“Versace, come over here and let me bathe you.” She bent down and held out her hands to him, and, like an obedient child, he went right to her and rubbed against her legs. “Good boy. Are you ready to get a bath?” she asked.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere came Thunder, barreling toward her and Versace like a dog on a mission. “Meow!” Versace shrieked and ran around the other side of the house with Thunder hot on his heels.
“Oh my god! You two need to stop now!”
Brynn waited for them to return and when they did, they passed her and ended up in one giant tangle of fur on the ground, wrestling with each other. Thunder had jumped onto the cat's back and Versace was clawing him relentlessly. Brynn knew Thunder was playing. He was happy to have a buddy around, but Versace hated him from the first day they’d met.
“Alright, you two. I'll get the hose on you,” she yelled out. Brynn went to the side of the house, pulling it loose from the wheel and turned on the spigot. She pressed the handle to soak them, but inadvertently sprayed herself in the process.
“Ugh!” she said, wiping her face. “Now I can't see, thanks to you two mutts!”
Brynn dropped the hose and tried to use her shirt to wipe her face, but soon found it was soaked as well. Finally getting her eyes open, she looked up to see what appeared to be a Greek god standing before her holding both the cat and the dog in his arms.
Squinting one eye, she finally recognized her knight in shining armor. “Alec Anders?”
“At your service Ms. Monroe,” he said with a smile.
Brynn hadn't laid eyes on Alec since high school but today seemed to be her lucky day. “How are you?” she asked as she wiped her wet hands on her jeans and then extended one to shake his.
He laughed. “I'm afraid I've got mine full, so I can't shake,” he said with a pet under each arm.
“Oh, here, let me take them and put them inside.” She took the animals in her arms and started toward the house. “Have a seat on the porch and we'll catch up.”
Brynn dropped them just inside the door and then sat down one of the large rocking chairs. “I'm impressed at how easily you caught them. How did you do that?” she asked.
“I work for animal control. It's what I do,” he said and flashed his perfect white teeth.
“You do?”
Alec laughed. “No, I'm actually a detective with Chesapeake Pointe Police Department. But today, I'm in animal control.”
Brynn watched him as he spoke. He was gorgeous. Tall with thick black hair, piercing blue eyes and the body of a male dancer. She wondered how she could have missed all that in high school. Things were about to get interesting in Brynn Monroe's life, and at the moment, it had nothing to do with the small town.
Alec
Alec sat with Brynn on her aunt's porch, unable to believe it. He had known her since their freshman year of high school but had never really noticed her. His memory of Brynn was someone who was smart and nerdy, in other words, a bookworm. He, on the other hand, was a jock, having played baseball and football, and excelling at both. He did remember that she had cheered the last two years of school, but back then she certainly wasn't the beauty that was sitting in front of him now.
She spoke of how her cat didn't like the dog who only wanted a playmate, but Alec only caught a few words here and there. He was mesmerized by her ability to be a mess with wet hair and clothes and at the same time be completely comfortable with herself.
She suddenly stopped talking and just looked at him. “What?” she asked.
“What?” he returned.
“I don't know.” She giggled. “You were just staring at me blankly.”
“Oh, I'm sorry. I was caught up in your dog and cat tale.” He hoped she would buy it and not realize that he was really appreciating her beauty.
“So, tell me, what you've been up to,” he said. “I heard you were living the high life in New York City.”
She shook her head. “I was,” she sighed. “But I got tired of it.”
“Tired of New York?” he asked incredulously. “How can you get tired of a city that has everything you could ever want?”
Brynn stared out into the distance at the house across the street. “Believe me, it's not that hard. Especially when you really don't want to be there in the first place.”
Alec listened as she spoke softly. He watched her delicate hands as she explained things. He suddenly found her very desirable.
Boy, what was wrong with you in high school? Why weren't you trying to date this girl?
“So, what else do you want to know?” she asked.
Alec realized that he had missed half of what she'd said because he was only paying attention to her, not her words.
“Just tell me why you left all that to come back here? I mean, most people wouldn't look back if they had made it as far as you did.”
Brynn smiled. “It's not that big of a deal there, Alec. It's overrated, trust me.”
Alec smiled. “Okay. But why here when you can probably afford to go anywhere? What is it about this sleepy little town that brought you back?”
Brynn laughed. “Probably the same thing that made you stay. The town itself and what it represents.”
She turned to the side to face him. “Alec, New York City is a beautiful place, don't get me wrong. There are museums, and jazz concerts, and little pubs to hang out at with friends, but it's just not home.” She shook her head and sighed. “I know you could’ve left if you wanted to. I remember how wealthy your granddad was. How come you don't just take off?”
Alec chuckled. “For the same reasons you came back. This place is home. It's where my heart is. Where all my memories are and where my future is. So I get it. I really do.”
Brynn smiled as she looked at him.
God, she is beautiful. Even when a wet mess, she's flawless.
“You know which place I missed the most while I was gone?”
Alec closed an eye and thought. “The beach?”
She shook her head. “No, it was this place right here. This porch. I can't tell you how many days I spent out here doing homework or reading a book or just lying on the swing watching butterflies. You can't get that in New York, not like we have here.”
Alec was glad that he'd seen this woman chasing the cat and dog and decided to stop and help. He could tell already that he found her fascinating.
“So, tell me what you've been up to,” she asked.
“Not a whole lot. After school, I went to work for my dad in the office downtown. I hated it.”
“Really?” she asked. “Yeah, I can't see you crunching numbers for the rest of your life.”
Alec laughed. “I stayed there for about two years, then I went to the police academy and became an officer. Last year I was promoted to detective and here I am.”
“Here you are.” She giggled. “That's fantastic. I say do what you love, not what you are told to do. It's your life. You should live it for yourself.”
“Oh, are you trying to convince me or yourself?” he asked.
Brynn laughed. “Me, actually. You know it was my dad who pushed me into getting that degree in finance and that job on Wall Street. None of that was my idea. But I loved daddy and I wanted to make him happy. So I did all that he planned for me.”
“So what did you want to do?” he asked. Alec was genuinely curious about her story.
“I wanted to work in my aunt's bakery. That's all. I love to bake and cook and that's all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life.”
“That's what you should do then.”
Brynn laughed. “It's funny you should say that because it's exactly what I'm doing.” She was all smiles when Alec looked at her.
“Really? That's great.”
“Yes, I am leasing it from my aunt and I finished the remodel this week. We open on Monday.”
“Well, I thought I saw that the sign was gone, and that some work was being done. I just thought Millie had finally loosened her purse and was redoing the p
lace. I had no idea that it was you.”
Brynn smiled. “Yep. I've changed the name from Sea Side Sweets to Playing With Flour. Catchy, huh?”
“Yeah, that's a pretty upbeat name. Very modern. I wish you the best with it.”
“Well, you'll have to bring all your cop friends in for doughnuts,” she said with a grin.
“Now Brynn, that's a stereotype. We don't eat doughnuts. We eat brownies.”
They both laughed.
“Well, I have the best brownies in the world. They are so chewy and full of chocolate.”
“I will definitely stop in for that.”
“So, how about a family? Are you married? Kids?”
Alec smiled. “No, none.”
“Really? Wow, that's some kind of record,” she said.
Alec wrinkled his forehead. “Why?”
“Well, look at you. You're a great catch. You have a really great job, a nice truck,” she pointed to his big oversized pickup out front. “You come from a great family and you're great-looking.”
Alec’s eyed widened. “Well, thank you.” He smiled.
“Well, you know what I mean,” she said, as if she was trying to straighten out her words.
“I know what you mean. I get it.”
“I mean, I hope you don't think I'm trying to ‘catch’ you.” She laughed.
Lady, I think you already have.
“Not at all,” he said. “I bet you have plenty of guys to keep your dance card full.”
Brynn giggled. “Hardly. No. When you work like I did, it's hard to find time to date. I am the least social person you'll ever meet.”
Alec looked at her shiny chestnut hair and dark eyes. She was perfect. Her slender frame and long legs added to her overall beauty.
How is it possible that she hasn’t married yet or at least have a boyfriend?
“Alec, where are my manners? Would you like something to drink?”
“Well, if you have a glass of sweet tea, I'll take that.”
Brynn smiled. “We have a whole pitcher. I'll be right back.”
Alec watched a bird as it landed on the ground out front. All she had just told him made him wonder if fate had played a big role in him stopping to catch the animals. Maybe it was more. Maybe they were meant to cross paths. Whatever it was, he had to find out.
“Here you go,” she said as she gave him the tall glass. She set hers down on the table next to her chair.
“Thank you.”
“So how are your parents?” she asked.
“They're doing fine. Dad's getting ready to take Mom to France for her birthday next month.”
“Oh, how nice,” she said as she took a sip of her tea. “I've never been, but that will be a great trip for her.”
“Other than that, they’re doing fine.”
Alec finished his tea in a couple of drinks. “Well, I guess I'd better be heading back to work.”
“Oh, okay. I'm so glad that you stopped to help me. And that we had the chance to catch up.”
“Me, too. I'm glad the dog was attacking the cat,” he said and laughed.
“So am I,” Brynn replied. “The next time they get into a fight, I'll know who to call.”
“Hey, call me anytime and I'll come running.”
Brynn smiled. “Deal.”
Alec hugged her before he left. “It really was a pleasure.”
“Thank you. Hey, don't forget to come by the bakery on Monday for some freshly baked brownies. I'll reserve one just for you.”
“I'll be there.”
He watched her walk back into the house as he started his truck.
“Thank you, fate!”
Brynn
“Ugh.” Brynn pushed her hair away from her face with one hand as she fumbled for the alarm with the other. She managed to open her eyes just enough to see the outline of the old clock. She felt for the button on the back and pressed it, bringing the loud ringing to a sudden halt. The echo in her ears was enough to jar her from any slumber that tried to still cling to her.
Wow, Aunt Millie, you sure do know how to wake a girl up.
Leaning back on her elbows, she looked around the room for a few seconds trying to figure out her aunt's obsession with lighthouses. They were everywhere she looked. The curtains, the comforter, and the throw pillow in the chair all had some version of a lighthouse embroidered on them.
She rolled her eyes as she swung her long legs off the side of the bed before getting up to begin her day. The hardwood was cold under her feet even though it was spring. Temperatures in New England tend to stay a bit on the chilly side well into late May.
“Versace?” Brynn never started her morning without giving her beloved cat a good massage. “There you are,” she said, pulling back the sheet to see him nestled all cozy underneath. Stroking his back with both hands, she heard him purr softly.
“You like that, don't you?”
She continued to rub his back for couple minutes before heading into the cold bathroom.
I look tired.
Looking in the mirror was something she didn't seem to be doing as much lately as she used to when she lived in New York. Her looks used to be one of her top priorities, but things had changed since she'd moved back to Chesapeake Pointe. Gone were the days of facials, manicures, and shopping. Now, they were filled with questions like how many scones she needed to bake for the lunch rush and whether the plumber had gotten the toilets in working order yet. It was quite the change of pace all right, but a welcome one on her part.
She smiled at her reflection. “I can be happy here,” she said aloud as she thought of her new, simple life.
The hot water felt soothing as she lowered herself into the claw foot tub to soak. She added a couple drops of lavender oil and lay back to take in the scent and meditate before starting her busy day of preparing for the opening of her bakery.
“Versace?” she called out from the bathroom after hearing a loud thud. Quickly drying off, she threw on her fluffy white robe and made her way into the bedroom to investigate. Her eyes scanned the room before spotting him in the corner playing with some yarn that she suspected belonged in her aunt's sewing basket.
“Give me that, you silly cat!” she said as she took it from him and placed the basket back on the dresser where it belonged.
She opened the oversized wardrobe door to find that her designer labels looked out of place against the backdrop of old, antique furniture that now housed them.
I never thought I'd see the day my Jimmy Choos would sit in an old wooden box that smells of mothballs.
She smiled as she pulled out her plain white t-shirt and basic blue jeans.
Even though both had the name Ralph Lauren stitched inside them, no one in town could tell they were expensive. She was trying her best to fit in with her would-be customers. She had known for many years that her Aunt Millie wasn't well-liked by the townspeople and she wondered if that wasn't what had hurt her business. Brynn had her mind made up that she was going to treat people the exact opposite of how her aunt did. She knew that being nice to people was the key to operating any business, especially a small bakery in a small town.
Lightly rubbing her hand over the black, silk dress that hung in front of her, she felt a slight tinge of sadness.
“I'll wear you again one day, I promise,” she said as if the dress needed an explanation as to why it was now taking up residence in an old musty wardrobe instead of the opulent, oversized closet that it once called home in her fancy New York apartment.
“You too,” she said in the direction of her four-inch stilettos that sat on the shelf next to the dress.
She walked back into the bathroom and quickly ran a paddle brush through her thick, chestnut hair before twisting it up into a knot on the back of her head. She secured it with a few pins and was off to start her day, just like that. She marveled at how easy it was getting ready for work now, compared to when she was working in the big city and feeling the need to be perfect each morning befo
re catching a cab down to Wall Street.
The drive to town had always been one of her favorite things to do since she’d moved back home. She loved looking at the perfect cottages with their white picket fences and rose bushes already in bloom. Chesapeake Pointe was a quaint little town full of nice people. Almost too nice, she thought, as each person waved at her when she drove past their homes.
“Hey lady,” Lisa's voice rang out from the back room as Brynn walked in the bakery.
Lisa Newcomb had been her best friend for as long as she could remember. It seems she had always been around. Brynn’s first memory of her was watching her stand up to a six-year-old boy on the playground at school when he had taken her ball. Lisa had always been sweet and quirky, but she had a side to her that would let you have it if you crossed her. Brynn always classified it as an asset, but others saw it as a kind of mean streak. Lisa, on the other hand, didn't care what anyone thought of her.
“I am who I am,” she would always say to Brynn with a smile.
“Hey, yourself,” Brynn said as she headed straight for the coffee pot. “I need a cup of caffeine so badly.” Adding the creamer, she inhaled the aroma coming from the kitchen. “Is that –?” she paused and smiled.
“It is!” Lisa rang out. “Lemon bars!”
“I know they are basic, but they really are my favorite thing in a bakery,” Brynn said, setting her cup on the counter. “They remind me of when I was little, you know?”
“There you go, reminiscing again,” Lisa said with a giggle.
“I can’t help it,” Brynn replied.
“Come on, I’m only kidding. I know it’s why you came back.”
“It really is, you know.”
“I know, and I’m the one who always told you that you’d be back one day.”
Lisa had been right all along. She'd come home to stay.
“I hope we can turn this place around,” Brynn said as she looked at all her new fixtures. “I know that Aunt Millie poured her heart and soul into it, but I think the reason it wasn't more successful was because of who she became as she got older.” She looked at Lisa for reassurance.
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