I turned to find her already dressed, hair piled on top of her head in a messy knot that looked like she hadn’t overthought it and somehow made her even more dangerous to my focus.
“You hungry?”I asked.
“Starving,” she said, grabbing a mug and pouring herself coffee.“But I need to get to the bakery.I left it a mess last night because we were all too tired.”
I leaned against the counter, watching her move around her kitchen.“I’ll take you in.”
She glanced at me over the rim of her mug.“You don’t have to.”
“I know,” I said.“I want to.I’ll drop you off, then I’ll run and grab breakfast.”
That got a smile.“Okay.But if you’re getting breakfast, you better bring enough for Jessa and Owen.They’re opening with me.”
I huffed a laugh.“Noted.No one gets left out.”
“Good,” she said, satisfied.
I went to get dressed while she finished her coffee, and by the time I came back out, she was slipping on her boots.Salt and Pepper were already stationed by the door like they knew exactly what was happening.
“Everyone ready?”I asked.
Pepper wiggled.Salt sat.
“Guess that’s a yes,” Belle said.
We loaded up the truck with the dogs in the back seat, Belle beside me, and pulled out as the morning light crept over the town.
Belle rested her elbow on the door and watched out the window.
At the bakery, I walked her inside and flipped on the lights with her while she shrugged out of her coat.
“I’ll be back,” I said.“Don’t start without me.”
She smiled.“I don’t think you know the first thing about making gingerbread, Saint.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.“Yeah, you’re right, doll.”
Jessa and Owen showed up just as I was heading back out, both of them looking half-awake and curious.
“Morning,” Owen said.“You look suspiciously cheerful.”
“Breakfast is coming,” I replied.
That woke them up fast.
I took the dogs with me when I left.Pepper stuck his head out the window like it was the best day of his life, and Salt was steady and calm beside him.
I hit the café down the street and ordered enough breakfast sandwiches to feed an army.They had the best fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, sausage patties, melted cheese, all stacked on toasted brioche and wrapped up warm.I grabbed extra hash browns and a carrier of coffee just to be safe.
By the time I got back to Cookie Haven, the place already smelled like sweet sugar.
I set the bags on the counter, and Belle looked up like I’d delivered treasure.
“You’re a hero,” she said.
“I know,” I replied solemnly.
She laughed, leaned up on her toes, and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.“Thank you.”
