Page 18 of Heart of the West

“Thank you, you too.”

I retrace my path with a pep in my step. I’ll no doubt get feedback regarding the baked goods and I haven’t even opened yet. The benefit of people welcoming me besides the obvious is getting opinions before the doors open.

I hurry inside and grab everything I need, lock up behind me and head toward the McGraws’. Unfortunately, they are not home. I leave the box of baked goods inside a wooden box just outside the door. It looks like a package receptacle. It’s not big enough for a wood bin. I haven’t seen one of those since I was a little girl.We kept one outside the front door filled with split wood for the wood-burning stove to heat our old farmhouse.

The drive to the Broken B is pleasant. A fresh coat of snow blankets the landscape. It’s nothing but pristine, untouched land on both sides of the short drive.

I stop at the big house first to drop off the box. If Dustin is here, I can give him his cookies. I knock on the door. Cece answers.

“Ruby, what a pleasant surprise.”

“Cece, I brought some goodies for you all.”

“Please come in. Let’s take them into the kitchen.”

Cece takes the box and leads me to her kitchen. It’s enormous and fitted with professional grade appliances. My mouth hangs open as I take it all in. The money they sank into this kitchen could pay for my bakery. Of course, I got the bakery for a steal. I got a huge discount for being a woman-owned business in Wolf Creek. Plus, the town, who owns the property, badly wants a bakery. I snap out of it a split-second before Cece sits the box on the counter and asks if I wanted coffee.

“I’d love some coffee and a napkin to wipe the drool off my chin. Your kitchen is gorgeous.”

Cece blushes. “Thank you. That’s a tremendous compliment coming from you. I can’t wait to try some of this.”

Cece takes two dessert plates and sits them on the kitchen island beside the box. I noticed a nearby kitchen nook table with bench seating. Sunlight filters through the gauzy curtains.

“May we take our coffee in the nook?”

Her face lights up. “Yes, that’s perfect. What would you like?”

“I’ll take one of the pies wrapped in gold foil.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Both are NorthStar cherries made with cherry blossom infused honey from the McGraws. The gold foil has mascarpone lightly sweetened with the same honey.”

“Oh my, that sounds decadent. Are those chocolate pecan pie cookies?”

“They are. Dustin described them to me. I’ve had them a few times. I hope he likes them.”

“We should enjoy these pies right quick, box up these goodies and take them to the boys. They’re a thirty-minute ride away repairing a section of fence.”

“I’d love to.”

“These are foil wrapped; we can walk and eat?”

“I’ll help you pack them.”

Chapter 10

Ruby

Fifteen minutes later, Cece and I are on horseback, heading away from the barn toward a trail that leads west. At least, according to Cece. I’m more of a turn left, or right. I suppose if I’m going to live out here, I should learn my directions. Someday I hope to build or buy a house outside of town. Maybe even have a horse of my own.

“That pie was the best thing I’ve tasted in a long time. I didn’t think Ellie’s recipe could be improved upon. You’ll have to let her try some of the new pies.”

I smile. “I left them a box on the front porch on my way here. I hope she doesn’t mind that I tweaked the recipe. I have a habit of doing that.”

Cece laughs and shakes her head. “Not at all. Hers is still the original and that’s enough for Ellie. Wait until you meet her. She’s the sweetest soul.”

“Dutch sure is. I’m planning on buying as much of their stock as I can.”

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