Chapter 4
The whirl of machines blended with the hum of conversation in the Blissful Bites Bakery.
Background noise made things less awkward.
Claire settled in across from Wade, both lost in thought and sipping their beverages, tea for him, hot chocolate for her.
She stifled a yawn, craving caffeine but needing the hot cocoa as if its sweetness could smooth over the morning’s events.
How had she gone from being an aunt to a guardian? A parent? She’d planned to take care of Bella, but… “Making it official by signing a document was… nerve-racking, wasn’t it?”
“It’s no surprise Albert would want you as Bella’s guardian.
” Wade’s distant tone broke through her thoughts.
His gaze fixed somewhere over her head, brows lifted as if he’d already figured it all out.
“But me? He must’ve only meant for me to handle finances.
I can do that—help with Bella, your dad, and… you too.”
“Health insurance for Bella and your dad’s well-being still adds up, especially now that Albert’s shop is closed.” Wade ran a hand over his face. “I’ll notify my accountant.” He continued, rattling off plans as if his money could fix everything.
She stifled a yawn, too exhausted to figure everything out.
Not with her head still spinning, and Wade’s take-charge attitude didn’t help.
Her gaze drifted. Local art covered the toasty walls—photographs of the mountains, paintings of pastries in inviting colors, even a painting of Stone Park with families engaging.
The fresh coffee-and-baked-goods aroma was comforting.
So was watching people. A young couple sat by the window seat, cups pushed aside and laptops open, clearly here on business like Claire and Wade.
“Are we done here?” She pushed out her chair. She was probably curt, but she had no energy to solve major issues in five minutes.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re irritated with me?” A frown etched across his forehead. “Did I do something wrong?”
“I don’t know, Wade.” She huffed. “It was painfully clear you didn’t want any part of this.”
He slouched back, letting out a hollow laugh. “And you’re upset because I’m shocked by becoming a parent?”
“You said it yourself.” She bristled, lifting her disposable cup toward him.
Sure, it wasn’t like she knew anything about parenting, but Bella needed someone to raise her.
“You’re not here to talk about being a parent, and you already said you’re going to talk to your accountant.
I don’t see what else we need to discuss. ”
He set his cup down too hard, his jaw tightening. “In case it slipped your mind, I just found out I’m responsible for a child. I’m sorry I’m not wired like you to automatically embrace changes tossed my way.”
He was right. She’d had plenty of time around Bella.
But again, she had no idea what he wanted to talk about when he summoned her.
“My only concern right now is how to get Bella to sleep through the night.” Then maybe Claire wouldn’t be curt and moody on such occasions. “I’m not prepared for this too.”
“I have a lot going on.” His voice dipped. Was that understanding etched beneath it? “You need to understand where I’m coming from.”
“We’ll be fine.” How? She had no idea. She needed to do some serious praying, but she hadn’t even been at church for a month.
Someone from another table approached, carrying a mug with the Blissful Bites logo.
The newcomer held out a sharpie. “Xander…” He called Wade by his name in the teen TV drama he’d been on.
“Wade Stone.” He rubbed his neck, his grin sheepish.
“I’m a huge fan. Would it be too much to beg for an autograph? ”
Wade scrawled his signature across the mug. Soon, two more people edged forward. Then three more recognized Wade and asked for autographs.
When they were alone again, he sighed, not at all sidetracked. “I’ll do what I can.”
To be fair, Albert always said Wade struggled with change. Who didn’t when it came to raising a child? Her irritation melted. “It’ll all work out.”
His chest rose and fell beneath his button-down and red blazer.
Silence settled between them again as they held each other’s gaze.
Those kind brown eyes seeped into hers and made her shift.
She glanced at her cup. Yep, she should’ve ordered coffee to keep her awake.
Maybe then, she wouldn’t have lost her patience.
But he never drank coffee, and she hadn’t been sure if the smell bothered him too.
For now, she didn’t want to fight with him. It wouldn’t solve anything.
“You’re doing okay, though?” His voice softened. “I know this is a lot. I just… I’m sorry if I came off wrong.”
“Yeah, I probably came off wrong too.”
She’d expected to receive guardianship—he hadn’t. She should’ve been more understanding.
“Thanks for coming to the funeral.” She twisted her grip on her empty cup. His compassion and pain then still lingered in her mind. He was generous and selfless, regardless of his reaction to this new role. “And for everything else. I know you have a lot going on.”
He winced, looking pained, almost conflicted.
She hadn’t meant to make him feel guilty.
He’d always been there for Albert. Especially after Sammy died.
Wade had spent an entire week in Pleasant View stopping by to check on Albert, hiring a nanny even when Albert assured him that he and Claire could handle Bella.
Still, Claire was left with the mess of sorting out their new reality. The light on her phone caught her attention. An incoming text flashed. It wasn’t from Irina, but it had Claire looking at the time. She was almost an hour overdue.
“I need to get home.” She stood. Just because Irina was a friend, Claire wouldn’t abuse the privilege.
He scooped up his cup and walked ahead to open the door.
Then a teen girl giggled. “Oh my world, Xander.” She rushed up and wrapped her arms around him. “I can’t stop watching the reruns of Peak Protectors!”
“Thank you.” He smiled and tapped the girl’s shoulder.
The Stone family wasn’t just known for their do-gooder reputation in town, but his teen drama had been filmed in Pleasant View—a picturesque town where many celebrities owned vacation homes.
All this made him a hometown favorite and more popular locally than he was in Hollywood.
They walked side by side on the sidewalk. “Need a ride?”
“I drove.”
He halted, and so did she. His smile, though a slight crack, was sweet and warm. “If you need help, don’t hesitate to call my parents. They’d love to spend time with Bella.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She wouldn’t. Regina and Kyle were kind and willing to help, but she couldn’t impose.
He looked at her then, catching her in his gaze that always drew her in.
Then he leaned closer, his familiar sandalwood and citrus scent enveloping her—a fragrance she’d come to associate with moments both sweet and painful.
His cheek brushed against hers, his bristles tickling her skin.
Then his lips pressed a featherlight kiss on her cheek, delicate as a butterfly’s touch.
He’d done that before, and each time, like now, her heart stuttered.
For a second, she thought he might linger, might realize she was more than just Albert’s sister.
He stepped back, clearly unaffected by the intimacy. In contrast, a tremor ran through her. “Take care, Cupcake.”
If he called her Cupcake, he must be back to his normal self.
He strode away in the opposite direction, not once looking back.
It was just a friendly kiss, like the ones they’d shared before everything changed.
Yet, despite telling herself it meant nothing, her heart pounded, and warmth—and confusion—cocooned her.
Goodness, he was an actor who kissed people for a living, so no kiss meant anything to him.
But any touch from Wade left her longing for more.