I played my role, chatting with the new guests and fetching more food as it was needed, but I kept one eye on the door the entire time.
After the last guest left, I helped clean up, then packed a bag with items from breakfast and walked it to Brady’s cabin. I knocked once and he didn’t answer, so now I’m knocking a second time.
Still no answer.
“Brady?” I call, looking at my watch. He should be back from his run by now.
Walking around the back of the small structure, I peer in through the small, covered back porch. Either he’s sitting still as a statue, or there’s nobody inside.
Trudging up to the main house, I put away the food and pour myself another cup of coffee. When my cup is empty and I’m done paging through a magazine, I get up and rinse my cup. Really it’s just an excuse to stand at the sink and stare out the window.
No sign of Brady.
I go upstairs, check my phone, and when I don’t see any calls or texts from him, I take a long, hot shower. The water works on my nerves, soothing them.
Everything is okay. There’s no need to be worried about him.
I dry my hair. I curl my hair. I even put on makeup. Still, nothing from him.
Downstairs, I run into my grandma in the kitchen. “Do you need anything from town?” I ask her. “I have to go do all the shopping for ingredients.”
“I always need something,” she says, opening the fridge and looking through its contents.
She rattles off a few things and I write them down. While she busies herself doing various things, I write out my list of what I will need to make butterscotch blondies, blueberry muffins with streusel topping, and lemon cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting. Brady inspired my third choice. I’m switching it up by adding lemon curd filling.
I do my shopping slowly, trying hard not to check my watch every few minutes and totally failing. It’s almost lunchtime and I’m getting worried.
While I’m in town, I kill some time with Charlie, who is blessedly available when I call her.
“I’m so happy you were free,” I tell her, sliding into a seat across from her at the coffee and tea shop.
“Me too,” she winds her hands around a warm cup of herbal tea. “Here I thought I was getting my summer buddy back, then Brady went and snatched you up.” She grins to let me know she doesn’t mind that much.
Despite my concern about Brady’s whereabouts, and my guilt stemming from Shannon’s messages, I smile. “He’s amazing, Charlie. Truly. He makes it hard to think about anything beyond being with him.”
“I hope he doesn’t make it hard for you to practice for the competition. I’ve met the latest entrant and she is a real bitch.”
I choke on a laugh, surprised at the word that just came from Charlie’s sweet mouth.
“What?” Charlie says, crossing her arms stubbornly. “She is.”
“I know. I’ve met her. Twice.” My lip curls at the memory. “She’s going to be one of those dark horses. She doesn’t look or act like a baker, and thenbam!Her treats make everyone orgasm at first bite.”
“Hah!” Charlie laughs, then coughs on her mouthful of tea. “You sound like Amanda.”
“I think everyone has a bit of Amanda in them now and again.” I sip my tea, a calming vanilla Rooibos. No more caffeine for me. I’m hyped enough as it is. “How are you feeling?” I look down at Charlie’s belly as I ask the question.
“I can’t see my feet anymore,” she says cheerfully.
I laugh, glancing under the table. I don’t have the heart to tell her one flip-flop is black and the other is hot pink. “I can’t wait to snuggle your baby.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Is that right? Are you and Brady going to start working on that?”
“It’s a little soon for that,” I murmur, distracted as I peer out the window we’re seated beside, hoping that perhaps Brady will just appear on the sidewalk and my worries will be assuaged.
No such luck.
Charlie and I chat for a little longer, then she announces she needs to take a nap. It reminds me of Lennon.
