Page 36 of Christmas at the Guest House

Sarah glanced at the large, chalkboard style menu filled with an elegant script behind the counter, contemplating the drink offerings. Once again, she let out a muffled sigh, because it all sounded absolutely delightful.

She pulled her scarf more closely around her face, worried that one of the customers in the bakery would notice her before she turned and walked back out. She had been half tempted to buy something just to try it, but the woman’s words about it being the best bear claw she’d ever had echoed through her mind. Sarah didn’t think she could take it if she found out for herself just how true that was. So she stepped back into the cold, snowy afternoon before she could hurt her own feelings any further.

She had taken all but three steps away from Baking Fiend when Sarah heard her name being called out. She flinched, patting at her disguise as she turned to find her friend Shelley Keegan walking toward her. Shelley’s boyfriend’s son, Brandon, was standing next to her, his gaze on his phone.

Realizing that her attempt to remain incognito had definitely failed, Sarah reached a mittened hand up as she unwound the scarf from her face, allowing them to see her as they approached.

“What are you doing out and about? Isn’t it lunch time? I would’ve thought that would be a busy time for you,” Shelley said, glancing from Sarah and then back to the bustling bakery behind her.

“Oh, um… we had a bit of a lull,” Sarah explained. “And I figured I’d come down and finally check out the competition.”

She tried to keep her voice light and airy, as if she didn’t have a care in the world, but Sarah could tell by the look on Shelley’s face that she hadn’t been entirely successful.

“Have you tried the new place out yet?” Sarah asked, a little worried about what the answer would be.

“I have.” Shelley nodded, and Sarah wasn’t sure what to make of the reluctance in her friend’s voice.

“And?” Sarah prompted, her brows knitting together in concern as her heart thudded heavily.

“It’s good. But it doesn’t hold a candle to your desserts and the drinks that William makes.”

Shelley gave her an encouraging smile as she spoke, and Sarah nodded gratefully. She knew her friend’s words were intended to make her feel better, and they did—at least, a little. But not as much as she would have hoped.

“How are you doing? What brings you two out today?” Sarah asked.

“Doing a bit of Christmas shopping. We’re both on the hunt for a gift for Matthew. We figured we’d join forces.”

“Ah. Good idea.”

The three of them chatted for a bit longer, and Brandon filled Sarah in on his recent skating escapades, but eventually Sarah began to feel bad about being away from the bakery for so long, and she was forced to say goodbye.

She hugged Shelley, her friend squeezing her a little tighter than usual before letting go, and Sarah allowed herself to revel in the support for only a moment. She thought of Baking Fiend during her walk back to Sweet Thing, wondering what kind of desserts she could add to her own offerings.

She didn’t glance through the windows before she walked into Sweet Thing, and her feet stuttered to a stop when she spotted the line at the counter and a frazzled looking William behind it. He was running like mad as he tried to take orders, make drinks, and pack up pastries all on his own. Her heart gave a quick twinge of sympathy for him, but she had to admit he looked pretty cute back there.

William’s eyes darted up, his gaze landing on her as she crossed the floor, pulling off her layers.

“Where have you been? I was about to send out a missing persons alert,” he teased, a smile tugging up the corner of his lips as she pulled on her apron.

“Sorry. I just ran out for a little errand,” Sarah said quickly, hoping that she sounded convincing.

William eyed her with one eyebrow slightly raised, but he didn’t question her further as he began packing another order and Sarah stepped up to help the next customer. She lost herself in the rush of people, encouraged by the line that seemed as if it just wouldn’t die down. She and William ran themselves ragged for so long that she lost track of time. When the final customer stepped out and she had time to pop into the back to begin a few new batches of muffins that they were running low on, she let out a sigh of relief.

The door to the kitchen swung open, and she glanced over her shoulder to see William walking through, grinning at her.

“Whew. That was quite the rush,” he said, and she nodded.

“It was good though.” Sarah dried her hands on her apron and turned to face him.

His brow was slightly furrowed, and the questioning look in his eyes was at odds with the easy smile on his lips.

“So where did you disappear to earlier?”

“I told you…” Sarah began, but her sentence cut off when she saw the expression on William’s face. He clearly knew she hadn’t told him the truth earlier, he just hadn’t pressed her because they were busy. She wouldn’t get off that easy now, and she knew it.

She blew out a breath, steeling herself as she twisted her flour dusted hands together.

“I went to Baking Fiend.”

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