Chapter 10
Alex
Ididn’t get much sleep last night because I couldn’t get Emma out of my mind. I still can’t, and it’s driving me crazy. Her falling into my arms unexpectedly sent my heart into overdrive. I could smell her perfume. Subtle enough to drive anyone silly. Well, me, anyway.
Is it wrong for me to feel this way? I can’t decide. I really like her. I certainly can’t explain it. There’s something so honest, so genuine about her. She makes me feel like I can do anything. I’ve been going over and over in my head whether I should go to the bakery this morning. Even if we don’t talk, I just want to see her. I want to catch a glimpse of her. The need of seeing her first thing every morning overtook the need for coffee. The longer I stay in Elmwood Falls, the more I’m drawn to this little town—and her. She makes everything worthwhile, and now I’m wondering if she’d be worth quitting the career I’ve spent a good majority of my life building.
I decide to take an extra-long shower, hoping it’d wash away whatever it was I’m feeling. I can’t call it love, right? I mean, I just met her. We’ve been spending time in each other’s company for a few weeks now, so I can’t actually love her.
Right?
I shake my head. No, it’s impossible, and even if I did feel something for Emma, I know there’s no way she feels the same about me. Sure, I guess she doesn’t hate me as much as she did when I first wrote the critique, and sure, she probably still feels anger that I’m an unwitting judge in the contest that she’s taking part in. But I don’t think Emma hates me. Or at the least, dislikes me. She doesn’t strike me as someone who can hate anyone.
Her smile flashes in front of my eyes, and my heart flutters. I need it to stop. Maybe fresh air will do me some good.
I get out of the shower, dress, and towel dry my hair. When I leave the room, I head into the lobby, where I see Madison behind the counter, engaged in a phone conversation. As she catches sight of me, her expression shifts subtly—a mixture of curiosity and a poorly masked frown. She wraps up the call quickly, putting on a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Good morning, Mr. Carter,” she greets me, a hint of something unspoken lingering in her tone.
I nod in acknowledgment, glancing out the windows. “Morning. Looks like it’s a nice day for a walk.”
“Yes, it is,” she agrees, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. “You know, it’s interesting. The town’s been buzzing lately. Lots of excitement about the upcoming bake-off.”
“Oh?” I feign casual interest. I walk up to the counter and lean against it. “Anything in particular?”
Madison hesitates, as if weighing her words. “Well, you know how small towns are. Rumors fly, especially when there’s something big happening. Everyone in Elmwood Falls thinks highly of Emma, you know.”
I nod. “I do know. She’s pretty remarkable.”
“We all want to see her win the competition. I’m sure you figured out that she’s entering.”
I gaze at Madison for several long minutes before speaking, sensing an underlying warning in her words. “I’m sure all the judges will judge fairly.”
Madison lets out a sigh, her expression softening with a mix of concern and resolve. “I know you’re one of them, Mr. Carter. I read your review on Emma’s pastries. I don’t think you were being fair. And I think you should withdraw.”
I raise an eyebrow, taken aback by her directness. “That’s quite a bold statement, Madison.”
She shrugs. “I’ve known Emma since we were kids. She’s always loved baking. It’s what makes her happy.” Madison chuckles. “It makes her feel closer to her grandma. I remember feeling very jealous. I didn’t get to know my grandparents. They died when I was a toddler.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say. “And, believe me, if it were an option for me to withdraw, I’d have done it already. I have no desire to hurt Emma in any way.”
“Good,” Madison says slowly. She continues to stare at me until I finally tell her I need to get going.
I push through the door of the inn, breathing in the fresh air. It’s pretty early right now. I can see the orange and gold rays of the sun spilling across the sky. It bathes the town in a warm, gentle light, transforming Elmwood Falls into a picturesque scene straight out of a storybook. I walk around the town, enjoying the peace and quiet. I’ve learned this time of morning, not many people are up and about. There are only a few joggers in the distance.
As I turn a corner onto Birch Lane, my heart does another jolt. Up ahead, Emma’s standing, looking at a building that’s for sale. A part of me says I should turn and go in another direction to avoid creating more tension between us, but somehow, my feet have other plans. Before I know it, I’m walking toward her, and with each step, she becomes more distinct.
She doesn’t notice my approach.
“Hey,” I say, casually leaning against a nearby lamppost.
Emma jumps slightly, her head snapping in my direction. “Oh! Alex, you startled me.”
I can’t help but smile at her reaction. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you. What are you doing here, staring at an empty building?”
She glances back at the building, a mix of longing and determination in her eyes. “Just…dreaming, I guess.”
“Dreaming, huh? About what, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Emma hesitates, then gestures toward the building. “That I’ve always wanted to open my own bakery. This place…it just feels right.”
I nod, impressed by her ambition. “That’s a great dream. You’d make it fantastic, no doubt.”
She looks at me, a hint of surprise in her eyes. “You think so?”
“Of course,” I say with a grin. “Even if I’m the so-called enemy critic.”
She laughs, the tension between us easing a bit. “Well, maybe one day you’ll be critiquing my bakery instead of Heritage Bakery.”
“I’ll look forward to that,” I reply, looking at the empty building thoughtfully. When I look at her, I say, “I like it. It suits you.”
“I’d like to think so,” Emma says with a heavy sigh. “This is why I want to win that competition so badly. I could never afford this place otherwise. The price went down on it recently, you know? It’s been on the market for some time now.”
“What did it used to be?” I ask.
“A bookstore.” Emma looks at me. “The owners moved to a different building and put this up for sale.”
“How long has it been on the market?” I ask.
She sighs. “Seven months. That’s seven months of walking by here every morning on the way to Heritage Bakery. Seven months of wishing I had the money to just buy it. Seven months of dreaming.”
“What about a loan?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I looked into it. I can get a loan, but not enough. Even if I could buy the building, I still need to get it in bakery shape. Not to mention lighting and electric bills. That’s a lot of extra money.”
“Well, I have no doubt one day you’ll make it, Emma,” I say. I clear my throat, then tug at the collar that suddenly seems to be choking me. I’m now wondering why I didn’t wear a V-neck shirt. “Would you like to go for a walk before you head over to Heritage Bakery?”
She looks at me, her face resonating with surprise. “A walk?”
“Yes.”
“Um, sure.”
She didn’t sound so sure, but she stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jeans and started a slow walk. I quickly fall into step with her.
We walk in silence, the soft crunch of our footsteps on the gravel path the only sound between us. I sense Emma’s curiosity, her occasional sidelong glances revealing a mix of wariness and interest. Deciding to break the ice, I venture a comment. “I have to admit, Emma, Elmwood Falls has a certain charm that’s growing on me.”
She looks at me, surprise flickering in her eyes. “You think so?” There’s a hint of skepticism in her voice, as if she’s not quite sure whether to take my words at face value.
I nod, my gaze fixed on the quaint storefronts lining the street. “I’m used to the hustle and bustle of New York, the vibrant energy of Paris, the rich history of Italy. But here, it’s different. Peaceful. I find myself appreciating the quiet, the simplicity. It’s refreshing, really. Allows me to think clearly.” I pause, choosing my next words carefully. “And lately, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, whether I want to or not.”
Emma’s curiosity seems piqued, her steps slowing as she turns to me. I look at her, waiting for her to finish studying me, and say what’s on her mind. “And what, exactly, has been occupying the great Alex Carter’s thoughts?”
I feel a warmth spread across my cheeks, hoping it’s not as noticeable as it feels. Emma’s gaze lingers on my face, searching, but she gives no indication she’s seen my reaction. And, if she has, she’s hiding it quite well. “Well, a variety of things,” I say, attempting nonchalance. “The nature of small-town life, the intricacies of local cuisine, the dynamics of community.”
She smiles, a playful glint in her eyes. “That’s quite a broad spectrum, Mr. Carter. Anything more…specific?”
I take a deep breath, contemplating how much to reveal. What exactly is she wanting me to say? “Let’s just say certain aspects of Elmwood Falls have captured my attention more than others.” My gaze drifts to her, and we both stop walking.
She’s looking at me as if she wants me to elaborate, but I’m suddenly finding my throat closing up. Right now, I’m concerned that I might say the wrong thing. We have a lot of things stacked up against us, and I don’t want to turn her away. Man, I really don’t want to turn her away. With her looking at me, my heart’s doing things I never thought possible.
I’m wishing I could see her thoughts so I’d be able to know what to say. But she’s keeping her expression void of emotion.
“Listen, Emma,” I say slowly. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”
“Yes, you’ve just said that,” she says with a chuckle.
“Right.” I clear my throat. “Sorry. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about the bake-off. I know it puts you in a tough spot. And me as well. If you want me to step down, say the word. I will.”
Her eyes widened with surprise. “You would?”
I’m nodding, knowing that if I try to confirm out loud, I’ll likely say something stupid. So I just nod, keeping my silence.
She surprises me when she smiles at me warmly. “I appreciate you’d be willing to do that for me.” Her voice is soft. “But I don’t want you to.”
I raise a brow. “Really?”
She nods. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking myself and I realize now that I acted out of turn. I was out of line to accuse you of betraying me. You’re only doing your job. I admire that, Alex. I really do. And you’re not the only judge I’ll need to win over. Even if I lose points with you, I’ll still have a chance.”
I say nothing, letting the words sink in.
“And it’ll be my chance to prove to you I have what it takes.” She smiles up at me. “I’m nothing if not determined. A trait I inherited from my grandmother.”
“Seems she’s given you a lot of good traits,” I say.
Emma laughs. “I wish she were here, but you want to know something?”
“What’s that?”
“My grandmother wouldn’t like you.”
“Ouch.”
She holds her hands as if to surrender. “Just telling you facts.”
“And what about you?” I ask.
Her laughter subsides as she stares into my eyes.
But before either one of us can speak, her cell phone rings and she lets out a startled gasp. Emma grabs her phone, fumbling with it for a moment before looking at the caller ID.
“Sorry, I have to answer this,” she mumbles, tapping the screen as she turns her back to me. “Hey, Mrs. Marlow how’s—” Suddenly, she spins to face me, her face riddled in fear. “You’re what?”
Emma’s now breathing heavily. I’m worried if she doesn’t slow it down, she might have a panic attack. I search my memory for who Mrs. Marlow is. I haven’t met her. Then I remember she’s the owner of Elmwood Falls Heritage Bakery.
“Y-y-yes ma’am,” Emma stammers, her face coloring. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
She ends the call and looks at me.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
Emma shakes her head, her eyes darting around as if looking for an escape route. “I-I don’t know. Mrs. Marlow’s back in town. She seems…” Emma trails off, stepping back as if Mrs. Marlow might materialize right there.
Before I can say anything, she turns around, taking off running in the direction of the bakery.