Page 42 of A Brambleberry Summer

Baking reminded her of her mother. Maria Elena had been an amazing baker who used to make delicious delicacies she would sometimes sell in the market. Anything to make a few lempiras.

Rosa still liked making the treats of her childhood, but today she was feeling more like good old-fashioned chocolate-chip cookies, a treat she had come to love as a teenager.

She was just taking the first batch out of the oven when her phone rang. For a moment, she thought about ignoring it. Hardly anyone ever reached out to her with a phone call anymore, unless there was some kind of trouble. It might be Lauren, though, who still liked to have long chats on the phone since they couldn’t connect as often in person.

Without looking at the caller ID, she tapped her earbud to answer the call as she slid the tray of cookies onto the cooling rack and put the next tray into the oven.

“Buenas,”she said, distracted.

“Hello?” a male voice replied. “Is this Rosa Galvez?”

Her heartbeat accelerated as she recognized Wyatt.

Oh, this was so stupid. They had shared one kiss. Granted, it had been earthshaking for her, but that did not explain why she became weak in the knees, simply knowing he was on the other end of a telephone call.

She was tempted for a moment to tell him “no, wrong number,” and disconnect the call. That would be childish, though. What was the point of hiding from the reality that she was falling for a completely inappropriate man?

“Si.Yes. This is Rosa.”

“Hola, Rosa. This is Wyatt Townsend. From downstairs.”

As if she knew any other Wyatt Townsends who could make her head spin. “Yes. I know. Is everything all right?”

He sighed. “Not really. I have a little problem and was wondering if I could ask for your help.”

The word shocked her. Wyatt was not the sort of man who could ask for help easily. “Of course. What do you need?”

“I just got called to cover an emergency and Carrie, Joe and Bella have gone to Portland. They’re leaving for San Francisco from there. I’m in a bind and need someone to watch Logan for a few hours.”

“Of course,” she said instantly. “Fiona and I would be glad to help you. I can be down in ten minutes, as soon as I take some cookies out of the oven.”

“You don’t have to come down. I can bring him upstairs to you. He’s used to sleeping on the couch.”

“Don’t be silly. He would be more comfortable in his own bed. We will be there in ten minutes.”

She had more dough, but decided she could put it in the refrigerator for now and later freeze it for another day.

“Thank you. I appreciate that. Hopefully I won’t be gone past midnight.”

“Even if you are, I won’t mind,” she assured him. “I’ll be down soon.”

While she waited for the timer, she gathered her laptop and a small knitting project she had been working on. She also waited for the first batch of cookies to cool enough before transferring them to a plate to take downstairs with her. As soon as the timer went off, she turned off her oven, pulled out the cookie tray and transferred the cookies to another cooling rack, then headed down the stairs with Fiona following close behind her.

Wyatt opened the door before she could knock, as if he had been watching for her.

“I’m really sorry about this.”

“Please do not apologize. I’m happy to do it.”

“Logan is already in bed. He’ll be sorry he missed you.”

She was disappointed that she wouldn’t have a chance to hang out with the sweet boy and teach him more Spanish words. She would have enjoyed reading him a story and tucking him in.

“Too bad. I brought him some cookies. Ah, well. He can have one when he wakes up.”

“If I don’t eat them all first. They look delicious.”

He smiled and she had to remind herself she was here to watch his child, not to moon over the boy’s father.

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