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“You say that every time,” Gabe countered.
“In the hope that one day you might listen.” She took another bite all the same.
“It’s all a matter of opinion,” Gabe said. “What do you think, kids?”
“I like them the way they are,” Toby confirmed.
“See?” Gabe said. “Toby knows all about quality.”
“But didn’t you say Auntie Karina’s bakes are quality, Uncle Gabe?” Nell asked.
“I did?” Gabe tugged his brows together. “I don’t recall.”
“You did when Auntie Karina made me that special birthday cake with all the sprinkles,” Nell replied.
“See?” Karina winked at Nell, who smiled with pleasure.
“It was good,” Toby agreed. “Even if it was very pink.”
Mara now understood what Curtis had meant. Whatever competition existed between Gabe and Karina, the friendship underneath it was much older. Karina looked completely at home here, with Dana and the children as much as with Gabe.
Karina looked down at the pastry in her hand. “Speaking of these, can you still bake two hundred for the charity bake?”
“That’s what I promised,” Gabe replied. “As long as you don’t mind selling reasonably good cinnamon bears at the bake sale.”
“They might only be reasonable, but they always sell.” Her teasing softened. “But if it’s too much, tell me. I don’t want you to stretch yourself too thin. I can ask someone else to increase their numbers.”
Gabe looked toward the kitchen, and Mara could almost see him rearranging trays and batches in his head. “No. I can do two hundred, no problem.”
“Are you sure?” Karina asked, serious now.
“Yes,” Gabe answered firmly.
“Thank you. I knew I could rely on you.” Karina smiled at him. “I’m hoping we can beat last year’s total.”
“What’s it raising for?” Mara asked.
“We pick a different cause every fall. This year it’s the Community Kitchen.” Karina turned the last of the pastry over in her fingers.
“Curtis said you organize the bake sale,” Mara said. “It must keep you busy.”
“Oh, yeah. It started off as four of us with folding tables. It has gotten somewhat out of hand. Each year it seems to get bigger. But that means we raise more.” Karina finished the cinnamon bear. “I should go before I steal anything else.”
“You know where to come for the best bakes,” Gabe called after her as Karina started toward the door.
“Yeah. My bakery.” She turned back toward Mara. “Nice meeting you. Enjoy Bear Creek.”
“I intend to.”
Karina’s gaze flicked toward Gabe and back. “It has a lot to offer.”
Dana suddenly found Nell’s jacket zipper fascinating.
Karina paused at the door and looked back at the cooling rack. “Less glaze.”
“No.”
She grinned, and the bell rang behind her.
