“So, I have cookies to bake without a map. My first day and I’m failing. With my boss standing right here.”
“I feel as responsible as you, Chloe,” Sam said, making his way to the sink to wash his hands. “Look, just make any cookie.”
“Sam, do not blaspheme in this kitchen. You cannot sell just any cookie,” Ruby said. “Folks want the Triple Chocolate Fudge Caramel, the TCFC Delight. I’ve already had a dozen calls to reserve their two.”
“Oh my gosh, what am I going to do?” Chloe paced and Sam wondered if she felt like she was back in the Paris bistro, pressured by the intensity of an upscale, fast-paced restaurant. “Ruby, do you have a picture? Anything? Triple Chocolate Fudge Caramel. I’ll need chocolate, fudge, and caramel. What else?”
While Chloe labored over the unexpected, Sam wandered into the front of the bakery. He really didn’t know why he was here today except he’d woken up in his Nashville loft overlooking the river and wanted to go home. He wanted to see Haven’s. See Chloe, if he was being honest. After a few calls with the director of his charity, he’d driven over to HB.
Now, he was talking to a couple of customers, signing autographs on Haven’s napkins when the bakery door chimed as another customer entered. He heard a familiar gasp and steeled himself. “Have a good day,” he said to the customer before turning to Janice, his stepmother.
“Sam?” Janice stepped forward to hug him then stopped short, self-consciously dropping her arms to her sides. “Why are you in town? Frank is so pleased you’re coming to his party. He couldn’t stop grinning when I told him you accepted.”
“Don’t make too much of it, Janice. Dr. Morgan pressured me into going.” And there was the small matter of Frank not knowing he’d purchased Haven’s. He’d like to keep it that way.
Her smile faded for a moment then she rebounded, raising her chin. “Well, Joann is a good friend. So…what are you doing here now?”
Really good question. “Dr. Morgan.” It was mostly true. He was going to be in town more often to see her. Just not today.
“She’s the best.” Janice turned to the bakery case. “Ruby, do you have my cookies? Frank’s must-have Friday night dessert.”
“The Triple Chocolate Fudge Caramel?” Sam said.
“Yes, the TCFC. When Donna started making them about ten years ago, HB went nuts.”
“We don’t have the cookies, Janice.” Ruby, in a very flat tone.
“Whyever not?”
“Well, Sam here?—”
“Just overheard from the new manager that Donna didn’t leave the recipes behind. Chloe’s looked everywhere.” He sighed and said something he couldn’t take back. “I even helped her look.”
“You helped Chloe? The new manager? Meredith’s daughter?” Questions flickered in Janice’s eyes. “Why in the world would you?—”
As if she knew he needed rescuing, Chloe emerged from the kitchen and drew Janice’s attention. “Hello, dear, your mom told me you were back from France.” Janice glanced at the bakery counter then at Chloe. “I came for our TCFC order, but Sam here tells me you can’t find the recipe.”
“Donna didn’t leave any recipes. At least not that we can find.”
“Heaven help you, this town is going to go crazy on you. Frank and I will be fine, but best say your prayers. You’ll have a hangry mob here any minute looking for their Friday afternoon fix.”
The look on Chloe’s face…sheer terror. “A hangry mob.”
Nothing worse than angry, hungry people. Sam had seen that in some of his teammates.
“Ah, come on, darling,” Janice said. “You’re made of better stuff. Just tell the hangry folks you’ll have the cookie next week. You’ve called Donna, right? See if you can’t dig up the recipe. Now, as long as I’m here, I might as well order Frank’s birthday cake. I was going to get it from a fancy place in Nashville, but I suppose a cake from an authentic French pastry chef would be a showstopper. You do have a cake recipe, don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am, cakes are my specialty.”
Janice explained the ’60s-themed party for Frank’s sixtieth birthday while Sam flanked Chloe, hoping to provide a calming influence. What were they going to do about the cookies?
Sam gave Ruby a look that told her to call Donna again. Meanwhile, he pulled out his phone, texted Rick. We need Donna’s recipes. There’s a special cookie everyone will want today!
He returned to the booth he’d occupied earlier and waited for Rick’s response. Meanwhile, Chloe talked about the cake order with Janice in another booth nearby.
“Give me a few days to come up with ideas. I’m just getting my bearings,” Chloe said.
“Monday?”
