The mixer shimmied once,twice, then with a final groan shut off. Mia stood back and closed her eyes. The faint smell of warm sugar drifted up from the bowl. The engagement party was less than twenty-four hours away. Her delivery was delayed again. Now she had to spend time going to the grocery store to try to find fresh basil and mascarpone for the tomato tartlets.
On top of that, two of her helpers canceled. They were sick. Well … she was sick too.
Sick of working so hard.
Sick of having things go wrong.
Sick of …
Mia threw her hands up. Just sick.
But there was no time for self-pity. She scraped the buttercream from the bowl. Thankfully, she had backup appliances. They weren’t her favorite ones, but right now beggars couldn’t be choosy.
She was mumbling to herself when her dad shuffled into the barn kitchen. Mia noticed he was leaning more heavily than usual on the doorframe, one hand braced against the wood.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Fine,” he replied. “Little stiff. Sit too long and everything freezes.” He glanced around the kitchen. “You look like a woman three people short.”
“Try four.” Mia held up her phone. “My order is now officially ‘on the next truck,’ which may or may not get here today or tomorrow. And two of my helpers called out sick.”
“Speaking of help…” Her dad hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. “I know Caleb is stopping by later to give you an estimate for the event barn.” He bit his lip as if he were bracing for impact. “I have a big favor to ask.”
Oh, no. No. No. No.
Mia knew it had something to do with Roy.
“Roy wants to help.”
Mia frowned. “Help? He wants to help build a barn. Dad, he’s a handyman at best with no building experience.”
“He’s eager to learn,” her dad said gently. “It’ll be a good experience for him.”
Before she could argue, tires crunched outside. A dog barked once.
Caleb.
Could things get any crazier?
Caleb stepped into the doorway wearing a gray T-shirt that hugged his shoulders and a pair of jeans that had seen better days. And oh my! He looked … yummy.
Ranger stuck his head in the doorway and sniffed.
“Stay.” Caleb put his hand down. “Don’t need dog hair in your food.”
“Thanks,” she said, wiping her hands on a towel. “It’s been a morning. What with my delivery delayed and two people calling out, I definitely don’t need any extra chaos.”
“Mr. Whitmore.” He shook hands with her father and then turned to her. “I have the estimate. Do you have a minute to go over it?”
“Sure. How about a cup of coffee?”
“Sounds good.”
“Dad, why don’t you sit down, and I’ll bring you both a cup?”
Mia poured two mugs and set them on the table along with a couple of morning glory muffins. The coffee smelled strong and exactly like something she needed. Her dad eased into a chair and sighed. Caleb unrolled the plans beside him. Ranger flopped down near the door, tail thumping once before he settled.
“Can I give him a piece of cheese?” Mia asked. “He looks hungry.”
