Harlequin Heartwarming March 2016 Box Set by Karen Rock

Author:Karen Rock
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460395080
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

MONDAY MORNING, AND the doors of the new Sweetheart bakery opened to the public. Kelly had stopped at a party-supply store Sunday afternoon and had bought huge bunches of pink and red balloons that she’d grouped and tied around the front room. Megs had been in the kitchen since three that morning baking along with Tom. The display cases overflowed with doughnuts, cookies and coffee cakes. Gina, her cashier, and Kelly bagged and rang up purchases. They also encouraged every customer to enter the drawing for a free month of pastries. Soon the fishbowl was full of entries.

Megs stayed in the kitchen, mixing and baking more recipes, but she could hear the constant beeping of the cash register. A good sign.

She pushed the shortbread dough into the bar pan, then used a fork to poke holes into the smooth surface. The buttery aroma of the dough tickled her nose and she smiled. She was back, better than ever.

Midmorning, Megs took a break from the baking and walked into the front room. Kelly cleaned tables off as Gina rang up another customer. She noted the levels of the baked goods in the display cases. She’d need to bring out more buttermilk doughnuts once Tom finished frying them, and they could use more of the bear claws. “Sounds as though you’ve been busy out here.”

Gina nodded. “Since we opened the doors at seven. Everyone’s said how much they’ve missed us.”

“I’ve had to make about a dozen pots of coffee already.” Kelly paused from wiping down the table and put a fist in the small of her back and stretched. “I forgot how much stress this puts on my old body.”

“You’re barely over thirty.” Megs smiled at her sister. “But I appreciate how hard you’re working for me.”

Kelly grinned and returned to cleaning off the tables. The bell above the front door sounded, and Megs looked up, hoping to see Adam. Instead, Rick Allyn walked in and strode right up to the display case. “Please tell me you have bear claws. I’ve been craving one for months.”

Megs took a piece of tissue and pulled one out of the case for him. She put it in a pastry bag and handed it to him. “No charge, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate everything you did to help all of us.”

“Thank you, Megs, but I insist on paying.” He pulled out a five-dollar bill and handed it to Gina. “Keep the change.” He took the pastry out of the bag and paused. “Don’t tell my wife.” Then he took a big bite and left the bakery.

Gina rang up the bear-claw purchase and put the remainder of the change into the tip jar next to the register. The jar looked quite full already. “He’s probably the fiftieth person to leave a big tip. They’ve missed us.”

Megs nodded and walked to the cash register. She pressed a few buttons, then pulled out money, leaving enough to still make change. She’d get to the bank for their first deposit.

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