Page 33 of Melody’s Little Secret

“No, but I’ve made them a few times now. I don’t need one.”

Laney’s confidence was palpable as she took the lead and started creating the batter from scratch.

“Seems she’s a natural,” I whispered in Melody’s ear.

“She is. She wanted to go rogue on me with one of my recipes though and that’s what started the fight.”

“Maybe you should let her stretch her wings and see what she can do,sì?”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded with a sigh.

I kissed the top of her head. “Good girl. Get that list done and make sure it’s nice and long. I’m going to have Zio keep her occupied all day so we can work on her surprise.”

“That’s such a good idea!” she screeched and Laney and Zio both turned our way.

“What’s a good idea?” Laney asked and tilted her head to the side. She wouldn’t like Melody and me keeping things from her, but we obviously couldn’t share yet.

“Oh, umm, I get to hang out at the restaurant tomorrow while I’m resting so I don’t have to be alone.”

“That’s good.” Laney nodded then went back to work.

“That was a close one,” Melody whispered, and I laughed out loud.

“You’re too cute for words,dulcita. Get to work.” I tapped the desk. “I’m going to head back to the restaurant. We’ll come get you in the morning around nine.” One more kiss and I was headed back to work with a smile on my face.

Chapter Fifteen

Melody

Curled up on the softest, comfiest couch I’d ever sat on allowed me to fully relax. I must have drifted off to sleep at some point while Boz worked on things around Laney’s new apartment. Glancing at my phone, I saw over a dozen text messages. I was so occupied with the sudden fear gripping my heart, that I almost missed the note Boz penned for me.I’m in my office. Come down when you wake up. Love, Daddy.

I touched my palm to my chest, loving his sentiment and then quickly set to scanning the text messages. There were a few from Laney letting me know that she was having fun and checking off all the things on her list but then there were multiple texts about a three-alarm fire, a dangerous emergency especially in our small town. Scrolling through the alerts to the sound of sirens blaring outside the window, suddenly froze the blood in my veins. The fire trucks weren’t just responding to any emergency, the animal clinic that my friends worked at was on fire! I felt utterly helpless and yet there was nothing I could do at the moment. All that mattered right now was that my friends were safe, but I had no way of knowing. Combined with my injury, leaning on Laney to handle so much at the bakery when she had her own troubles, and blowing past my bedtime last night as well as the previous two nights, bubbled up into a huge ball of anxiety. I needed my Daddy. Barely remembering to grab my purse and belongings, I raced down the steps of the apartment as fast as my feet would allow.

By the time I got inside, my limbs were trembling. Bosco was nowhere to be found. I waved to the staff, somehow keeping up the guise that I was okay. My heart pounded against my chest, and I pressed my hand to it. Confused and not thinking clearly I walked into the men’s staff bathroom. Bosco stood at the sink washing his hands. He glanced up as I walked in, concern etched on his handsome face.

“Daddy!” I wailed, not caring if anyone heard me as I rushed toward him.

“What’s wrong,dulcita?” He lifted me up into his arms, rubbing my back as I linked my legs around his waist and buried my head against his chest. “Are you hurt?”

Sobbing, I said nothing as he held me. Boz rubbed my back, but my thoughts kept spiraling out of control and I wasn’t calming down.

“Look at me, little girl.”

“No, you don’t understand.” I cried into his shirt. “Kels and Manda’s job is on fire!” Hiccupping, I tried to get the rest of the story out. “They could be really hurt!”

“Deep breaths.” Boz set me down on the counter before wetting a paper towel and placing it against the back of my neck. “I’ll text Seth and Nathan. Just breathe. We don’t know the details yet,dulcita. Let’s get the whole story first.”

“Yea-yes, Daddy.” I wiped my eyes, scared for my friends and hoping that they were okay.

“Hopevale Fire and Rescue has the absolute best first responders. They are highly trained at handling emergencies.” Boz chucked the rag into the garbage and returned to my side. Setting me down on the floor, he kissed the crown of my head. “Try not to worry.”

“I’m sorry to have rushed in here.”

“I asked you to come here when you woke up. You looked so peaceful cozied up on the new couch and I didn’t want to wake you. Now that you’ve tested it for Laney, what do you think?”

Despite the serious situation unfolding around us, Boz was clever. He knew I might feel weird about sitting on her couch first without her. “It was like sleeping on fluffy clouds. And it’s the prettiest shade of gray. It will help all the other decorative pieces pop!”

“I’m so happy to hear you say that,dulcita. Zio wants everything to be perfect.”

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