Trapped in Tourist Town (26 page)

“Hey, thanks so much for helping us out like this. I know it's an awful lot to ask you to spend so much time in a hot kitchen, what with the weather being so miserable lately.”

“Oh, don't be silly. I love to bake. I don't get to do it enough when school's in session.”

“Thanks, too, for keeping an eye on Bandit for me. Between getting this coffee shop ready to open and moving into the new house, I feel like I've hardly seen the poor mutt.” Bree had really come through for him when he'd worried about what to do with the dog while they were getting this place prepped. She knew Shannon's triplets had been begging for a dog for some time now. A total win-win situation.

“Well, the kids are thrilled to spend time with him. It was so nice of you to give us this chance to see if we're cut out for having a dog of our own.”

“I know I'm not exactly an expert on dog ownership, but I really can't recommend it enough.” Burke peeked into the box on the counter and briefly considered swiping a cookie.

“Go ahead. There's an extra batch of snickerdoodles in there for you.”

“Really? But you've already done so much.”

“Consider it an apology.” Shannon grimaced.

“Do I dare ask?”

“How do you feel about Bandit receiving a little makeover?”

“My previous question bears repeating.”

“This morning I discovered that Brenna had painted the poor dog's nails a bright red. Scared the heck out of me. I thought he was bleeding at first. She was so proud, I didn't have the heart to get angry.”

Laughter bubbled up from his chest and he slapped his palms on his thighs. He couldn't wait to see his new-and-improved furry companion. Maybe he could even talk Brenna and her brothers into giving Bandit a bath. He'd have to broach that one when he picked him up later.

“Okay, let it not be said that this slave driver didn't offer his workers refreshments. Snickerdoodles for everyone!”

Shannon nudged him aside and drew out the cookies and ripped the lid off with a flourish. A cheer went up through the coffee shop.

“I made a pitcher of iced tea earlier. I'll get it out of the fridge.” Bree headed behind the counter.

Tomorrow was the day of reckoning. They were unveiling the store to the entire town. It had been easier than he'd thought to get the word out without alerting Cady. His new buddy, Mr. Feeney, had insisted on taking point on that part. Turns out the old gossip had a sneaky side too. And he was having way too much fun with his role.

Burke wouldn't get any sleep tonight. He had half a mind to spend the night at the coffee shop. Rubbing the knot at the back of his neck, he looked around at everyone who had helped make this happen. He couldn't have done it without them.

At first, Scallop Shores was just a place to hang his hat while he wrote his Great American Novel. His dream had been to write—for himself, not on assignment. Somewhere along the line, his dream had morphed into something fuller, better than he could have ever imagined. He'd become a part of something, and it felt so good to belong. But without Cady, it was a mere shadow of what it could be. It was a dream in black and white. Cady—she was color, rich and vibrant. She was his everything.

• • •

This was it. The last day of business for Logan's Bakery. Cady had spent a fitful night on the futon in what used to be her old bedroom. Giving up at about four
a.m.
, she searched the kitchen cupboards as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb her parents' sleep. Her mother had enough ingredients for a batch or two of muffins. Slipping out into the cool morning, and switching on the old flashlight she'd dug out of the utility drawer, Cady headed for the tree line on the edge of the property.

It was a little late in the season, but she knew of a spot where the blueberries hadn't been picked bare. Carrying a bucket and forgoing her shoes, she trudged on. Goosebumps rose on her arms as the wet grass chilled her bare feet. She welcomed the discomfort. Ever since Mr. Logan had told her he was closing the bakery, she'd felt as though she were slowly losing all sense of feeling.

She'd been such a coward, hiding from Burke these last couple of weeks. It wasn't his fault things hadn't worked out. And they could have spent what little time they had left together. What was that saying? It was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Bullshit. It would have been far better if she had hung onto her heart. Leaving her family was hard enough. Leaving Burke was like leaving a necessary body part behind. She needed him in order to live.

Only now she was too late. She'd pushed him away because it was going to be too hard to say goodbye. She just hadn't realized how far she'd pushed until the night before, when she'd swallowed her pride and went to see him at his rental cottage.

The driveway was empty, but she got out and knocked on the door anyway. When there was no answer, she peered in the window. One bare bulb in the hallway was on, illuminating a cottage stripped of any sign of habitation. Burke's personal items were all gone. The couch and chair had been draped in white sheets. He'd moved into his new house. She'd laughed out loud then, a sharp bark of a laugh that was directed more at herself than at the situation. Until that moment she had completely forgotten—she had no idea where his new house was.

She could have called him then. Her fingers itched to grab her cell phone and dial his number. But he'd actually made things easier on her. It was for the best. A clean break.

The light was on in the dining room when Cady returned from her hunt for fresh blueberries. Damn it. She'd woken someone up after all. Swiping at the last of the tears she'd allowed herself, she hung her head as she pulled open the sliding glass door, ready to make her apologies.

“Need I remind you of the critters that like to roam around at this hour, young lady? They think they're safe and if you startle them you'll only have yourself to blame.” May frowned down at her daughter's muddy feet. “And barefoot, to boot. You're lucky that a porcupine didn't shoot you full of quills.”

“Wouldn't be the worst thing to happen to me today.” Cady shrugged. She was going to miss her mother's well-meaning lectures.

“Oh, sweetheart. It's going to be rough, but you'll make it through stronger than ever. Sit down and let me make you some eggs. You'll need your strength today.”

Cady dutifully ate the meal put in front of her. She baked two dozen blueberry muffins and took a long, indulgent shower. Packing up the muffins, she gave each parent a kiss and a big hug. Odd that her father couldn't seem to wipe the foolish grin off his face. The poor man. It was probably all that was preventing him from crying like a baby.

“I'm going to swing by the truck rental place on my way home. I'll see you about three o'clock?” Her things were boxed and sitting on the deck, ready to be packed into the rental truck for her journey to New York. She started her day in Scallop Shores, but she'd be ending it in New York.

“Certainly, dear.”

“We'll be here.” Again with the smile that was wholly inappropriate, given what she was going through today.

She reached the bakery with about half an hour to spare. Though it didn't need it, she wiped down the glass display case until it shone. She'd let the coffee supply dwindle, and oh, how Old Man Feeney howled when his precious Breakfast Blend had run out three days ago. God, she was going to miss the old coot!

A pot of decaf sat on one burner, while a pot of Sumatran, the only full-on caffeine flavor she had left, sat on the other. Cady ran her fingertips over her little-used espresso machine. She couldn't help but wonder if she'd been able to draw in more of a crowd with her
frou-frou
drinks, perhaps Mr. Logan would have thought twice about closing the bakery.

Cady blinked herself out of her woolgathering. Looking up at the clock above the door, she gasped at the time! Seven fifteen a.m.! She'd never opened late—not in the entire time she'd worked at Logan's. Feeney and the others should have been banging the door down by now. Tripping over her own feet to get to the front door, she yanked it open, sticking her head out and looking this way and that.

No one. Old Man Feeney wasn't there. Burt and Toby, Earl Duffy, and the retired fishermen and school bus drivers that made up her regular morning crowd. None of them. Surely they knew she was open one more day? They had discussed it yesterday. She was sure of it.

Stepping back inside, Cady slowly made her way behind the counter. With a heavy sigh, she turned off the coffee burners. If the bulk of her business, the regulars she could always count on, weren't going to show up, it was pointless to wait around for any stragglers. She wouldn't be serving any coffee today. Apparently they were closing a day early. Let Mr. Logan fire her for that!

She could get the rental truck early. Only they weren't open yet. Not many places were open this early, even in the summer. Her feet pushed her forward, out the door and down the street. She didn't know where she was headed, and she didn't particularly care.

Turning the corner, Cady tried to smile over the profusion of flowers everywhere. The window boxes in front of Tiny Tots held, appropriately enough, baby's breath. Whiskey barrels set up at regular intervals overflowed with bright red petunias and sharply contrasting yellow marigolds. The Book Nook was going with a pink-on-pink theme. It was so cheerful it hurt her eyes.

Lungs burning with unshed tears, she was about ready to turn and run for the safety of her old pickup truck when Cady spotted the balloons. Someone had leased the old restaurant. Curiosity pulled her forward. It was a regular beehive of activity. When had this happened? Had she been so focused on packing and closing down Logan's that she'd been blind to what amounted to a fairly big deal in a town as small as Scallop Shores?

A bell tinkled above the door as she stepped inside. Bistro tables filled the center of the space. Some tall, some regular height, all occupied with chatting customers. To the left were cozy armchairs, little tables perched beside them to set drinks down. To her right was the most adorable play area, bins full of puzzles, Legos, and toys. And in the corner a fancy toy kitchen. The entire area had been sectioned off with a low wall made of a thick, clear plastic. It was high enough to keep kids safe, but low enough for parents to be able to see inside. It was just like the idea she'd had for her coffee shop—only better. There was even a gorgeous fireplace in the back corner.

The loud chuff of milk steaming in an espresso maker had Cady locking her jaw and turning toward the back wall, where a long, gleaming counter was installed. Someone had stolen her idea! But she'd only told Burke. It was her dream. She didn't understand. Nostrils flaring, she stormed toward whoever was working that machine.

“You're late.”

Stumbling to a halt, Cady registered the occupants of the counter stools. Here was her morning crowd.
Her
regulars. This crook had stolen her customers too!

“I opened for you. You weren't there. We had one more day.” She shut her mouth before she started blubbering in front of these men who had known her since she was a baby.

“Nah, we've got all the time in the world. But you're still late.” Old Man Feeney nodded at Cady, as though gesturing for her to get behind the counter.

Was he nuts? This wasn't her place.

“Hey, there you are! We're swamped. I was just about to send Feeney to get you.”

Burke appeared at her side, slipping a pink apron over her head and spinning her around so he could tie it behind her. She barely had time to register the fact that he wore a matching one before she was shoved behind the counter.

“How did you—” She pointed at the espresso machine that looked even more impressive than hers.

“Learn to make coffee drinks? Sophie and I have been studying the instruction manual and all the YouTube videos we could find. But this is your territory. Get in there, sister!”

She wanted to stamp her foot like a child. She wanted to fold her arms across her chest until he acknowledged her. But Burke had disappeared into the crowd and she lost sight of him. A line of customers reached clear to the door. Each one of them made it a point to congratulate her on
her
new business. Did they not realize this wasn't hers? Burke had stolen her idea.

“We're running a little low on pastries. Should I call Shannon and see if she has more?”

“Foster?” Amanda's brother looked ridiculous, outfitted in another pink apron.

He stood at her elbow, awaiting orders. This was the craziest day she'd ever experienced.

“Go to Logan's. You'll find the door unlocked. Oh, God, the door's unlocked.” Cady's giggle turned into a snort and she had to rein it in before she totally lost it.

“I brought in some fresh muffins this morning. There are bagels and bread for toasting. Just bring it all.”

“I'll come with you, Foster.”

“Bree?” Could this day get any more bizarre?

“Hey, sweetie. I'm snagging any milk and creamer you've got left over there, okay?”

“Raid it all. Logan's is done.”

She'd spotted Burke here and there, but had never been able to catch him before he disappeared again. The rat! Customers kept her busy until they were able to flip the closed sign at two o'clock. Cady hadn't been this tired in a long time.

Untying the apron and tossing it on the nearest table, she slapped her hands on her hips and glared at the man exiting the back storage room.

“You! I want an explanation and I want it now!” Her chest rose and fell as she pointed a finger at the man she'd thought she was in love with.

“And you'll get it. But let the others go free. They were only acting under my orders.” Burke nodded at Foster, Bree, and Sophie, waving them toward the door, and their supposed safety.