Page 24 of Coming Home

“Thank you, Ainsley. You’ll be hearing from me soon.”

She pushed open the door and turned on a light, squinting a moment at its harshness. “I hope so.”

“Do you ever have any free time?”

“The bakery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the off-season.”

“Then plan on doing something with me Monday. And Tuesday.”

A slow smile spread across her face. “Okay.”

“Okay,” he repeated. “I’ll call you.”

Ainsley closed the door, and Jackson heard her throw the lock. He returned to his car and sat in it a moment.

He was more than interested in Ainsley Robinson.

* * *

Her alarm clock went off, which was very unusual. Ainsley couldn’t remember the last time that had occurred. She set it every night, of course, and turned it off before it buzzed with daily regularity. Then again, she hadn’t been awake after ten o’clock in a long, long time.

She jumped into the shower, hoping it would help wake her up. By the time she got out, the coffee she’d put on to brew was ready and she sipped on it as she dressed. She may not have gotten much sleep, but she was on an adrenaline high now.

When Ainsley arrived downstairs, she was surprised to see Gus already there, hard at work. He nodded to her and went back to placing donuts into the numerous cardboard boxes set out for pickup.

Ainsley had hesitated to hire Gus when he originally applied for a job with her. He had been up-front with her, explaining he had learned how to cook in prison and that he was currently on probation. Gus had laid his cards on the table, telling her that he’d had a lifelong drinking problem which had caught up to him. He had collected several DUIs before crashing his car into another one. One person died and one was injured in the wreck, and Gus had served several years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony DUI charge.

He assured her that he hadn’t had a drop to drink before his sentencing or while in prison. He had lived in a halfway house in Portland for a year, finding work at a diner before his cousin in Salty Point took him in. Gus assured Ainsley he had learned his lesson and that his drinking days were behind him, and if he ever did fall off the wagon, he would quit Buttercup Bakery immediately.

It was a combination of the sadness in Gus’ eyes and the sincerity in his voice that had led her to give the ex-con a chance. It was one of the best decisions she had ever made. Gus had proven to be a hard worker. He kept his head down and was quiet and pleasant. They did talk some in the early morning hours when it was just the two of them in the bakery. She learned he had two children, both whom had cut him from their lives because of the many disappointments they had suffered, thanks to his drinking. Gus knew he had let them down, as well as the wife who had divorced him years ago. Still, he sent both his son and daughter a birthday card each year with a message saying he knew he didn’t deserve their forgiveness, but asked for it all the same.

So far, neither had contacted him.

Ainsley slipped into her chef’s coat and went to work on two birthday cakes. The bakery closed at noon on Sundays no matter what the season. She had learned off-season there was always a good rush in the early hours when Buttercup Bakery opened, and during tourist season, they would get walk-ins all the way up until noon. She usually used Sunday afternoons to assess how the week had gone, making lists of supplies to order come Monday morning, and collecting receipts to file for Gillian.

Today, however, she was more in need of a brief nap at closing time and would put off the paperwork until later this afternoon or even this evening.

As her cakes baked, Ainsley made the icing for each, one buttercream and one cream cheese.

She greeted Gloria and Sheila when they arrived. Sheila stocked the cash register, while Gloria helped Gus with the donuts and croissants. The bakery opened, and she let the two cakes cool before icing them. The morning went by in a blur, as weekend mornings usually did. She was conscious, though, when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Normally, she wouldn’t take the time to look at incoming texts until after the bakery closed. This time, she slipped inside the employee restroom and washed her hands before pulling her cell from her pocket.

Her heart raced when she saw the message was from Jackson.

Hope you got a little sleep. Still feel guilty for keeping you out so late. Have a few ideas for Monday & Tuesday but would also like your input.

Ainsley decided not to answer the text right away. She placed the phone back into her pocket and returned to the kitchen.

Sheila appeared in the doorway. “Someone to see you, Ainsley.”

For a moment, she hoped it might be Jackson. That he had texted her from just outside the bakery.

She tamped down her excitement and stepped into the bakery front, seeing the long line—and Rylie. Her cousin waved, and Ainsley went over to her, giving her a quick hug.

“The girls are getting together this afternoon at my place,” Rylie informed her. “Tenley has offered to bring lunch, and I’m banking that Carter will have prepared it for us. We haven’t been together in a few weeks. It’s time.” She paused. “Especially since we have quite a bit to talk about.”

Though tired, Ainsley knew being around her friends would energize her. “I’m in.”

Rylie’s brows rose. “Aren’t you interested in what we have to talk about?”

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