Page 11 of This Moment

I glanced up to see Macy looking at me. “I can excuse myself if you would like.”

Opal tsked. “Nonsense. You’re working.”

Both women turned and headed toward Opal’s office. Once I heard the door shut, I turned the fire down on the filling and removed my apron. I popped my head out and toldKatherine, who was working the counter, that I was running to the restroom. She gave me a thumbs-up and returned to talking to the gentleman she was assisting.

I quickly went through the kitchen and to the back, where the restrooms were. The employee restroom was right next to Opal’s office, and I had discovered by mistake that you could hear everything Opal said in her office if you were in there. I had meant to tell her but had forgotten. Now I was glad I hadn’t said a thing because my radar was on high alert with Macy. She didn’t trust me, I could feel it by the way she looked at me. I knew it was wrong, but I had to know if it was me she wanted to talk to Opal about.

Quietly shutting the door, I locked it and stood perfectly still.

“Enough with the small talk, Macy Carter. What is on your mind?”

“Cadie, when did you hire her?”

My heart dropped.

“Almost a month ago.”

“How long has she been in town?”

“I’m not sure. Why?”

“She sure is tight-lipped about where she is from.”

Opal laughed. “Oh my goodness, Macy, are you seriously doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Putting that poor girl under a microscope simply because she’s new to town.”

“Did she tell you where she was from?”

“She told me the West Coast.”

Macy sighed. “Did she even give you a resume?”

“No,” Opal said, clearly getting agitated. “She saw the sign and was a walk-in. She gave me a few references, and Icalled them. Each person gave her wonderful recommendations. One was a bakery in Portland, Oregon, and the other was in Chicago, her last job.”

“You talked to someone?”

“Yes! What is wrong with you, Macy?”

“I don’t trust someone so secretive about their life.”

I frowned. I’d have to be careful around Macy. She would surely try and get me to slip up. Hopefully, I wouldn’t see her often, especially since it sounded like she wasn’t in town frequently.

“Darling, listen, I know that investigative lawyer in you is out in full force, but will you trust me on this? Cadie Waterford is a wonderful young lady. She is quietandkeeps to herself, but she is a wonderful baker. I don’t see anything wrong with someone who wants to keep to themselves.”

“They’re usually the kind who is hiding something.”

I chewed nervously on my thumbnail.

Opal let out another frustrated sigh. “Macy, I want you to let this go. How would you like it if Cadie started to ask you all kinds of personal questions two minutes after meeting you?”

“I wouldn’t like it, but this is you, Aunt Opal. I don’t want anyone taking advantage of you.”

“That young lady is far from taking advantage of me. Now put your spyglass away, and tell me about your brother.”

Deciding I had eavesdropped enough, I slowly unlocked the bathroom door and returned to the kitchen. I stirred the jelly and removed it from the oven to let it cool. About ten minutes later, I heard Macy and Opal exiting her office. I was piping whipped cream onto a cheesecake for the front case.

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