Page 2 of Baking Spirits Bright!

When I’m on my feet, I pluck out my earbuds and study his face. I’ve never seen him before. He must be someone’s out-of-town cousin, or lost.

“I’m good. Are you?” I answer after awkwardly looking him over.

“Yeah.” He gives me a lopsided grin.

He’s cute. And I’m not—right now. I’m in yoga pants, an Auburn sweatshirt I so slept in last night, messy ponytail, and no makeup.

But he’s smiling even bigger at me. He must be lost, bless his heart.

“Can I help you with anything?” I tilt my head.

“Uh, yeah.” He shakes his head and extends his hand. “I’m Ryan.”

I squeeze his hand and shake it. After several beats, he stares at our hands. I drop mine and slide it down my side in embarrassment.

“Erica.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Erica.” He pulls a phone from his back pocket. “I can’t find the Quality Inn.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Youwantto find the Quality Inn?”

“I have a room there.”

Bless his heart for sure.

“Okay. It’s on the edge of Wisteria. The address is actually in Moonshine County.”

“Oh.” Now it’s his turn to look shocked. “It popped up online as being in Apple Cart County.”

“Yeah . . .” I clear my throat. “It’s the only motel for miles so they serve our county too.” I add under my breath, “Unfortunately.”

One of the many reasons I’ve tried to convince my family to offer a bed and breakfast option at the orchard.

He glances around the park at the playground equipment and the new gazebo. The town council had a heated debate about that gazebo a few months back. Half didn’t want to spend the money on something “of no use,” but the appeal of having a gazebo in the hub of a small town won.

“Could you give me directions?”

“Sure.” I go through the spiel of driving out of town and passing Waffle House, then slowing at the sign for Double Drive. “The motel sign might not be lit, and it’s in the same building as Enchilada and The Hole.”

“The hole, WH or H?”

I laugh. “H. It’s a liquor store.”

He lifts his chin as the culture shock hits. “Got it. My mind went to Whole Foods for some reason, since this is an agriculture area.”

“Well, we have plenty of that too, but it’s sold at the Pig and farmers’ markets.”

“Gotcha.” He smiles. “I’m from a rural area in Tennessee.”

I laugh, relaxing my shoulders. “That’s nice to hear.”

He nods. “Thanks for the directions. I hope to see you around.”

“Me too.” I smile nervously as he gets in a nearby car and drives away.

Me too?Wouldn’t that mean I’m also looking forward to seeing me around? I don’t know. I slap my forehead. This is why I’m better off behind a computer, where I can type my mind and edit it.

Living next to Paul this past year and a half has not been good for my brain.

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