Caught Bread Handed by London Lovett

Author:London Lovett [Lovett, London]
Language: eng
Format: epub

nineteen

I'd slept well for the first few hours and then spent the rest of the night tossing and turning. I tried hard not to think about the encounter with Crystal or the difficult follow-up conversation with Dalton. The talk with Dalton was the part that kept me up the most. My mind went back and forth between anger at myself for caving to Crystal's demands and telling myself I did the right thing. But as I stood in the bakery surrounded by delicious trays of baked goods, I felt sad knowing Dalton wouldn't be walking in the door. He usually came in moments after I flipped the sign.

After a small flurry of customers, I decided to treat myself to one of Jack's blueberry muffins and a cup of hot coffee. I was enjoying my break when the front door opened. Cade was wearing a black sweater and jeans. The black made his hazel eyes look green. Sometimes Cade looked so handsome, it was as if he'd just stepped off a painter's canvas. And he was wearing my favorite cocky half-smile. I paused to see if there were any butterflies, but they were quiet.

"You're up and about quite early, Mr. Rafferty. Any more intrigue in the squirrel and blue jay saga?"

"No, but I was feeling just cheeky enough to put a handful of cereal on the patio to see if I could rekindle yesterday's drama."

"All in the name of procrastination?"

"Sadly, yes. Do you know there is quite a pecking order in nature?"

"I've heard that, yes. You're like a regular David Attenborough now, it seems."

"I think I prefer Tarzan." Cade pushed the sleeves of his sweater back. He had nice forearms to go with the rest of him.

I laughed.

He patted his stomach. "My refrigerator is close to empty, and I made a pot of coffee only to realize I had nothing to go with it. I'd like two blueberry muffins. I'm hoping they'll inspire me to write that chapter."

I put two muffins in a bag and waved off payment. "On the house. Anything to help a struggling writer."

Cade's smile faded some. "You sounded a little lost yesterday when I texted you."

"It was kind of a rough day, but I'm determined to put it behind me."

"Well, I'm chained to a keyboard this morning, but maybe we can meet up later."

"I'd like that."

Cade lifted the bag with the muffins. "Thanks for the inspiration."

"Just don't feed them to the squirrels," I said as he walked out.

Two more customers came in a few minutes later. Ronald and Dick had lived in Ripple Creek for years. They were two of the regular chess players down at the park. "Well, it's rude for them not to at least call. They said they'd be at the park for the first round of games," Ronald was saying as they stepped inside.

"Morning, guys," I said. "Trouble at the chess tables?"

Dick straightened his cap. "We were expecting Cameron and his friend, Daniel, to show up, but no sign of them. Rusty was also a no-show, and no one is answering their phones.

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