Taryn let go of him. Her breathing was haggard, and her lips swollen.
“I’d love to keep…dancing, but the cakes await.” Longing filled her eyes.
He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see if there’s anything I need to pick up before I walk home.”
She smiled up at him. “Thanks for the company and the dance. I can’t wait until tomorrow.”
“Me, either.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed each knuckle. “As soon as you finish the cakes, go to bed. You’re going to need all your energy for tomorrow night. We’re going to dance the night away.”
Chapter Eighteen
Saturday morning, Jaydenhelped Taryn load the cakes into her car. He would follow her over, help her unload, and then go to the bakery to work with Carl. She would run home, change clothes, and return in time for the ceremony.
“It’s a beautiful day for a wedding.” Jayden carried one of the groom’s cakes. “I hate we won’t be open tonight, but everyone’s burnt out from working double and split shifts.”
“We’ll take a hit, but everyone needs a break.” Herself included, and she hadn’t wanted to miss the wedding.
Jayden gently closed her hatchback. “See you over there.”
A few minutes later, she parked at the winery on the outskirts of town. She hopped out of the car and went to check out the layout.
Two steps inside, she froze.
The room was empty. None of the banquet tables were set up. No cake table. Nothing.
A man ran into the room. “You’re the baker.”
“Yes.”
“I’m Tomas, the manager.” He pulled out a table. “There’s been a…misunderstanding.”
“With staffing?”
He blew out a breath. “Someone called last night claiming to be the groom and canceled the wedding. No one notified me, but they took it upon themselves to call everyone scheduled to work today and tell them not to come in. I phoned Mr. Winslow this morning to see if he’d called, but he said he hadn’t.”
Nick Baxter. Taryn grimaced. It had to be him. The guy had it out for Brandt and anyone involved in his wedding, including her.
“I notified the employees, but some had made other plans, so we reached out to the catering company. We’re a little behind, but as soon as people show up, we’ll have everything ready.”
Maybe, but she could call others now.
“Give me a minute.” Tomas’s breathing was ragged and his face red. “I need to bring out the linens. Those are ready, but aren’t out here.”
As he hurried into a room, she sent a text to Garrett and a few others, telling them what happened. Anna was the maid of honor, so Taryn didn’t notify her. She didn’t want Callie to worry.
Taryn tucked her phone in her pocket. “What can I do to help?”
Tomas’s eyes gleamed. He pulled out a floor plan for the room. “Set up the cake table?”
She took a picture of the paper. “Of course. I asked a few friends to come over and help until your staff arrives.”
He wiped his eyes. “Thank you. This has never happened. The wedding coordinator was on her way to Seattle. She’s turned around, but…”
“It’ll work out.” Taryn sounded more confident than she felt, but she would not let Nick Baxter ruin her friends’ wedding.
“What the…” Jayden stared in disbelief.
“Nick struck again.” She showed him her phone. “We need to make this room look like that, starting with the cake table.”
