I tally it up in my head really quickly. “Thirty for eight.”
“Perfect. Can you take cards yet?”
I look over at the payment unit Walker got set up for me. “I can if you bear with me. It’s my first time using this payment kiosk.”
“How exciting. I’ve got my number ready whenever you are.”
It takes me some time to navigate the system, but once I get the right screen pulled up, it’s just a matter of entering his card information as he feeds it to me. When I see that green checkmark denoting the fact that his payment has gone through, I just stare at it for a moment.
My first order, scheduled and paid for.
“All right, Doc, you’re all set,” I say as I somehow find my professional voice again. “I’ll have them delivered by end of day. You want me to bring them by your office? Or your home?”
“Office would be great, since that’s where I have my coffee in the mornings. We’re open until seven, so no rush.”
I smile. “I’ll have them to you as quickly as I can.”
His voice drops lower. “Have you told them yet?”
I look around to make sure none of my Alphas are standing around before I drop my voice as well. “Let’s just say don’t be shocked if I’m not the one that does the drop off.”
He chuckles. “Not a problem. They’re going to be ecstatic, you know.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. Any Alpha would be. And thanks for those pies.”
“Thanks for your order. I’ll get to work on them now. Talk soon, Doc.”
“Yes, we will.”
By the time I hang up the phone, I’m shaking with excitement. My first custom order from one of the most prominent people in town. If I can get Dr. Quinn raving about my baking, that’ll secure my foothold in Honeysuckle Grove.
Not that I haven’t already done that, in a way.
My attention turns back to the cookie sheet on the kitchen island. I don’t see steam coming up from it any longer. I walk over and hold my hand over it, still feeling a bit of heat emanating from the top. So, I get to work on the icing that I’m going to pipe over the cookies.
I spoon the cream cheese icing into the piping bag, but I have to take deep breaths while I do it. My hands are shaking, and I need this to be perfect.
“Come on, you can do this,” I whisper to myself.
I hold my hand over the cookie sheet one more time. It’s still a bit warm, but I can always pipe and then put it in the walk-in to cool the rest of the way. I draw in a few deep breaths through my nose and let it out through my mouth, helping to steady my trembling hands.
Then, I pipe the two most important words I think I’ve ever piped:
We’re expecting.
I stare at it for a long moment, letting the reality of it all sink in. I didn’t want to worry them when I started feeling sick to my stomach; I figured it was just nerves with the bakery opening. But one little test confirmed a very different story.
Is it too soon?
Will they be upset?
“Everything okay, Sunshine?” Knox asks.
I gasp as I whip my head up and find him taking up the entire space of the doorway into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
