The repairman from Nashville had no-showed again so Sam had pulled out his American Express Black Card and had a new stove installed earlier in the week. Chloe had been reluctant to let him take care of the oven repair but in truth, he’d been a big help. She was exhausted. The last week of going in to Valentino’s kitchen at midnight—though she was grateful the owner, Ord, had allowed her access—and working all night and then most of the day at the bakery was taking a toll.
She was still managing the roof repair, which was finally underway after all the rain. But for now, she had to get ready for Sophie and Eric’s cake testing.
“Laura Kate, this is ready.” Chloe stepped away from the table, stretching her lower back. Stiff and sore joints from hovering over tables while kneading dough and squeezing piping bags was an occupational hazard.
Chloe’s phone buzzed with a text. Vivienne.A few minutes, chére. Please.
Yes, yes, of course. She’d meant to call her last week, but she’d lost all track of time working fifteen-hour days. Chloe did a bit of time math—Vivienne was seven hours ahead—and replied that she’d call at five p.m. Paris time. It would be good to talk with Vivienne and Albert, to hear what they had to say, maybe just to reminisce about their only child, but to also allow Chloe to ask for a bit of space to heal. In time she knew she’d come to love remembering their only son, who had been her first true love. Her fifteen-year-old crush on Sam Hardy didn’t really count.
Pulling the cake samples out of the walk-in, Chloe added a few delicate touches to show them decorating options. Sophie said they’d arrive a little after four. Then Chloe was heading home for a long, long nap. She’d leave the shop to Sam and his fans. The image of him surrounded by Rock Mill High footballers, and even some boys from surrounding schools, made her smile. He had a way about him. Like he made everyone feel seen, feel special. He doubted his ability to be a good husband and father but more and more, she saw he had more nurturing genes than any man she’d ever known. Even Jean-Marc.
Although as much as she admired and yes, loved him, that didn’t mean she was a hundred percent ready to take the relationship deeper. However, the things Mom said the other night still resonated in her mind. She’d given her a lot to think about. Chloe and Sam were growing closer. They’d shared secrets they’d told no one else. Well, now Mom knew Chloe feared the next man she loved would die in some tragic way. As much as Dad and Jean-Marc hadn’t intended to die, she fought a sense of abandonment.
God, where were you in those moments?Could He have saved them?
Chloe startled when she felt a large, warm palm on her head. God? When she reached up, she felt something. A finger, perhaps? The same way she had that night with Mom. Her tears gathered along with a low laugh. “Okay, God, I get it. You are always with me even when I can’t see or feel You. Even when I’m not sure I really believe in You.”
At that moment, Chloe instinctively knew this odd experience was unusual and it would not last. She should be grateful. She should become a Believer.
She’d just turned her chair to face the back of the office and have a conversation with God when Ruby knocked on the doorjamb. “Sophie and Eric are here. They said they’s early but I know you want to get on out of here and home for some sleep. Girl, have I told you lately you’re my hero?”
“Hero? No, but, um, thank you, Ruby.” Chloe was touched. Truly.
“I can darn well tell you Donna wouldn’t have worked all night baking at another location and then worked all the next day. If Bob couldn’t get the oven fixed, she’d have just stayed home.” Ruby’s attention remained on Chloe with a glow of admiration, then she seemed to catch herself, blushed, and turned back for the kitchen.
Whoa! Forget a Michelin star, she’d take a Ruby-bestowed compliment instead. Too bad she had no time to soak in the praise—she had a cake testing to manage.
Sophie and Eric sampled five cakes. Three made by Chloe and two by Laura Kate. In the end, the debate came down to two. Chloe’s vanilla butter cake swirled with chocolate and Laura Kate’s red velvet with layers of cream cheese frosting and cherries.
“What do you think, babe?” Eric said, standing suspiciously near the red velvet.
“I think we get both. The vanilla for the cake cutting and the red velvet for the groom’s cake.”
“Done.” He leaned to kiss her. “Now I know why I’m marrying you.”
“I have excellent taste, that’s why. And killer problem-solving skills.” Sophie beamed the way every bride-in-love should beam.
Chloe had beamed like that once. Could shebeamagain? For Sam?
Laura Kate worked up the order and Sophie placed her down payment. Chloe headed for the office to work on the bank deposit. She’d drop it there on her way home.
Laura Kate’s expression made her pause.
“I can’t believe it,” Laura Kate exclaimed as she gathered up the testing plates and forks. “They loved my cake.”
“It was delicious, Laura Kate,” Chloe said. “You’re a talented baker. Time to believe in yourself. And”—she gripped the girl’s shoulders—“Clean. Your. Workstation.”
Laura Kate laughed. “You may be asking the impossible. I couldn’t keep my room clean even with Mama helping me.”
“Have you ever thought about…” Chloe hesitated. Did she want to put in Laura Kate’s head that she could have a monster career in a bigger establishment? With her comedic way of baking and decorating, she could have her own television show or at the very least, a YouTube channel. “Have you ever thought about moving, getting a job with a bigger bakery or even a restaurant? I know you don’t have the credentials, but I could give you a recommendation that would go a long way. Shoot, we should film you working and send it to the Food Channel.”
“Oh, I love that channel.Dining with Joyis my favorite show. She’s hilarious. But leave Hearts Bend?” Laura Kate’s faraway expression said more than any words. “I think I’d die of homesickness. But I do love the idea of travel and I love the scenes from the British baking shows. I have a whole folder of pictures of places all around France on my computer. I’ll go someday. I promise.”
Speaking of promises—Chloe had to return Vivienne’s call. A sudden urge, a homesickness, hit her to hear her mother-in-law’s voice. Chloe closed herself in the office before dialing the familiar number.
“Chloe.Ma chérie. How are you?” Vivienne’s voice, warm and welcoming as ever.
“’Allo, Vivienne. I’m well. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. I got a job here at home and we’ve been rather busy. How are you and Albert?”
