Brayden, Melissa - How Sweet It Is

“When you ducked back here to do a little work, I had no idea what you were embarking upon. This is a little crazy town, sugar. I’m not sure our refrigerators can hold this many truffles.”

“I bake when I’m stressed, okay? It’s a thing.”

“Then you must be a stone’s throw from a breakdown.”

“It’s been that kind of week is all. My dad’s been depressed; business is hit and miss. Oh, and then the unforgettable blind date that I have you to thank for.”

“Mhmm. And that’s all that’s got your mind scrambling?”

“Yep.”

“All right. We can play that way. So what are we going to do with all of these?”

“You and Louise can take some home along with the copies of the recipe I laid out for each of you. I want you up to date on our latest menu item. Some will go to my dad, the Tuscanas, and then the leftovers can get us started on the inventory we’ll take with us to the festival.”

Eden snagged a truffle and took a generous bite. Molly watched as her eyes widened in delight as she sank into the taste. “You did it,” she finally whispered. “You really did it.”

Molly couldn’t help the grin. “They’re good, aren’t they?”

“Best I’ve ever had and I know chocolate. Woo-hoo!” She offered Molly a high five and their customary hip bump.

“What’s all this?” Louise asked as she entered the kitchen.

“Molly’s stressed so she’s baking for the free world.”

“Because of Jordan? Nothing wrong with a little kissing, MollyDolly. You’re only young and sexy once. Wish I’d remembered that when I was your age. I should have slept around more.”

Molly gasped and shot Eden an accusatory stare. “You didn’t? Eden Young, you’re going to die. You have no concept of discretion.”

“What? Louise doesn’t count. She’s bakeshop family. You don’t keep things from the bakeshop family.”

Molly glared harder. “By that logic, maybe we should notify Damon too. Where’s the phone?”

Louise shook her head. “No need. I told him this afternoon when he picked up the muffins.”

Molly glared. “Fabulous.”

“They were pretty good muffins.” Louise headed back out to the counter.

“Maybe we should just run my life by committee.” Molly threw her hands in the air and went back to rolling truffles while Eden considered this.

“You’d definitely have more fun. Now that you’re actually talking about it, did you smooth things over with little miss Jordan?”

“Yeah, we’re fine.”

“Your voice is flat. Sweetie, it’s hard to believe you when sound like a pancake.”

Molly stilled her hands, but kept her eyes on the bowl of cocoa powder. Her resolve to remain tightlipped was weakening. “When I went to talk to Jordan today, almost everything went exactly how I wanted it to.”

“But something didn’t. What didn’t go according to plan?”

Molly sighed, finally turning fully to Eden and lowering her voice. “My eyes kept doing this thing where they’d dip down to her mouth and there was…”

“What? There was what?”

She lowered her voice even more. “This little tug. The whole time I’m talking to her, there’s this pulling right in the center of my stomach.” She shook her head at Eden. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s never been there before and now I need to find its off switch.”

“Don’t you dare turn it off. Run with it, sugar, like you’ve never run before. Sew your wild oats with the attractive young thing that’s just sashayed into town. I’ve worked here for over three years and I’m ready to see you get back up on that horse, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen you near one.”

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen with Jordan. She’s important. I can survive a little tugging.”

Louise stuck her head in. “Don’t want to interrupt, Molly, but Jordan’s up front to see you.”

Eden grinned widely. “Let the tugging begin.”

*

“So you’re telling me I helped make this little wonder of wonders happen?” Jordan held up a truffle and grinned. There was sincere happiness written all over her at having contributed, and Molly couldn’t help but smile back.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying and that’s why I wanted to personally introduce you. It was your suggestion that got me there.” In addition to the truffle Jordan was eating, Molly’d presented her with a pink box full to take with her to show her gratitude.

They were sitting alone in a booth by the window. Eden and Louise had quickly said their good-byes as soon as they’d finished with closing.

“So what’s the plan now? For the MollyDollys. I like the name, by the way. Entirely fitting.”

“Thanks, you. The plan is to make these little guys my superstars. Push them every chance I get. Debut them at the festival. Hope for large orders. Maybe even set up a way to take mail orders via the Web down the road. And then see if any of it makes a difference.”

Jordan nodded but her eyes held concern. “And if they don’t?”

“Then things get harder.”

A pause. “Are you going to lose the shop?”

Molly leaned back against the booth and took a moment before answering. “Probably.” God, she’d never admitted that to anyone. But she trusted Jordan, and somehow it felt okay. “I guess these truffles are my version of a Hail Mary pass in the fourth quarter. I just have to put them out there and hope to generate some buzz, even if it’s just temporary.”

“Have you thought about taking out a second mortgage on the place?”

“Been there, done that.” She lifted her shoulder. “This is it, Jordan. I either get my head above water, or close up shop for good. And time is ticking.”

Jordan shook her head. “You can’t close down. That would kill you, Molly. You love this place.”

It was true, and the thought generated a wave of emotion. “Which is why I’m not giving up. Flour Child is my connection to my family. It’s my father’s legacy, and one day, I’m going to be without him.” Her eyes filled at the thought. “But I don’t want to be without his shop, you know?”

Jordan took a deep breath. “Then you won’t be.” She looked around. “You know, things are getting entirely too heavy in here. Let’s go.”

Molly eyed her suspiciously. “And where are we going? I have more truffles to make for the festival.”

“Plenty of time for that, and let’s be honest, the truffles aren’t going anywhere. Let’s take a walk. I haven’t had a chance to check out the town much, see what’s new since I’ve been gone.”

She had to admit it sounded nice. The sun was setting and the temperature would be crisp. She liked crisp. And she liked walks. “Okay, but I can’t be gone too long.”

“I know. Can you even imagine what would happen if you were?”

“Shut up.”

“Okay, as long as we’re walking.”

They took the long way through the square, and Molly narrated a bit, describing the new businesses that had popped up in recent years. “Oh, and right here outside of County Market, we have our very own, wait for it, Redbox.” She held up her hands as if to say “tada.” “Tell me you’re not impressed at our consumer progress.”

“Color me shocked.” Jordan shook her head. “God, it’s all so different and yet not at all.”

They passed Mr. Mueller, the mail carrier, just across the street. He must have been headed home for the day. As they waved, he offered a double take and came right over. “Jordy Tuscana. Well, look at you. A knockout if I ever saw one. Who would have thought that scraggly kid would grow up so well?” He pulled her into a warm embrace.

Jordan smiled at him that dazzling way she smiled at people. “Thanks. You’re holding up pretty great yourself. How’s Dustin? I miss him.”