Page 25 of Working For Her Sweet Treats

“I can offer another muffin.”

“Two.”

Jake has an easy acceptance of anything imperfect. Old wood, uneven coloring, muffins that lean slightly to one side. Maybe even women who make lists for their lists and panic when life refuses to follow them.

The rush finally eases twenty minutes later. Jake removes the apron, folds it with surprising care, and leaves it on the counter.

“I need to get to work.”

“You’ve already worked.”

“I mean the job that pays me.”

I glance at the mostly empty display. “This paid me.”

His gaze follows mine, and satisfaction crosses his face. Before he leaves, I place the most uneven apple crisp cheesecake muffin in a bag and hand it to him.

“This one didn’t meet Sweet Treats standards.”

Jake looks inside the bag. “What’s wrong with it?”

“It rose unevenly.”

He studies the crooked top, then takes a bite.

“Still good.”

“I knew you’d say that.”

He pauses near the door. “You don’t have to throw something away just because it didn’t turn out exactly the way you planned.”

The words strike closer than he could possibly know. Jake wipes his boots before stepping onto the sidewalk, even though he is leaving rather than entering.

I watch through the window as he walks toward his truck with the muffin in one hand. Loralee comes to stand beside me.

“You’re smiling, Ava.”

“I had an excellent morning.”

“Because of the display?”

“Yes.”

“The customers?”

“Obviously.”

“The man in the pink apron?”

I turn toward the register. “We need more caramel apple muffins.”

She follows me behind the counter. “Avoidance is still an answer.”

I retrieve the mixing bowl and begin measuring flour. She is wrong, or at least mostly wrong. Still, when I notice a muddy print near the front door, I do not reach for the mop immediately. I let it stay there a little longer.

Chapter 6

Jake