“Robin, you couldn’t be on time for the new boss’s first day?” The exasperation in Ruby’s voice was thick as fondant, but not nearly as sweet.
Robin flushed. “I had science labs to turn in. You’re the one that’s always on me not to neglect my studies.”
“As I was saying, I want to learn about the bakery and its business.” The double doors swung open, and Chloe turned to tell whoever it was they’d be right out to refill their coffee, but the words died on her lips.
Sam Hardy filled the kitchen with his broad, athletic presence.
“Well, butter my backside and call me a biscuit,” Ruby said. “What are you doing here so soon, Sam? Or should I say Boss?”
“Came to check on my investment.” His gaze landed on Chloe and stayed there. “Is it usual to have a bakery full of hungry customers and no one to sell them their afternoon crullers and donuts?”
“Seems if you don’t want folks to know you’re an owner, coming in every day and telling us how to run things isn’t the best way to go about it.” Ruby shook a finger at him. “Chloe, is your meeting over? We best get to work before Sam fires us all.”
“I should get back to the muffins,” Laura Kate said.
“Can I have a word?” Sam motioned to the office.
As much as she’d like nothing better than to sit and chat with Sam, she did notice the growing line out front. How had that happened so fast?
“I’d better help Ruby first.”
It took a few minutes to get the line served and Chloe made a quick round of the bakery, topping off coffee mugs. As she replaced the pot on the warmer, she nodded to the same ladies with coffee and pastries at the table under the window overlooking First Avenue. She’d finally placed the familiar face in the group.
“Ruby, isn’t that Octavia O’Shay?”
“Queen of O’Shay Shirts and of Hearts Bend? Yes, indeedy.”
After fifteen minutes, the dining room was clear and Chloe saw Sam sitting in a back booth. He motioned for her to join him.
“How’s it going?” he said. “Honestly.”
“First day. It’s fine, I think. Hard to tell.” She thumbed her left ring finger. “By the way, Jean-Marc, my husband, loved American football. He was a big fan of yours. He wanted to meet you.”
“I would’ve loved to have met him. Lucky man to catch you. I was sorry to hear about his accident.” Sam leaned back in the booth.
“I think I’m still getting over the shock,” she said. “But it’s nice being home. Being here. Thank you for the job.”
“Rick knows what he’s doing.” Sam smiled and she was once again the girl who’d loved him from afar in ninth grade all the way until she’d left for culinary school. But above all, he was Sam, her friend.
“So, my mom still works for your dad.”
“Yeah, I get messages from her sometimes. In lieu of Frank.” Sam nodded in the way one did when filtering through small talk. “Reminders of family gatherings at the holidays. I’m sure Frank puts her up to it.”
“Things aren’t better between you?” By Sam’s expression, she knew the answer.
“A work in progress,” he said. “No, not even that. But that’s another story. Is your mom glad you’re home? You said you’re here to help her with something?”
“She’s battling cancer.” She’d not really told anyone until now. But that was Sam, getting the secrets out of her heart. “I want to be here for her. I lost my dad and my husband. I’m not going to lose my mother. Especially when I’m four thousand miles away.”
“Chloe, I’m sorry. Anytime you need to take off to help her, do it. Even if you have to close the bakery.”
Tears welled up and she blinked them away. When would she be able to handle her emotions better? “Thank you.”
“Are you in your old room?”
Chloe laughed softly. “Yep. I think it makes both of us feel that life has stalled on us. Like, ‘Really, I’m living with my mother?’ Mom’s like, ‘Really, my daughter is back home?’”
“Give yourself a break, Chloe. Your husband died. That’s not a failure or like you gave up and moved home to mooch off Mom. Besides, she needs you. She may not say it, but I bet she’s glad to have you around.”
