Shades Of Chocolate (The Bakery Romance Series Book 2) Read online

  However, the food stamps and second-hand clothes were minimal compared to the abuse. Remembering the way her dad chugged alcohol, sometimes downing hard liquor like most people drank a soda, gave her a sudden chill. She shivered, the memories haunting her. The abuse against her mom had been awful. The bruises, the pain, the trips to the emergency room. Broken bones…so much pain. She rested her elbow on the table, placed her chin into her hand, giving Jason her undivided attention. She needed to be honest with him. “My mom has faced a lot of disappointment and pain in her life, and she always says that God is going to turn it into something good.”

  He returned her stare, his eyes full of concern. “What sort of disappointment and pain?”

  “My parents fought a lot, mostly because Dad drank.” What was she doing? She didn’t know this man. Could she trust him? After her terrible experience with Brian, she’d thought most men were after only one thing. After a few dates, they made you feel like you owed them something. But Jason seemed different. He felt safe.

  Jason raised his eyebrows, continuing to study her. He seemed to be silently urging her to continue. The next words came tumbling out before she could stop them. “Dad had trouble keeping a job, and Mom didn’t work. We were poor. It was . . . very hard. And I hated it.” She clamped her mouth shut. Had she revealed too much? She’d known Brian for weeks before she’d told him about her childhood.

  “I’m sorry. That’s awful. Toni, I can understand why you’re upset.”

  She glanced away from Jason’s intense gaze, focusing on her office in the back. She again spotted the roses on her desk. She needed to call the florist to find out who’d sent them. If they were from Brian, then she’d need to get rid of them.

  “Are you okay?”

  She hadn’t been okay since she’d found Brian in a lip-lock with his admin.

  “I’m just a bit tired, that’s all. I’ve been going through a lot and, well, it’s just been a rough couple of months.”

  She peeked at his car, parked across the street. He drove a black BMW convertible, four-door. It seemed to be crouching in the shadows under the huge maple tree, ready to spring away from the curb.

  Jason was a mystery, a mystery she really wanted to solve, but wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. Standing, she cleared their dirty dishes away, hoping the familiar task would restore her composure. She felt Jason’s eyes following her.

  “I’ll be back in a minute.” She took the dishes into the back and placed them into the industrial-sized dishwasher. Again, she eyed the flowers. She glanced in the sitting area, and Jason was busy with his phone, probably checking his messages. Since he seemed occupied, she went into her office and softly closed the door. She stared at the bright red roses. Goodness, those flowers were pretty, and their sweet scent filled the office. She stopped, relishing the enticing odor before slumping into a chair. She needed some time alone, away from Jason. She appreciated his help, but she had this strange feeling that he could see deep into her soul.

  She figured if she saw him enough, he’d probably invite her to come to church, just like Sheila did. Since Jason seemed to be a deep-thinking Christian and all, she could imagine him dating Sheila.

  She mentally sighed. Where had that thought come from and why would Jason and Sheila dating give her a bad feeling? She shook her head. She needed to get some sleep tonight and stop thinking crazy thoughts. Maybe after she closed up for the day, she’d head down to Henderson’s Drug Store and get a bottle of over-the-counter sleeping pills. She’d had trouble sleeping whenever she’d been bothered about something, but she’d never had to resort to sleeping pills, at least not for years. But her fatigue enveloped her, getting worse, so maybe the pills would bring her some relief.

  Again, she eyed the flowers.

  Brian.

  She needed to find out if he sent those flowers. She took her phone from her pocket and went to the website for Zinna’s Floral Shop. After calling the number, she waited, the phone ringing in her ear.

  “Zinna’s Floral Shop. May I help you?”

  “I’m Toni Brown and your delivery man delivered a bouquet of red roses to my bakery yesterday, Shades of Chocolate. There was no card. I wondered if you’d forgotten to attach it.”

  “Hold on.”

  Classical music played in the background after the worker placed Toni on hold. While she waited, she stood up, opened the door and peeked into the bakery. Jason still sat at the table, completely occupied with his phone. She shut the door again, and slumped back into her chair, blinking rapidly. Man, she needed rest. She couldn’t wait until this evening to try to get some sleep.

  The music disappeared when the worker came back onto the line. “Ms. Brown?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m so sorry. We were swamped yesterday and my assistant forgot to place the card into the box.”

  Toni took a deep breath. “What did the card say?”

  “It says…” She heard the rustle of paper. “I’m sorry. Please give me another chance. Love Brian.”

  Toni winced, her throat suddenly dry. “Thanks.” She hung up the phone, staring at the flowers. The sight and smell of the buds now seemed overly cloying and too sweet. She took a deep breath, pressing her hands together. “What should I do?”

  What would happen if she forgave Brian, and they made a fresh start?

  A woman at her mom’s church had done that. She’d been married to her husband for twenty years, and he’d had a two-year affair with a woman half his age. The wife had initially moved out, but in time, she’d forgiven her husband and they’d renewed their vows. Her mom had told her that they were still together.

  But she and Brian were not like that. He couldn’t remain faithful while they were engaged. She couldn’t imagine his being faithful during marriage, either. They didn’t have twenty years of marital bliss like her mom’s friend.

  There was no way she’d ever accept Brian back into her life. If she accepted him back, he’d just cheat on her again. He’d disrespect her, and she doubted he’d ever feel differently about their relationship.

  Her heart pounding with anger, she lifted the vase of flowers, hurling it into the steel trashcan in the back of the office. The glass shattered, and tears of anger and defeat fell down her cheeks.

  Jason rapped on the office door. “Toni? Are you okay?”

  She didn’t have the energy to respond.

  Jason opened the door, stepped into the office. She took a deep breath, turning away from him, and pulled a tissue from the box. “I need some time alone.”

  “You’re crying. What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head. She couldn’t tell Jason about Brian’s infidelity. “I’ll be out in a minute.” He softly closed the door behind him.

  Chapter 7

  Jason figured Toni had thrown away the roses that had been delivered the previous day. Why had the flowers made her so upset? Her light brown skin was blotched with redness and her eyes had been teary. Her hands had been shaking and all he’d wanted to do was hold her hands, try to calm her down.

  He shook the thought away. How could he be so emotionally involved with a woman he’d just met yesterday? He barely knew Toni, yet, he wanted to help her.

  His deep thoughts were interrupted when Toni finally reappeared from the back office. She seemed much calmer. “You don’t have to stay. I appreciate your help this morning.” Staring at the table, she refused to make eye contact with him. Her sentence sounded rehearsed.

  So he was being dismissed. She obviously didn’t want him around.

  “Why don’t you let me stick around for the day? You look like you need to get some rest.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll be fine. Just go.”

  He stood. No way could he leave now. “I’m staying.”

  She marched to the door and opened it. “Just leave. I’ll be okay by myself for the rest of the day.”

  If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was angry at him. Stubborn woman. She didn’t wan
t to accept his help, and she obviously didn’t want to confide in him.

  The strange hobo-like woman he’d seen the previous night breezed into the bakery, humming. She wore the same tattered, patched clothes and scuffed shoes, and the same huge bag was slung over her shoulder. “Hi, Toni! I came to get my donuts!”

  Toni’s frown melted while she hugged the short, strange woman. “Come on, Martha. I’ll get you some coffee, too.”

  Jason left the bakery and got into his car. Curious, he sat in his car and studied the two women. Toni smiled at her, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. He’d forgotten to ask her about Martha earlier.

  He figured he should leave, yet he just couldn’t pull himself away. He liked being around Toni, and he really liked her bakery. He’d started feeling like his old self, the way he used to feel before his mother got sick.

  He sighed. He really wanted to come back the next day, but Toni made it clear that she didn’t want his help. He couldn’t beg her to let him work in her bakery. He wasn’t that desperate.

  Yet he wanted to see her again. What would she do if he happened to come to the bakery tomorrow for a piece of her delicious chocolate cake? No way would she blatantly refuse to serve him, would she? Toni glanced out the window and spotted him still sitting in his car. He finally started his ignition and pulled away from the curb.

  *

  Jason swiped his last french fry through the puddle of ketchup and popped it into his mouth. The lunch counter at Henderson’s Drug Store was surprisingly busy, considering it was dinner time. He figured most of the people in Blue Spring would’ve been having supper with their families. Apparently a lot of the single or widowed elderly men congregated at the lunch counter in the evening.

  He’d gotten his share of stares and questions while he’d enjoyed his burger and fries. “Would you like a refill, Mr. Matthews?” The teenaged counter girl batted her eyelashes, giving him a wide grin. She’d reminded him that she’d seen him running through Blue Spring the previous evening.

  Last night’s run didn’t help him with his anger. He forced the ugly thought of his dad and Ms. Clara from his mind. Their being in a relationship haunted him. Although he longed to improve his relationship with his father, this recent discovery did nothing but tear them further apart. He still didn’t understand how his mom could’ve thought that working with his dad would help resolve their differences. His phone buzzed, and he lifted it from the table, spotted his dad’s number. His dad had called him five times in the last twenty-four hours. Again, Jason ignored the call.

  “Mr. Matthews?” The counter girl batted her eyelashes again, giving him another warm smile. “I just asked if you wanted a refill.” On top of reminding him about spotting him the previous night, she’d also been openly flirting with him for the last hour. He had to wonder if she always flirted with the customers. He figured she wanted a big tip. He nodded, giving her a small smile. “Sure.”

  She took his glass of Coke and added fresh ice before refilling it with the carbonated beverage. She presented the soda to him, giving him a quick wink. “There you go.”

  “Thanks.” He swirled his draw around in his drink, taking in his surroundings. The pharmacist worked in the aisle, stocking the shelves. Another worker stood at the front register. The workers sported matching dark blue uniforms with the words Henderson’s Drug Store scrawled across the front in white script.

  The lunch counter reminded him of a 1950’s movie. The bright red counter stools and the aluminum tables gave the place a fresh, festive feel. A jukebox in the corner crooned 1980’s tunes. The delicious scent of meat and onions wafted from the grill. The short-order cook prepared a steak and cheese sandwich. The flirty server approached him again. “Would you like some dessert?”

  He shook his head. “No thanks.” After Toni’s irresistible chocolate cake and the four chocolate cream donuts he’d eaten that morning, his sweet tooth had been worn out. He spotted the huge three-layer cakes in the tiered glass display case. He wondered if Toni provided the desserts for Henderson’s. He would’ve asked the server about it, but decided not to. The teen ached to strike up a conversation. She’d probably start talking non-stop if he asked a simple question.

  He’d had a conversation earlier with one of the elderly patrons. The man had approached, curious about Jason. When he mentioned that he’d helped Toni in her bakery that morning, the loose-lipped senior citizen had told him all about Toni’s absent assistant, some older woman named Catherine. He’d explained that Catherine had had a family emergency and that’s why Toni had been short-staffed that morning. Apparently, Shades of Chocolate made good business. Since the revival was going on, he said that the bakery would probably be packed the following morning. The man had left shortly after Jason’s dinner had been served, and while he’d been eating, he’d been mulling over the conversation. Would Toni be able to serve all of her guests tomorrow by herself?

  She obviously didn’t want his help.

  But was it her pride, or did she really not like having him in her bakery? Truth be told, he thought Toni was one of the prettiest women he’d seen in a long time. She had nice, creamy, light brown skin and the biggest, prettiest eyes. Seeing her upset this afternoon had tugged at his gut. Being around her just felt good and familiar. Her bakery felt like…like home, a happy place for him to stay. The euphoria-inducing scent of chocolate filled her bakery. Her familiar features, her close resemblance to his mom’s first assistant, made him feel like he was spending time with a close friend.

  A movement at the front window of the store caught his attention, and he spotted Toni running to the door. A gazelle, that’s what she reminded him of, with her long, slim pretty legs wearing those warm-up pants. She didn’t notice him when she entered the drug store out of breath. So she’d been exercising. Since she’d been tired earlier, it surprised him that she had the energy to run. Perhaps she’d taken a nap after she’d closed the bakery. She approached the pharmacist in the aisle. “Mr. Henderson, I’m having trouble sleeping.”

  Her sweet voice reminded him of warm maple syrup. He glanced over at her. She stood in the aisle speaking to the druggist. She continued to talk, asking him if he could recommend a good over-the-counter sleeping pill that wouldn’t make her too tired. She complained about how sleeping pills usually made her feel groggy in the morning.

  After he made a recommendation and she made her purchase, she approached the lunch counter, plopping on the barstool beside him. She closed her eyes, dropping her forehead into her hand, massaged her temple. It seemed like she had a headache. Maybe she should’ve purchased some aspirin, too.

  “Hi, Toni.”

  Her head snapped up, and her pretty eyes widened when she recognized him. “Jason.” She glanced around the shop, scratching the back of her neck. “I didn’t see you there.”

  She’d obviously been in her own little world. If she’d noticed him, she probably would not have stopped in the drug store. She seemed uneasy, so maybe she wished she’d avoided him. He’d been mulling over an idea as to how to help her with her bakery. But if his presence made her so skittish, then he wasn’t sure if she’d like his suggestion.

  She crossed her legs, leaned against the counter. He sniffed. She smelled wonderful, like spring rain and wildflowers. The server approached, asking for Toni’s order. Toni placed it: a Caesar Salad and a Diet Coke. After she’d been served her food, she started eating her salad. Toni remained focused on her meal, not paying him any attention. He wasn’t sure if he should leave, or if he should stay and give her his proposition. He finally opted to stay, but he’d probably have to be the one to start the conversation. Toni continued eating her salad and sipping her soda.

  He licked his lips, gathering his courage. “I heard about Catherine.”

  She stopped eating, fixed her eyes on him. “Catherine? You mean my assistant?”

  He nodded. “Somebody told me that she’ll be gone for a few weeks.”

  She speared a piece of lett
uce. “Yes. This is the worst time for her to have a family emergency. I feel bad for her, but with the revival in town, my bakery has been swamped. I could always use the extra money from the sales, but I’m wiped out.”

  “Well, I was hoping that I could help you.”

  “How?”

  “I’m going to be in town for a while, and I have free time. I could work for you if you want.”

  “You? Work for me?” She dropped her fork and folded her arms in front of her chest. “Jason, I don’t know.”

  He shrugged. If she didn’t want to accept his offer, he wasn’t going to let it bother him. Well, he needed to be honest with himself. If she didn’t accept his offer it would bother him. Kinda hard to figure out why her decision mattered. “I’ve worked in my mom’s bakery. I could even help you out in the kitchen.” He didn’t want to mention that he ran his own bakery in Chicago and that Matthews and Company was a chain of well-established bakeries. For some reason, he sensed that if he told her about all of his experience, she might decline his offer, thinking he might be over-qualified to work in her small-town bakery.

  She lifted her fork, but didn’t continue eating. She massaged her temple again.

  “Are you okay? You’re rubbing your head like you have a headache.”

  “No, I’m just upset about…” She stopped speaking and shoved another bite into her mouth. She obviously didn’t want to tell him about what had happened earlier. She’d been upset about those roses, probably because she was having trouble with a man.

  He pushed his empty plate and glass away, standing. “You know, if something’s bothering you, sometimes it helps to talk to somebody about it.”

  She probably didn’t want to talk to him about her troubles since she didn’t know him very well, which was understandable. She sipped her soda, gave him a sideways look. “Thanks for offering to help. Is it okay if I think about it?”

  She actually had to think about his offer? He noticed the dark circles under her red-rimmed eyes. She might be more eager about accepting it after she’d had a good night’s sleep.