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Chapter One
Shelly Scott couldn’t help but smile when the bell jingled announcing a customer at the Dessert First Bakery. The two favorite people in her young life, besides her boss, Hanna, had just arrived.
Nina Reyes gave her usual hurried wave to Shelly, her mass of dark hair tied back into a ponytail as she held the door for Ana. Her ten-year-old daughter, a carbon copy with shiny ringlets and sparkling brown eyes skipped inside. Ana squealed in delight when Shelly’s Golden Retriever raced to the door and greeted her with several quick dog kisses.
“Oh, Jake!” Ana said, laughing as she turned her face away from the dog. “I don’t need my face washed.”
Nina closed the door behind her and entered the homey bakery. A few regulars sitting at booths under the wide windows overlooking the street called hello, and she nodded at some friends settled with the local paper at the long counter. She raised her head, shut her eyes, and inhaled deeply. “This place has the most amazingly delicious, to-die-for aromas, Shelly.” When she opened her eyes, she gravitated to the pastry display as if under a spell.
“How do you do it?” she asked her friend. “And never mind that your desserts can’t be matched anywhere else in Clam Cove, or maybe in all of Maine, for that matter.”
Shelly laughed as she poured coffee into two mugs for the retired couple at the table in the middle of the dining room. The compliment tickled her, even if it was an exaggeration. The fact that she created many of the mouth-watering taste sensations had nothing to do with it.
Of course not!
“Ana,” Shelly said directing her attention to the little girl after delivering the steaming coffee and taking the couple’s order for blueberry muffins “I’m so glad you’re here to help me today.” She gave her young friend a wink. “You can see how busy I am,” she added gesturing to the busy breakfast crowd.
Nina mouthed a silent thank you to Shelly. “Are you sure she won’t be too much trouble?”
Shelly gave her an affectionate but dismissive wave of her hand. “Too much trouble? Are you kidding? I depend on Ana’s help.” Perhaps as a mother, Nina couldn’t understand how much Shelly enjoyed Ana’s company, but any day Ana stayed in the bakery was always a highlight in Shelly’s week.
Nina crouched next to Ana and fiddled with her collar as she prepared to leave. Her dark eyes turned serious as she said, “Don’t get into any mischief, okay? You have coloring books, colored pencils, and crayons to keep you busy while Shelly’s working.” Jake, sitting next to Ana like a guardian, swished his tail across the bakery’s hardwood floor with his tongue lolling out on one side. “Maybe Jake will keep you company over here.”
Ana had busied herself chatting with several customers she’d come to know on her visits to the bakery. Nina took Ana’s hand and led her daughter past the display case of treats to a table next to the bakery’s front window. Ana scooted onto a chair, smiling as Jack padded after her. Nina helped Ana retrieve her coloring books from her pink backpack, then looped the strap over the back of her chair.
“Your lunch is in here, too,” she reminded her, smoothing Ana’s hair and tenderly tucking it behind her ears. Then, she gave her a big hug and kiss, and said, “Goodbye, sweetheart. Don’t forget I love you.”
“I won’t, Mom,” Ana said happily as Jake nuzzled her lap.
Nina turned and wiggled her fingers at Shelly, bringing a sad smile to her face as she headed for the door.
Shelly met Nina at the door with a bag bursting with deliciousness. “Wait. Take these muffins with you for your break between classes.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without your help during the Clam Cove Elementary School vacation, Shelly.” Tears brimmed in Nina’s eyes. “You’ve been a life saver for the two of us.”
Shelly hugged her friend and tears threatened her own eyes. Words couldn’t express her feelings. Shelly got much more out of helping her two friends than Nina might ever imagine. If she’d had someone in her life all those years ago, things might be different for her now. But it was pointless to dwell in the past, because she couldn’t go back and change anything. She could only move forward. She sighed. “See you later today and don’t worry about Ana. Jake is thrilled to have her company.”
The bell jingled after the door closed behind Nina.
Despite the happy clamor in the bakery and the customers waiting for their orders, Shelly put a chocolate chip muffin on a plate and brought it to Ana. “I know this is your favorite and if you color for a while, I have some cookies I need your help decorating later this morning. How does that sound?”
A big toothy grin met Shelly’s question. “I’d love to help you.”
“Alright then. I’ll get back to work, and when the morning rush slows down, I’ll get you set up in the kitchen. You can help me now by keeping an eye on Jake while I’m busy, okay?”
Ana’s hand stroked the Golden Retriever’s soft fur. With her serious eyes staring at Shelly, Ana said, “I’ll keep him right here with me. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you, Ana. You know, you’re such a big help to me, I don’t know how I manage on the days you don’t come into the shop.” Shelly smiled and squeezed Ana’s shoulder. She was happy Ana was safe with a caring mom instead of suffering through the childhood Shelly had endured.
Shelly banished those negative thoughts and hurried back to the counter where one of her most frequent customers had been waiting for her.
“So sorry to make you wait,” she said as she tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear. She studied this handsome customer as she did every day, but he rarely looked her in the eye.
“No problem,” he said, keeping his focus on the pastries in the display case.
“What can I get for you today?” Shelly always asked the same question, wondering when he might try something different from his usual order of a black coffee and two blueberry muffins, though pastry wasn’t the only part of his daily routine. Each day he showed up in a crisp cotton shirt and khaki pants and a windbreaker that looked warn but comfy. His thick brown hair was always a bit messy and if his trim waist and broad shoulders were any measure, he made time for exercise when he wasn’t at the bakery.
“Today feels different,” he said as his eyes met Shelly’s. “I’ll have one blueberry muffin and one of those blue razzle squares.”
Shelly gave him an approving smile. The blue razzle square was the signature recipe that her boss, Hanna, developed before she’d turned this space into the Dessert First Bakery from its previous incarnation as the Cup of Joe Diner. “Great choice. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.” She reached into the display case, sliding the pastries onto a plate. “Here you go. I’ll bring your coffee over in a sec.”
The customer did little to show his appreciation. He merely gave her his perfunctory nod, which made Shelly feel as though she were a fixture on the wall and retreated to his usual table in the corner, this morning not far from Ana and Jake. As was his routine, without greeting any of the other customers who came in as often as he did, he set up his office. Rude, Shelly wondered? Or did he just live in his own world? She watched him set the plate down, plop himself into the chair, and pull his laptop out of his bag.
Shelly filled a mug with French roast coffee, no sugar, no cream, and carried it to the corner table.
“What are you eating?” Shelly heard Ana ask the man as she got closer. This should be interesting if Ana managed to get him into a conversation.
The man looked as if she’d startled him from his thoughts. “Oh,” he said, seeming to be at a loss for words. How hard could it be to describe his order Shelly wondered? With an amused smile, she watched him stare at his plate as if he’d already forgotten what was on it. “A blueberry muffin and a blue razzle square,” he finally said after recovering his composure. Having come to life, he asked Ana, “What do you have?”
Shelly stifled her smile as she gave him his coffee. Maybe Ana would break into his world. She certainly hadn’t been able to.
Ana glanced at Shelly before she returned to the counter. “What did you give me, Shelly?”
“A chocolate chip muffin.” She glanced at Ana’s empty plate. “Don’t tell me you already ate the whole thing.” Shelly saw only a few crumbs left on the plate. Apparently, Ana had wasted no time gobbling that muffin down. “Be honest,” Shelly said, narrowing her eyes at Ana, faking a scowl. “Did you share it with Jake?”
Ana lowered her face but kept her eyes on Shelly. She opened her hand revealing a small bit of muffin. “I saved a little for Jake. Is that okay?”
“Thanks for asking.” Shelly reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a dog bone, handing it to Ana. “You can give him this dog treat instead since muffins aren’t good for Jake.” She was surprised to see a smile on the man’s face as he watched Jake gently accept the bone.
“Could I pet your dog?” he asked Ana. Without waiting for an answer, he got up from his seat and walked over to her table.
“I guess so. Is it okay, Shelly?” Ana’s questioning face moved between the two adults. Apparently, she didn’t want to disappoint either one.
“It’s fine.” Shelly directed her answer to the man. “Jake’s a service dog.” She didn’t elaborate on what type of service since she didn’t want to broadcast her anxiety issues to the world.
The man squatted, looking into Jake’s chocolate eyes. “You’re a service dog, are you? I bet you know exactly how to make people feel comfortable.” He rubbed Jake’s ear and was rewarded with a groan of pleasure that made the man smile. “I think you’re in good hands here with Ana.”
“Oh, Jake is Shelly’s dog, but she shares him with me when I’m here,” Ana said.
“In that case, he’s in good hands with you and Shelly. I need to get back to my work now.”
“What’s your name?” Ana asked, with the innocence of someone who hadn’t yet learned to be wary of strangers.
“Max,” he said easily.
“I’m Ana.” She pulled her coloring book closer and picked up a pencil. “I have to get back to my coloring.”
“Nice to meet you, Ana. Looks like I have a work partner today.”
Shelly watched Max return to his table. There was something about the quiet, handsome customer that fascinated her. But why did he all of a sudden show interest in Ana? With Shelly’s distrust of men, thanks to the man in her life that she should have been able to trust, she couldn’t help but be suspicious.
Or curious.
At least she knew his name now even if it was only a first name.
End of Excerpt
