Waylon chuckled, patting me on the back. “Just remember, life’s too short to let opportunities pass you by. You never know what could come of this project if you let yourself be open to it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I promised, touched by his words. “And you remember that you’re not your mother. You’re not a natural-born matchmaker. You need to work on your subtlety.”
Jasper let out a bark of laughter. “If you think Ms. Ruth is subtle about her matchmaking, you obviously haven’t been one of her victims. She’s about as subtle as a sledgehammer.”
Just then, Shiloh emerged from the bakery, his apron replaced with a casual jacket. “Ready to go?” he asked, his eyes meeting mine.
“Absolutely,” I replied, giving Waylon a nod of appreciation before following Shiloh down the street.
6
SHILOH
The moment Teddysuggested we celebrate the agreed-upon renovations at the Towne Tap, my stomach rumbled loudly. It was possible I’d forgotten to eat today, and the local tavern was known for its juicy burgers and ice-cold beers. It was the perfect place to unwind after our meeting and a long day in the kitchen.
The air was heavy with the lingering scent of sizzling beef and hops, and the warm glow of neon signs illuminated the worn wooden floor and polished bar.
“Hey guys! Have a seat wherever you like,” the bartender called out, wiping down a glass with a white towel. We chose a small, slightly wobbly table by the window. The light from outside cast playful shadows on the plastic red-and-white checkered tablecloth.
A server approached as we settled in, her pen poised over a small notepad. “What can I get you guys?”
“I’ll have the house burger with a side of sweet potato fries, please,” I said, handing the menu back.
Teddy ordered the jalapeño popper burger with onion rings and a beer for each of us. As we waited for our food, I couldn’t help but notice how the sound of laughter from the old men mingled with the crackling of a vintage rock tune playing on the jukebox.
The rich aroma of the burgers cooking on the grill filled the air, and Teddy grinned at me. “You know, there’s something magical about the smell of a good burger,” he remarked.
I chuckled in agreement, my nose crinkling. “Why does it not surprise me that you’d wax poetic about grilled meat?”
“Hey now, that’s awfully stereotypical of you,” Teddy protested. I worried I’d actually offended him until he smiled broadly enough for a dimple to appear from beneath his thick, neatly trimmed beard.
“But is it an incorrect statement?” I countered. It had been a long time since I’d experienced this type of easy banter. I could get used to it.
When our drinks arrived, our fingers brushed against each other as we reached for our glasses. An electric jolt shot through me, but I tried to act unaffected. Teddy raised his glass, his eyes meeting mine with a warmth that made me feel as if the room had suddenly become a few degrees warmer. “To new friendships and tasty burgers,” he said.
“Cheers,” I replied, my voice a mix of excitement and nerves.
Our glasses clinked together, and we each took a long pull from our pints. I couldn’t help but be drawn to Teddy’s expressive eyes and the way his laughter crinkled the corners of them. Our conversation flowed as smoothly as the draft from the tap. Every time our eyes met, or his knee bumped mine, I felt the spark between us grow stronger.
“So,” I began, eager to learn more about him, “what do you do when you’re not making young bakers’ dreams come true or saving the good citizens of Harmony Grove from leaky faucets and rusty swings?”
He leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. “I’m really into woodworking. I love creating custom furniture pieces but most of what I build is smaller trinkets and jewelry boxes. They’re an easier sell at craft fairs, and they draw people to my booth. It’s actually been a good way to drum up a few bigger commissions.”
My interest was piqued, and I couldn’t help but smile. Not in a million years would I have imagined Teddy as an artsy guy. He certainly didn’t strike me as the type who’d be sitting at arts and crafts shows on the weekends. “That sounds amazing. I’d love to see your handiwork sometime.”
Teddy’s grin widened, and a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. “Well, you’re in luck, because you’ll be seeing my work every day once the bakery renovation is complete.”
I laughed, my heart fluttering with excitement. “I guess I will. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.”
As we finished our burgers and the last drops of our beers, Teddy looked at me with a playful smile. “There’s a little-known secret about this place. Would you like to see it?”
“Absolutely!” Curiosity piqued, I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation. While a lot of people complained about surprises, I loved them. Teddy stood and held out a hand, steadying me as I hopped off my stool. He dropped some cash on the table before I could reach for my wallet. “You don’t have to pay for mine.”
“I wanted to,” he insisted. I didn’t argue with him because we were already drawing the attention of the old men.
Teddy led me through the bar, weaving between tables. I followed closely, feeling a sense of adventure and excitement at the prospect of discovering a secret. We reached a nondescript door near the back of the establishment, and Teddy turned the handle before gesturing for me to step through first.
As I entered the space, I found myself in a dimly lit room. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with an eclectic mix of novels, and the warm glow from antique lamps cast a welcoming ambiance. A few plush armchairs were scattered throughout, and the faint scent of leather and old books permeated the air.
