“I feel stupid,” she whispered.
“You’re the smartest woman I know,” he assured her. “I can prove it. I have never visited this bakery, and if the smells coming out of it are anything like the apple crumble, I’ll be jealous of your dad and Nancy.”
She grinned. “Let’s go in. It’ll get crowded soon, from what I remember.”
They entered the bakery, and Jameson clutched his chest as the heavenly scent drifted to their noses.
Caroline perused the glass display containing all kinds of goodies to tempt the palate.
“Look,” she exclaimed, pointing to the brownies. “It has dark chocolate, chocolate chunks, and caramel. I haven’t eaten one of these since…” she said, growing quiet.
“I’m not sure who can turn down a triple threat,” he said, glancing down into the case. “What’s that?” he asked, pointing to a slice of cake with lemon garnishing the top.
“It’s limoncello cake. It’s one of their specialties. Do you like lemons?” she asked, gazing up at him.
“Yeah,” he said before stepping away from her. Caroline immediately missed him close to her. It felt like she missed her security blanket.
“May I help you?” the baker asked.
“Yes, I’m picking up an apple crumble for Caroline Bates. Then, may I have a brownie and a piece of the limoncello cake, please?”
“May we also have two of your biscuit specials and two coffees?” Jameson said, adding to the order.
“It’ll be thirty-four dollars and eighty-three cents, please. I’ll get the pie from the back and wrap the rest up for you,” the baker said, leaving them alone.
“I’ll get it,” he said, pulling out his wallet.
“No,” she insisted, placing her hand on his wrist. She missed the feel of his skin when he held her. “You’re making sure I stay safe, please let me do this.”
Jameson nodded, seeing how important this was to her, and put his wallet away. His gaze continued to scan the street, making her nervous.
“Do you think they’re searching for me?” she whispered, staring at him.
“No. I’m sure by now he has more important things to worry about. The Feds are tracking him, and Matthew’s on his tail. Not to mention his boss will be searching for him after discovering how he used the merchandise. I mean the survivors,” he said, quietly.
“You said it right the first time. In the end, it’s all about business deals and getting information,” she said, resigned. “Ialready accepted my fate. I worried more about the younger women and men. The poor kids,” she said, misty-eyed.
Jameson cupped her cheek. “We’re rescuing them. Julio and Rebecca have already crippled the East Coast. It’s only a matter of time before they get the rest.”
“And you. You saved them, too,” she insisted, peering into his eyes. Jameson struggled to say something, yet the baker interrupted them.
“Here you go,” she said cheerfully.
Caroline took out her wallet and pulled out the card Rebecca gave her, linked to a checking account. She paused, trying to remember how to use it.
“Tap it right here,” Jameson instructed her.
She did as he directed when the machine dinged, and the baker handed her a receipt.
They walked out, and she turned to him, grinning. “It’s like having a magic wand.”
“Ha. You and Rachel have more in common than I thought. She comes back from Dallas and Corpus Christi loaded with a ton of bags,” he informed her. “It’s kinda fun to watch Matthew turn three shades of red and steam come out of his ears.” He opened the door, letting her climb in unassisted, and handed her the treats.
Caroline giggled. “I don’t mean to laugh. Do you think she shops to compensate for something else?”
“Like what?” he asked as he pulled onto the street, heading to her father’s house.
Caroline handed him his food, added cream and sugar to their drinks, and unwrapped her biscuit.
