A Winter Promise by Natalie Charles

Author:Natalie Charles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cranberry Press

Chapter 6

Anna didn't make it over to Hedda's Bakery until late the next morning. She'd found it was the best time to visit the little bakery, anyway. There was a lull in their business between breakfast and lunch — the last remaining lull, since the business was rarely slow anymore.

"Good morning, Hank," she said to the man behind the counter. "Nice to see you."

"Anna. What a pleasant surprise."

Hank Mallory reminded her of a television sitcom dad, with salt-and-pepper gray hair and classically handsome features. He was wearing a blue apron and seemed to be writing something on a pad, but he set it aside as she approached. "I'm working on a new menu," he explained. "I get tired of baking the same thing day after day. Time to mix it up a little."

"I can understand that." Anna rotated her breakfast menu constantly so that she was never baking the same dish in any two-week period. "It keeps things interesting."

"Funny you use that word," he said, leaning one elbow against the pastry display. "Because I saw your email about the holiday festival. You're planning a Hanukkah party now?"

"That's right. It's just going to be a cocktail party at the inn. We'll light the menorah, spin a dreidel. You know."

"Uh huh." Hank's eyebrows pulled closer together. "Just so I understand: you want us to cater the event. With latkes."

"Correct. And any other Hanukkah-related dishes you think would be appropriate."

"Appropriate to serve with cocktails."

"Hanukkocktails. Yes."

Hank scratched gently at his temple. "You've given me a lot to think about here, Anna."

"Oh, great!" She clapped her hands together. "I know that whatever you come up with will be perfect."

Hank reached for the pad and pen, still frowning. "Challah something, maybe. Challah bread pudding?"

"That sounds wonderful," Anna said over her shoulder as she headed into the kitchen. "I'm clearly in good hands. I have to go upstairs to see Jessie. Mind if I take the back way?"

Hank waved a hand at her and wrote something down. Anna couldn't help but smile as she breezed through the simple white and stainless-steel industrial kitchen and out the back door. She'd been working with Hedda's Bakery for years, and Hank had never steered her wrong. As far as she was concerned, she didn't need to do any more planning for the Hanukkah party.

She headed up the back staircase to Jessie Mallory's chocolate shop. The entry was shielded by a pink-and-white polka dot awning, and the glass door read "Sweet Possibilities" in white swirling letters. Anna opened the door and heard a bell chime, followed by a wave of warm air. Jessie came bouncing out of the back room, her light-blonde hair pulled into a tight ponytail, her eyes shining. "Hi Anna! Are you here for the truffles?"

Anna had been ordering truffles for turndown service for over a year now — since back before Jessie had even opened her shop. "I'll take them if they're ready."

"They're ready. It will just be a minute." She lifted a hand and ducked into the back room.

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