Garrett picked up a cell phone and handed it over. “Is this the newest model?”
“Yeah.” Brecken put it in his pocket. “Mr. Baxter accidentally dropped my old one in the lake when he took me and his kids fishing, so he bought it for me.”
Garrett shot her an I-told-you-so look. “Nick Baxter?”
Brecken nodded. “I babysit his kids. Before he drives me home, he lets me play his PS4. That system is fire. My old Xbox broke, so I don’t play games much.”
Garrett nodded. “That sure is nice of him.”
“Yeah, he’s an all-right guy.” Brecken held out his foot. “He got me these shoes when he noticed the holes in my other ones. I’ve never had a brand-new pair before. Pretty cool, huh?”
No, no, no.Taryn clutched a tree bark so hard her fingernails dug into the foam.
“Did Nick ever ask you to do something in return for the things he gave you?” Garrett folded the picnic tablecloth.
“He hasn’t been sketchy or creepy, if that’s what you’re worried about. I mean, Mr. Baxter hates Brandt Winslow, who’s always been nice to me. But Mr. Baxter thought Brandt and Callie should have ordered their wedding cake from Summit Ridge, not us, which I don’t understand because Mr. Baxter only consults with that bakery. He doesn’t own it.”
She hadn’t been sure of Nick’s involvement, but that made more sense given he was more of a tech guy—well, the business side of things—and had no background in retail or food.
“But he’s legit,” Brecken added.
Garrett came closer. “Legit, how?”
Brecken looked at Taryn. “Remember how you and Jayden dictate recipes into my phone, so my dyslexia doesn’t mess up me reading the directions?”
She nodded. “I’m sorry, we’ve been so busy and haven’t done any of the newer ones.”
“That’s okay because Mr. Baxter offered. He didn’t want me to bug you when you’re so busy with the patio and adding items to the menu.”
Garrett leaned closer to the teenager. “How did he help you?”
“I sent him a copy of the recipe, and he sent me recordings.” Brecken sounded so proud. “Pretty sweet, and I saved everyone all that time. Mr. Baxter called it a win-win.”
Taryn covered her mouth to keep from groaning. Brecken had no clue what he’d done. And in his defense, as Garrett would say, she’d never told Brecken not to share the recipes. Of course, she’d assumed the teenager would know not to do that.
She sighed.
Garrett’s face hardened. “Nick Baxter sounds like a real stand-up guy.”
Brecken nodded. “Mr. Baxter is. He always asks how Lawson’s is doing. Even though he works with the other bakery, he legit wants to help because Mr. Baxter grew up with Taryn, which is why he asked about our booth. He wanted the two bakeries to work together at the fair to help ours. Then you changed themes, but they stuck with it.”
Brecken might have graduated high school, but he was only eighteen. He’d led a sheltered life in the bubble known as Silver Falls. His family struggled financially, and Nick had used his wealth to take advantage of him. Flashing fancy items in front of a kid who’d lived in poverty his entire life was an abuse of power and circumstance.
She took a breath. “I need to tell you something.”
“What?” Brecken asked with the eagerness of a puppy.
So curious. So young. So naïve.
A vise clamped around her heart and tightened. “I don’t want to upset you, but you need to know…”
The teen’s face fell. “Are you okay? Or is it your mom and dad? Did something happen on their vacation?”
His concern was one hundred percent sincere, which made this more challenging.
Garrett touched her shoulder.
The simple gesture gave her strength. She took another breath.
