My Sweetheart (Book 3 in The Love and Dessert Trilogy) Read online

  Jane sighed tiredly and walked over to wash her hands at the sink. “Layla will be back in a week and a half. I know this isn’t fun Kit, but we can handle it for a little while longer.”

  Kit frowned at Jane and leaned her hip against the counter as she studied her little sister. “Jane, after I get married, I won’t be doing the bread anymore. I’ll be living on Vashon Island with Hunter and there’s no way I’ll make it here by four every morning. We’re going to have to train a new bread maker. I’ll come in part time, but Hunter and I were talking and we both think it’s important that I paint more. He wants to buy me my own little art gallery.”

  Jane stared at her sister in surprise. “Wow Kit. That’s amazing, but . . . but that changes everything. I mean, it’s been us. Sisters. Bringing in someone new will make everything so weird,” she said, looking away and wanting to cry for some reason.

  Kit bit her lip and walked over, touching Jane on the arm. “Sweetie, life is nothing but change. I know we’ve had a great time working together, but I’m going to be a wife now and I have to make compromises. Hunter and my marriage have to come first. I know Layla will need to make adjustments too. Layla has a family now; she won’t be able to keep up this schedule. We need to plan ahead so we’re not left in the lurch.”

  Jane covered her eyes with her hands for a moment as her happy reality suddenly turned gray and horrible. Moving to Fircrest and working and living with her sisters had been the happiest time of her entire life. And now it looked like it was over.

  “Stop looking like it’s the end of the world Jane. Me and Layla will still be at the bakery every day. We’ll be here with you. Just not all the time.”

  Jane looked up, trying to smile for her sister. “You’re right. It’ll be fine. Why don’t you put in the ad and we can do the interviews later in the week,” she said watching Kit smile in relief.

  “You’re the best Jane. I’ve already got the ad typed up. I’ll go ahead and post it,” she said and hurried over to the laptop.

  Jane frowned and pretended that she needed to look at something in the store. The truth was, she just needed a few moments to herself. She stood at the front door and stared out at the busy street. Why did happiness never last?

  She stared unseeing at the cars driving past and closed her eyes for a few moments before she straightened her shoulders and turned around to get back to work. Life was about adapting. She’d been doing it her whole life. She’d survive this too. But she knew she’d hate it.

  Hunter came in four hours later to take Kit to lunch. Kit rushed upstairs to change and freshen up, leaving them alone in the store.

  Jane couldn’t help wanting to blame Hunter for stealing her sister away and tried to stay busy cleaning the glass display cases instead of talking to him. What she really wanted to do was throw a large cupcake at his head.

  “How’s it going Jane? Kit tells me you’re thinking about starting a cooking class for singles,” he said walking over to her and smiling.

  Jane straightened up and glanced at her future brother in law. Okay, she could see why Kit had fallen so hard for the guy. He was tall, built and had the brains of five men. That combined with a sweet and shy personality, who wouldn’t be a goner? He smiled curiously at her, his eyes crinkling up on the sides and she gave in and smiled back.

  “Yeah, it’s a good way to meet people. Layla’s gone and Kit is running around busy all the time getting ready for the wedding. I guess I just needed something to do,” she said, making a ball out of her paper towels and throwing it perfectly into the trash can.

  Hunter grinned and then tilted his head as he looked at her. “I know there’s been a lot of change lately with Layla getting married and Kit getting engaged to me. I think if it were me, I’d probably feel a little left out. Jane, you’re one of the most beautiful, intelligent girls I’ve ever met. You’re going to find the right man for you someday. I know it,” he said reaching out touching her cheek shyly.

  Jane looked up into Hunter’s face and the tender understanding she saw there, had her sniffling and him pulling her into his arms. He hugged her for a moment, rubbing her back. “You probably resent me a little, huh? You can admit it. I saw your face when I walked in. You looked like you wanted to throw one of my mom’s pies in my face.”

  Jane laughed and looked up into Hunter’s face, letting all of her anger and resentment drain away. How could she resent the man who had made her sister so happy?

  “You’re wrong. I wanted to throw a cupcake, but that was just me being childish. One half of me is ecstatic that you two are so happy and in love but the other half of me wants to kill you because you’re stealing my sister away. I think I might be psychotic,” she admitted with a grin.

  Hunter laughed and kissed her forehead. “Aren’t we all?”

  Kit breezed in and took one look at Hunter with his arms around her little sister and she grinned. “Oh my heck, that’s darling. You two are bonding,” she said, beaming at the both of them.

  Hunter laughed and opened an arm for her. “Group hug then.”

  Kit walked into his arm and immediately began kissing him. Jane pulled away making loud gagging sounds.

  “I love you Hunter but you two are the worst. Go on, go to lunch. This is a make out free zone,” she stated as the door opened and Tate walked in, looking as if he might have heard her loud pronouncement.

  Kit laughed and pulled Hunter out of the bakery. “We have been banished. Bye Tate.”

  Tate waved at Kit and Hunter and then turned and looked at her with laughing brown eyes. “I didn’t know we had make out free zones in town. Are you sure this is an official M.O.F zone?” he teased, coming to stand in front of the display case as Jane hurried around to the other side, feeling her face turn bright red.

  Why did he always have to come in at the wrong time?

  “If I have anything to say about it, it is. Do you know how annoying it is to turn around and constantly find both of your sisters glued to good looking men? It’s a little awkward to say the least. I have to put my foot down or I’m going to have to put an R rating on our bakery. We’ll lose all of our business,” she said briskly and picked up a square of wax paper.

  Tate grinned at her and shook his head. “You’re so cute, you know that?”

  Jane blinked in surprise and turned redder. “Yeah, I’m darling. What would you like today, Officer?” she asked primly.

  Tate’s eyes gleamed at her but he obediently looked at the case in front of him. “Can’t I just start getting my free cupcake a day right now? We both know I’ll win, so there’s no reason to put it off,” he said looking down at her with a charming smile.

  Jane glared at him and shook her head. “You are so arrogant Tate. How did you get to be so prideful? I’ll have you know that my first cooking class is Friday night. I’ve invited all the singles from the match and mingle site to come. I’ve already had seven people RSVP and Meredith is definitely coming. I’m going to teach her how to make the world’s best cake. Kam won’t know what hit him,” she said with relish.

  Tate stood up and put his hands on his hips as he stared at her in surprise. “You’re actually serious about this. You really think you have a chance. Sorry Jane, but get ready to lose. There’s no way Kam would pick Meredith over you. You really do know how to cook and you’re gorgeous.”

  Jane felt her heart skip a beat and she stared at Tate in surprise. Okay – Wow. “That’s sweet Tate, but you’re just wishing. Meredith is darling. She’s way cuter than I am. She’s so sassy and she has beautiful blond hair. Put a cupcake in her hand and Kam will follow her anywhere.”

  Tate looked at her like she was insane. “Are you blind? Do you own a mirror? You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met. If I were Kam, I’d . . . ,” he stopped and realized what he was saying and looked away, creating an awkward silence.

  Jane hurried to fill the quiet and opened the case lifting out a small cup of crème brulee. “Here, try a sample of this. We just star
ted selling them, but I’m not sure we have the flavor right. You used to be a taste tester for us. Tell me what you think,” she urged, handing him a spoon.

  Tate grinned and took a bite, closing his eyes in pleasure and groaning loudly. “This is the most deliciously sinful thing I’ve ever tasted,” he swore and took another bite.

  When he was finished, he put the cup and spoon on the counter and stared at her as if he was mesmerized.

  “I take it I passed the test?” she said, grinning at his reaction.

  Tate smiled at her and laughed softly. “If there was a test, you passed a long time ago. Give me a few of those and one of those cream puffs there,” he said pointing to the tray of rich desserts.

  Jane boxed up his choices and laughed as she rang him up. “I always wondered how you stayed so fit after eating all of our desserts. You burn off all your calories playing rugby.”

  Tate grinned and handed her a few bills as he picked up the box. “I usually share. But thanks for noticing.”

  Jane blushed and shook her head at him. It almost felt as if he was flirting with her. He probably figured now that she was going on a date with Kam, he could relax around her.

  “I guess I’ll see you Saturday then,” she said as he turned to go.

  Tate turned back and looked at her. “Ever decide on what you want if I lose the bet?” he asked, leaning against the door.

  Jane stared at him, with the sun coming through the windows, making it seem as if he were glowing. She blinked the image away and knew what she really wanted. Well, if he could flirt with her and fluster her all for the fun of it, maybe she should return the favor and fluster him a little.

  “Actually, I have thought about it. If I win and Kam asks Meredith on a date, you have to ask me out on a date too. A real date. Where I dress up and we go to a nice restaurant and then out dancing,” she said, staring him down like a gunslinger from Texas.

  Tate looked surprised for a moment, different emotions swimming through his eyes before he looked away. “Jane, you know that’s not a good idea.”

  Jane smiled brightly, trying to hide her disappointment as she began straightening the sacks on the counter. “Why would I know that? If you ask me, I think it’s a great idea. I always have,” she said softly, watching cautiously as he walked back to her.

  He leaned across the counter and stared into her eyes. “I wouldn’t be good for you Jane. You need someone different. I’m too hard,” he said, his eyes looking pained for a moment. “You should be with someone like Michael or Hunter.”

  Jane frowned at him and reached out and covered his hand with hers. “First off, don’t tell me what or who’s good for me. Second of all, you can’t know yourself at all if you believe that. I think you’re the nicest man I’ve ever known.”

  Tate stared at her in surprise and then shook his head as if to clear it. “Jane, you don’t know what’s good for you. I’m not it,” he said firmly, pulling his hand away from hers.

  Jane glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest. “Then you better win that bet because if I do, you’re mine. For one night anyways. I hope you own a nice tie,” she said and watched as he turned and walked away from her.

  He opened the door and looked back over his shoulder at her. “It’s a non-issue Jane. You’ll never win,” he said quietly and walked out of the store.

  Jane stared at the closed door for a moment until her heart calmed down. Tate was in for a big surprise. She was going to win that date with him or die trying. She took out her cell phone and texted Meredith.

  I need help. I made a bet with Tate and I need you to win it for me. Come to my bakery tonight when you get off work.

  She slipped her cell back in her pocket and smiled at the customer who walked in the door. As she boxed up a dozen cookies and a peach pie, she dreamed of dancing with Tate and wondered what it would feel like to have his arms around her. Meredith better learn how to cook, or she’d never know.

  Chapter 5 – Teacher’s Pet

  “I hate you Jane. This is impossible! I can’t do any of this,” Meredith complained.

  Jane looked at her the same way she would a spoiled and lazy teenager. “Grow up you brat and get to work. If I don’t get a date with Tate Matafeo I will haunt you the rest of your life. I’ll follow you around town and throw cupcakes at you every chance I get,” Jane swore and then grinned when Meredith laughed in her face.

  “You are so full of crap Jane. You should be grateful I’m even here. Why don’t you make the stupid cupcakes and then tell everyone I made them? It’d be the easiest thing to do and then we could go to the movies now instead of mixing and measuring,” she said, pouting at all of the measuring cups and bowls littering the counter.

  Jane sighed and put her hands on her waist. “No cheating. Sorry. Look Meredith, I know I’m making you do this, and I know that in the end you’ll have to go on a date with Kam and everything, but I really need this. If I don’t force Tate to go out with me, then he never will.”

  Meredith blinked a few times as if she was coming out of a stupor. “Go out with Kam? He’s so gorgeous. Why would he ever want to ask me out?” she asked timidly, picking up the measuring spoons.

  Jane pursed her lips and handed Meredith the recipe for cupcakes. “Well, he told me just the other night that the wife he picks has to cook just as good as his mom. I don’t think he cares much that he looks like a Samoan Prince and that he should be dating a model. He’s all about the sweets. If you can cook, he’ll date you. Easy.”

  Meredith frowned at the recipe. “I haven’t dated anyone since Dane. What if I make the yummiest dessert in the world and Kam does ask me out? How could I go out with him?” she asked uncertainly.

  Jane bit her lip and shrugged. “You put on a cute outfit, some make up and go. I think you should group date for a while. It would be more fun and less stressful. This way your parents and your brother will stop pestering you. I know it’s hard Meredith, but Kam would be so easy going and it’s for a good cause. Me.”

  Meredith nodded her head thoughtfully. “He really is a sweetheart. Did you know that when Dane died last year, Kam brought me over a carved butterfly he’d made himself? He told me it was the symbol of resurrection and that he knew Dane would live again someday.”

  Jane smiled sadly at her friend and patted her back. “What a thoughtful gesture. See? Kam is the safest guy to start going out with. And it will help me a ton. So you don’t even have a choice,” she stated handing a block of butter to Meredith.

  Meredith smiled suddenly, her face lighting up. “Well, it’s not like I have a choice in this. Okay then, let’s get started. I can’t believe Tate doesn’t think I can learn to cook. He’s going to regret saying that,” she said in a deadly voice and then went to work.

  Jane grinned at the determination she saw in Meredith and laughed to herself. Tate was as good as hers.

  An hour later, Jane frowned at the lopsided cupcakes and lifted one up. She took a small nibble and closed her eyes. They might look pathetic, but the taste was good. She opened her eyes and looked at Meredith who was biting her nails nervously, waiting for her verdict.

  “They’re not bad Meredith. We just need to work on presentation. When we show up at the party on Saturday, Kam will fall in love,” she stated, taking another bite as Meredith jumped up and down in the kitchen, whooping and pumping her fist like a rocker at her first concert.

  They cleaned up and headed to the movies, Jane’s treat for forcing Meredith to cook. If Meredith noticed that Jane slept through the whole movie, she didn’t make a big deal about it.

  They walked out of the theater and Jane let Meredith chatter away, as she covered her yawn.

  “Jane! Darling, I’m so glad I ran into you.”

  Jane felt a cold shiver slip down her back as she turned and watched Alex Foster run across the street to reach her. His eyes were bright with excitement. She moved back a few steps as he reached out for her hand, but he was too quick, taking her hand in both
of his, kissing her knuckles and pulling her closer.

  Meredith cleared her throat next to her, making Alex look away from Jane in irritation.

  “Is this a friend of yours Jane?” Meredith asked, sounding doubtful.

  Alex smiled regally and nodded at her. “Jane and I have been friends ever since she moved to town. We’re working on a deal so that she and her sisters will sell the bakery to me. I’ve got some amazing plans for a beautiful office park there. We’re just working out the details right now,” he said, turning back to Jane.

  Jane stared at him in shock and shook her head. “Alex, we’re not selling to you. Not now, not ever. We’ve made that as clear as we possibly can,” she said, yanking on her hand.

  Alex held on tightly and stared at her with a slight frown on his face. “Jane, why don’t we discuss our issues over dinner tomorrow? I promise I’ll do everything I can to make you happy,” he said, stepping closer and looking down into her face as if he wanted to kiss her.

  Jane felt ill and wrenched on her hand again. “Alex, if you don’t let me go . . .”

  “Problem here Jane?”

  Jane turned around to see Feke and Tawni staring at them worriedly. Feke let go of Tawni’s hand and moved to stand next to her and Alex. He put his hand on Alex’s wrist and squeezed. The man’s face turned white with pain and he quickly let go of Jane’s hand.

  “When a lady asks you to let go, you let go,” Feke said in a soft voice as he towered over Alex, making the smaller man blink up at him in fear.

  “I think you’re misinterpreting the situation. We’re old friends. We were just working out the details for our date tomorrow,” Alex said rubbing his wrist and looking Feke up and down warily.

  Feke looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she shook her head fiercely. “No,” she hissed out. “No. I’m not going out with you Alex. I’ve told you that before,” she said stepping away from him and trying to stand behind Feke.

  Feke frowned at Alex and stared down the older man. “I think you should leave,” he said in a low gravelly voice that promised a lot of pain.