Page 1 of No Going Back
ONE
DIANNA
“DAMN IT. I knew I should have come down here earlier.” Mae Pace frowned at the mostly empty case in front of her, one hand resting on the slight swell of her tiny belly. “I really wanted cake.”
“Come back in an hour.” Dianna was already backing toward the line of second-hand commercial coolers spaced along the back wall. “I’ll put one together for you.”
Mae scoffed. “No freaking way am I making you stay late because I waited too long to get off my ass.” She leaned down to look over the remaining items in the case. “How about the peach shortcake instead?”
Dianna frowned. “But you want cake, not a biscuit.” The thought of Mae leaving with anything besides what she came for bothered the heck out of her. “It really isn’t a big deal. All the cakes have to get put together eventually and I’m going to be here anyway.”
Probably until almost eleven based on how much sold today. She’d gone through all her backup items and was now down to a couple dozen cookies and the final peach shortcake she’d secretly been hoping would remain after closing time.
“Nope.” Mae shook her head. “I know what it’s like to run a business like this and there’s no way I would ever pile more work up on you.” She smiled brightly. “I think that peach shortcake will be perfect. Sweet and juicy and creamy all at the same time.
Dianna stifled a sigh. The peach shortcakewouldbe perfect.
“Peach shortcake it is.” She snagged a small box from the pile stacked neatly under the counter and went to work folding up the sides. “Were you busy today?”
Mae owned The Wooden Spoon, a local eatery that dished out diner favorites and some of the best pies Dianna had ever tasted. The place was always packed and, from what Mae said, sold out of pies the same way she sold out of cake.
Mae sighed. “So busy.” She leaned back to scan the empty cases again. “Thank God you’re here too, otherwise I’m not sure I’d be able to keep up with this town’s sweet tooth.” Her brows pinched together. “Would that be plural? Sweet teeth?” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “That doesn’t sound right either.”
Dianna huffed out a little laugh as she loaded the shortcake into the box and carefully tucked the lid into place. “Either way, the cowboys around here definitely like their baked goods.” She slid the treat across the counter to Mae, trying to keep the longing out of her eyes. “Which I’m grateful for.”
She’d moved to Moss Creek a year ago expecting to crash and burn. Even after The Baking Rack opened its doors she was sure it would flop. It had happened before. It would probably happen again.
Instead, The Baking Rack was thriving. Thanks to hungry cowboys and women like Mae Pace.
“Can I get you anything else?” Dianna motioned at the basic coffee bar she used to offer her patrons the simplest of beverages to accompany their indulgences. “Maybe a decaf latte?”
Mae shook her head, grimacing. “Can’t handle the coffee this time.” She poked one finger at the slight swell of her stomach. “This one clearly likes making me miserable.”
Dianna smiled even as an old longing settled into her gut, sitting heavy and sad. “Must be a boy.”
Mae’s head tipped back on a cackle. “Isn’t that the truth?” She shook her head. “He would come by it honestly, that’s for sure. His daddy has a history of driving me nuts.”
Dianna laughed along with her. She’d met Mae’s husband Boone a handful of times and the man did seem ornery as hell. He was also handsome as hell and completely devoted to his wife and their young daughter.
And she wasn’t jealous. Maybe envious though.
Mae was kind and hard-working and had been amazingly supportive even though The Baking Rack stepped on the toes of The Wooden Spoon. She deserved to have a husband who adored her.
It was just that, even after everything she’d been through, Dianna couldn’t help but wish she had that too.
Mae dropped a ten-dollar bill on the counter before scooping up the box. “Don’t work too hard.” She pointed at Dianna, her expression sharpening. “I mean it. Don’t work too hard. You’ll make yourself miserable.”
She wanted to point out that finally feeling good about who she was and what she could do would never make her miserable, but Mae was clearly trying to help. “I won’t.”
Mae’s mouth held its stern line. “And don’t be afraid to hire help. I know it seems counterintuitive, but you might actually make more money with a second set of hands.”
The smile on her face was suddenly tight to the point it was almost painful to maintain. “I’ll think about it.” The words were clipped and sharper than she intended.
But bringing someone else into the business—herbusiness—terrified her.
Luckily Mae seemed oblivious to the change. “I’m always happy to help you narrow down applicants.” She leaned closer. “I know who’ll show up on time and who’ll roll in hung over and wearing the same clothes they had on the night before.”
The smile Dianna was struggling to hold came a little easier at Mae’s offer. “Thank you. That’s really kind of you.”
