Page 8 of Wild Desire

"Let's start with an extra hundred on Saturdays and Sundays. But you're on notice. If we get any more complaints about the price, we'll have to lower them."

I ground my teeth. "The donuts are three dollars apiece; that allows for both of us to get a profit. You're not authorized to lower the price. If you do, I'll take my donuts elsewhere."

Cal held up his hand. "I heard that you're already selling them at the lodge."

"The lodge isn't in direct competition with your shop. It's for the guests who wouldn't venture here." We didn't have an exclusivity agreement, but Cal liked to throw his weight around. He didn't think anyone else would sell my donuts. He was the only breakfast place in town.

I needed to placate him if I wanted the extra money every week. But it was hard, sweaty work, and it had to be done early in the morning. I wouldn't be making any profit if he reduced the price.

Cal waved a hand at me. "A hundred more on Saturday."

I took that as my dismissal, because he'd turned his attention to his computer screen. "Have a good day."

I had to deliver two more trays to the lodge. In the dining room, I arranged the donuts on the smaller display case near the buffet.

"Did you save some for me?" Marcus asked when he refilled the scrambled eggs.

"Good morning to you too," I said as I moved the donuts one by one into the case. It was quicker at Cal's because I could put a whole tray of donuts in the case. It was easier to switch out. But I enjoyed talking to Marcus when he was working.

"You know I love your donuts," Marcus said.

I laughed. "Like you can't make your own. Everything you cook is wonderful."

Marcus snagged a chocolate-icing donut from the tongs I held and took a large bite. His eyes closed, and he hummed. "I can't bake."

I shook my head just as Joey, Oliver's son, ran up to me. "Is there one for me, Miss Noelle?"

I leaned down to talk to him. "Of course, there's one for you. I made one special with green sprinkles."

His eyes lit up. "Green is my favorite color, and I love sprinkles."

I grinned at him as I grabbed the small box I'd prepared just for him. I lifted the lid and held it out to him. "Here it is."

"Dad, can I eat it now?" Joey asked his father, who'd appeared behind him.

Oliver nodded. "Sit at the table."

Joey snagged the box and was gone before I could say anything else to him.

"He loves your donuts."

I smiled. "I'm glad."

"But you didn't have to make him a special donut."

"I don't mind."

"How many donuts did you take to Cal's this morning?"

"Five hundred."

Oliver whistled. "That's a lot. What time do you have to get up to make those?"

I shook my head, a smile playing on my lips. "You don't want to know."

Oliver nodded, and that's when I noticed that Killian was slightly behind him leaning on his crutches. I set the tongs down and stepped forward. "Why don't you sit, and I'll grab you a plate."

Killian shook his head. "It looks like you have your hands full."

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