The Baker's Man by Moorman Jennifer

Author:Moorman, Jennifer [Moorman, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: baking, contemporary women, family, southern, magical realism, romance
Published: 2014-03-01T16:00:00+00:00

11

Bear Claws

Anna walked to the long piece of parchment paper she’d tacked to the wall in the kitchen. She studied the desserts she’d written down throughout the day. With Mystic Water’s Fall Festival happening in five days, she had a lot of work to do in order to prepare for her usual booth and for the auction. She added pumpkin pie to the list. It wasn’t Anna’s favorite dessert, but it was one of the most requested desserts in the fall.

“I think you should add your grandma’s coconut cake,” Eli said.

Anna and Eli hadn’t spoken much all morning other than basic pleasantries. She wasn’t sure how to act around him now, and he was careful to keep out of her way.

She didn’t turn to look at him when he spoke, and she tapped the marker against the list. “It takes three days to make that cake,” she said.

Anna felt Eli step farther into the kitchen. The air warmed, and she had a sudden craving for a warm cinnamon roll. She hazarded a glance his way. He looked so confident and calm. How was he adjusting to everything so easily when she felt like a toy car wound too tightly, ready to spring off into disaster?

“But everyone loves it. You can charge more for it, and people will pay. You know Mrs. Davenport will buy one. Doesn’t Mr. Heller buy two every year?”

Anna walked into the storeroom and tore off another long sheet of parchment paper. She tacked it to the wall beside the first one. Then she split the list into sections according to the days of the week. She started writing the baked goods beneath the day of the week they would need to be prepared.

“If we add even four coconut cakes, they’ll have to be started no later than Thursday. They’d need to be finished up Saturday morning, but we’re already swamped on Thursday. I have to cater Emma Haynie’s birthday party Thursday at noon. Most of Saturday morning will be spent making last-minute touchups and setting up the booth. The festival starts at eleven a.m. and runs until the fireworks that evening. I don’t see how we’ll have time to add them.”

Eli stood beside her, and she exhaled. He pulled the marker from her fingers. “Why don’t we start the coconut cakes on Wednesday? Let’s move the bear claws to Thursday. I’ll do them in the afternoon while you’re dropping off the party order. I’ll have the coconut cakes finished by Friday, and they can sit overnight in the cooler. The flavors will have more time to meld, and they’ll be even better for Saturday.” He scribbled coconut cakes—Eli beneath Wednesday. Then he smiled at her and put his arm around her shoulders, giving her a quick squeeze. “And you’re not doing this all by yourself. I’m here, and we’ll get everything done.”

Anna couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks.” Just when she was becoming too comfortable with his arm around her shoulders, he pulled away. The bell on the front door jingled, and Eli walked out to help the customer.

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