Page 37 of Made for You

“Maybe. Either way, you should get to know him. He is clearly interested and I bet it would motivate Liam to get his shit together!” Emma grabs a stool and sits at the island. I guess she’s here to stay, good thing I don’t mind the company.

I don’t know if her plan is a good one though. Liam never has been one to play games. He wants whatever you have to say to be said straight. So I don’t know that I would want to make him talk to me by making him jealous. The risk of that plan backfiring on me is too high.

I think the better option would be to package up some pastries and donuts and deliver them to him. Force myself into his space so he can’t avoid me anymore.

I smile to myself at the plan. As soon as these are done, I will pack them up and find him in the barn. I’ve noticed the light on in there late into the night the last two nights.

I mix up my strawberry jam and cream cheese to throw into the refrigerator, all the while crafting what I want to say to Liam.

It’s been a long day in the kitchen. I’ve only gotten about an hour break to sit by the fire and eat my lunch in between preparing meals, breakfasts, pastries, and picnics. I’m glad for the extra money to help Gran and Liam but I’ll be even more glad to be done tonight.

I’ve just packaged the strawberry cheese danish and the donuts for Liam in our signature Sweet Violets packaging when someone comes into the kitchen.

“Hi, I just came for some dinner, don’t let me bother you.” Alexander, the guest from New York walks to the refrigerator.

“No bother at all. I was just finishing up. The meals are organized together. There is meatloaf with mashed potatoes and vegetables, Chicken fajita bowls, and I just added some sandwiches with pasta salad.”

I turn away to place the box for Liam by my phone while he chooses a meal.

“Do I just heat this up in the microwave here or is there another spot for guests?” He gestures toward the microwave with the chicken fajita bowl he chose.

“Here is fine.” I nod in return.

I stack the boxes of pastries for Emerald Roasters on the counter. Wyatt is going to stop by and grab them after his shift tonight so he can drop them off for me. I think he only offers so I will cook him breakfast.

“Would you care to sit and chat? I’ve been in meetings all day and could go for a friendly conversation about the area.” He pushes the stool out with one foot.

I chew on my bottom lip, hesitantly taking in the situation. I really want to find Liam so I can relax and continue reading the book he found for me.

I glance out the window and see that the barn lights are off still, so he isn’t back in there yet. I sneak another glance over at Alexander. He seems to be enjoying his meal instead of the view of my body so maybe it wouldn’t be awful to stay and talk while I wait for Liam to head into the barn.

“Sure. I can do that.” Going to the refrigerator I pull out a sandwich and pasta salad for myself.

After an entire day of cooking, even the microwave seems like a lot of work.

I join Alexander at the island, “What brings you to Balsam Cliffs?”

“I work for a large company in New York City, we acquire other businesses and I am checking out a business nearby to analyze the risks and rewards to see if it’s worth acquiring.”

“Oh, that sounds…interesting.” I take another bite of food to avoid more conversation. I know his type. Arrogant. Works fora conglomerate that eats up mom and pop shops for breakfast and spits out a chain in its place.

“Not really.” He half-heartedly chuckles, “But it pays the bills.”

And clearly very well judging by the brand of his suit and the fact that he’s still buttoned up tight with a tie at the end of a weekend day spent working.

“How about you? You own a bakery in town?”

“No. My Grandmother owns it. It’s currently under renovation but we had contracts to fill here at the inn and the coffee shop in town. So the Keatons were kind enough to let me work in their kitchen.” He stares at me as if waiting for more information.

I look down at his bowl to see that he has to be the world’s slowest eater.

“The Keatons are?” He waves his hand around in the air like I should have known this was his question without him saying a thing.

“The family that owns and operates this inn. It’s been in their family for generations. Liam, the current owner is third generation.” I answer with a pride in my voice for all Liam is accomplishing with the inn.

“So what brings people to Balsam Cliffs then as a tourist?” He finally takes another bite of his dinner.

“Well the inn is connected to the trails for off road vehicles, the hiking is incredible in this area, the beaches, or just a quiet kind of off-grid break.”

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