“I’ll help.” Jack followed.
“And, Miss Austen?” Finn turned, those caramel eyes locking with hers. “About the Triple-S-G, don’t think I’ve forgotten we have a score to settle.”
Flirting again. But was it different with her?
“We do.” She lifted her chin, stepping into it with renewed curiosity. “I believe you’re still in my debt, Mr. Dashwood.”
Finn narrowed his eyes like a man about to start a war. Or kiss a girl.
She gave him a taunting smile.
Jack rolled his eyes.
Then the door closed behind them, and Daphne stood alone in the quiet bakery, staring after them...
... wondering which she wanted more.
The war.
Or the kiss.
Finn leaned against the prep counter, damp from the mop battle and smelling faintly of citrus cleaner and rosemary chicken. The dishwasher was officially dead, but a replacement had been ordered within the hour, and no one had cried in public. So far, so good.
He’d hired two solid guys as his main managers—Gavin and Jack worked well with him, intuitively.
“Daddy.” Lucy pulled her dragon tighter into a hug and smiled up at him. “Mr. Jack put Dragon in one of the bowls and floated it over the floor.”
Finn shot Jack a look across the kitchen. Jack just grinned. “When life gives you lemons...”
“Or in this case, a minor flood?”
“Make an ark?” Jack shrugged, finishing off the last bit of water pooling near the wall that connected their kitchen to Daphne’s.
Finn pulled Lucy up in his arms and placed a kiss on her head. “Jack should stitch that on a pillow, shouldn’t he?”
With Jack’s laugh echoing behind him, he carried Lucy to the front of the shop and set her down with her late supper. “I’m going to help Mr. Jack finish cleaning up, all right, lamb?” She raised a carrot to her smile and nodded.
Finn returned to the kitchen and reached for a bottled water. “I’m grateful Pete was able to fix the problem so quickly.” He tossed a bottle to Jack as the man stood from collecting the last of the dish towels. “Let’s hope that’s the last of the chaos. I’ve got too much riding on Saturday night—money, reputation, and possibly a wedding gig that could keep us afloat through the fall.” His eyes pressed closed. “And... tomorrow is Lucy’s first day of school.”
“On a Friday?”
“They do this staggered entry thing for kindergarteners. Lucy’s turn is tomorrow.” Finn gave a helpless shrug. Because of course it would be.
“Well, Gavin and I are here for the full day to help prep. Whatever you need, we’re your guys.”
Finn nodded, grateful. Jack’s help had turned out to be more than just logistical—he’d been a steadying presence in the middle of the bedlam. Between dish disasters, a whirlwind of emotions, and the storm of Finn rebuilding his life, Jack had shown up for Finn like a man on a mission. And had become a friend.
With Harry running the inn, Jack offered a thread of community Finn hadn’t realized he’d been craving in the aftermath of a business scandal and the loneliness of single fatherhood.
“By the way...” Jack placed the last towels in a bucket by the back door. “I was able to sneak Pete into Daphne’s kitchen like you asked.”
Finn straightened.
“Said her plumbing’s a mess, but he made a temporary fix.”
“How temporary?”
Jack shrugged. “He’s hoping a few months, but what the shop really needs is a renovation. It’s been running on borrowed time—and love—for a while.”
