Page 28 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

Chapter 7

Owen opened his pantry and frowned. He rummaged around for something to eat and eventually gave up. There was officially nothing good to eat in the house. He grabbed a snack-sized bag of chips and a stray water bottle and tucked his wallet into his back pocket before he got in his car and drove to the local supermarket.

He walked up and down the aisles, tossing food into his shopping cart. He missed having Juana around to cook for him and was tired of eating the same things over and over at Hadley’s. He saw a container of shrimp cocktail and put that in his cart, and grabbed a package of steaks. He could crank up the grill one of these nights and see if he could remember how to cook a steak. Reading a few internet articles would serve to make sure he didn’t turn them into shoe leather. He wandered to the produce section and got a bag of potatoes to go with the steaks, feeling proud of himself for being willing to cook for himself.

He rolled his cart through the bakery and saw Mrs. Wheaton staring at the cakes. He remembered the town gossip well. She was just the person to spread the word aboutThe Icing on Top.

“You don’t want those.”

Mrs. Wheaton turned around and looked at him. “Why, if it isn’t Owen Hadley. Who knew movie stars did their own grocery shopping?”

“Well, this one does.” At least he was today. At home, he almost never stepped into a grocery store.

Mrs. Wheaton furrowed her brow. “Why don’t I want one of these cakes?”

“Because I know where you can get cakes much better.”

“And where would that be?”

“The Icing on Top Bake Shop. Ever been there?”

“Oh, yes, yes. My daughter Aubrey loves that bakery. She’s always taking me there.”

“They have the best cakes and cookies I’ve ever tasted. And I keep a constant supply of her muffins in my kitchen at all times.”

Mrs. Wheaton appraised him closely. “Is that so?”

“I’ve eaten at bakeries in Paris that aren’t as delicious.”

“It is a pretty good bakery…”

“Then why are you shopping for cakes here?”

“Well, I’m here anyway.”

“But your family deserves better, don’t they?”

A new resolve lit in the older woman’s eyes. “Well, I suppose they do.”

“But you didn’t hear it from me.”

She turned to study Owen. “Why ever not?”

“We wouldn’t want the bakery owner to think I have a crush on her.”

Mrs. Wheaton’s eyes grew wide. “And do you?”

“That’s private information, Mrs. Wheaton. You ought to know better than to ask a question like that,” Owen teased.

Mrs. Wheaton laughed. “Listen to you!”

“Have a nice day, Mrs. Wheaton.”

“You too!” she crooned.

As he walked away, he heard her mutter to herself. “Just look at him, flirting with a married woman like that.” He looked back to see her running her fingers through her short curls like she was primping. “He ought to be ashamed of himself.”

“What were you talking to Mrs. Wheaton about?”

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