Page 44 of Theirs to Treasure

“Anything in particular on your mind?” Butch asked.

“I guess I’m wondering how you’re taking to the idea of the three of us getting together,” Chance stated baldly.

“Yep, that’s what I thought was on your mind.” Butch sat back in his chair and took another sip of his beer. “You know, I didn’t like this beer when you first started bringing it over. Now, more often than not, it’s what I choose to drink. I’ve always tried to keep an open mind, Chance, and I don’t mean to close it now, especially when it’s about people I love.” Butch leaned over and grasped Chance’s hand, as he often had when Chance had been a child.

“I talked to Betty about this. She really thinks that the three of you complete one another, like missing pieces to a puzzle. She’s the smartest person I know, Chance. All I know is that if three people I love like my own can find happiness together, then I want that for them. I’m also thankful that we live in a community that embraces this lifestyle.”

Chance went to take another sip of beer, but had to put it down, knowing that he was too choked up to swallow.

“Now, how about putting some of your fancy education to work and see if you can help me figure out how to make the table stop sticking in the motor home.” Chance laughed and followed his foster father into the motor home. The conversation stayed with him far into the night, and he wondered what part of the puzzle he provided to the two people he loved.

Chapter 17

Josie had never been so happy to turn the sign to “Closed” before. The school carnival started in just a half hour, and she was looking forward to a long bath. She’d already posted another sign on her door stating that Sweet Dreams Desserts would be closed tomorrow. It was the first Saturday that the bakery had been closed in the eleven weeks she’d been open. She and Elise were due a two-day weekend after the week they’d put in. When she opened the door to leave and start upstairs to her apartment, she was met by a wall of men. Four uniformed firefighters smiled down at her.

“Are you ready to go, Josie?” Dane asked.

“What?”

“We have to be at the booth in fifteen minutes. Did you want to ride in the fire truck with Eric, Joshua, and Ian, or in the car with me?”

“Seriously, Dane, what are you talking about? I have a date with my bathtub and a bed.” She was met by dismayed and stunned expressions.

“But you have to be there! People are going to want you to cut your cake. Ever since we brought it to the booth this morning, they’ve all been talking about it and you. I thought Elise told you,” Eric said.

“Guys, the baker from Snoqualt never showed up at your booth, now did he?” Josie asked.

“Yeah, well, his cake never kicked ass like yours does.”

Josie frowned up at them. She’d already told Sam and Chance she was too tired to go over to their house, even though they said they would just let her bathe and go to bed. But the publicity for her shop was too good to pass up.

“Okay, let me go change.”

After two hours, Dane thought to bring her a stool to sit on. Josie was thankful that she’s worn her brace and not a corset. She’d already taken twelve orders for custom-made cakes. Just another half hour, and then she could cut the cake and go home.

Sam and Chance unexpectedly marched up to the booth just as she sat on the stool. She’d never seen them so mad. Eric and Ian were out giving fire truck rides, and Joshua was in the dunking booth. Sam strode up to Dane and grabbed him by his arm and yanked him behind the booth, while Chance stormed up to her.

“What in the hell are you doing sitting on this stool, when you promised us you would be resting?” He whispered so the kids wouldn’t hear, but at the same time it was as if he was yelling at her. Josie hated that. It reminded her of her childhood, and she shrunk back.

Chance looked stunned at her reaction. “Zee, you can’t be scared of me.” He gently grasped her upper arms, “You know I would never hurt you, don’t you, Zee?” She nodded her head, hypnotized by his blue eyes.

“Explain to me why you’re here. Explain to me why you continued to exhaust yourself past the point that was necessary, to the point that you’re now probably in pain! Was it to help these guys?” He growled again, but this time Josie heard the hurt in his voice, and she reached up to stroke his cheek.

“Of course not. If I was going to spend time with anyone, it would have been you and Sam. I love spending time with you two. But this was to promote the business.” She reached into her jeans pocket and showed him pieces of paper. “See, these are appointments to make specialty cakes like the fire truck!”

He looked down at her in dawning comprehension. “How many appointments do you have?”

“I have twelve, do you believe it?” Josie knew she was acting giddy, but she just couldn’t help herself.

“That’s great, Zee. Now we’re taking you home.” She looked around, and then saw Sam and Dane walking around from the back of the booth. Dane was brushing his hair with his hand and straightening his shirt. He walked over to her.

“Josie, you should have told us about your back! We wouldn’t have kept you standing this long. We could have gotten the appointments for you,” he said sheepishly.

“Dane, what are you talking about? You were right, I needed to be here.” She watched as his eyes cut over to Sam.

“I’m really sorry. We’ll make it up to you next week, I promise. Um, I’m going over to relieve Joshua from the dunking tank.” He quickly walked away.

“How tired are you? How much do you hurt?” Sam asked abruptly.