Second Chance at the Sugar Shack

by Candis Terry

The EMTs rolled the gurney from the back of the unit and up over the lawn. Determined to help, Matt kneeled on the cold, damp grass beside the teen curled up in the fetal position. All the kid needed was someone to care. A grownup who gave an honest shit about him. An adult who wanted to see him make something of himself.

  That’s what Matt had found in Kate’s parents.

  Grownups who cared.

  Grownups who had made him feel as if he’d mattered.

  Grownups who made him feel as though he belonged.

  After thirty-two years, Matt finally felt like a part of something. His heart squeezed the breath from his lungs. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that the people in this town needed him as much as he needed them.

  At five o’clock the following day, Kate locked the bakery door and headed toward her car. The pup wiggled up onto the seat and sat with his tongue lolling happily out the side of his mouth as he stuck his head out the open window and let the wind flap his ears.

  The bake sale had been a huge success. Once word got around that the goods were half price and the money went to Letty Silverthorne’s favorite charity, the town had stepped up.

  Maxine Waverly had about danced on the ceiling when Kate delivered the divorce cake. The woman’s enthusiasm had been just what Kate had hoped for. She had no doubt the word-of-mouth advertising would spread enough praise and curiosity to keep Kate in designer cake orders for as long as she chose to create them. She’d left Maxine’s house with a huge smile and a feeling of accomplishment equal to sending a client out on the red carpet.

  So maybe she could be happy making cakes for the rest of her life.

  As she’d jumped up into the driver’s seat of the delivery van, she decided to call her additions to the menu Kate’s Red Carpet Cakes. Hokey, yes. But living in a town called Deer Lick with street names like Reindeer Road, she was learning to embrace hokey.

  Most of the day she’d been questioned about the bakery’s weeklong closure. Even when she explained that her father had gone hunting and she didn’t quite have the knowledge to keep the place open while he was away, their concern for her father cracked the fragile shell around her heart. The people of Deer Lick genuinely cared. She’d seen that for herself with those gathered for her mother’s funeral. Maybe she’d known it all along. At least she should have.

  Now, as she turned the car toward home, Kate looked over at the pup with his ears flapping in the breeze. She rolled down her own window and felt like sticking her head out too. The air whispered crisp and cool against her cheeks. Maple leaves had turned flame red and the gold aspen leaves quaked like shiny coins. A rush of exhilaration tingled down Kate’s spine. She’d always loved this time of year—the scent of burning leaves, the crackle in the air, the chance to slip on a pair of flannel PJs and read a romance beside the woodstove. Mmmm, and hot apple cider stirred with a cinnamon stick.

  Just like the four seasons, things changed. And now the Sugar Shack was about to be given a new life.

  Kate mentally reviewed her plan of attack. She’d made the necessary calls, placed orders, and tomorrow morning she’d hit the hardware store for paint and supplies. If HGTVs Design on a Dime could achieve a room makeover in one day, she could certainly make the bakery renovations in a week. The TV show might have a crew, but she had enough in her bank account to hire most of what she needed to accomplish. Some she planned to do herself. She’d never been very good at micromanaging, but she rocked at multitasking.

  The pup pulled his head in the window and whined.

  Kate pulled him over and petted his head. “What’s up, pup? Got a bug in your eye?”

  “You still haven’t named that poor little guy?”

  Kate glanced up to the rearview mirror. As usual, no sign of Mom, but her glow shimmered as bright as a Christmas bulb. “What? No theme song intro?”

  “The radio’s off, in case you haven’t noticed. Are you trying to get rid of me?” her mother asked.

  “Moi? What would even prompt you to ask such a thing?”

  “Maybe that bite of sarcasm you can’t seem to hide.”

  Kate smiled and the pup looked up at her like she might have lost her mind. She wasn’t sure she hadn’t. “So what brings you to earth today?”

  “What are you doing to my bakery?”

  “Ah, so you saw the signs.”

  “And the empty shelves. We can’t afford to close down for an entire week, Katherine. Your father and I aren’t wealthy. We’re just common folk who work hard for what they have.”

  “I understand,” Kate said, turning the Buick toward home. “We’ll make up the lost revenue. I promise. I just saw an opportunity and I’m running with it.”

  “What? To sell the place out from under your dad?”

  “How could I possibly do that? I don’t own it.”

  “Yes. You do. Or at least you’re part owner with your brother and sister.”

  “Seriously? Why would you do that?”

  “Because it’s all we have to give you, Katherine. Your father and I have spent our entire married life building up that place, working together. Every day brought us happiness, brought us together. We want that for you, Dean, and Kelly too.”

  Her parent’s generosity sent a warm tingle through her heart. “I don’t know what to say except . . . I promise we’ll take care of it.”

  “Just don’t ever sell it.”

  Anxiety weighed heavy in her mother’s words and Kate wanted to calm her fears. “We won’t, Mom. I promise that too.”

  Her mother seemed to give a sigh of relief. Then she leaned forward. “So tell me about this bright idea you have.”

  Kate managed a hesitant smile. “I’m updating the bakery. Paint, floors, menu, you name it.” She waited for her mother’s outrage to kick in. Waited to hear her say there was nothing wrong with the place the way it stood. She waited for the criticism she’d heard her entire life.

  “That’s a great idea, honey. I’ve wanted to slap a new coat of paint on those walls for years. Just never had the time or energy.”

  A surprised breath strangled in her chest. “So . . . you don’t mind?”

  “Only if you plan to paint it purple and black or some outrageous color that will scare customers away.”

  “I’m going with a pink, brown, and white theme.”

  “Then I approve. In fact, why don’t you turn this beast around and head to the hardware store right now. Old Emmett Proctor’s got a paint sale going on and it ends tomorrow.”

  “How do you know all these things?”

  Her mother hooted a laugh. “Just because I’m dead doesn’t mean I can’t keep my finger on the pulse of the town. Now get on over to Emmett’s before he closes. And for Pete’s sake, give that poor dog a name.”

  At Emmett’s Nuts and Bolts Hardware, Kate stood in the paint aisle examining color chips. Making a selection was more difficult than putting together a silk Dolce and Gabbana blouse with satin Versace pants.

  The pup sat in the kid seat of the shopping cart, cocking his head when she’d show him a collection of possible paint colors. He wasn’t much help in the decision. She couldn’t make up her mind between Gumball Pink or Strawberry Shake. English Toffee or Irish Cream. Root Beer Float or Milk Chocolate. But she was getting hungry.

  As she reached for a color chip of Sassy Pink Panties, the air shifted. She didn’t need to turn to know who stood behind her creating a human wall. Heat radiated from him like a woodstove on a winter night.

  “Now there’s a color I can get into.”

  She cast a quick glance over her shoulder.

  A smile curled his mouth. The collar of his blue plaid flannel had been pulled up so only a wedge of skin showed between his dark finger-combed hair and the fabric. His scent was clean and woodsy and all male. He filled her senses. He’d told her to stay the hell away from him because he couldn’t stay away from her. And here he was, so close she could feel the brush of his jacket against the back of her sweater.

  “Y
es, I’m sure you’ve seen your share of panties,” she said and pushed her cart further down the aisle. “No need to advertise it to the world.”

  “Who’s your friend?” His husky voice asked as he reached around and petted the pup on the head. The traitorous dog wagged his tail and his long pink tongue rolled out to lick the palm of Matt’s big hand.

  “A stray.” She pulled a can of primer from the shelf and dropped it into the cart. “I’m trying to find his parents.”

  “His parents? That’s an interesting term. Why don’t you just say owners?”

  She grabbed another can of primer and then pushed the cart down to the selection of brushes hanging from a peg board nailed to the wall. “Because I don’t believe an animal should be owned.”

  “Why—”

  She stopped, turned, and looked up into his eyes. “Why are you talking to me, Matt? You told me to stay the hell out of your life.”

  He had the nerve to smile. “That might be impossible as long as we’re in the same town.”

  “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll be out of here soon and you can have the place all to yourself.”

  “Might not be as much fun without you around to torture.” He reached beside her head, grabbed a brush from one side and a roll of masking tape from the other, effectively trapping her between his arms. “So if you’re leaving, what’s with all the supplies, Hollywood? What’s with closing down the bakery? What’s with the dress shop?”

  “What’s with all the questions?” she snapped.

  He leaned closer, his chest brushed against her breasts. Aroused, the tips tightened and sent a signal down to parts that were tired of being ignored. Seriously tired.

  “Careful, deputy, or I’ll sic my dog on you.”

  He didn’t bother to give the pup a glance. Instead his gaze moved over her face. Her breath caught in her chest when his blue on blue eyes locked with hers and that teasing smile returned. “If you’re so eager to get out of Deer Lick, why are you working so hard to make it better?” he asked.

  “I’m bored. Why do you care?”

  He leaned closer and his warm breath tickled her skin. “You smell like sugar frosting.”

  She tilted her head away while her mind told her to run like hell. Obstinacy held her in place. “And what are you? The big bad wolf whose going to gobble me up?”

  He chuckled. “Is that an invitation?”

  “Sorry, Bucko.” She ducked beneath his arm and stepped a safe distance away. “I’ve never been a do-it-in-the-paint-aisle kind of girl. You’ll have to choose another one of the women on your ridiculous list.”

  “Whoever said you were on the list?” His expression darkened. “You’re not.”

  The reality of his words shouldn’t have stung. But they did. And Kate honestly didn’t know what was wrong with her that she’d care in the least. But there wasn’t a chance in hell she’d let him know.

  She straightened her shoulders, clasped her hands over the shopping cart handle, and strode away. “Just more proof there is a God.”

  Matt paid for his purchases and left the store in a cloud of confusion. When he’d seen her mother’s car parked in front of the hardware store, he should have kept his foot on the accelerator. But nooooo. There was definitely something wrong with him. Something that made his common sense blow a fuse and made him believe it was okay to practically dry-hump Kate in the middle of the damned hardware store. True, old Emmett had been the only one in the place, but Emmett also had one of those trick mirrors that allowed him to see down every aisle in the store. He didn’t need the old man spreading tales.

  Hell, he didn’t need to be starting them.

  He shoved the gear shift into drive and pulled away from the curb. Tomorrow his campaign signs would be posted all around town. His reputation needed to remain rock-solid. He didn’t know why he had this fascination with Kate. He’d never been good enough for her. She didn’t plan to stick around and make Deer Lick her home. He should have learned his lesson long ago.

  Kate Silver was caviar.

  He needed cream of wheat.

  As he parked his SUV in Emma’s driveway, he rubbed his eyes. He was so damned tired—tired of fighting his alter ego who apparently believed he still had feelings for Kate and should act on them. His alter ego had a nut loose. In the future he’d have to be more guarded when around her. And he’d have to make sure he was around her as little as possible. Everything he’d worked for, everything he’d dreamed of, was riding on the fact that he could get it together and keep it together.

  Emma opened her door and stepped out onto her front porch with a smile and a wave. She wore a zippered sweatshirt, jeans, and white tennis shoes. That was more like it. Her sweet curves were hidden, not jumping out and doing a pole dance in front of his face.

  Smiling, he opened the car door and stepped out onto the gravel driveway. “Looks like you’re ready to go,” he said.

  “I just need to grab my purse.” She disappeared into the house and within seconds was walking toward him. They exchanged a hug and when she looked up at him with her blue eyes, anticipation danced in their depths. “What movie are we going to see?”

  “How about a Hitchcock film fest?”

  “That sounds wonderful. Where’s it playing?”

  “In my living room. If that’s okay. I’ve got microwave popcorn and I bought a jumbo box of Junior Mints.”

  She nodded. “Sounds perfect.”

  Matt returned her smile and dug down deep to gather the enthusiasm to go with it. Hand-in-hand, they walked to the passenger side of his SUV and he opened the door. He’d wanted someplace dark and maybe a little romantic to discover whether Emma Hart was the one. Somewhere he wouldn’t be distracted with thoughts of Kate.

  If he couldn’t manage that, he wasn’t going to wait around for her to run again. He would personally escort her to the city limits and give her sexy behind the boot.

  The sun had set by the time Kate pulled the Buick into a parking space in back of the bakery. Her car was loaded with paint and supplies. She’d finally chosen a tasty palette of Strawberry Shake and Irish Cream for the walls and Milk Chocolate for the trim. The Java Teak laminate flooring she’d ordered for the front of the bakery would be delivered and installed tomorrow while simultaneously the prep area concrete floor would be acid stained with earthen umber. She had no choice but to get the walls painted tonight.

  Just as she had no choice but to erase Matt Ryan from her need it, want it, gotta have it list.

  “You shouldn’t be so hard on the boy.”

  Ah, Letty Silverthorne had arrived.

  The pup startled awake. He jumped up and put his paws on the back of the front seat. His little tail whipped back and forth so quick his furry fanny wagged.

  “Hello, sweetheart,” her mother cooed. “Did mean old Katherine give you a name yet?”

  What happened to “I love you, Kate?” Kate sighed and turned in her seat to look at her troublemaking backseat driver. “I’m not mean but he’s not my dog. I’m sure he’s already got a name.”

  Her mother shook her head. “You think you’re sure of a lot of things. Some I’m a little concerned about.”

  Kate reached down and grabbed up the bag of paint brushes and drop cloths from the floorboard. “I’m not even going to ask what you’re talking about, because I know you’ll only be too happy to tell me.”

  “You don’t have to ask, dear, I’d love to share.”

  “I was afraid you would.” She crumpled the plastic bag in her lap and leaned her head back. The pup crawled on top of the bag and used her thighs as a perch to the window. “Go ahead.”

  “You’re so sure that little guy sitting on your lap belongs to someone else you won’t open your heart enough to realize he belongs to you.”

  As if on cue, the pup licked Kate’s chin. “Hey, no fair siding with the enemy.” To her mother she said, “It’s not that I don’t have a heart, Mom. It wouldn’t be fair to him. He’d be locked up in m
y condo all day every day. I’d have to put him in a kennel every time I flew to New York, which is often. He needs a home with someone who will love him and take care of him.”

  “Exactly.”

  “So why are you pushing me to keep him?”

  “Because you’re that person, Katherine. You just don’t realize it. Who’s going to love him more than you?”

  “Mom. Seriously. I’m the kind of person who eats takeout while I sit on the floor to make clothing alterations. I don’t think my clients would appreciate dog hair clinging to their chiffon. Besides, I can barely keep up with my own life let alone this cute little guy.” She rubbed her hand briskly between his ears.

  Her mother shouted, “Exactly” the same way she’d shout Bingo.

  “If you agree with me, then I have no idea the point you’re trying to make.”

  “Listen to your own words, sweetheart. You can barely keep up with your life.”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “So why have you been living a life you can barely keep up with? Believe me when I tell you life is much too short to waste. You’re young. You’re beautiful. You should be living a life that makes you happy, that makes you happy to be alive. There’s nothing wrong with changing course. You’ll be a success no matter what you do.”

  Kate opened her mouth to argue and then snapped it shut. Something pinched deep in her heart and stole her breath. How could she argue when her mother was right? She didn’t need to keep up a pretense. Especially with her mother. Lately she had been thinking twice about her chosen career and life. Or lack of. Besides, who would her mother have to tell?

  “Am I making sense?” her mother asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m glad.” The smile accenting her mother’s words was unmistakable. “You’re a good girl, Katherine. And you’re smart. I was wrong to rain on your parade when you received that scholarship. I should have treated it exactly the same as I had when Dean received his scholarship to USC and Kelly received hers to Stanford. I was wrong to say the things I said.”

  A lump slid up Kate’s throat. She was stunned. An apology? From her mother? “What did you say?”

  “I said I was wrong. And I’m sorry.”