Sweet Heat Rising (Thoroughbred Men Series) (6 page)

11

Four thirty in the morning, her alarm went off and Sarah jumped out of bed and into the shower. She hummed as she shampooed her hair, rinsed it out and turned off the water. She toweled it dry, threw on a polo and some slacks, pulled her hair back and French braided it wet. She pulled up to the bakery, circled the building, at five AM just like usual and opened the door.

Sarah pulled an apron over her head and flipped on the fryer. She poured out the risen dough and started to knead, separate, and pull the bread into form. The dough was a bit tacky and wet this morning, so she kneaded in a bit of flour and worked it in carefully. She plaited, braided, and twirled the dough with joy.

Tyler walked in, not long after Sarah and saw her humming as she cut the donuts and quickly moved about the kitchen. “Well, someone is in a good mood this morning,” he said sourly. “You want coffee or have you already had some?”

Sarah replied “Oh, coffee sounds fantastic. Thank you! No, I haven’t had any coffee yet,” and she went on with cutting the dough preparing for the day. She grabbed another loaf as he stood there for a moment watching her. She took a brush and glided an egg wash over the braided dough to give it a golden color as it baked.

Tyler watched her for a few moments. He wanted to be the one to put a smile on her face and resented the fact that he knew it was someone else. He muttered, “I’ll just bet you haven’t” under his breath, sarcastically referring to her remark about not having any coffee. He assumed she had “gotten some” and felt childish even uttering it.

Sarah stopped shocked. “What did you say?” she said amazed. Surely he could not be implying what she thought he was! She was mortified that he would have muttered something like that, maybe she was mistaken? “Tyler, what did you say? I’m sorry I didn’t catch that?” she repeated.

Tyler smiled at her and decided it was maybe best to play it off. He felt good lashing out, he could not help it. “It is okay, Sarah, I said I bet you haven’t had any coffee yet because the pot is turned off. I am going to make us some coffee and I will pour us both a big cup so we can get the day started,” he said.

Tyler then turned on her and said, “Is everything okay this morning? What did you think I said? You are acting very odd.” He was curious if she would reveal what was making her so very chipper so early. He knew she loved the bakery, but it never made her glow. There was something else to her happiness and wished it was because she was with him this morning.

Sarah stood there, surprised. She was positive he had made the snide remark and she was shocked at the difference in his tone and attitude now. “No, everything is fine. Thank you for asking.”

Tyler smiled again but it had a very syrupy look to it, “No problem, ma’am. I will take over on the donuts. Why don't you fix up the coffee cakes and danishes?” He proceeded to start cutting the dough for her.

Sarah moved away from him, started humming again as she whipped the batter for the coffee cakes and added the blueberries. She jumped as she heard a loud crash behind her. Sarah whirled around and exclaimed “Oh no!” and looked at Tyler and her profits on the floor among the shattered ceramic.

Tyler frowned, “Sorry, I must have accidentally knocked it off when I turned around to drop the donuts into the fryer” - a massive stoneware bowl had fallen and broken into several pieces putting shards into the dough as it rolled out onto the kitchen floor.

The bowl was over ten years old and perfect for dough. It warmed, stayed warm, and allowed it to rise evenly. It was her favorite bowl and was a gift from a friend when she opened the shop. In the ten years, it had been used thousands of times and dropped at least a dozen times without breaking-but this time must have been the final straw for the bowl.

Sarah was frustrated at the loss of the gift from her friend, who had moved away and was busy raising her family, and the loss of the dough. That effectively wiped out the donut production this morning. She could make another batch, but the yeast in the mixture would be nowhere near ready for cooking until closer to eleven,  if she started it rising now.

“Tyler, it's ok. Accidents happen. Grab the big metal bowl and let’s get another batch started for later this morning. I will just double the coffee cakes and make muffins instead,” she said, moving quickly to try to recoup some of the loss for the bakery. If she did not desperately need the help, she would have fired him. First the comments and then the loss of her bowl. With increased workload now, she needed him and it rankled her.

Sarah whipped the batter, poured, baked, measured out more ingredients, whipped, poured and baked again. The large stainless work table was covered in muffins, small loaves and danishes. She quickly glazed each muffin with butter and the loaves were sprinkled with the coffee cake mix she had crumbled together. Sarah updated the chalkboard over the counter “
Today’s special - muffins 4 for $5”
and put them neatly in display boxes with ribbon tied neatly around the box for that special touch.

Sarah was not going to let that loss get her down, and was still reeling from how this morning was starting out. This was just not normal. Tyler’s hostile comment, the loss of the dough was a hit on profits for the day already, the loss of her favorite stoneware bowl. Today just seemed to be starting out wrong… and just after yesterday finished out so right. It really was a turn for the worse.

Tyler watched her expression carefully. He knew she was upset and decided to play the hero. “Coffee?” Tyler said gently, handing her a cup and tried to comfort her. “I will find you another bowl like that one. I know it was your favorite. Maybe if I find one you really like, you can use it daily just like that one.”

Sarah took a sip and thanked him. She smiled gratefully at the gesture. “It is okay” she said, “I will see if I can get another one ordered in a few minutes. I just got a coupon from the cooking site after ordering all those pans. Thank goodness I did too! They turned out handy this morning. I will see if they have something similar for me to use. I appreciate the offer though” …plus it gives me another excuse to see Matt, she thought.

Sarah watched as Tyler turned off the fryer.  It would not be used this morning at all. Sarah sighed again and took another sip of the coffee. She moved to count down the drawer and do the deposit, and flinched as it slid open. “Tyler, didn't we sell out yesterday morning?” She shut the drawer, opened it again and stared. Where was all the money?

Tyler said, “I was not here, but yes.  It looks like you sold everything except for a few loaves, they are in the basket.  What's wrong?” he questioned. Sarah had the oddest look on her face. He watched her shake her head a few times and just stare at the register.

Sarah looked at the drawer and the hand written receipts on the peg. There were several receipts present, but the drawer did not reflect it. Sarah shook her head, started adding them together and frowned. $223 was in the drawer. The till always had one hundred total in it to start the day, there was no way she had sold everything and there was only $123 in profit for the day. Sarah wracked her mind:
did I give away something for free to a mad customer? Yes, one loaf of bread. Did I forget to collect payment for something? Did I pay a vendor? Did I forget to write something down? Did the bakery get robbed
?

Sarah stopped dead in her tracks. She looked at the front door for any indication of break in, turned and looked at the back door. It was locked this morning. Sarah looked at Tyler questioningly,  “Did you come by the shop yesterday or finish out Saturday with less than $100 in the till?”

Tyler looked at her again oddly. “No, what is wrong? Sarah you are scaring me. What is wrong?” he repeated. He moved closer to her and gently laid a hand on her back in support. He was more than pleased when she didn't shy away from him. He felt encouraged.

Sarah replied in a shaken voice, “The till is almost empty, I think something happened.” Sarah felt dumbfounded and sick to her stomach. What was in the drawer would barely be enough to cover supplies, and would not cover pay for the day.

Tyler took her hands in his. He said calmly trying to reassure her “Sarah, think! Did you leave the register open at any point?” He marveled at how smooth her hands were and how lovely her face was now that he was fairly close to her. He watched her soft mouth and wondered what it would taste like. Tyler shook her hands gently “Think, Sarah, did you leave the bakery for any reason? Did you leave anyone in here alone at any time?”

Sarah started to deny it, shook her head and stopped. She had left to run to the grocery and get the steaks, but she had locked the door. She was certain of it. “I would never leave anyone alone in the bakery,” she protested. She would not, unless it was Tyler. Sarah hesitated. She left Matt alone in the kitchen while she collected herself in the restroom and tried to regroup her thoughts. Could he have taken the money?

Surely Matt would not have robbed her! She had such a good time talking with him and he seemed so genuine. There is no way! She knew deep down that he could never do that to her. Absolutely, no way it was Matt. Maybe she should check the doors again for intrusion?

Tyler attempted to pull her close to him into a hug, and felt her pull back away from him. He watched her face change as she pulled her hands out of his. “What are you doing?” he replied bitterly “I am trying to comfort you because you obviously know what happened and you seem hurt.” He wanted to hold her and feel her against him.

Sarah got upset then. She was hurt, she was mad and she was reeling at the theft and the implications. There was no way Matt could have unless he took it when she was in the restroom composing herself? Surely not! No one else had a key to the bakery except herself and Tyler. She had a hard time believing it could be either of the men. Both she had opened up to and trusted. Sarah could feel the frustration building in her.

Tyler kept talking and talking, however, he felt she was not hearing a word he was saying. He watched Sarah as she opened the drawer again, counted it, and shut it firmly when he finally said, “Maybe someone is working you over and pulling a fast one?” He hated to voice the words, but he felt it was time to call a spade what it was: a spade.

Silence.

Sarah took a shaky, deep breath. “Tyler, I think you should go home for the day and let me handle this. I am calling the police and reporting a theft,” Sarah said quietly, as she felt tears threaten to spill. How could this happen? Sara was devastated.

Tyler took off his smock, wadded it up and tossed it on the counter. “Let me know if you need anything. I am always here for you, even if you do not want me to be,” he said angrily and left the building through the back door. He felt good when he heard it slam shut behind him.

Sarah flinched at the loud noise it caused and locked the back door behind him. She picked up the phone and dialed 911. She had no idea what had happened nor who to trust. She was scared for herself, for her shop, and she didn't want to be alone if someone had broken in.

The police arrived at six AM and inspected the doors, locks, windows, checked for prints on the drawer and asked her a million questions.

“Do you have an alarm? No.”

“Who has a key? Myself and Tyler.”

“What do you think happened? I don't know.”

“How do you know the money is gone? I sold out, there should be almost $700 in there.”

“Why would someone steal from you? I don't know.”

“Do you have an idea of who did it? - I’m not sure.”

It went on and on for what seemed like forever, but was only thirty minutes. The police officer suggested she invest in an alarm system, a surveillance camera, change the locks and limit who has access to the drawer. All seemed reasonable, all seemed expensive and considering the loss this morning.  It would not be anytime soon that anything happened but she could not afford for this to happen again either.

As the police left, customers started to arrive and each asked what was going on. Sarah just smiled, nodded, and insisted they were checking on her and she supplied them with some of her wonderful muffins. She tried to brush off any concerns that something serious had happened at her precious bakery. She waited on each customer with a smile and her day passed quickly.

12

She received a text around ten AM from Matt. “
Hello there, lovely lady.
”  Sarah did not reply.  She justified it in her mind that she was simply too busy.  She could not and would not let herself think that he had taken from her. Matt did not seem the ‘type’ but then again, what was the ‘type’? She was afraid to trust her instincts.

The police certainly hinted that it may have been someone she knew...maybe even an inside job, but they were going to check for prints and get back with her. She gave them a list of old employees within the last year - which equaled two names- and she included Tyler, Josh, and Matt on the list to cross reference for prints. 

She included Josh only because he seemed to be the only one that would really lash out and harm her, even though she had not heard from him in years. He had already proved he would cross one line, why not cross another? What was theft from your ex-wife if you could strangle her in public? He had issues, this could always be another one.

The police seemed to think she had nothing to worry about because they did not confront her while she was at the store, but suggested a security measure of some kind, and mentioned again having cameras or an alarm system.

Sarah received a second text from Matt about two PM. “
Busy day today? Thinking of you, maybe dinner tomorrow night?
”  Sarah again did not respond. She threw herself into making a few pies for the case and several smaller layer cakes with buttercream. About five PM,  as the small cakes cooled in the freezer, she got yet another text from Matt.  “
Are you ok?”

Sarah sighed dejectedly. She really liked him and was in shock. She still did not believe for one moment that he could have stolen the money from the drawer but then if it wasn’t him, was it Tyler? Could it be someone else, like Josh, and are they coming back?

Sarah texted back. “
Yes, very tough day. Can I talk to you tomorrow?
”

Matt replied “
Sure, sorry about your day. I am here if you need to talk.
”

Sarah locked the front door and turned off the open sign and started to cry. At first just one or two tears, gave a wobbly sigh... and gave in. She wept openly and sat in a chair in the kitchen for a few minutes. She got up, had a glass of water, rinsed her face and moved to count down the drawer again, praying it was not going to mimic this morning’s events. She had been extremely careful and wary in the shop all day and was exhausted from being on edge. She counted the drawer, counted the receipts, filled out the deposit slip and sighed in relief. Six hundred and eighty two dollars. She was determined she would do the deposits at night before she left instead of in the morning before the day got started. This was not happening again.

Sarah shut off the lights, put the dough in the warmer, swept the floors and grabbed her purse. She got out her keys, headed out to her car and stopped in her tracks. Unbelievable! She had a flat tire on her car. She put her purse and the deposit on the floor board of her car, opened the trunk and got out her spare. She looked around in the trunk and could not find the jack or tire iron. “Are you kidding me?” she yelled out loud. She had had enough today.

Sarah opened her car door, grabbed her purse, deposit and keys and marched back up to the bakery. She opened the door and slammed it shut again-taking a bit of pleasure from it slamming. She set the deadbolt and called her roadside package. They said that if the car was easily accessible they would be happy to put her spare on for her, but it would be four hours before they arrived at her location due to high call volumes. Sarah hung up on them angrily.

Sarah texted Matt. “
I have a problem and I hate to ask a favor.”
  The phone rang immediately. Sarah answered. “Hello,” trying to keep the quiver out of her voice.

Matt said guardedly, “Sarah, are you okay?” He felt odd all day long when she did not respond to his texts. He wondered if she was upset at how things had progressed when they were last together.

Sarah broke down crying “No, I am not okay. I am having a horrific day. I don't know what to do and now my tire is flat. I do not have a jack to change it and I am not sure I want you to change it but I really do not have many people in town I want to even talk to right now. Can I borrow your jack for your car?” she took a deep shaky breath.

Matt replied, “Yes, I will be right there and you can tell me all about what is going on.” He was very concerned. For someone who seemed to be a strong, independent woman, she was having a small breakdown and he was worried. Something had to be seriously wrong for her to be this upset.

Sarah hung up and sat down again on the little chair in the kitchen and looked around. She did not want to wait inside and she did not want to wait outside in the dying light. She didn't want him inside the bakery and she wanted him to hold her, to tell her everything was going to be okay. She was so torn.

Matt pulled around back and parked next to her car in the dimly lit gravel lot. He hopped out of the car and ran up to the door, trying the handle. It was locked. Matt banged on the door and yelled, “Sarah?” She unlocked the bolt and wiped her eyes. Matt grabbed her and held her, smoothing her braid and crooning to her. “Baby, what’s wrong? What happened? Is this about the tire? I can get it fixed for you,” he reassured her.

Sarah sniffed, wiped her nose indelicately and said, “No, it's not the tire, I mean, yes, it is the tire. It is everything.” She felt so very overwhelmed however with Matt holding her against him, she could feel the strain seeping out of her. She took a shaky breath and just breathed in his cologne. She laid her head against his chest and listened to his heart beat for a moment. The rhythmic pulse calmed her.

Matt said, “Let’s take one thing at a time… Let’s take care of the tire first so we can get you home.” She was pretty shaken up, and it bothered him deeply to see her cry. He was surprised that a flat could rile her up that quickly. Maybe there was more to it?  Matt looked around again at the dim lighting in the lot, the gravel underneath and said, “Look Sarah, let’s change plans. Let me pick you up something for dinner, let’s get you to your place so you can rest. I am off tomorrow. I will pick you up and bring you to work.  I can then take your car and get the tire fixed. Let’s not try to put the spare on in the dark in the gravel. I do not want to make a mistake and have the car fall off the jack or something.”

Sarah sighed and agreed. Matt was really too nice to her. Here she was having a small breakdown and they had only been on two dates, dare this be a make it or break it moment? She thought wryly. She hoped she did not run him off with the first truly horrible day she had in years.

She could not believe how bad her day was going and that he was practically rescuing her. She nodded and he smiled, opening the car door for her. Sarah checked the lock on the bakery again and locked her car. “Can we go by the night depository too? I am sorry to have to ask.”

Matt smiled and squeezed her hand in acknowledgement. “Do not apologize, let me help. We’ll go wherever you need.” He brushed her knuckles against his lips and told her again it would be all right. He wanted her smiling and laughing again.

Sarah halfheartedly tried smiling and buckled up in his car. They drove down the road to the bank and he let Sarah out to drop the envelope in the night depository box. At least this was going right, she was able to put the cash in the bank before it disappeared again.  She hopped back in his car and they drove to grab a burger. “Want to eat here or at home?”

Sarah was exhausted. “Home. If that,s ok?” She just wanted to hide away and tend to her emotional wounds. She wanted to plop down on her couch, toss a blanket over her lap and curl up with a hot cup of tea to relax.

Matt smiled at her and just held her hand across the seat between them. “Sure, what would you like?” Sarah just shook her head. She did not care what was ordered at this point. Matt ordered two burgers and two milkshakes. “Sweet tooth, you remember? Besides, ice cream makes it all better in most cases. Or at least, that is what my mother used to tell me when I scraped my knees growing up,” he said to her with a wink, trying not to look too alarmed.

She was so quiet and so pale. This was not the talkative, vivacious, smiling lady he had dinner with yesterday. He paid, got the bag and the two cups and drove to her subdivision. Matt said carefully. “Want me to let you out or would you like me to take you to the door? What is your house number?”

Sarah sighed, he was really good to her and she was apparently the most trusting or naive person ever. She barely knew him, someone stole from her and now she was having him take her home. This was either the nicest guy ever, or the biggest mistake of her life.  Sarah sighed again praying for the nice guy part. She was not sure she could take much more today.  “I’m at 2803 just down the block. I was checking the mail when you ran by.”

Remembering that day, Matt smiled at her. “Gotcha, you’ll be there in a second.” He pulled up in front of her condo and turned off the car. “You are so very quiet. I am worried about you.” He asked, “Would you like to talk?”

Sarah grabbed the shakes and nodded, not trusting herself yet to speak cause she could feel the tears welling up again. She wasn't normally such a crybaby but this was her livelihood and she had no idea what was going on, or at least did not want to believe what her mind was telling her.  She walked with him up to the door, unlocked it and invited him in. “Just like a vampire,” she thought with a giggle.

Matt looked at her weirdly over his shoulder when he heard the giggle. “Are you getting hysterical on me?” he said half teasing. He hoped she would open up to him and tell him what had happened to make her so very upset.

Sarah flopped down on her couch, kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes in her socks. She grabbed a shake and took a long draw on the straw. “Umm chocolate, ice cream does make things better...” she said with a sigh and her lip started to shake. Matt sat down next to her, took her hands and told her to let it all out.

Sarah told him about how happy she was this morning, how everything was fine, the dropped bowl, how she is pretty sure she misheard Tyler and how he was creeping her out, she told him about the drawer and the missing money, about the police and what was discussed and what Tyler said about him. She revealed her fears of it being her ex-husband and she told him of the attack from Josh.

Sarah also went on to explain that she was unsure it wasn't Josh that had taken the money, which was part of the reason she contacted the police. She already had a restraining order in the past on him and things were definitely bad between them in their history together. She finished off her watery tirade with “and the police said they think it’s an inside job but the only people that were ever there alone with the drawer was me, Tyler and you. I think it could be Josh, but overall? No one knows, I am just out the money and no leads.”

Matt sat back and looked at her. His smile was gone and his eyes were hard. “Sarah, you really think I would take money from you? Are you in danger from Josh?” He was afraid for her safety. If her ex had attempted to strangle her in front of others before in the past, he would not be surprised to hear of him financially destroying her. It hurt to think she even considered him as a possible suspect.

Sarah whispered, “No, I can’t believe you would ever do that. That is why I called you about the flat. I trust you.” She looked at him, her eyes silently imploring him to be there for her. She was afraid to be hurt and needed to be able to lean on someone. She felt such a bond with him, she wanted to believe he would be the person she could rely on.

Matt leaned over and kissed her. “Sarah, I would never hurt what we have started. I really like you a lot and thought about you all day. I wondered if something was going on or if something was wrong when you didn't respond to my texts. I would never jeopardize this between us… but I am seriously concerned about your safety at the bakery. Are you getting an alarm system or a camera? Do you have a gun?” he prodded.

Sarah thought for a moment and nodded. “I just don't know what protection to get yet. I am doing good at the bakery, but it’s tough sometimes. I spend quite a bit of time there and sell a lot of product. I always sell out daily, but it’s just enough to make ends meet most times between Tyler’s pay, shop expenses.” She chewed on her lip as she thought about bills she had coming in soon.

“What time do you need to be there in the morning?” Matt questioned. Sarah replied that they typically opened at five thirty and Matt suggested that she relax and try to rest a bit. He would stay and watch her if she wanted the company.

Sarah was not sure if she should be so happy that he offered to stay. She was genuinely relieved that he had not run like the wind at all of her crying tonight and seemed concerned for her wellbeing.

Matt wanted to bring down her stress levels and calm her. “Okay, let’s see what we can get you in the meantime, if for some reason you are in danger or something fishy is going on... but for now? Let’s have dinner and relax a bit. You have had enough on your plate today.” He offered to hang out as a gesture, but honestly used it as an excuse to be close to her for a time. He missed her all day and jumped at the chance to call her.

Sarah flipped on the news and they ate quietly watching TV together, commenting here and there on items they were discussing. Sarah prayed there was nothing on there about her bakery.  She did not want the negative publicity for BatterUp! Thankfully, there was no commentary or mention of a robbery. “And to the police, it almost seemed like they were not a hundred percent sure it happened. I’m sure it was odd that there was no busted doors, no broken windows.” She waited for them to get back with her regarding the finger prints on the register.