Slapping them on the counter, she next reveals two huge containers of cream cheese. “We thought this might help you get through the morning rush.” With that she turns around and heads out the door calling, “Glad to have you back,” on her way out.
“Where’s she going?” Katy slides up beside me so quietly I didn’t hear her come in through the kitchen. She places an oversized box on the counter. The top is cut out to showcase the large selection of doughnuts inside. “I thought I’d drop these off before work. They won’t be as good as yours, but they’ll work for a day. Also you need to do something about the sign.”
“Thanks and what?” I pop open the top of the box sizing up which one I’m going to eat first.
“The huge pieces of plywood. How will anyone know you’re open?” she asks, her hands waving around in front of her.
“Um… I don’t know?”
She pushes the containers of cream cheese closer. “And these need to go in the fridge. I know how you are with your temperatures.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I grab the containers only to have Tabitha swipe them from my hands.
“I’ll take care of them for you, boss,” she says flitting back to the kitchen.
What is going on with people this morning?
Everything is happening at once and it feels like a hundred people are giving me directions but nothing is getting through.
Katy taps her fingernails on the counter a few times and says, “Don’t worry about the sign. I’ll take care of it.” She steps away from the counter so fast I don’t question her motives. The glass in the door rattles, but this time not someone knocking. The peaceful morning outside is stolen by the rumble of loud black exhaust as what has to be fifty bikers stop by the side door. Next to them, blocking the entire side street, parks a big white delivery truck with no markings on the side.
“Oh my,” Pearl says cocking her head in my direction and giving me a “you poor thing look” I’m not really sure what to make of. “You better go outside and take care of that before Bennett brings all the boys down here.”
The words “he wouldn’t do that” get stuck in my throat because he totally would. I grab a pink apron off the hook and run outside tying it around my back.
“What the heck is this?” I ask once I reach the curb and come face to face with Dom. He’s not wearing a helmet and the only protection on his body are some leather chaps and a sleeveless vest. I don’t think the numerous patches would keep him safe from all the road rash he would get if he had an accident, but that’s not something I’m ready to say to the burly biker.
Dom laughs, his eyes catching a ray of early morning sun. It makes him appear almost friendly. Not the intimidating man I met in the hospital waiting room. Then I look behind him to the five bikers waiting on his orders and get nervous.
“It’s a small delivery. A little something to help you get restarted today.”
“Well, thank you, but I can’t accept this.” Everyone’s generosity is so nice, but whatever Dom has on the truck is too much.
He laughs again like whatever I’m saying isn’t important at all. “Sweetheart, I’m not asking you to accept it. I’m telling you I’m delivering it to your kitchen.”
“Oh.” That’s all I have. Oh. I’d like to think that given more time I’d have a better argument for him, but unlike Bennett whose presence I find sweet and caring, Dom’s large frame is intimidating. So even though I should argue, I don’t.
Katy sticks her head out of the bakery door. “Bring it around back.”
Dom nods his head once in her direction and with two fingers flicks them toward the back of my store. All the bikes rumble to life and follow the truck to the back parking lot, Dom with them.
I’d like a few minutes to gather my wits before heading back into the bakery and figuring out what I’m going to do with the food that’s already been dropped off and find out what the heck Dom is planning to leave in my kitchen, but I don’t get more than fifteen seconds of peace before a red truck comes to a stop where Dom’s bike sat a moment ago.
Riley, Ridge’s brother, steps out leaving his truck running. “Katy said you needed some spray paint?”
He thrusts a white paper bag my direction, but I step back refusing to take it. “Spray paint?”
“Riley, you made it. Don’t worry I’ve got it. Tabitha is overseeing the delivery in the back. I’ll help Riley with the sign.”
“The sign?” Unsure what she’s talking about, I check around me. Besides the times we’re open listed on the front door, I’ve never had a sign made up. I’d need to name the place before I could order a sign.
“You can’t keep sending me to take things from my dad’s hardware, Katy,” Riley chastises her as the two of them walk to the front of the store.
I don’t have any more mental space to deal with whatever they’re going to do, so I decide to look the other way and deal with what’s going on inside the bakery. Cutting brownies doesn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore.
“I think the coffee is done,” Pearl says as she pours herself a cup from the coffee pot behind the counter. “I hope you don’t mind me making myself at home.”
I shrug. “Why not?” Not like I run this place anymore.
