“Don’t sass me, Addison Louisa West.”
Addison laughs.
“I’ve been on this planet long enough to have learned something, and here’s what I know. Good things have something in common with bad things. They come whether you’re ready for them or not. You just have to be brave enough to grab on to them.”
I’d like to say I feel guilty for listening in on their conversation, but I don’t.
Backing up a few feet to the living room, I take a breath and call out for Louisa.
She pokes her head through the doorway, tucking a strand of gray hair behind her ear as her gaze darts back into the room behind her.
“Hey, Brady,” she says, straightening and walking closer. “What can I do for you?”
Tucking my hands into my shorts pockets, I roll back onto my heels and ask, “Can I borrow your car? This will be the last time, I promise.”
Addison’s head appears in the hall. “Why for the last time? Are you leaving?” Her voice is high-pitched, her eyebrows squishing together and her head flinching back a little, as if her concern has caused her physical pain.
“No,” I assure her, one hand extending into the air between us.
She steps all the way from the laundry room. Her eyebrows have returned to their normal position. “Good,” she says, her voice taking on a forcibly relaxed tone.
“Would it upset you if I left?”
Addison’s gaze flits between me and Louisa. There is laughter in Louisa’s eyes, and though I’m lacking the mirror that can affirm my suspicion, I’m certain my smile has turned into more of a smirk.
“If you left, who would eat the products of my adventures in baking?”
My mouth waters at the thought of those carrot cake muffins and butterscotch blondies. “Everyone, Addison. That’s why you’re going to win the competition and be the proud new owner of the bakery.”
“That’s right,” Louisa adds, making a fist and pumping it into the air. “Brady, you can borrow my car if you stop at the store and grab strawberries. Addison’s making strawberry shortcake for me tomorrow.”
Louisa shuffles from the room. As soon as she’s gone, Addison moves in closer. “For a second there I thought you were pulling the dine-and-dash version of a goodbye.”
I grab her hip and pull her in closer. Her surprised inhale catches in her throat.
“Never,” I growl. “There’s a truth I forgot to share with you earlier.”
She tilts her head back, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
I lean closer, so my lips brush her ear and her scent fills me. “I like you, too.”
A slow smile takes over her face. “Those are words I like to hear.”
“Here you go,” Louisa calls out. Was she perhaps doing what I’d done just a few moments ago? Maybe she’d heard our conversation and backed away.
Addison steps back, her blue eyes holding excitement.
I turn to Louisa, taking the keys from her outstretched hand. “I’ll make sure this gets back to you in one piece.”
Louisa waves a hand. “It would be hard to hurt that beast.”
With a wink at Louisa and a wave to Addison, I leave the house.
* * *
“Hey, man.”I toss the bag holding the requested strawberries into the passenger seat of the Jeep and turn, offering a hand to the guy approaching me. He looks to be in his mid-forties, and he’s wearing a short-sleeved plaid shirt and khaki cargo shorts. “I’m Brady Sterling. Nice to meet you.”
“Ralph Henson. Nice to meet you too, Brady.” He shakes my hand with exuberance. “I have to say, I was surprised when you called. Haven’t had a single call about this truck in three weeks.”
