Page 27 of Beauty and the Baker
“Really?”
Georgina nodded. “I’m going to reopen the shop tomorrow morning. That is why I’ve been baking like crazy. I need to figure out all my aunt’s recipes.”
“So, you aren’t a baker?”
“Oh heavens no. I like to bake, but I’m not a baker.” She removed her hand and clasped both of them in front of her, swinging her arms as she walked. “If you stop by tomorrow, I’ll have your cake ready for you. What kind would you like?”
Charlie thought about it. He recalled a cake he had seen in the window of the bakery back home.
“Do you know how to make a pound cake?”
“I’m not sure. My aunt probably knows. I can ask her. She has plenty of recipe books.”
“There was this bakery back in New York. I would pass it on the way to work every morning. People would go in with their papers and coffee and come out with these beautiful boxes wrapped in ribbons.” He smiled at the memory. “There would be a display in the window, featuring cakes and breads. They had this loaf cake that looked so delicious. It was golden in color with a white glaze covering it.” Charlie gave a little groan. “I asked someone what type of cake it was, and they said pound cake.”
“Did you ever try it?”
Charlie shook his head. “No. It was too expensive. The loaf was fifteen cents. I asked my mother if she could make one. She didn’t get a chance to before she died.”
“I’m so sorry,” Georgina offered. “Is your father still alive?”
“Yes. He works at the tailor shop right next to the haberdashery. Max, my brother-in-law owns both shops, but my father does all the alterations for the store.” He looked at Georgina. “How about your parents?”
“They are. They live on the East Coast. They are supposed to come out and visit in a few weeks. I am hoping I’ll still be around.”
Charlie walked in silence the rest of the way. He didn’t have much to say and was just glad he could spend more time with her.
He wished the walk was longer, but they were standing outside the garden gate in a matter of minutes. Charlie handed Georgina the bag of flour.
“I need to get back to the house. There are a few things I need to do before tonight.”
He watched Georgina sway from side to side, the fabric of her skirt swishing around her ankles.
“Thanks for the flour. If you stop by the bakery tomorrow, I’ll see about making your pound cake.” “Thanks,” he said, raising his hand as he turned to leave.
“Wait,” she called after him. “Would you like to try it?”
“Try what?”
“The cake. You can visit with my aunt and eat some of the cinnamon chocolate cake, while I make another one.”
Charlie felt his face expand in a grin.
“I think I would like that very much.”
“Good,” Georgina said.
Charlie enjoyed his afternoon with Georgina and Maybelle. In fact, he understood why Max went to the bakery every morning before heading to the haberdashery. Maybelle’s jelly pastries were that good.
In this case, they were Georgina’s, but Maybelle’s recipe. He had three jelly tarts and a big piece of chocolate cake with cinnamon. His belly was so full that he didn’t know how he was going to eat dinner that evening.
“Do you want another piece of cake?” Maybelle asked. She was sitting at the table with her leg propped up under the table.
The first cake Georgina made was already in the oven. Maybelle said that cake was for a dinner that evening at a friend’s house.
Georgina was standing at the table sifting the cocoa and flour for the second cake. Charlie finished his glass of milk. “No thank you, ma’am. That was absolutely delicious.”
“Thank you, but it isn’t what I was going for.”
