“Got an early call. I can use some good coffee about now.” She pointed. “And one of your tarts.”
Julie grabbed herself a cup of coffee, one of the not-so-perfects for herself, and went to sit with the sheriff. He couldn’t hear the conversation, but it didn’t look as if it was a happy one. No smiles. No laughter. And the sheriff didn’t linger.
She waved to him as she went out the door.
Gabe let out a sigh of relief. She hadn’t run a trace or he’d be questioned by now.
Julie stuck her head into the kitchen. “Had a robbery last night at the Ralston house.”
He looked up. “What was taken?”
“Things easy to hock, an Xbox, an iPad.”
“Do they have a kid?”
“A thirteen-year-old boy.”
“Are they sure he didn’t take them—sell them maybe?”
Julie crossed her arms across her chest and glared at him. Cute.
“Why would you think such a thing?”
He shrugged. It would not be unusual behavior.
“Their son didn’t take them. Lynn said he was furious his Xbox was stolen. I’m glad they were out of town for the weekend. I wouldn’t want to come face-to-face with a robber in my home, or anywhere else for that matter.”
“Does the sheriff know when they were taken?”
“Sometime between eight Saturday morning and midnight last night.”
“Did they dust for prints?”
Julie came closer, stared hard at him. “You sound more like law enforcement than a pastry chef.”
He’d better watch it. “Did I? Guess I watch too much TV.”
The bell let them know the early birds wanted their caffeine and sugar fix.
“Do a sketch of Lynn. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”
“Hey,” he teased. “Don’t want the sheriff upset with me.”
Julie laughed and went to wait on her customers. Only Gabe wasn’t teasing. The last thing he wanted was the sheriff asking questions.
By two the smell of baking bread filled the shop. More than one customer asked if they were putting fresh baked bread on the menu board.
Gabe pulled three loaves out of the oven and set them to cool.
“It smells wonderful in here. Customers are telling me they can smell the bread half a block away.”
That was how it had been when his mom baked her sourdough bread.
“The aroma alone will bring in customers.” Julie smiled. “When can I do the taste test?”
Gabe grinned. “Who said you get one?”
“I’m the boss, remember?” Laughing, she went to wait on the next customer.
When the bread cooled enough, Gabe cut a loaf, inhaled the fragrance. It brought back memories of his mom and dad and how happy they were together.
Had he screwed up his life so badly he’d never have what they had?
Slicing the bread, he cut each slice into bite-sized pieces, then put them on a covered tray and brought them to put on the top of the display case. “Samples,” he told Julie as she took one and popped it in her mouth.
“Very good. Where’s the butter?”
“If the customers like them, we’ll have bread on the menu on Fridays and Saturdays.”
“Only two days?
“Leave them begging for more.” He winked and went back to the kitchen.
****
Julie put a hand to her chest to hold her beating heart inside. She more than liked Gabe Vaughn and hated herself for it. She hadn’t made any effort to uncover his background. Too busy, she told herself. In truth, she didn’t want to know. He was the perfect pastry chef, and he was good with Mia.
Maybe I’m the real reason I haven’t made the effort. I don’t want to find out anything that will make me send him away.
She was a coward. But darn it, she couldn’t fall for him. She still loved James.
After James died, a part of her died with him. Somehow, Gabe had, in a very short time, managed to ease his way into her heart. And into Mia’s.
When she’d wrapped her arms around Gabe as they toured Lobster Cove yesterday it had been pure pleasure. The closeness made her want to lay her head on his back and do nothing but enjoy the sensations that had taken over her body.
Instead, she’d acted the tour guide and kept her professional face on. Even at the house, when he’d sat down to eat Mom’s chowder, she’d wanted to take his hand and run to her bedroom. It was totally unlike herself. Couldn’t she get it through her thick head that Gabe wasn’t a settling down kind of guy? She wanted a man like James; a man who gloried in his roots, his place in life, his family, and his country. Gabe didn’t fit that mold at all.
Mia’s chatter and Mom’s questions about his life that, she realized now, had gone unanswered, kept her rooted to her chair. Thank God. What a mess she could make of her life. Gabe was a drifter. He’d been up front about it from the beginning. Nothing had changed except that now he had access to a Harley and could take off any time the mood hit him.
The very thought of him leaving made her heart hurt. Not only because she would once more be without a pastry chef, but because she’d never see his tall, dark presence in the kitchen—never see him bent over his sketchbook—never see him showing Mia a recipe, making her read it herself, then watching as she carefully put the ingredients together.
Tears came to her eyes. She wiped them away.
No one had affected her like this since James.
The bell tinkled and Chad Stiner walked in.
“You look happy this evening, Chad. What would you like?”
Chad all but danced to the counter. He bent down to gaze into the case. When he looked up his face was wreathed in a big smile. “I’d like one of everything, but I guess I’ll stick to…” he pointed to the cupcake and muffin. “And a latte.”
He spotted the tray of bread bites and helped himself to a couple. “Didn’t know you baked bread. It’s good, but it’s not sweet.”
Julie chuckled. “You really do have a sweet tooth, Chad. What makes you so cheerful today?”
“Had a good day.”
His body couldn’t stay still. As Julie put his sweets into a bag and handed him his latte, his hand was trembling. “Are you all right, Chad?”
“Never better.” He grinned as he set the latte back down and pulled out a handful of bills; peeled off the amount he owed, and stuck the rest back into his pocket.
“See you later,” he called out and headed out the door.
Julie glanced over at Gabe who, she’d noticed, had kept an eye on Chad the entire time he was here.
“What?” she asked when the door shut.
“Nothing,” he said and went back to work.
But there was something. She just couldn’t figure out what. Come to think of it, she couldn’t figure out Gabe at all. Why was he so secretive about his past? Why did he avoid every question put to him that was the least bit personal?
She knew nothing about him other than his parents had owned a bakery. She didn’t know where or when. She didn’t know a single thing about him other than what she’d learned since he walked through her door the first morning he was here.
It wasn’t enough.
She changed her mind. She would find out his secrets. She wanted to know everything about him.
When Jeff walked in, she was grateful. He’d been in close contact with Gabe and had promised to watch him.
Satisfied Gabe was busy in the kitchen, she whispered. “What do you think of Gabe now that you know him better?”
Jeff grinned. “Curious, aren’t you?”
“He doesn’t talk about himself. And yes, I’m curious.”
Jeff leaned over the counter. “I like the guy. He looks nothing like someone who makes a living in a pastry shop, but even though he hasn’t opened up, I trust him. Don’t ask me why.”
“So do I, Jeff. Now, what will you have?”
She looked through the window, saw Gabe’s lips clamped shut
as he wiped down the counters—saw the closed look on his face.
With a sinking heart, she realized she might trust him, but she’d never know him.
When the bell tinkled and Mia ran in, gave her a quick hug, waved at Jeff, and ran into the kitchen to be with Gabe, Julie’s brow furrowed. What would Mia do when he left?
What had she done to them all?
Chapter Thirteen
By the time Mia’s cookies were on the counter for tomorrow, it was time to shut down for the day.
“How did the customers like the sourdough bread?” Gabe asked.
“Raves. Hope you bake enough Friday and Saturday.”
Gabe handed her a sketch for the wall.
“Chad?”
“Yep.”
“You caught his essence. That’s remarkable.”
“Let me see,” Mia begged.
Julie bent down to Mia’s level and showed it to her. “What’s essence?”
“It’s what identifies a person. You know, what makes you you and me me.”
“Oh.”
Gabe chuckled. The low rumble did something to Julie’s insides. Darn him anyway. She went to the wall to tape Chad’s caricature. Gabe had drawn Chad with oversized dark glasses. There were cookies and cupcakes sticking out of pockets, in his hands, one in his mouth.
“He’ll either like it or hate it,” Gabe said.
He bent down to give Mia a hug. “The customers will love those snickerdoodles tomorrow.”
Her eyes lit up. “They do taste good, don’t they?”
“Very good. You’re getting better every day.”
“See you tomorrow.” He waved and was almost to the door when the bell announced another customer.
He turned around to watch as the guy Julie had identified as Paul Nelson came in.
“I’m sorry, Paul. I was just closing.”
“Am I too late? Grandma wanted some more cookies.”
Julie walked to the counter. There were about a dozen peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies left. She’d intended to take them home for Mom. “This is it. You should come earlier. The case was full this morning.”
“I was busy this morning,” he snarled. “Give me what you’ve got.”
He pulled out a roll of bills and gave Julie one, growled “Keep the change,” and stalked out the door the instant she put the box in his hand.
“Paul’s pretty loose with the cash, isn’t he?” Gabe commented.
“Sometimes I wonder if he’s taking advantage of Jane. Where would he get the money otherwise?”
Gabe shrugged. “See you tomorrow.”
When he was gone, Julie locked the door and put up the closed sign. It had been another good day.
She didn’t have anything sweet to take Mom. “Let’s take Gram a few of your cookies. I’ll bet she’ll love them.”
Mia agreed.
Julie grabbed the bank bag in one hand, Mia’s hand in the other, and left for the day.
Instead of being grateful the day was over, she found herself wishing it were just starting. She was keenly aware of the effect Gabe had on her body, as it reacted in ways she hadn’t felt in years.
If tonight was like the past few, she’d spend a lot of time thinking about the man who just walked out the back door with his helmet in his hand and an eager look on his face. He really loved that Harley.
For an instant, she wondered if she was falling in love.
She simply couldn’t be. Her heart couldn’t take another devastating hurt.
****
By the next morning, Julie had decided that, like her daughter, she had a crush on Gabe. That’s what all this angst was. It meant nothing. He was an excellent pastry chef—that was all. She definitely did love that about him.
But when she opened the door, inhaled the aroma of sugar and chocolate, she couldn’t stop herself from hurrying through her morning routine. Before she could say good morning to Gabe, there was a knock on the door.
Lynn!
She hurried to let her in. “What’s wrong?”
Lynn walked in, looked around. “Is Gabe here?”
Julie frowned. Did Lynn find out something about Gabe’s past? Something bad? “He’s in the kitchen. And he’s busy.”
“I see.”
“What’s up, Lynn?”
“Another house got robbed sometime last night. I have no idea who it could be. No one saw anything unusual at either robbery.”
“What did they take this time?” Gabe asked as he walked up to them.
Julie watched Lynn’s expression as she faced Gabe. But Lynn didn’t show anything other than her stoic sheriff face.
“The Underwoods are out of town. Everyone in Lobster Cove knows it. Someone disconnected the alarm, broke in, and helped themselves to a boatload of electronic devices.”
“Who are the Underwoods?”
“Senator Underwood. Does that tell you enough?”
“Yep. Did the thief leave any prints?”
“We’re checking that out as we speak.”
“You won’t find any.”
“How do you know?” Lynn asked.
“Whoever is doing this is smart enough to do that much to hide his tracks, even though I don’t think he’s a professional.”
Lynn’s brow knit in a frown. “Why do you say that?”
Julie raised a hand to interrupt the conversation. Stopped when she saw the look on Gabe’s face.
“Nothing.” He turned to go back to the kitchen. “You’ll figure it out.”
“What do you know about Gabe Vaughn?” Lynn asked.
Julie couldn’t lie. She knew nothing about him. One thing she did know. Gabe didn’t rob houses. “Don’t go there, Lynn. Gabe might be many things I don’t know about, but he’s no thief.”
“You do realize he’s the only stranger in town, don’t you? I don’t have to do a thing for suspicion to sit on his shoulders.”
“Then take it away. Gabe is one of the good guys unless you’ve researched him and haven’t told me what you found.”
“Open your eyes, Julie. Look at him. Really look. He looks as if he’s held his own in more than one fistfight. Not only that, he has the look of a con. Worse, he’s a stranger who doesn’t talk about his past. Yes, I ran a check on his name. I had to guess that Gabe was short for Gabriel. Even then, the only person I could find that matched died twenty years ago at the age of fifteen. So that makes the guy whipping up goodies in your kitchen a very viable suspect.”
Julie stepped closer, her chin jutted out in anger. “I don’t care what you found. No one who is as good with Mia as he is could be a bad person. Besides, if he was a thief, why doesn’t he take something of real value? Something like a day’s deposit from the shops around town? Or from me? Whoever is doing this is taking small stuff. You wanted me to look at Gabe. Now you look at him.”
Lynn turned her head to the kitchen.
“Does that look like a guy who, if he were a thief, would take small-time stuff? I don’t think so. If Gabe were that kind of person, he’d rob the damned bank.”
“You might be right. Or not. But whoever is doing this won’t be stopped until somebody stops him. I don’t want anyone to get hurt, Julie. Especially you and Mia.”
Julie wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “You’re just doing your job, Lynn. You’ll find who it is. Just don’t look in my kitchen for the culprit.”
Laughing, Lynn ordered a latte and a muffin.
When the door closed behind her, Julie took a deep breath of relief.
She looked over at Gabe. He’d stopped work and was watching her.
Who was he, really? What was he hiding?
Though it was something he wouldn’t talk about, she knew he wouldn’t steal. But darn it, she didn’t know what else he might be capable of. And that bothered her. A lot.
Her stomach turned queasy. Maybe when he knew her better, trusted her more, he would open up and let her in.
But it wouldn’t be today.
She walked into the kitchen to get the items of the day.
Chapter Fourteen
Two or three times a week for the next three weeks there was something taken from different homes. Nothing as impressive as from the Underwoods, but nonetheless, stolen.
Every morning when Lynn came for her usual coffee and sweet, she’d give Julie an update.
Though the sheriff was keeping the thefts low profile, they were too consistent to ignore, or so she told Julie.
Gabe realized that Julie was getting a daily and some days twice daily visit from the sheriff, probably so she could keep an eye on him. It was unnerving to say the least.
Julie stuck her head in the kitchen. “I have special orders for your sourdough bread. Wanna know how many?”
“That would be good.” He couldn’t help but smile at her. She had just the right combination of being pleasing to the eye and impressive to listen to. She was always amazed to find her case of sweets empty by the end of the day. He wasn’t. He was careful to gauge the likes and dislikes of the customers. He counted the normal flow of those coming in every day and estimated the quantity they would need.
The sourdough bread was a different story. This was something new. And he didn’t know how well it would go over.
“Six special orders for Friday and a dozen for Saturday.”
Gabe nodded. It was a good start.
“I don’t know how you’ll be able to bake bread and the sweets both during tourist season,” Julie said. “Our business almost doubles during that time.”
“When does it start?” Was this Julie’s way to find out if he’d still be here then? He had no idea how long it would take the mob to find him. Maybe never. Which would be great. But he’d always be looking over his shoulder.
“Late May,” she answered.
By then, a multitude of strangers would come through the doors. How would he handle it? Would every strange face make him wonder?
Sure it would. And though his nerves were tough enough to survive a year long stint in prison, they wouldn’t last that long around Julie. He couldn’t lie to her every day. It was hard enough now to evade her questions. No. He wouldn’t be here for tourist season.
The thought made him sad.
He was crazy about Mia and if he were honest with himself was even crazier about Mia’s mom.
Angel in Disguise Page 8
