “Your only sister-in-law.”

  “That makes you the perfect pick for favorite, doesn’t it?” He reached for a clean apron and pulled it on, walking to the cash register. “Same as we’ve been doing, Miranda?”

  Miranda nodded. “Please. I appreciate all your help!”

  “I don’t think I’d keep coming over if you didn’t,” Kevin said with a smile.

  With Kaya’s help, Miranda was able to do a lot of the prep work for Friday quickly. “Maybe tomorrow won’t be so tough. I’m thankful you’re here.”

  Kaya shrugged. “I need to do something to keep me out of trouble. Baking Christmas cookies is just the thing.”

  Bob sent Joni, the new assistant manager of the café, over at noon with three boxed lunches. “How did he know to send three?” Miranda asked, surprised.

  “Maddie was here with her little girl, and she came to the café after. She told us there were three people working, so Bob made three lunches.”

  “Tell him thank you. I’d tell you to kiss him for me, but I’m not sure you could find lips on that big head of his.”

  Joni laughed. “I guess you heard I said that!”

  Miranda nodded. “Don’t worry. I happen to agree with you. The man has a big head half the time.” I love him though. She was surprised to even think the L word with as short a time as they’d been dating, but it was true. He was incredible.

  “I have to get back. We’re swamped there too, but we have easier access to lunch food. Not that I wouldn’t eat cookies for a meal.”

  “Thank you!” Miranda called after the waitress. “You two eat, and I’ll take the cash register, and then I get to eat.”

  “I promise not to burn the kitchen down,” Kaya said with a grin.

  “That’s a promise that I greatly appreciate and will hold you to!” Miranda went to the counter and took her turn serving people. Sheriff Shane was there looking sheepish. “Hey, Sheriff!”

  “Hi, Miranda. Kelsi says little Widget is starving to death, and she needs a cinnamon roll.”

  “Widget? The names are getting worse every day. Please tell me you’re working on talking her into calling the baby Tori.” As she talked she pulled out a cinnamon roll, wrapped it in bakery tissue, and put it in a bag. “Anything for the father-to-be?”

  “Do you happen to have a baby names book behind the counter?”

  Miranda laughed. “There’s always Google…”

  “Just the cinnamon roll then. I did know about her propensity for weirdness when I married her, so I can’t say a thing.”

  “This is true…” She handed him the bag and gave him a price. “Give that wife of yours a hug for me. I’ve been so busy I’ve barely seen her this week.”

  “I will. I think she’s
going to find you at the Christmas stroll tonight. You are going, aren’t you?”

  Miranda nodded. “I’m excited. I love caroling.”

  “Should be fun.” He raised his hand in a wave as he headed out the door, and Miranda turned her attention to the next customer. At least Christmas Eve would be mostly quiet…

  Chapter Nine

  Miranda drove herself home on Friday afternoon, because she knew her mother would arrive any moment. She had just let Cinnamon out into the back yard, when she heard a knock at the door. Hurrying over, she found her mother waiting for her. Throwing her arms around her, she squealed happily. “It’s good to see you! Feels like it’s been forever!”

  “To me too! Your brother’s bringing in suitcases.”

  “I had a feeling he’d come with you. I’m glad we’re all together for Christmas.” Miranda led her mother inside, leaving the door open for Scott. “Did he bring Hannah?”

  “Nah. Hannah is spending Christmas with her new boyfriend.”

  “Uh oh. What happened? I liked her!”

  “So did I. Apparently Scott wasn’t moving fast enough for her, so she broke it off.” Her mother took off her coat and walked to the spare room. “Do you want me to sleep with you? Or should we put Scott on the couch?”

  Miranda grinned. “I don’t know if we should ask Scott to try to squeeze all six feet four inches of him onto the couch. It might be fun to watch though…”

  Her mom laughed. “I was thinking the same thing! So I’m sharing with you?”

  “Yeah. We can’t torture him when he just broke up with his girlfriend at Christmas time.”

  “It wouldn’t be right!” Mom agreed. “So what’s going on in your life? Any men making an appearance?”

  Miranda rolled her eyes. Her mother wanted grandchildren and made no bones about it. “There is a man in my life. He wants us to do Christmas morning with him, his sister, and his niece.”

  “Really? Are you that serious? What’s his name?”

  “Bob. We’ve been dating for less than a month, but…yeah, I think it’s getting that serious.” Miranda watched her mother’s face as she said the name, knowing she’d recognize it from some of her rants on the phone. She was pretty sure she’d threatened to shove a cookie and maybe even a burger up Bob’s nose while on the phone with her mother.