Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“How about I go and make that lunch?” he asked.
He did kiss her, but put his lips on her temple.
****
Larissa smiled at the latest customer as she packaged up the order of snowman sugar cookies.
Festive treats were in full swing, and the bakery was busy nonstop. She loved the hustle and bustle, but she also enjoyed watching the kids as they put their little faces up to the glass, trying to decide what to choose. She remembered when she was a kid, feeling exactly the same way, wanting everything a bakery or candy shop had to offer. The old bakery that had been in town had been awful.
“So, we’ve had five candidates apply,” Ava said.
Larissa turned to her boss and friend. “And did any of them fit the bill?”
While she was on maternity leave, Ava had decided to hire someone part-time, with the hope of it being full time once Larissa had her baby.
She was happy to help train someone to help Ava. Harlow was ready to give birth, and Larissa still had a good few months to go. However, she knew how quickly time flew by, and she didn’t want to leave anything to the last minute.
“None of them. They were useless.”
Larissa winced. “It couldn’t have been that bad.”
“One of the men asked if the cream I was selling was body lotion and if it had sunscreen in it.”
She frowned. “What?”
“He didn’t have a clue about cream for donuts or how to make a sugar cookie. I at least want someone with a little experience.” Ava looked doubtful.
“You never know, someone might walk in that door and surprise you.”
And just like that, a woman rushed into the door, and Larissa looked at her, recognizing Rachel Flynn immediately. Rachel was a little younger than her, by a year or two.
“Are you all right?” Ava asked.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I, ugh...” Rachel looked a little out of sorts, and Larissa saw the bruise that was fading around her eye.
In school, there was rumors circling of the bullying Rachel went through. Larissa had never seen it, and she had tried to watch so she could stop it, but she was never there when it happened. There was also a rumor—and she truly hoped it was a rumor—that Rachel was pulled into a locker room, where the toilets had been used, and they shoved her head in them. Again, that had been rumor, but no one would mention it. Whispers in the hallway. Rachel would appear with bruises from time to time.
Larissa watched as Rachel pulled out a newspaper clipping and held it up. She noticed the other woman was shaking a little.
“Here, I wanted to come for a job interview,” Rachel said.
Larissa stepped from around the counter as Ava took the newspaper clipping and shook the woman’s hand. She looked out the window, wondering if she could see any signs as to why Rachel looked terrified. High school was over. She had heard Rachel had left to go to a different school. She didn’t know which one. They were not close. There was still a year between them.
“Do you know how to make a sugar cookie?” Ava asked.
“Yes, I went to culinary school,” Rachel said. “I know how to make a lot.” She offered a smile.
“Excellent. You won’t mind coming to the back, and making a batch of sugar cookies and decorating them, will you?” Ava asked.
Some of the people she had interviewed were not allowed to touch her kitchen. For the next three hours, Larissa served the customers as Rachel baked a batch of festive sugar cookies from start to finish, including some royal decorating icing, and it all looked so incredible and delicious. Ava had a taste and her eyes went wide.
Larissa knew Ava was a fantastic baker, and when her friend pointed at her to take one, she did so, took a bite, and it was perfection. Even though they were decorated, the crumb was soft and delicate. The icing was not too sweet and not too thick either. It was perfect.
All Ava had to do was ask when she could start.
Rachel stayed for the rest of the day, getting acquainted with the shop, the ovens, and Ava took her back and started to get her work information ready.
Larissa closed up the shop, cleaned it, and spotted Big Dick outside, leaning against his car. He no longer came on his bike, and always insisted on driving her home. Even though she had her own car, he was there, taking her to and from work. It was nice.
Larissa made her way into the back of the shop to say goodbye to Ava, and to once again offer Rachel congratulations and promise to see her tomorrow.
Then she made her way outside to where Big Dick was. She wanted to go up to him, wrap her arms around him, and kiss him. She’d missed him today, and even though the moments were fleeting when she had thought about him, she just couldn’t seem to stop.