Page 57 of Playing for Keeps
Caroline. For the first time, he would be able to get Caroline a Christmas present. They’d been together one Christmas before, but neither of them had much money at the time, and she’d suggested they skip gifts in favor of spending time together instead. He’d treated her to a candlelit evening picnic in the bed of his truck.
“I don’t think Neenah would like what I got for Caroline. Neenah is practical. What about?—”
“Oh! I know! Bath salts,” Garrett interrupted. “Cindy likes those.”
Cody’s left brow rose. “I’m not giving my friend bath salts. And I really wish you wouldn’t bring up Neenah and baths. That’s not an image I need in my head.”
Garrett grimaced. “Sorry, man.”
Justin’s phone dinged, and he pulled it out.
Jordan: Alicia says there’s a bad post in Rumor on the Ridge about The Cakery. They mentioned Caroline by name. I’m working on getting it removed, but I thought you might want to know about it.
Shoot. Why would anyone slander the bakery? Everyone in town loved it and Caroline too.
Justin: Thanks, man.
Justin rapped his knuckles on the desk. “I’ve got to go.”
Cody jerked his chin up in a single-nod goodbye. “See ya, man.”
“Everything okay?” Garrett asked.
“I’m not sure. I’ll call you later.”
Justin’s stride lengthened as he headed for the exit, pulling up the social media group on his phone. The post was at the top of the page, looking like a novel without paragraph breaks. He read the anonymous post as he walked, occasionally glancing up to make sure he didn’t run into things.
Why are we still putting up with this? LOOK at these cupcakes! I got these for my nephew’s birthday party, and they’re a disaster!
Justin skimmed the post, looking for Caroline’s name. When he spotted it, he came to a stop to focus on the words.
Caroline Taylor, you should be ashamed of yourself. You won’t be in business much longer if you keep treating your customers this way. Shame on you!
Good grief. Whoever the poster was, they weren’t pulling punches. Justin’s stomach knotted as he slid into the driver’s seat of the cruiser.
The photo was a jumbled mess of cupcakes with blue icing, all smashed together and smeared in a pink box.
It was definitely a box from The Cakery. He’d know their branding anywhere. Still, there was no way Caroline would have given cupcakes that looked like that to a customer. Her treats were the best, and her employees were always careful and kind.
He closed the app and pressed the button to call Caroline as he started the car. She would be devastated on multiple counts. The Cakery was her pride and joy, and she hated disappointing people.
She answered on the second ring with a raspy “Hello.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’ve been better.” Her voice squeaked at the end, giving him a clear answer to his question.
Justin switched the call to his bluetooth and rested the phone in his cup holder. “I’m on my way.”
“You don’t have to come,” she whispered, soft and broken.
“I’m on my way,” he repeated.
Minutes later, he paused to control his expression before storming into her shop.
The Cakery had a line of customers at the register where Skye took orders and handed them to Mrs. Burrows. Mr. Burrows bustled around the table areas with a broom.
Skye glanced up, but when she spotted Justin, her smile fell slightly. She pointed toward the door at the back of the bakery leading to the stock room.
