Knox claps his hands together. “I’ll grab my truck.”
Walker glances at Knox. “You done with the trolley?”
Knox exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mostly. But I need to order a part for it. Should be in tomorrow.”
“Can I see the other kitchens, Daddy?” Amber asks, tugging on her father’s hand.
“Some other time, princess,” Eli says as he smooths the hair from his daughter’s forehead. “Right now, Lia needs some help, so we’re going to help her out, okay?”
Amber leans against Eli and peeks over at me. “Can I help too?”
My heart softens instantly. “Of course you can. I’d love the help. I’ve got a lot of stuff I’ve already baked that has to come this way. The extra set of hands would be nice.”
We move quickly after that. Decisions fall into place without effort. Pickles moves around us, watching what unfolds like the protective dog he is while Amber pets his head.
The first round of things to come to the vineyard kitchen are the pies, cinnamon rolls, pastries I’ve already baked that aren’t due to be delivered until the morning. Knox and Eli grab my equipment and supplies from the pathetic studio apartment kitchenette and haul them in Knox’s truck, straight to the vineyard kitchen.
Amber insists on staying with me, keeping Pickles company and helping to pack up the ingredients I want to use up before I lose them.
It’s the best sort of mayhem.
“All right,” Knox says as he reaches down and scratches behind Pickles’ ear. “Anything else we need to grab?”
Amber holds up one of my spatulas from the kitchen countertop. “Uh-oh. Did we forget this?”
I smile. “No, we didn’t, since you’re holding it. Can you take that to Knox’s truck for me?”
“Of course!” Amber chirps as she rushes out of my apartment, heading for Knox’s truck.
Pickles bounds right after her, barking up a storm like a mother hen chasing after her own rambunctious little one.
Eli comes up to me. “You sure we can’t grab anything else?”
I gaze into his lovely blue eyes that are framed by those black-rimmed glasses he wears. “I’m sure. We’ve pretty much got everything.”
“You sure?” Knox asks as he comes to stand beside Eli. “What’s happening with these baked goods?”
I just shake my head. “I have deliveries I have to make today. I’m just going to grab a shower before I run those to their respective bakeries.”
“You need someone with you on those deliveries?” Knox asks. “There’s plenty of room in my truck.”
I give him a kind smile. “I’m sure. I appreciate all of your help today.”
Knox’s smile almost knocks me off my feet.
“All right,” Eli says as he picks up his hand, though it stops about halfway to my face before he lowers it. “Call us if you need anything.”
I find myself wondering what he was about to do with his hand.
“Well, we’ll take this last load to the vineyard and get it in the kitchen for you,” Knox says as he looks over at Eli. “You ready to go?”
“Ready!” Amber says as she comes running back into my place.
Pickles comes rushing back into the apartment and Eli gives him a pat on his head before closing the door behind him. Then, there’s nothing but silence. It rolls over me like a wave, the havoc settling down at the drop of a hat.
I stand there for a moment, hands braced on the counter, letting it roll over me.
Pickles nudges my leg. My brain takes its time, processing the events of the day. I feel the sweat of my pre-heat dripping down my back, and it makes my nose wrinkle. Already, their scents invade me, my lungs crying out for more of them as the shivers start up.
