Page 19 of Rescued in Maple Bay

“Stinky laundry is the worst.” Trace set down the sifter, seeming to accept her comment even though laundry was the last thing on her mind. “I’ll be right back. I need to get the dark chocolate to finish these off.” He disappeared into the kitchen, giving Lilah a few minutes to decipher her thoughts. As she did, her mind wandered back to last night’s conversation.

When Lilah had brought up Henry, Trace had immediately empathized with her. He was understanding and made her smile, confirming that Henry was a connection they would share forever. That had comforted and unsettled her in the same instant . . . because Trace had become so much more than a friend. And somewhere deep down, Lilah felt guilty for that. Were her feelings for Trace a dishonor to her marriage? If she acted on her feelings, would she only cause herself more heartache?

Trace returned from the kitchen and set down a bowl of flaky, browned coconut. The toasted aroma tickled Lilah’s senses and she welcomed the distraction. Her stomach growled even though it was full of pizza.

“Goodness,” she said.

“Sounds like you better take a few truffles with you when you leave.”

Lilah rolled the last white truffle in pistachios. “I wouldn’t say no to that.”

Trace shot her a grin and offered up the parchment cone he carried. “Do you want to drizzle the chocolate and I’ll add the coconut?”

“Sure.” Lilah took hold of the paper cone, moving to stand next to him. It was warm from the melted chocolate it contained . . . and from Trace’s hand. “Any tips for proper drizzling?”

“Just move back and forth over the truffle, like you’re writing the letter Z a few times.” Trace took a pair of scissors to the tip of the parchment cone, snipping off the end, and Lilah aimed her new tool at a truffle.

“That sounds easy enough,” she replied, but the melted chocolate dripped out faster than expected. When she gave a squeeze, a pool of chocolate plopped out on the round candy. “Whoops.” She made a face at the drenched truffle.

“That’s okay,” Trace encouraged her. “Just a little lighter touch on the next one.”

This time Lilah barely squeezed the cone, creating a thin piping of chocolate that zigzagged across the cocoa-powdered truffle. When she was done, Trace sprinkled a dash of toasted coconut on top.

“What do you think?” he asked.

Lilah turned the parchment cone to the side to stop the chocolate from dripping out and focused on the little creation before them. It was a picture-perfect work of art.

“So pretty,” she replied. “So, so pretty.”

“And unbelievably sweet,” Trace said, almost whispering.

There was a depth to his tone that yanked Lilah’s gaze up to his. He wasn’t looking at the truffle. He was looking at her.

Lilah stilled under his steady stare. Her heartbeat went into a pattering mess, and she couldn’t speak. Was she reading his gaze correctly? Was it possible Trace was falling for her as well? The electricity between them sent heat to Lilah’s cheeks and a million questions to her mind.

Until a comment from Kandi broke their charged stare.

“I keep telling Trace he needs to find a nice girl just like Lilah to settle down with. I’m ready for some grandbabies,” Kandi said cheerfully, her voice suddenly loud. “Right, Trace? Don’t I tell you that all the time?”

Lilah blinked. When had the shop gone so quiet? She tore her gaze from Trace’s. Kandi and Gayle were still seated at the table out front, coffee mugs in hand, and they were both looking at Trace and Lilah.

Trace coughed, and Lilah stole a glance at him. His eyes were wide, and he was giving his mom a “please don’t embarrass me” look. “You sure do,” Trace muttered.

Kandi laughed good naturedly. Lilah knew she didn’t mean any harm—Trace’s mother didn’t have a mean bone in her body. But her comment had slammed the brakes on Lilah’s little moment with Trace, and Lilah went back to the candy making.

But why was she feeling so disappointed? Was it because Gayle sat next to Kandi, looking aware of the electricity that had just sparked between Trace and Lilah? Or was it the idea that Trace could settle down with a woman? Someone that wasn’ther.

Lilah swallowed, realizing it was both.

Chapter Ten

Traceopenedhiseyesand realized he was staring at Lilah’s living room ceiling.

Had he fallen asleep on her couch?

The last thing he remembered was watching cartoons with Andy and Ben, but the boys weren’t snuggled up next to him. Instead, Trace was sprawled across the couch. One arm was slung above his head. His feet rested against something warm and soft.

Trace raised his head, searching for the warmth and finding Lilah.

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