Page 66 of Visions of You

“She did. She’s in the break room, I think.”

I strolled down the hallway and entered the employee lounge. Maia stood by a round table, picking through a pink donut box. I smiled. “Okay, I guess you’re allowed to eat all the donuts you want.”

She startled, then lifted her eyes and grinned. “Well, I’m glad I have your permission. The worry has been keeping me awake at night.”

I joined her and glanced in the box, but frowned to see the apple fritters were all taken. Before I could even think about it, my fingers moved to pick up a maple bar. I took a bite and mumbled, “Why are these Sweet Dreams pastries always in here?”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, you caveman.” Then she shrugged. “I guess Evan likes them too. He brings them in a lot.”

Just then, he walked in, cleaning his hands with a rag.

I nodded a hello. “You working on the air compressor?” Evan’s magical ability to fix anything made him worth his weight in gold.

“Yeah. Just needed a tune-up. She’s running fine now.” He crossed the room and picked up a Boston cream.

“What’s with the pastries every morning?” I asked.

He scowled, his bushy beard moving lower. “It’s not every morning. Besides, people like it when you do nice things for them, Gabe. You should try it sometime.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. Sure. We’re not paying good money to give shit away, you know.”

Maia held her donut up. “I’m not complaining. These are better than ours.”

I still didn’t get it. “So what? Evan, why would you get up at thecrack of dawn and make the trek to Dove Key just to get donuts? We have plenty at Dorado. Every damn morning.”

Evan dropped his eyes and turned scarlet.

His reaction surprised me so much I took a step back.

Maia met my eyes and sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, trying not to smile. “Maybe it’s not the donuts he’s interested in,” she drawled.

“Oh, shut up, you two,” Evan muttered, still blushing. “No good deed goes unpunished. I pay for these out of my own pocket—I never expense them off. I need to get back to my office.” Spinning on his heel, he stalked out of the room.

Maia and I turned back to each other and grinned. She burst into laughter, trying to keep the volume down.

“I didn’t expect that,” I said.

Maia shot me an appraising look. “I seem to recall someone’s girlfriend knows the owner of Sweet Dreams rather well. Maybe we should introduce the baker to our dear brother?”

I’d already lost interest. “You talk to April. I have zero desire to play matchmaker.” My gaze dropped to her round belly, stretching the staff T-shirt she wore. “Do you have a few minutes? I came down here to show you something.”

A short time later, I slid the twin doors of the Barn open several feet, ushering Maia into the shop before me. I flipped on the bank of overhead lights, and we moved to my workshop area.

“You’re being very mysterious,” she said, peering at projects I had in various stages of development.

“Not for much longer.” I slid between two headboards I was working on and stopped next to an object draped under a sheet.

Maia stopped in front of it, eyeing the mystery speculatively “Hmmm. About four feet tall and rectangular. I know! A fish tank?”

I scowled. “A fish tank? That’s the best you could come up with?”

“Sorry, I suck at guessing games. Is it something for April?”

I barked a laugh. “Most definitely not. Here.” I grabbed the sheet in the middle and yanked itoff.

Maia’s hands flew to her mouth as the crib was revealed. I ran my fingers over the top rail, enjoying the smooth warmth of the wood.

“Oh, Gabe! This is stunning.”

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