Page 31 of This Moment

“Oh, Sally Grant. She works for my parents. She also loves your banana nut bread.”

Smiling, Cadie said, “I’ve had a taste of it in Oregon, fall and snow.”

“Is that home?” I asked.

“It was at one point.”

Okay, it was clear I wasn’t getting more information from her, so I decided to get straight to the point.

“You don’t really like to share your personal life, do you?”

Cadie cleared her throat. “I guess I just like my personal space.”

“I get that.”

Raising her brow, she asked, “Do you? Because I get the feeling you want more information.”

I laughed. “Guilty as charged.”

With a slight shrug, she replied, “Well, I can promise you there is nothing interesting about me or my past. I was born in Oregon, lived on the West Coast, lived in Chicago for a brief time, and decided I wanted to try the East Coast.”

“Fair enough.”

“What about you? Want to spill the beans on your childhood growing up? Your mother and father care more aboutwork than their kids, or at least from our discussion earlier, I’m deducing that. This could lead to me asking you who raised you if Mom and Dad weren’t around. Opal? A nanny? You and your siblings were on your own? What about past girlfriends? What worked and what didn’t for you? Have you been in a serious relationship, or are you the type of guy who likes one-night stands?”

I stopped at a light and turned to look at her. “You’re sure you weren’t a lawyer in your past life?”

She laughed. “That I can answer with a no. My passion has always been baking. As I mentioned the other day, I learned almost everything from my grandmother. From the moment I was five, and she tied an apron around my neck, I knew what I wanted to do for a living. But my past is my past, and I’d like to leave it there. I know the town is curious about themysteriouswoman who showed up on Opal’s doorstep and makes a killer banana nut bread. But there isn’t anything special about me.”

I laughed.

“But honestly, I came to Moose Village for a fresh start. Plain and simple.”

“Why Moose Village?” I asked before adding, “If you feel comfortable answering that.”

“I don’t mind answering that. Moose Village wasn’t planned. I just knew I wanted to be in this area, or even New Hampshire. I saw the sign for Moose Village and took it. It sounded like a cute town, and I wasn’t wrong. Plus, I really had to pee.”

I laughed.

“It’s the kind of town you picture when you’re about to sit down and watch a Hallmark movie.”

“I wouldn’t know; I’ve never watched one.”

Cadie gasped. “What? You’ve never even watched a Christmas Hallmark show?”

With a shake of my head, I said, “Nope. When I think of Hallmark, I think of the store and cards.”

Her hand went to her chest. “Kian, this is criminal. It’s so wrong on so many different levels.”

“Good thing I know good lawyers.”

Hitting me playfully on the arm, Cadie said, “Ha ha. I’m serious; you are missing out if you’re not watching the Christmas movies. They usually do a Christmas in July, but it isn’t nearly as fun as watching them during the holiday season.”

“I’ll remember that this November.”

“You mentioned that Moose Village has fun events like the scavenger hunt; what else do they do?”

I thought for a moment. It had been a hot minute since I was home. “Well, I haven’t been back home in a while, but they at one time did things like a spring fling dance, wine tours, founders’ day celebrations. Oh, they also do farmers’ markets once it warms up a bit.”

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