Because one thing remained certain.
If he returned home to Poppy Creek for Luke Davis’s wedding, it would be impossible to avoid Eliza Carter.
Chapter 2
The smell of fresh paint and sawdust overwhelmed the lingering aroma of buttery cinnamon rolls—a hefty price to pay for the bakery’s new and improved look. Ever on an emotional rollercoaster, Eliza vacillated between excited and pensive with each new change.
“I’m so glad Maggie promised to make her cinnamon rolls on opening day. Whenever that will be,” Eliza added with a discouraged grimace. The remodel was already two weeks behind schedule.
She brushed her fingertip against the white brick wall, checking to see if the paint had dried. Eliza would have preferred the brick’s original ruddy color, but it had long been painted over with Pepto-Bismol pink. Not a good look in any decade. A truth that became a frequent topic of good-natured teasing between Eliza and the previous owner, Maggie Davis.
“At least the paint is finally dry!” Waving her unmarked finger, Eliza turned toward Cassie and Luke.
The two lovebirds quickly broke apart, blushing as Eliza caught them mid-smooch. She seemed to catch them canoodling quite often these days. Which both amused and amazed her. Just a few months ago, Luke Davis was a confirmed bachelor, devoting all his time to helping others at the expense of his love life. But Eliza knew the instant Cassie Hayward waltzed into town that she’d be the one woman to win Luke’s heart. And, eventually, the heart of everyone in Poppy Creek.
Chuckling, Eliza planted one hand on her hip, feigning disapproval. “No wonder we’re behind schedule. This is the last time I hire a work crew that’s getting married in a couple of weeks. Those shelves aren’t going to hang themselves, you know.”
“Sorry, Liza.” Luke slid both arms around Cassie’s waist and gazed adoringly into her affection-filled eyes. “I just can’t believe she’ll be mine in less than a month.” He kissed the tip of Cassie’s nose, and Eliza groaned.
“Honestly, if you two weren’t my best friends, I wouldn’t hang out with you anymore,” she teased. “Your cheesiness is out of control.”
Cassie laughed. “You mean best friendandbusiness partner.”
Eliza’s gaze traveled the expansive space, mentally noting their ever-growing to-do list. “It’s not much of a business yet. Unless customers want to buy a turn at the hardwood floor buffer instead of pastries and coffee.”
“Not a bad idea,” Luke chuckled. “We can sell tickets. The pressure washer is pretty fun, too.”
“Did someone say pressure washer?” Jack Gardener, owner of the local diner and barbecue aficionado, strolled through the front door carrying two takeout bags. The tangy scent of his signature barbecue sauce instantly flooded the room. “I’ll trade these pulled pork sandwiches for a go with it.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” Luke slapped his friend on the shoulder before nabbing one of the brown paper bags.
“Perfect.” Jack grinned. He pulled out a chair and wiped off the inch of sawdust before lowering his burly frame. “By the way, did you guys know your sign is crooked?”
Eliza released a heavy sigh. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Can’t we fix it after lunch?” Cassie asked, sitting so close to Luke they might as well have shared the same seat.
“It’ll take me two seconds. Start without me.” Eliza grabbed the ladder leaning against the wall by the front door and dragged it outside.
Blinking a few times, it took her dark eyes a minute to adjust to the brilliant afternoon sunlight.
Across the street, Mac Houston, owner of the mercantile, fussed with an unruly display of onions. More than one toppled to the ground as Mac waved at Bill Tucker and his pet pig, Peggy Sue, who strutted on her leash as proudly as a prized poodle, a trail of chubby, curly-tailed piglets waddling behind her.
The small town of Poppy Creek buzzed with life in late spring, but the real rush of activity wouldn’t start for a few more weeks when school ended and droves of city folk flocked to the foothills for summer adventures like hiking, canoeing, and spelunking.
Eliza set the ladder on the sidewalk, struggling to find firm footing on the uneven cobblestone.
Finally satisfied she wouldn’t fall and break her neck with the faintest gust of wind, she climbed a few rungs until she could reach the hand-carved sign Luke had made them.
The Calendar Café.
Eliza’s stomach fluttered with nerves every time she glimpsed the new name.
Taking over the bakery after Maggie Davis retired was monumental. Luke’s mother had worked tirelessly to turn the place into a town institution for locals and tourists alike. Plus, Eliza still felt indebted to the older woman. Not many people would have hired a pregnant teen with zero professional baking experience.
Swallowing the lump of gratitude lodged in her throat, Eliza tugged the metal chain securing the wooden sign to the eave.
The motion disturbed the ladder’s precarious footing, and before Eliza could cry for help, it teetered toward the ground.
