Page 44 of My Favorite Kidnapper

“I might need a day off from baking.”

“We can adjust.”

“I don’t know if I can get the same ingredients as in Canada. The cakes might not taste the same, and you won’t be happy. Do they even have cream cheese in Italy?”

“Give me a list of what you need, and I will have it flown in if necessary.”

She handed me a list, and I scanned it. I was impressed. It was very thorough. The list even included the types of pans and decorating equipment she required.

“I need to know your favorites. I don’t know if I can come up with sixty different kinds of cake, but I can vary the flavors.”

“I love spiced cakes. Carrot. That one you had on the tree with pecans on the top.”

“Hummingbird.”

“Yes. And vanilla is a favorite. Pineapple upside-down cake is one as well.”

“Do you like mousse, jelly, jam fillings? Lemon? Pound cake?”

“I’ll make this easy, Little Bee. You make it, I’ll love it. I don’t care if you make the same one a few times. Especially the hummingbird one. I liked it. Except coconut. I cannot stomach the stuff.”

“You will really eat a cake every single day?”

I laughed. “A piece at least, probably two. Or more. I have a tremendous sweet tooth. Gia and Mario will have a slice. You too. Can the rest be wrapped and frozen?”

“Most of them.”

“Okay. Next.”

“I need my phone for music. I always have music playing.”

I opened the drawer and slid a brand-new phone her way. “Your phone was ancient and barely functional. I copied all your music to this one. My number is programmed, along with all your contacts. Consider it a gift.”

She picked it up and studied it, her eyes wide. Then she set it down, surprising me by not arguing.

“I need aprons.”

“I’ll take you into town, and you can pick what you like. There is a large kitchen store. Perhaps you can find some of your things there.”

She had a few other small items that were easily agreed on. Her demands were hardly that at all. More like requests or needs. The women I’d had in my life before demanded many more things. Expensive things.

“I want a bicycle.”

“A bicycle?” I asked, confused. “I have a fully equipped gym for exercise.”

“No, not to exercise. To explore a little. If I need something, I could go into town and get it without bothering anyone.”

“I’ll get you a car.”

“I don’t know how to drive.”

“I’ll teach you,” I said, surprised.

She saw my reaction and shrugged. “I could never afford a car in Toronto, so there was no point in learning then or now. I would really rather have a bike. With a basket.”

“Then I will get you one.”

She came to another item, and she grew uncomfortable. She squirmed a little, unsure how to address it.