Page 101 of Baking With A Rockstar

Chapter Forty

Letting out a big huff,I plop down on one of the bakery stools and can’t help but laugh at myself. “I have to get used to working this much again. It’s barely past noon, and I’m exhausted.”

It’s only been a few days since we got back from Los Angeles, and everyone’s been working their butts off to get ready for the bakery opening tomorrow.

“You’re doing just fine.” Max—the only baker I’ve hired so far—is on the opposite side of the kitchen work table. He’s proven to be worth every single penny I pay him since he has yet to make something that doesn’t taste like pure magic. He’s, without a doubt, a genius in the kitchen, at least when it comes to baking, and I’m thrilled to have him on my team.

“I’m your boss, you have to say that,” I tease, and get a chuckle from him in return.

“Come on.” He adds another baking sheet to the already half-filled pan rack before looking at me. “If we hurry up, we can get things done early. We have to be here in the middle of the night again, after all.”

I push myself off the chair, raising my messy hands in the air. “I know, I know. Hopefully, I can hire someone else soon too, if the bakery does well. That way, we’d have one more person to share the early morning shift with.”

“That would be nice but no worries. I really don’t mind the mornings. I actually like to be out and about when everyone else is still sleeping. It’s quiet and rather peaceful.”

My mind mulls over that for a moment, and I have to agree with him. “That’s true. Alrighty, let’s finish this up.”

We bake in pleasant silence, both of us in our element, with the local radio station quietly playing in the background. We work great as a team without being in each other’s way, both of us knowing exactly what we’re doing.

“Look, birthday girl.” Hudson’s voice sounds behind me, and I turn around with a grin on my face. “There’s your beautiful mama.”

The sight in front of me does funny things to my stomach while my heart is trying to speed away. Hudson looks beyond sexy in his simple dark jeans and a light gray T-shirt, his dark hair hidden under a black hat. It’s a sight to behold, and I’ll never, ever tire of seeing it. But what makes him look the absolute best is my little cutie pie strapped to his chest in a baby carrier. Mira is all flailing arms and legs when I walk over to them for snuggles and kisses.

“Ma-ma, ma-ma.” Mira’s smile is so wide, there’s nothing left of her eyes but little slits.

Hearing her say those two little syllables still brings tears to my eyes. It’s a feeling I can’t fully describe. All I know is that it does something incredible to my heart, and that feeling will never get old, no matter how often she says it.

I take a deep breath, wiping my hands off on my apron. “What are you guys doing here?”

“We thought Grandma could use a break, so we went for a walk.” He looks around the kitchen and waves at Max. “We were also hoping we’d be lucky enough to steal you away, so we can take you home with us early before everyone gets there for Mira’s birthday party.”

We’ve organized a little birthday party for Mira, and I can’t wait to give her the little cake I made for her. Even though I did cut back on the sugar, making something healthier for her. The last thing this energetic girl needs is lots of extra sugar.

I start to shake my head, but Max speaks up before I can get a word out. “You should go, Charlie. I can easily finish by myself. We’re almost done anyway.”

I turn around to look at him. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,boss.” He winks at me, and Hudson chuckles next to me.

“Looks like you’re outnumbered, sweetheart.”

“All right, all right.” I look around my workstation before I smile up at Hudson. “I only need to finish up what I started, get things cleaned up, and talk to Claire up front, to make sure she’s all set for tomorrow.”

“No problem.” He thinks for a moment. “How about Miss Mira and I go over to the new place that just opened to see what they have to offer?”

“The waffle place?”

Hudson nods eagerly, his eyes wide in excitement. “I’ve heard good things about them.”

“Sounds good to me. Go satisfy your sweet tooth.”

“You know it. We’ll be back soon.” He bends down for a quick kiss, and then they’re out the door again.

Clapping my hands together, I get back to work. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road.”

Before I know it, Hudson and Mira walk back in the door, just as I’m taking off my apron. Hudson has a huge grin on his face as he holds up a big paper bag.

“What did you get?” The delicious smell coming from the bag is enough to have me curious.

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