Laura Kate reached under, pulled out the box, and set it on the table. “Do you think it’sthebox of recipes? How did we not see it before?”
“Great question. We practically took this place apart looking.”
Chloe’s heart thumped in anticipation as she lifted the lid and peered inside. Shoot. She slapped the lid closed and shoved it toward Laura Kate.
“No recipe?” Laura Kate looked inside and laughed. “Empty yeast envelopes. That’s so Donna. She saved them for some unknown reason. Ruby and I found a trash bag full of them in the storage closet last fall.”
Chloe instructed her to throw them out and to put the box on her desk. Might as well keep it as part of Haven’s history.
“Chloe,” Ruby said, peering through the kitchen doors. “Mrs. O’Shay would like a word.”
“Tell her I still haven’t discovered the TCFC.”
“No, it’s not about that…something else. But she didn’t say what.”
Mrs. O’Shay waited just beyond the kitchen doors. There was a good chance she heard Chloe’s comment, but it was too late now.
“My granddaughter is coming home from Lauchtenland next week and I’d like a half dozen of those beautiful flower cupcakes.” She pointed to the case at Laura Kate’s oversized cupcakes decorated with dahlias and roses. “Scottie’s coming with her sister-in-law. Gemma’s visiting her parents.”
“We’d be happy to make them.” Cupcakes for a real-life princess. Local gal Gemma Stone had married the crown prince of Lauchtenland last year. Chloe had never made a pastry for a prince or princess while living in Paris. A duke, but not a prince. A check in the plus side for Hearts Bend.
“Also, I was a bit hard on you about the cookie. You know us small-town Southerners. Traditions die hard, which is why I give you my promise of support with the town council. Haven’s is a Hearts Bend staple, a landmark, an artery in the heartbeat of this town and I’ll not let the town council cater to the whims of modern chain restaurants and money grubbers.” She ended her impassioned speech with a wave to her ladies-in-waiting and walked out the door.
Chloe stared at Ruby. “What was that about?”
“I have no idea. I didn’t hear a word after she said the crown princess of Lauchtenland was coming to Hearts Bend next week.”
Love helping @SamHardyQB15 recover from knee surgery. ;-) #Everready
– @CurvyCarla on Twitter
Titans need a QB at 100%, not a washed-up has-been. #DumpSamHardy
– @No.1TitansFan on Twitter
Looking forward to getting back on the field! Knee feels great and #thisseasonwillbeawesome has a nice *ring* ? to it. My therapists are the best! Highly recommend @DrJMorganSportsMedicine in Hearts Bend.
– @SamHardyQB15 on Twitter
Sam finished his last set of foot slide exercises at his Thursday morning session at Dr. Morgan’s clinic. As soon as his therapist, Jimbo, released him, Sam planned to head for the bakery.
He needed to check on his investment. See how the pretty, green-eyed baker was getting along with that stupid cookie recipe. Though he needed to be careful. Too many appearances in town beyond the doctor’s office was bound to cause a stir, and Frank would find out.
People of all ages and fitness levels were scattered around the therapy room, riding stationary bikes, doing leg presses, or other exercises. Some wore grimaces, some were sweating.
“Sam.” Dr. Morgan appeared behind his therapist. “Jimbo says you’re doing well.” Dr. “Mom” Morgan leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, looking more like a tennis pro than a renowned sports doctor.
“I’m planning to be at the Organized Team Activities in two months. I know they’re optional for me, but I always attend the OTAs, to set an example.” Sam slipped gingerly from the table. His knee always throbbed after therapy. He’d swallow a Tylenol or two with his cruller and chocolate milk.
“Janice said you’re coming to Frank’s party.” Dr. Mom, as he’d started calling her, handed Sam his knee brace.
“She cornered me at Haven’s.” He leaned against the therapy table to fasten the Velcro straps on the brace.
“Sam, I don’t know what’s between you and your father, but trust me, the body heals way faster when the heart is also whole.”
He scowled at her. “What world do you live in, Doc? No one’s heart is whole.”
“Perhaps not, but they are healed. You can’t get far with a wounded heart, Sam.”
