Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
The bell above the door rang, and I looked up to see Kian walking in.
“Hey, I thought you were getting all the words today.”
A smile spread over his face, and I felt my heart trip. Would I ever get used to the way his smiles affected me? I hoped not.
“I’m telling you, being in our own house has sparked something in me, and I can’t stop the words from flowing.”
Once things settled down after the kidnapping, Kian and I started our search for a house. I insisted on paying half since I had money left from the sale of my bakery. It only took us a couple of weeks, and we found an adorable four-bedroom, three-bath house with a view of Moose Lake. It was a bit more than I wanted to pay, but the kitchen was a baker’s dream, and of course, the view made it worth the price. We had moved in a few weeks ago and were slowly getting more furniture, which Kian had insisted he buy since I had bought the furniture we took from the cabin. One of the bedrooms was Kian’s office; he had installed bookshelves on three of the four walls. One was a guest room, and the other was a room all to myself. I wasn’t sure what I would do in there yet, since Kian had the most comfortable oversized chair in his office to read in. Macy promised to help me figure it out.
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“A great thing. I think I’m almost done.”
“How exciting!” I said as I made my way around the counter and hugged him. “What is after that?”
He laughed. “I have no idea! I’ll figure it out, though.”
“Is Opal here?”
“She had to run an errand but said she would return before closing.”
The bell rang again, and Macy walked in. She was holding a briefcase and wearing a smile.
“Don’t you look like Mom,” Kian teased.
Macy shot him a dirty look. “I’m wearing my old lawyer’s hat this morning, but don’t ever compare me to our mother again.”
Kian and I both laughed.
“Why are you wearing a lawyer hat today?” I asked.
“I’ve got some business with Opal.”
Kian tilted his head. “What kind of business?”
She winked. “You’ll find out soon enough. I’ll be back in Opal’s office.”
Walking past us, I gave Kian a questioning look. He shrugged.
“Want something to eat or drink?” I called out to Macy.
“A piece of your banana nut bread, and don’t say you’re sold out. I know you keep some extra!”
Kian’s head snapped to look at me. “You keep extra?”
My cheeks heated. “I do, but I have no idea how she knew!”
“You little banana bread hoarder. I want a piece.”
Laughing, I walked over, locked the front door, shut off the open sign, and started putting the chairs on the table so I could mop.
“Where is Katherine?”
“Upstairs. She had off today. Did I tell you she got a cat?”
“Really? What made her want a cat?”
I put the last chair on the table. “He just showed up one day. Sat in the window box until Katherine left it some water and food. After that, he figured out how to sneak into the bakery. The customers love him, so Opal said he could come in, but he’s not allowed in the kitchen area.”
“So you guys have a bakery pet?”
Laughing, I replied, “I guess so.”
The sound of the back door opening and closing alerted us that Opal was here.
“I’m going to go say hi to my aunt. You need help right now?”
Waving Kian on, I said, “No, I’ve got this down pat. Go visit with your sister and aunt.”
I quickly got to work mopping the dining room and then made my way to the kitchen. Before I could change the water and clean the floor in the back, Macy popped her head out.
“Cadie? Can we talk to you for a second?”
Glancing at the floor and thinking about all the prep I still had to do, I almost told her I couldn’t, but something on her face said this wasn’t up for discussion. I was needed in Opal’s office.
“Um, sure. Let me dump this water out and–”
“I’ve got it, babe.”
Kian walked up to me and took the mop from my hand. “Don’t worry, I used to mop these floors when I was younger. I can do it with my eyes closed.”
Confused, I nodded and followed Macy back to Opal’s office. Jake was sitting there holding hands with Opal. It was so cute how their relationship had blossomed these last few months. Jake had decided to take a step back, sold his place in New York City, and now lived in Moose Village full time. He still painted, but he was doing it for pleasure now. I knew his daughter Hope was over the moon happy about it.
“Hey, Jake, I didn’t know you were here. Would you like something to eat or drink?”