Page 12 of I'll Carry You

Because the only way to survive this world is to learn to look out for yourself.

ChapterSix

“Is that guy still sitting there?”Lindsay peeked around the high-top and through the glass counter.

Jen wiped down the espresso machine. “Yup. And he’s had like four cappuccinos. Apparently, he’s not planning on sleeping tonight.”

She glanced at Jason furtively. His gaze was still locked on his laptop. Maybe he was a writer? They got a lot of them at the café. Bunny didn’t mind as long as they continued to pay for food and drinks. The ones who bought one coffee and used the Wi-Fi all day—those were the ones theyallgrumbled at.

But he seemed too wealthy to be a writer. Unless he was famous. He’d rented out the most expensive cabin and drove a fancy car. Even his clothes seemed expensive. Not that Jen would know about brands. She shopped at the consignment shop, and Colby got most of his clothes as hand-me-downs from Warren’s kids.

Lindsay bit her lip. “He’s not bad to look at.” Her own eyes twinkled. “Maybe you should go over there and talk to him again. I swear I saw him peeking at you.”

Jen untied the apron from her neck. Her feet ached, and her head throbbed. All she wanted to do was go home and soak in a bubble bath. Fortunately, her mom had volunteered to keep Colby overnight, which was especially generous, considering she was watching Colby tomorrow for her date with Brad.

“He’s passing through town. And I think things are heading in a good direction with Brad. Want to come over and watch a movie?” Jen asked Lindsay. “I unexpectedly have the night free.”

Lindsay shook her head. “My grandfather wants me to come over and check out the menu he has planned for the Christmas special.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s becoming such a diva.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t outright forbidden you to come visit me in here. A Yardley at Bunny’s. Think of how bad it could be for business if people found out.” Jen grinned and looked back at Bunny, who was busy cleaning out the roaster.

“I heard that.” Bunny didn’t look at the two younger women. A bead of sweat gathered on her forehead, so she wiped it away and gave Lindsay a cross look. “And he’s not becoming a diva. He’s always been one. If that man’s head gets any bigger, they’ll be able to use him for a float at the parade on Main next year. And you can tell him I said that.”

Jen and Lindsay both burst out laughing. Bunny Wagner and Peter Yardley’s feud had been going on for as long as anyone could remember. But neither Jen nor Lindsay was naïve enough to think there wasn’t anything to it. Bunny and Peter actually loathed each other.

Bunny’s resentment had only grown, though, when the Happy Home Channel had noticed Peter’s work withThis Charmed Lifemagazine. They’d given Peter his own television show, which only brought him more tourism and traffic in town.

Wiping tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes, Lindsay straightened. “Speaking of which, did you hear about the baking competition my grandfather’s show is hosting as part of his televised Christmas special? At his new store?” She dug through her purse and pulled out a crumpled flyer, which she pushed into Jen’s hands. “You should totally sign up.”

The paper crinkled as Jen smoothed it out against the counter. The prize money swam in front of her eyes, her jaw dropping. “Twenty-five thousand dollars?”

Lindsay gave a giant, exaggerated nod. “See what I mean? It’s being sponsored byThis Charmed Lifeand Happy Home Channel.The magazine got such a great response last year to the Christmas cookie thing Sam Doyle did, so they wanted to do a big Christmas thing in Brandywood this year, too. And with Grandpa’s show and his store, they thought it would be a good tie-in. But sign-ups are only through the weekend. The first round of the competition will be on Wednesday. Then they do the final the week after and they announce the winner at the special, after Christmas.”

As Jen got excited, a line from the flyer leaped up at her. Her heart fell and she met Lindsay’s eyes. “Why is it couples only?”

“To handicap me,” Bunny said in a flat voice, passing by them. She glared at the flyer. “At least, that’s practically what Peter told me. He didn’t want me to enter, so widows need not apply.”

“Sorry, Bunny.” Lindsay’s apologetic expression confirmed Bunny’s story.

“I guess that means I’m out, too.” Jen pushed the flyer away.

“Why don’t you get Brad to sign up with you? You can totally do it together.” Lindsay replaced the flyer in her purse.

Would Brad be willing?“I don’t think he bakes, though.” To be honest, he had talked about little outside of his work as an accountant. Which was probably the most boring job that Jen could think of, but hey, he wasn’t struggling to pay his bills.

“You’ll carry the team no matter who’s on it. Best damn baker I’ve ever trained,” Bunny muttered, passing by them. The door to the kitchen swung behind her as she went through it. The rare compliment was enough to warm Jen’s heart. Bunny didn’t give out praise about baking if it wasn’t earned.

“Do you think we count as a couple?” Jen leaned her hip against the counter. “We’ve only been on three dates. He only just kissed me last time.” And it had been a nice kiss. Little boring, like him, but nice. God, she really needed to have sex. This wholenothaving it was becoming too big a thing in her brain. Had things really been that good in the past? Maybe she was conflating the whole thing. Should she lower the threshold on what “commitment” meant?

“You totally count. Sign up. You can do it tomorrow when you go on your date. You’re going to the pub, right? There’s a sign-up sheet there. I think it’s fifty bucks to enter, though.”

Jen shot her a warning look. Bunny had to know Jen went to Yardley’s, like everyone else in this town. But she’d prefer not to deal with the consequences of Lindsay bringing it up. The sigh that she breathed felt defeated and empty. “That settles it. I don’t even have five bucks. I can’t enter.”

Lindsay pulled her checkbook out. “I’m writing you the check.” She reached for a pen from the cup beside the register.

“Not a chance.” Jen pulled the pen cup away. “There’s no way that I can ask any more of anyone. I can’t keep expecting my friends and family to bankroll me through life.”

Lindsay nodded toward the seating area. “Looks like your stalker is gone.”

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