Page 28 of Beauty and the Baker
“What are you trying to do?”
“I want a cake that is dark, and rich and the crumble is so delicate it just melts in your mouth.” Maybelle took a sip of her coffee.
Charlie rubbed his belly. “I’m more than happy to taste all your cakes. Before you serve them to your customers, of course.”
Georgina laughed. The sound carrying through the air like a symphony of birds.
Charlie nearly dropped his glass.The nurse.
She was the nurse he saw when he first woke up in the hospital. Why would she be all the way out here in Colorado?
Charlie watched as she cracked several eggs into the dry ingredients, along with some melted butter and sat down on one of the wooden chairs at the table. She hugged the bowl against her belly and started stirring the cake batter.
“I swear, it is so much easier to mix when I’m sitting. Auntie, I insist that we get a comfortable chair for the bakery!” She gave a little giggle that went straight to Charlie’s heart.
She must not know it was him!
Suddenly a heaviness came upon him. She wouldn’t be interested in someone like him. Why was he even thinking like that?
Granted she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She could have her choice of any man. Why, she probably had a beau back in Baltimore.
Oh, bother,Charlie thought.If she was a nurse where he was in the hospital, chances are she saw his back.
Suddenly the cake didn’t seem so appealing. Instead he felt the cake he just ate sitting like a brick in his belly. His palms were sweaty, and he wiped them on his pants. He felt the panic start to rise and counted to five, taking deep breaths. It was a trick Sam had taught him on the train.
“I need to get home. My sister is expecting me.” He stood suddenly, knocking the cup that was sitting in front of Georgina into the bowl she was mixing in her lap.
“Oh!” she cried. “Look what you have done!”
“I am so sorry,” Charlie said.
“I don’t have any more cocoa left. What should I do, auntie?” Georgina looked at her aunt in horror. She removed the cup from the bowl, but the coffee swirled on top of the batter. “I don’t think I can pour it out.”
“I really do need to get back home. I am sorry I ruined your cake, Georgina. I’ll get you some more cocoa from the mercantile. I’ll bring it by the bakery tomorrow.”
He grabbed his hat and the purchases he made that day and quickly left. He made his way down the alley trying to get as far away from the mess he just created.
As he approached the gate leading into the garden behind the house, he noticed Mr. Gladstone sitting in the middle of the yard grooming himself.
The cat seemed fastidious when it came to keeping itself clean. Charlie approached the cat and he rolled over on his back, presenting his belly for Charlie to rub.
Charlie knelt down and stroked the cat’s belly as the cat happily purred, kneading its paws in the air. Charlie would need to talk to Cassie about feeding the cat. Mr. Gladstone had quite the belly on him. It must be a combination of whatever Cassie was feeding him plus the mice from the gardens.
Suddenly Mr. Gladstone had enough and swatted at Charlie before jumping to his feet and strutting off, his tail held high in the air.
Charlie sighed. He couldn’t even pet a cat correctly. He looked at the bear. “Maybe you’ll be the one thing I get right today.” The bear looked back at him with button eyes. “Not going to say anything, huh? Well, that’s alright. Let’s get you to Cassie. I think you’ll be the first gift Baby Blue has received.”
Charlie picked himself up and headed into the house, unsure of his next steps.
Chapter 8
“Well, that didn’t go as planned.”
Charlie sat up. He was lying on the settee with Mr. Gladstone on his chest. He had become quite fond of the cat over the past few days.
Mr. Gladstone made a loud protest as Charlie deposited him on the floor. The cat righted himself and looked at Mr. Pennyworth before hissing and strutting out the door.
“What are you doing here?” Charlie asked. Mr. Pennyworth was sitting on the corner of Max’s desk again. “I forgot to ask my sister about you.”
