Page 30 of Bread with the Orc
“Is that just because shortbread goes well with tea?”
She winked at me. “Obviously. Even if we don’t make them for the contest, youhaveto add them to our menu.”
I nodded, making a mental note to double my butter order next time. “And what about the Jasmine Tea Honey Cakes?” I’d designed those to honor Laney’s mother and her heritage, the love of tea that my Mate still revered.
Unfortunately, she winced. “As delicious asIthink they are, I’m afraid they’re just too exotic for Harmony Glen. People aren’t taking a chance on them, not when macarons and shortbread are possibilities.”
I grunted. “Exotic could be a good thing in the dessert contest.”
“That’s right!” Stretching up again, she gave me another kiss, and I allowed myself to fall into her sweet scent for a moment before she pulled away.
“Better start cracking those egg whites for the macarons,” she announced as the bell over the door jangled. “I’ll go get the last of these orders?—”
“Yes chef,” I barked sarcastically before realizing that she’d frozen, staring out at the main space of the bakery. “What is it? Laney?”
“My father,” she whispered. “Oh shit, oh shit.”
Immediately, I was beside her. “You don’t have to go out there.” My hand went to her back. “I’ll go let him know he’s not welcome.”
“No,” she whispered, turning to me, panic in her dark eyes. “No, he’s my father. I have to face him. He’shere, isn’t he? Maybe it’s a good thing?”
But as my Mate took a deep breath and stepped out of the kitchen, I could feel her certainty: This wasnota good thing.
“Hello,Baba,” she called, trying to be cheerful. I wondered if anyone was fooled.
The man who had stopped at the counter didn’t look as if he believed her tone. He was in his sixties, his hair graying to silver, his expression stern as he studied his daughter. He wore a suit that was likely worth a month’s rent on this place.
Finally, he flicked his fingers dismissively. “Is that the way you honor the man who raised you?”
Laney hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at me, then to my surprise, clasped her hands together and inclined her head. “Welcome,Baba. It’s good to see you.”
What the shit? Had he just demanded shebowto him? I couldn’t stop the little growl that burst from my throat, and I realized I was digging my claws into my chest in a vain attempt to calm myKteer.
This is her fight. She’ll call you if she needs you.
The older man now nodded in satisfaction as he looked around the space, his lip curling in slight disdain. “I see your little tea shop failed, Lan-Yee, and you’ve had to close down.”
I watched my Mate straighten her shoulders and take a deep breath, and from my place by the door to the kitchens, I sent her as much strength as I could.
“My tea shop failed, yes,” she said quietly, as if aware that everyone in the place was surreptitiously watching the drama play out. “But it was because I didn’t give the community a place to linger.”
“It failed because it was a bad business model.” Her father sniffed, his attention on the eclectic décor. “Hospitality is always a risk. Who decorated in here, your boss?”
When Laney chose to ignore the insult to her tastes, I almost cheered. “You know my dream was to open a tea shop to honorAma’slove.” At that announcement, her father’s attention swung sharply back to pin her, and Laney lifted her chin. “I wanted a place where the people of Harmony Glen could gather.”
“The people of Harmony Glen are half monsters now.”
Did he not see Roarke from the veterinary office sitting in the corner? Bold move to be that insulting with a lionman nearby.
My Mate kept her cool. “Nevertheless, that was my dream?—”
“Your dream failed,” her father snapped.
“My dream changed.” Laney took another deep breath and stepped up to the counter, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. “Dorvak and I combined our businesses a month ago. I make teas, he makes breads and pastries. Let me pour you some of your favorite, jasmine?—”
Her father cut her off with a slashing motion. “I didn’t come here for tea!”
Why did he come, then?I was already stepping forward when Laney softly echoed my question.
