You Belong With Me (Book 1 in The Love and Dessert Trilogy) Read online

  “Yesterday better not have been a fluke,” Kit muttered darkly and then shooed her sisters away so she could concentrate.

  Layla prepared her dough for cinnamon rolls while Jane began her cupcakes. She put on a play list of all their favorite music to ease the tension. As she danced around the kitchen to the Lumineers and Imagine Dragons, she felt a strange peace settle around her. Life wasn’t easy, disasters happened, hearts were broken and mended and stress never went away, but in the midst of everything, she was okay. If she and her sisters could be up at 5am in the morning, singing and dancing and baking, then life was pretty good.

  After getting the display cases stocked, Jane and Kit went to do the bread delivery. Layla stayed back to open the bakery on her own. She would only be on her by herself for about twenty minutes so it was no big deal. As she went to turn the sign to OPEN, she smiled as she saw a man standing in front of the door. She glanced at her watch but she was right on time. This must be one of the people from the parade who had promised to stop by first thing Monday morning.

  She opened the door and smiled as the man stepped forward out of the morning shadows. “Good morning. Please come in,” she said and then paused as she realized the man walking past her and into the store was the same man she had talked to on Saturday in the park. The man who had asked her why she hadn’t sold the bakery and taken the money.

  “It smells good in here. It reminds me of my mom,” the man said, walking toward the cases and leaning down to get a better look.

  Layla studied the man as she walked around the counter. His clothes were old and faded looking as if he didn’t care much what he wore. He was tall, with longish brown hair turning silver. He had a narrow hollowed out face and a jutting chin. His eyes were a pale washed out blue that held a hint of irritation. He must not have liked waiting.

  “What would you like this morning?” she asked politely, pulling out a wrapper.

  The man glanced at her quickly and then away. “I’ll just have a cream filled croissant with raspberries and a large hot chocolate please.

  “Is that to go?” she asked, reaching for a white bag.

  “Oh, I’ll just sit over there and read the paper while I eat if you don’t mind,” he said motioning toward the chairs they had set up around a few round tables by the windows.

  “Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll bring it out to you?” she said, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the way the man was staring at her.

  She made the hot chocolate quickly and added a squirt of whipping cream to the top before bringing it and the croissant over to the man who already had his paper open to the sports page.

  She forgot about the man though as a steady stream of people made it through the doors. By the time Jane and Kit returned, she’d been busy non-stop for an hour.

  “What happened to being back in twenty minutes?” she asked under her breath as her sisters slipped their aprons on and went to work.

  Kit looked over her shoulder at Layla as she moved to the till to ring up a customer. “Rob wanted to talk about the bread for a while. Then he called his mom in to try it and She. Would. Not. Stop. Talking,” she said quietly before smiling at the young mother in front of her while handing her a twenty.

  Layla had to smile. If their bread was a hit and Rob made sure he gave Belinda’s Bakery all the credit, it would be great for business.

  Jane slid the extra loaves of bread into the last display case and slid the door shut. “Rob was flat out impressed. He’s so pleased he’s planning on putting a sign up giving Belinda’s credit for the bread. We just got a homerun.”

  Layla grinned and leaned up against the back counter as she took a sip from her water bottle. She glanced toward the window and noticed the man was still there sitting at the table, reading his paper and nibbling on the last little crumb of his croissant. So weird. She watched him for a while as she wiped down counters and restocked the cases. Every few seconds it seemed like he would glance up and look at one of them. He’d look at Jane, then Kit and then back to her. She felt an anxious, cold feeling sweep over her.

  Layla walked over to Kit as soon as she had a break in sales. “Kit check out the guy sitting by himself over by the window. He’s been here for over an hour, ever since I opened up. He keeps staring at all of us as if he’s here to watch us and not eat that croissant he’s been picking at.”

  Kit raised her eyebrows and glanced at the man. She nodded her head with a frown. “I’ll keep an eye on him. Go tell Jane.”

  Layla called Jane back into the kitchen on an excuse and told her about the man. Jane looked surprised. “Well, then I’ll go talk to him and see what kind of reaction I get.”

  Layla followed her back into the store and began sweeping as Jane walked straight to the man and leaned on the table.

  “Do you need another hot chocolate to go with the rest of your paper?” she asked with a bright smile.

  The man looked shocked at first, but then blinked a few times before clearing his throat loudly. “Um, sure. Yes I’d like that. What is your name?” he asked as Jane was about to turn away.

  Jane turned back, still smiling. “Jane Kendall. Me and my sisters own this bakery now. And what’s yours?” she asked politely.

  The man looked down at his hands for a moment as if he were thinking how to answer.

  “My name is Landon. How long do you think you’ll be running this bakery? I mean, do you have any plans to sell? I heard a rumor somewhere that you were planning on selling to Alex Foster,” he said in a rush.

  Jane frowned and looked more closely at the man. “No, we don’t have any plans to sell. Not now, not ever. If we have our way, we’ll be passing this bakery down to our children someday. I’ll be right back with your hot chocolate,” she said and walked away.

  Layla and Kit exchanged glances but didn’t say anything as the man was watching them openly now. Jane walked back, holding the cup out to him with a new napkin. “Here you go Sir.”

  Landon nodded his head and pulled out his wallet to hand her his payment. “Keep the change. I’ll be leaving now,” he said and stood up, disappearing out the door within seconds.

  The bakery was empty for the moment, so Jane walked to the counter as Layla and Kit leaned over.

  “That was so strange,” Jane said, shaking her head.

  Layla nodded. “I’m positive he’s the same man who asked me about selling the bakery on Saturday and now he’s asking you the same thing. There is something up with that guy.”

  Kit walked around the counter and walked to the window to see if she could see Landon anywhere, but he was gone. “Yep, there’s a story there. I wonder if he’s working for Alex?”

  Layla frowned and shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  Jane took out her cell and went to her contacts. “I’m going to mention it to Tate. I wish I had asked him for his last name.”

  Jane walked in the back to talk on the phone and Layla and Kit took care of a few more customers. They’d been busy that morning, but not nearly as busy as they’d been on opening day. She was curious to see if they’d make a profit.

  Jane breezed back in and put her hands on her hips. “Tate’s going to look into it for me. He was very concerned.”

  Kit grinned. “I bet he was. Listen, Rob’s mom invited all of us to dinner tonight at the restaurant.”

  Jane clapped her hands. “Your sourdough bread is going to make us into millionaires!”

  Kit laughed. “We’ll see. But if we get contracts for other restaurants, we’ll have to hire more help and expand,” she said, looking dreamily out the window. She came out of her trance and turned to see her two sisters grinning at her and she blushed. “I mean, someday, maybe.”

  Jane giggled. “You’re starting to sound like a real businesswoman. Maybe you should have gone gotten a business degree like me.”

  Kit grinned, “Maybe so.”

  The sisters spent the rest of the day working and then closed up right at six so they could i
nterview for the morning and afternoon help. Kit had a cake order for Friday and they would need the extra hands immediately.

  Layla watched all four interviews quietly, allowing Jane to take the lead as Kit popped in with questions. She really liked the single mom who had a daughter in kindergarten. She seemed serious, efficient and kind. The other woman who applied for the job was a woman in her fifties, who enjoyed traveling to see her grandkids in Colorado. Sweet, but she’d be gone a lot. The two teenage girls who applied for the afternoon position were both cute, sweet girls. She didn’t envy Jane having to pick between them.

  She waved good bye the last applicant and then locked up with a tired sigh. She frowned as she realized she hadn’t heard from or seen Michael or Stella all day. She had expected them to stop by to say hi or call at the very least.

  Kit decided to run to the store to grab a few extra ingredients they needed and Jane was busy going over receipts. She’d just be naughty and take a bubble bath. Fifteen minutes later with her hair pulled on top of her head and surrounded by bubbles she closed her eyes and zoned out.

  Life had changed so much in such little time. Just a few short weeks ago, she had been a worn out, wash-up, wasted social worker, so burned out she had been on the very edge of depression. Her boss had told her to take two weeks’ vacation and lay on a beach somewhere. But of course at the end of that vacation she’d have to go back. She couldn’t go back anymore. The only thing that comforted her was knowing that every year, more and more men and women were graduating with social work degrees and were able to hit the poverty, abuse, neglect and devastation with new, strong energy. The energy she’d started with had been sucked out of her day after day along with pieces of her heart. She’d been so good at what she’d done because she’d never been able to step back. An older social worker who had been working for the State for twenty years had talked to her about closing off her heart. She’d warned her of what would happen if she didn’t. But Layla couldn’t do it. She’d never figured out how to not care.

  She couldn’t help feeling disappointed in herself though. In her heart she knew she hadn’t been strong enough. If she had been, she could have kept working and serving and saving. But in the end, she’d broken down and now she had to fix herself. Being back with her sisters and working hard and dreaming big had definitely jump started her heart and spirit. Thank heavens for Grandma Belinda. If not for this bakery, Jane would be an accountant, Kit would be who knows where and she would now be in California working with adoptive families. Not bad, but not as wonderful as working with her sisters.

  She stretched her arms and flexed her sore feet and smiled. And the best surprise of all was Michael and Stella. And now that Ashley was out of the picture, she and Michael could work on getting to know each other better. That part, she was looking forward to.

  A loud, frantic banging on her bedroom door had her sitting up in surprise.

  “Layla! Open up, hurry!” she could hear Jane yelling.

  Layla groaned as she stood up, whisking all of the bubbles off her arms and legs. “I’m coming! Just give me a minute!”

  “Hurry!” Jane yelled again.

  Laya grabbed a towel to dry off and then slipped on her robe. She ran for the door and yanked it open. “What’s going on?” she demanded, expected a fire, a burglary or some other disaster.

  Jane shook her head, grinning. “Come downstairs right now,” she said, grabbing Layla’s hand and pulling her quickly after her. Layla ran down the stairs in her bare feet, as Jane half dragged her.

  “Jane! Slow down for the love of . . . ,” she said, fading out into silence as she walked into the front store of the bakery and immediately saw five large bouquets of dozens and dozens of long stem roses. One vase was filled with bright red, another with pink buds, one with white, one yellow and one a sunset orange.

  “Oh my,” she whispered, shaking her head. She’d never in her life been sent flowers by a man before.

  Jane grinned at her expression and pushed her toward the first vase. “There are cards in each vase.”

  Layla swallowed and tightened her sash before picking up the first card. She opened it quickly and pulled out the plain white stationary.

  Stella and I would love to have your delightful company this evening from seven to nine for a gourmet meal and fine company. RSVP to Michael Bender.

  Layla grinned and hurried to the next card.

  By the way if I haven’t mentioned it, you are beautiful.

  Layla grinned to herself, enjoying the romance of the gesture as much as any woman would. She picked up the next card and slid the smooth paper out.

  I would also like to state in writing that I love you. I can get this notarized if you want me to, but I’m hoping you’ll just believe me.

  Laya shook her head as she grabbed another one. She read the next three and they were just as funny and romantic and silly. She picked up all the cards in her hand and then leaned over to breathe in the full sweet smell of the roses.

  “If this is love, I want it,” Jane said walking from bouquet to bouquet.

  Layla touched a velvet petal and couldn’t help the sigh that escaped her. “It’s lovely,” she said softly.

  Jane walked over and hugged her older sister. “Oh Layla, I’m so glad you’re happy and in love. I was so worried about you last year. I was worried I’d never have my sister back again. Love is the best cure ever.”

  Layla hugged Jane back. “That and sisters. Being with you and Kit has been the best thing that has happened to me in a very long time,” she said pulling back and smiling down into her sister’s face.

  Jane nodded. “For me too,” she said, and sniffed a little, turning around quickly.

  Layla laughed and shook her head. “Help me carry some of these into the kitchen and upstairs. We’ll leave three here so our customers can enjoy them too.”

  Jane helped her lug the heavy vases to where she wanted them and then she flopped on her bed before dialing Michael’s number. She smiled at the pale pink buds sitting on her dresser and turned over on her back.

  “Did you get my flowers?” Michael asked before he even said hello, his voice sounding cheerful.

  Layla grinned and turned on her side. “Michael those are the prettiest blue carnations I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a carnation that specific hue before. It’s almost fluorescent in a really pretty way. I’m so touched Michael. I had no idea you were so romantic.”

  Layla covered her mouth with her hand as she heard nothing but silence for almost a minute. “Michael? Are you there?” she finally asked, biting her lip.

  Michel cleared his throat. “Did you say you got a bouquet of bright blue carnations?”

  Layla pulled the phone away as she snorted into her pillow. “Yeah, the guy just left them on the front porch. There wasn’t a note or anything with them, but I knew they were from you. Those six little carnations had your name written all over them. Thanks Michael. I knew you were romantic, but this . . ., I hate to admit this, but it’s the first time a man has sent me flowers.”

  Michael said something that sounded pretty close to a swear word. “Yeah, nothing says romance like six blue carnations,” he said, his voice so stiff and tight with either anger or disappointment that Layla gave up and laughed out loud.

  “I’m teasing you! But honestly Michael, six! Six bouquets of the most exquisite roses I’ve ever seen. You’ve now ruined me for all other men,” she said theatrically.

  Michael laughed sounding relieved. “That was the point. You’re done looking Layla. I’m the only man for you.”

  Layla smiled and rolled her eyes at the phone. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. No jumping the gun Wesley. Remember I mentioned something about giving me space. I think it was just yesterday.”

  She could actually hear the grin in Michael’s voice when he spoke. “I never said I’d play fair. So will you come to my house for dinner tonight? Stella is picking out her prettiest dress right now.”

  Laya kick
ed her legs up behind her and sighed happily. “Now you’re just manipulating me.”

  “Well, is it working?” he asked.

  Layla squeezed her eyes shut. It was working amazingly well. “Well, in spite of the flagrant use of emotional manipulation, I will gladly accept your dinner invitation,” she said in a very dignified voice.

  Michael laughed. “Did you read the card on the red roses?” he asked softly.

  Layla felt her cheeks turn pink as she grinned. “Yes as a matter of fact I did, why?”

  “Because it’s true. You make me happy,” he said simply and hung up.

  She hopped off her bed and hurried to her closet. She had a date.

  Chapter 20 – Landon

  Michael picked her up a few minutes before seven, dressed in a suit and tie and carrying six bright blue carnations in his hand.

  She laughed before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. “You really are romantic. Who else would give me blue carnations?” she asked stepping back.

  Michael pulled her back, wrapping his arms around her back and bending her backwards slightly. “You really had me going there. I just about burst a blood vessel wondering where all your roses had ended up. You’re in trouble Miss Kendall for being naughty,” he said before leaning down and kissing her cheek.

  “Okay, this isn’t going to get really mushy is it? Because I can clean the bathrooms or something,” Kit said, grinning at them from behind the counter.

  Michael stood up, grimacing in embarrassment. “Hi Kit. Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

  Kit nodded her head firmly in agreement. “And that’s the reason I’m totally on your side. You never see anyone else but Layla when she’s in the room.”

  Michael grinned at her, nodding his head in respect. “Thank you, I won’t take your approval for granted.”

  Kit raised an eyebrow. “Good. I’m a little sad Layla isn’t going to dinner with me at The Iron Skillet with Rob’s mom, but since you brought her carnations, I’ll let it pass,” she said laughing at Michael’s scrawny bouquet.