Page 12 of Cody

“Gosh, it has been a long time. I just recently returned home after being gone, too.”

She nodded. “Yup. That seems to be the norm for us small-town folks.”

I laughed, agreeing with her. “Home is where the heart is, they say.” My gaze took in her baby bump. “When are you due?”

Her hand smoothed over her belly. “Two months. This baby was a surprise. I have two grown sons from my first marriage.”

I automatically glanced at the beautiful ring sparkling on her finger.

“Never thought I’d be going through this again.”

“It looks good on you.” It was true. Mia was glowing and clearly happy about being pregnant. “Do you know what you’re having?”

“Another boy,” she admitted. “Which makes King happy, since he already has a daughter. So what about you?”

At the mention of King’s name, I recollected the tall, husky boy from high school that all the girls had had a crush on, including me. Lucky catch for Mia.

I shook my head. “No, no kids.” I didn’t feel like going into detail about why I didn’t want them. “Just an ex.”

Mia picked up on my reluctance to talk about it. “Listen, let’s get together soon to catch up.”

Twenty years’ worth,I thought to myself. But I was looking forward to it. “I’d like that.”

“So are you here for a dessert, or just shopping around?”

“Well, kind of both. I’m interested in opening a coffee shop. I’m waiting for the realtor to get back to me about the empty spot at the end of the street.”

“The lawyer’s office?”

I nodded.

“That’s a convenient location with the parking lot right next to it. And you can probably get it cheap. It’s been vacant for quite a while now.”

Good to know,I thought, glancing back down at the desserts in the case in front of me. “They all look so good,” I mumbled to myself. “What can you recommend?”

Mia laughed. “Allof them! Seriously, you can’t go wrong. They’re all baked fresh from scratch by some of our locals.” She leaned over the counter as far as her protruding belly would allow and whispered, “I’ll give you my discount.”

“Thanks! In that case I’ll take two. Apple pie—” because it went with everything, “—and the raspberry tart.”

Mia stepped back so she could reach in for the pie. “Piece or whole?”

“Whole, please.” As Mia boxed them up, I glanced over the menu on the wall behind her. Coffee was on the list, but I assumed it was just a regular brew because there wasn’t a list of flavors. Besides a wide selection of desserts, they also offered candies, smoothies, and fruits covered in chocolate and caramel.

I thought about the Chinese and Italian restaurants that were on Main Street, and immediately came up with the kinds of deli items I could offer that wouldn’t compete with their businesses. Grab and go breakfast sandwiches would be a good idea. Something customers could have with their coffee on the way to work.

Mia set two boxes on the counter in front of me. “I just thought of something.” There was excitement in her voice. “We’re having a cookout this Saturday, and you’re invited. It will give you a chance to reconnect with some of the locals and meet new people.”

“Well, thank you.” I wondered if Cody would be there, but I wasn’t going to ask her. I didn’t need to start a rumor that I was interested in him. There were ears all around us. “That sounds great.”

“I’ll write my address down on the back of the receipt.” She was writing as she said it. “Come around one.”

She handed me the receipt, and I stepped over to the register to pay.

It was better to keep that man out of my head.

Even if I wanted him in my bed.

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