Page 26 of Coming Home

“Hey,” said Ed Ferguson, who was known as the chief complainer in the Cove. “Why doesn’t he have to pay?”

Before she could reply, Jackson said, “Because I’m the owner’s boyfriend.”

Every head in the bakery swung to look at Ainsley, who felt her cheeks catch fire.

Jackson grinned shamelessly at her. “Call me after you’re through with the girls. Remember, we have plans to make.” He sauntered out the door.

As the buzz began, Ainsley retreated to the kitchen, knowing she and Jackson would be the topic of conversation over the next several days.

Sheila followed and said, “Quick work, Ainsley.” Then she winked. “He looks like a keeper.”

Ainsley’s head—and heart—agreed.

CHAPTER 9

Gloria helped Ainsley carry out the two birthday cakes since both customers had arrived to pick them up at the same time. Ainsley opened the box of the first one, a cake with Disney princesses covering it.

She watched the five-year-old birthday girl’s face light up with pleasure as she said, “It’s too pretty to eat.”

“Then have your mommy take a picture of it before you and your friends eat it. Because, as a baker, I can tell you that cakes are meant to be eaten. And enjoyed.”

The little girl giggled. “I like cake. It’s my favorite food. I like Disney. Belle is my favorite. I was Belle for Halloween. I’m always going to be Belle.”

“Belle is my favorite, too,” she told the child. “Because she’s smart and resourceful—and she likes to read books. I’ll bet you like to read books, too.”

The girl nodded. “I can read a little. I get to go to school next year. Mommy says I’ll learn to read lots there.”

The mother thanked Ainsley and moved to the side to pay for the cake.

While Sheila rang them up, Ainsley opened the box for the second customer. It was for a husband who loved the Dodgers, and so Ainsley had decorated it with baseball insignia all in Dodger blue.

The man’s wife smiled approvingly. “You always do such great work, Ainsley. Bob is going to be over the moon with this. We’re actually going down to L.A. in June for a week. The Dodgers have a four-game homestand, and we’ll be at every game.”

“I hope you’ll enjoy your trip to California—and the cake today.” She glanced to Gloria, who said, “I’ll ring you up, ma’am.”

Ainsley returned to the back, where Gus was tidying up. The bakery would close in fifteen minutes.

“You like him,” Gus said, the first words he had spoken since she had introduced him to Jackson hours ago.

“Yes, I do. I didn’t know him when he lived in the Cove years ago. I knew of him, but I was too young to be friendly with him.”

“You’re not too young now,” Gus proclaimed. “He seems like a good man, Ainsley. I hope something will come of this for you.”

She did as well but told herself to temper her hopes. One date did not make a relationship, but it had been a fun date—and a good start.

She pitched in with the cleaning, and soon, Sheila brought the cash till to the back, quickly counting everything out for Ainsley, a task she had taken upon herself recently and one Ainsley appreciated.

Gloria leaned around the corner. “The front is cleared of customers and clean. I’ll see everyone Wednesday.”

Sheila also said goodbye, following Gloria out, leaving Ainsley with Gus. He took the trash out the back to the alley and returned. She thanked him and followed him to the front, changing the sign to Closed and locking the door behind him after he exited.

As Ainsley climbed the stairs to her apartment, she unbuttoned and removed her chef’s coat. She changed from the short-sleeved T-shirt she wore underneath it to a long-sleeved sweater in blue, leaving on her jeans. Tossing on a light jacket, she came back downstairs and claimed the box of cannolis she had put aside for today’s gathering and went out the back door, locking it. She had decided to walk the four blocks to Rylie’s house. Her cousin had bought the small cottage when she decided to move to the Cove after her father’s death. Rylie had had a bit of a strained relationship with her father. Once he was gone, she sold his Portland antiques store and used the profits to open a new one in the Cove. She had told Ainsley that she always felt most comfortable here, having spent every summer in the Cove with Ainsley and her parents. The coastal town drew a lot of tourists, some of them interested in antiques. Rylie had already established her reputation, though, in the world of antiques, and many people made sure Antiques and Mystiques was a regular stop on their list of stores to peruse.

As she approached Rylie’s house, Tenley pulled up to the curb, parking next to Willow’s SUV. Ainsley paused, waiting for her friend to get out of the car.

“Hey, Ainsley,” Tenley called, exiting the vehicle and opening the rear door to pull out two large canvas bags.

“I see you’re providing dessert,” her friend said, as they moved up the sidewalk.

---