Page 25 of Married By Midnight
“May I help you?” a young lady asked coming from behind a curtain. She wore an apron, but it didn’t appear to do much to save her clothing from the flour.
Ian opened his eyes and took another deep breath. The scent of sugar and butter overpowered him, and he immediately felt calmer.
“I was told you have the best cakes in town.”
The woman laughed. “Well, if the amount of business says anything, then I would have to agree. Are you looking for a cake?” She moved to the front of a display case.
Ian looked and he could see round cakes, square cakes and cookies laid out on lace doilies. “What kind of cake is that?” he asked, pointing to one that looked like a loaf of bread.
“That is a pound cake. A pound of butter, sugar, eggs and flour. It is my husband’s favorite.”
Images of Ian pressing his nose against a bakery in New York flashed through his mind. He and his best friend would race to the shop after work and look at the baked goods on display. Ian never had one of those cakes. Today, though, he would splurge.”
“Would you like to try a piece?”
Ian nodded. The woman pulled out a plate where pieces of cake were cut up in small bite size pieces. He picked up a square of cake and placed it on his tongue. He closed his eyes as the buttery sweetness exploded in his mouth.
“That is so good,” Ian said. “May I have another?” The lady nodded and Ian took another piece of cake. “How much are they?”
“They are fifty-cents each.”
“I’ll take two.” He could give one to Sarah and keep the other one to share with the men in the bunk house.
“Let me get these wrapped up for you.”
Ian watched as she put the cakes in two boxes and tied them with ribbon. The bell rang as someone entered the shop.
“Georgina, you will never believe…”
Ian froze. He knew that voice. He turned and the man stopped talking and headed straight at him.
“Ian,” the man whispered and ran to gather him in a hug. The man slapped Ian on the back several times. “I honestly thought I’d never see you again.”
Ian looked at the man who had been haunting his thoughts. “Charlie. I can’t believe it is you.”
Chapter 7
Sarah was in the kitchen cutting a chicken for dinner when Ian rushed in.
“Sarah! You will never believe what just happened?” Ian rushed into the kitchen and placed several packages on the table.
“I probably won’t.” She rinsed her hands in a bucket of water and turned to look at him.
“I remember everything.”
“What?”
“I went to town today, to the bank. And then I stopped at the mercantile, which led me to the bakery. That in turn led me to my best friend, who I didn’t even know was living here.”
“You saw your best friend?”
Ian nodded. “It took a few minutes, but then everything came back to me. I remember living in New York. I worked for a garment factory. Charlie and I got into some trouble and I had to leave to protect my parents. Which is how I ended up jumping trains. Which is how I ended up meeting you.”
He picked Sarah up and swung her around. Sarah laughed and placed her hands on his shoulders to steady herself.
“I am so happy for you, Ian. I really am.” She didn’t want to tell him that she dreaded the thought that now since he remembered everything there was no reason for him to stay.
“I think we should celebrate!”
