Page 68 of The Pumpkin Pie Book Nook

“Hey, I said don’t judge. The modern ovens work perfectly well and it’s very easy to forget things that are behind large shelving units.”

“Not judging. Just surprised.” Robyn turned back to Tyler.

Tyler’s mouth twitched. “Go. I’ll watch the store.”

“You sure?” Robyn asked.

He gave her that calm, capable look that always made her feel steadier than she deserved. “I’m sure.”

“Alright. I’ll be back ASAP,” Robyn replied, reaching for her coat.

The women wasted no time heading down Oak Way, leaves skittering over the sidewalk like they were in a hurry too. Emily talked the whole way, words tumbling out faster the closer they got.

“I doubt it even works anymore. No one’s lit it in decades.”

The moment they pushed into the Pumpkin Pie Bakery, warmth and sugar hit Robyn like a hug.

The place smelled like cinnamon, brown butter, and apples that had been slow-roasting long enough to turn into something caramelized and impossible to resist. The display cases were full: pumpkin bars with glossy icing, flaky turnovers, and chocolate-dipped biscotti. Not to mention all the delicious butter cream sugar cookies she baked every day.

Emily turned to say something else to Robyn, but Robyn never found out what that was, as Emily walked straight into a man.

Robyn heard the air whoosh out of Emily’s lungs replaced with a huff as the man’s hands steadied her.

“Sorry, Cole,” Emily said, to the town’s new fire chief. She cleared her throat and took a step back. Her tone had an edge Robyn wasn’t used to hearing from her. “Didn’t see you there.”

“Obviously,” Cole said dryly, looking down at Emily.

They stared at each other like they were ten years old and about to start a snowball fight.

Robyn subtly leaned away, because the air between them felt… charged. Like someone had set a match too close to kindling.

Cole looked at the flour on Emily’s apron, then at the box in his hands. “What’s this I hear about a wood-fire stove?”

Emily made a face. “Who told you that?”

Cole didn’t blink. “Small town. Information travels faster than fire.”

Robyn coughed to hide a laugh.

Emily shot her a look—a clear I swear I will end you later—then turned back to Cole with a sugary smile that fooled absolutely no one.

“Don’t get your fire hose in a knot,” she said. “It’s not in commission. And I don’t plan to start using it.”

Cole’s mouth twitched. “Shame. I had my citation pen ready.”

Emily’s cheeks pinked, which was… interesting. Especially considering she looked like she wanted to throw a pie at him.

“I’m helping Robyn,” Emily said quickly, as if the words needed to be shoved out before she lost her nerve. “We’re looking for something.”

“Just be careful. Old stoves aren’t reliable,” Cole replied, all business.

Robyn stepped in. “We won’t be lighting anything. Promise.”

Cole studied Robyn for a beat, then nodded once. “Good.” His eyes returned to Emily. “Because if I get called here for a fire, I’m going to be annoyed.”

Emily’s smile widened. “Cole, you always look annoyed.”

“I always am around you.”