Page 53 of Whispers of Redemption

Oookay, Cassie thought. Definitely not his warm, chatty self today.

As she drove to the airport, she reflected on how strange Zack was acting lately. He’d always been so easygoing and comfortable. But now he was closed off and there was an unusual intensity to him. Maybe he was just embarrassed about her witnessing his encounter with Brett the other night, but she felt like there was more to it. They’d already determined it was unlikely Zack was the thief. But something was definitely going on with him. And as much as she racked her brain, she couldn’t figure out what it might be.

CHAPTER 20

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Cassie. Happy birthday to you!”

Cassie stood there, trying desperately to keep her emotions in check while Rachel, Mark, Ani, Wade, and Angel waited expectantly for her to blow out her candles. Although this was the eleventh birthday she’d celebrated with Mark and Rachel, she was still moved beyond words that they never failed to forget it. Her own mother—who had only contacted her a few times since she’d been placed into foster care—never remembered her birthday. And in the years before moving in with Mark and Rachel, she’d rarely had her birthday acknowledged.

“Come on, Cassie!” Ani said, impatiently. “You’re letting candle wax melt all over Wade’s amazing cake!”

And the cake was amazing. More like a work of art. A rich buttercream icing encased four layers of chocolate cake. A dark chocolate mirror glaze covered the very top of the confection and dripped decoratively down the sides. Delicate shards of swirled white and dark chocolate daubed with edible gold leaf were artfully arranged along the bottom of the cake. Larger pieces rose dramatically from the center, also decorated with gold leaf, and surrounded by a luscious mix of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

“I’m surprised he was even able to fit candles on this masterpiece,” Mark commented. “But Ani’s right, hurry up, Cassie. I want to dig into this thing.”

Everyone laughed as Cassie closed her eyes and made a wish. A secret wish that she would never have dared to say out loud.

“How did you come up with such a beautiful creation?” Rachel asked, carefully removing the candles and chocolate shards so that she could cut into it.

“True confessions,” Wade said. “I didn’t. This is another Great British Baking Show recipe. It’s called the Chocolate Drip Cake, and it’s in their Big Book of Amazing Cakes.

“Ith amath-ing!” Ani said through a mouthful of cake and frosting. Then she swallowed. “Will you make one for my birthday?”

“Sure,” Wade said, giving her a warm smile.

“This is such a perfect texture, Wade!” Rachel exclaimed, examining the bite on her fork before putting it into her mouth. “What’s your secret?”

“Sifting is crucial,” he said. “And it’s important to fold the flour gently into the cake batter so you don’t overdevelop the gluten.”

The conversation flowed around her, and Cassie watched Wade as he interacted with the most important people in her life. She marveled at how comfortable he was with all of them. How easily they accepted him. She felt a tiny paw touch her foot and she glanced down at Angel. Cassie couldn’t believe Wade had even thought of the little dog again. Angel was tucked up against Cassie’s leg, busy munching on the cake-shaped dog treat he had made for her. Cassie contemplated how genuine and truly caring Wade was, and all the warm feelings she’d been pushing away bubbled to the surface. She couldn’t deny that he was becoming an important part of her life, and she felt something inside her give way a little. The tiniest crack in the protective wall she’d maintained around her heart for as long as she could remember.

“Ooof! I can’t eat another bite!” Mark finally said, pushing back in his chair.

“Me neither,” Ani said, yet scooped up a blob of frosting from the serving platter and popped it into her mouth.

“That was delicious, Wade.” Cassie gave him a warm smile. “You really made me feel special.”

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