“So you’re saying our recipe wasn’t delicious?” Jax asked with surprise.
“Well, I don’t know if that’s exactly how I’d say it,” Mr. Bailey said.
Holly shook her head. “Let’s just cut to the chase. What place did we get?”
Mr. Bailey chuckled kindly. “Oh, girls. Does it really matter what place you got? It’s the effort that matters, and you gave it a good effort.”
Holly nodded and pounded the table with her fist solemnly. “Yes! Of course, it matters what place we got!”
“Oh, ok. Well, uh, honestly. You got last place.”
“Last place!” Holly cried.
Alba snorted across the table. “Told you that you couldn’t bake!”
Mr. Bailey pushed himself away from the table uncomfortably. “Maybe I should give you girls a moment. Char, can I take your plate for you?”
Char stood up too. “I’ll help you clear the table,” she said. “Can I take your plate, Linda?”
Mom held her hand out to stop Char. “Oh, you’re my guest. I’ll take care of the dishes.”
“Nonsense, dinner was such a treat. At least let us clear the table for you,” Char said as she began gathering the plates from around her.
“Well, I’ll help,” Mom said, standing up.
“No, no, dear. Sit. You’ve got guests to entertain. We’ll just put them in the sink for you.”
Mom nodded and sat back down.
I looked over at Sweets as Mr. Bailey and Char took the dishes they carried towards the kitchen. “Sweets, are you alright?” I asked her.
Sweets’ eyes looked glassy. I stood up and moved into the empty seat next to her. “Why are you so disappointed Sweets? You got runner-up. That’s huge. Next year you can work harder and get first place! And you can always just buy the treat of the month. It’s not like you have to win it!”
Sweets sniffled and wiped her nose with her napkin. “It’s not about the treat of the month, well, not all of it, I just really wanted that internship!”
“Sweets, the internship wasn’t on the line. That was something that you tied to the competition. You haven’t even asked Mr. Bailey if he would let you work there and learn from him. He may or may not have a spot for you, but it certainly doesn’t have anything to do with this competition!”
“Yes it does! I needed to prove myself to him!”
“You got second place, Sweets. That proved it to him, I’m sure!”
“You don’t know that,” she said sadly, her chin trembling.
“Sweets, have you even mentioned it to him?”
She hung her head. “No. I wanted to show him what a good baker I can be.”
“You don’t think getting second place behind Ida Campbell showed him that? Like he said, she wins every year. She’s surely not looking for a job. You are. And you got second place! What’s the harm in just asking him?”
“I don’t know. I’m just afraid he’ll say no. This is my career we’re talking about here!”
“So ask him. The worst he can say is no and then you’ll know.”
Sweets sighed. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I am right!” I said.
“She is right!” Alba said, listening in next to us.
“Come on, let’s go ask him,” I said, standing up. “I’ll go with you!”
“You’ll help me ask?”
I nodded. “Absolutely. Come on.”
Sweets perked up, wiping away the tears that had dotted her cheeks.
“Ready?” I asked her.
She nodded. “Yes!”
Together the two of us walked around the counter and through the swinging doors to the kitchen.
Mr. Bailey and Char were leaning against the center stainless steel island with their backs to us, giggling like school children.
“Mr. Bailey, do you have a minute, Sweets and I were wondering if we could talk to you about something.”
Mr. Bailey stopped talking and slowly turned around. His lips were covered in chocolate.
“Mr. Bailey!” I exclaimed.
Char turned around, with telltale signs on her lips as well. “This chocolate mousse is amazing!” she gushed.
Sweets’ jaw dropped as she looked at the beautiful Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake she’d left on the counter. Two huge slices were missing.
“You two ate my chocolate mousse?” she asked, even though it was quite obvious that they had. “That – that was a special dessert!”
“It certainly was a special dessert! Best I’ve ever had!” Mr. Bailey said excitedly.
Sweets’ expression changed immediately. “Best dessert you’ve ever had? Really?”
He nodded. “Really!”
“Ever?!”
“Ever!” he repeated.
Sweets looked at me nervously. I gave her an encouraging head nod. She swallowed hard and then sucked in a deep breath. “Mr. Bailey. Would you consider letting me do an internship at the bakery next semester?”
Mr. Bailey smiled. “Oh that would be wonderful! What a great idea! I’d love to have you come and work for me!”
“You would?!” Sweets asked with surprise.
He nodded. “I most certainly would! You’re a very talented girl. I think with the right teacher you could become amazing!”
Sweets’ smile widened. “I could?!”
He nodded. “Don’t you think she’s talented, my little love muffin?” he asked, turning to look at Char.
“I do, my little sugar bear.”
Sweets and I exchanged a shocked look. “Did you two just call each other love muffin and sugar bear?” I asked.
Char giggled. “You know, it’s surprising but true. I feel like I’ve known this man my entire life.”
Mr. Bailey wrapped an arm around Char. “Funny! I feel the same way! I’m so glad I came for Thanksgiving dinner!”
“I’m so glad I came for Thanksgiving dinner, too. It’s like it was meant to be!” Char gushed.
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t think I could handle much more of their sugary sweetness.
Sweets giggled as the two of us turned around and headed back towards the dining room. Suddenly mom split the swinging doors. “What’s going on in here? I said I’d do the dish…what in the world?” her eyes popped open when she saw the mousse cake had pieces missing. “Oh no! Who ate my cake?!”
Mr. Bailey and Char giggled again like two teenagers in love. “I’m so sorry, Linda. We couldn’t wait. We saw the dessert in here, and it looked so delicious. We just had to have a slice! I hope you don’t mind?”
Mom’s face fell as her shoulders slumped forward. She looked at Sweets. “Can I still…?”
Sweets shook her head sadly.
Mom let out a heavy sigh as she looked at her beautiful cake with sadness.
“On a brighter note, Mom. I think we just found a love match!”
Also by M.Z. Andrews
Other Books in
The Witch Squad Cozy Mystery Series:
Book #1: The Witch Squad
Book #2: Son of a Witch
Book #3: Witch Degrees of Separation
Book #4: Witch Pie (A Witch Squad Holiday Special)
Book #5: A Very Mercy Christmas (A Witch Squad Holiday Special)
Book #6: Where Witches Lie
Book #7: Witch School Dropout
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About the Author
Hello! I’m M. I live in the Midwest. I enjoy my house full of family, including my wonderfully amazing husband, four beautiful daughters, two handsome sons, and an amazing sidekick cat, who keeps me company all day while I dream up my crazy and exciting stories!
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XOXO - M
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Witch Pie: A Witch Squad Holiday Special (A Witch Squad Cozy Mystery Book 4) Page 11
