Chapter 6
Well, that was new. A ceiling leak. Chloe stood by the stainless-steel table in Haven’s kitchen, hands on her hips, and stared upward. A soggy patch, roughly the size of a watermelon, stained the ceiling. March wind and rain were not proving kind to the old bakery.
She’d planned yet one more Thursday to concoct another TCFC iteration before starting the layers for Frank Hardy’s showstopper cake. Instead, she and Ruby worked a bucket brigade. Ruby handed Chloe the bucket she’d just emptied in the utility sink in the supply closet.
“The ceiling leaks every time it rains. Did Bob tell that to Rick and Sam?”
Chloe placed the container under the drip. “My guess is no.”
“It leaks in the snow too.”
Chloe moaned. Fabulous. In the four weeks she’d been managing Haven’s, she’d spent all the money Sam gave her to update the place.
Cole Danner’s team did a beautiful job on the hardwood floors.
The new bench seats in the booths were a smooth warm brown, not torn and mended with red duct tape.
Music played from newly installed speakers nestled in the corners of the bakery.
And in the end, she’d been able to splurge on the vintage lighting fixture from Roseanne’s.
No one had bothered to tell her the ceiling might fall in.
“I’ll call Cole for an estimate.” Chloe retreated to her office to make the call.
“I told Bob that patch job he did up there wouldn’t last,” Ruby hollered after her. “Cole’s worth every penny. He does good work and he’s reliable as my daddy’s old coon hound.”
Comparing Cole Danner to a loyal dog wasn’t that far off.
He’d shown up when he said he would, checking on his team, all while running other jobs.
And with his dark brown hair and blue eyes, he did remind her a bit of the Great Dane puppy Vivienne and Albert adopted a couple years ago. In a good way of course.
In the last week, Vivienne had been messaging Chloe, saying they needed to talk. Something about unfinished business. What unfinished business? When Chloe left France, she’d firmly closed every door, every window, every avenue.
She settled at her desk, putting the LaRues out of her mind. The leaky roof was far more pressing. Chloe left a message for Cole, asking him to stop by and give her an estimate. Next, she needed to let Sam know.
Something in her smiled at the idea of talking to him. She liked how he popped into the bakery after his physical therapy treatments. He’d sit on the couch in her office, adjust the straps of his brace, loosening them, then tightening them.
Yes, she enjoyed seeing him in Haven’s and in her office.
But calling him for money? That was a different matter.
That emphasized he was her boss, and she was his employee.
Not his old friend. Not a possible romantic interest, if, you know, she was interested in romance.
Which she wasn’t. He certainly didn’t seem inclined toward love.
Her phone pinged with a new text.
This is coming.
The unfamiliar number was local. Who was this? She opened the message to see a screenshot of a tweet.
Excited to bring Old-Fashioned donut goodness to Hearts Bend, Tennessee! Thanks to our local partners! Get ready for Heavenly treatment, HB. See you soon! #DonutHeaveniscoming
– @DonutHeaven
Chloe leaned back in her new chair, her heart pumping.
Donut Heaven was coming to Hearts Bend? Since when?
Was this the real reason Bob and Donna wanted out?
That bright and glossy brochure from Donut Heaven she’d tossed out…
Mrs. O’Shay…was this what she meant when she said she was behind Chloe?
Who in the world would bring an impersonal mega-chain to quaint, homey HB?
It was so wrong. So very wrong. On every level.
Never mind the donut giant was all over the country and boasted that they had the most popular coffee in the country. What about Java Jane’s? What about Haven’s? Chloe read the tweet again. Local partners. What did that mean? Hearts Bend folks? Who would want to harm the town’s local business?
She stood, a bit of ire in her blood. This was downright criminal.
Oh, she did not have time for this. Not on top of decorating Frank Hardy’s birthday cake for tomorrow, a leaking roof, and those blasted cookies.
At the computer, she searched the Hearts Bend Tribune for any hint of this news.
Sure enough, there was an article from last year. Last year!
Oh Bob, you did know, didn’t you?
Chloe skimmed the article.
The Reclaim Downtown committee has yet to approve Donut Heaven’s application. “But it’s in serious consideration,” said committee member Drummond Branson.
If the committee gives the green light, Donut Heaven’s bid moves to the town council.
“We’ll take a good look at it but it’s time for some more modern franchises in Hearts Bend. Tourists like to see shops and restaurants they are familiar with back home,” said councilman Art Loamier.
“I beg to differ,” said council member Octavia O’Shay. “Our home-grown businesses and shops are what make Hearts Bend so very special. Who wants to eat at the same old donut shop and coffee houses you see in every other city?”
The council plans to hear arguments in spring of next year.
Chloe printed the article then pushed from the desk. “Ruby, did you know about this?”
Ruby lowered her readers and squinted at the paper Chloe shoved under her nose. “Donut Heaven? Is that still a thing? Thought it died last fall.”
“Apparently not. Someone just sent me a tweet with Donut Heaven announcing their arrival. Soon.”
“Cue dramatic music.” Ruby raised her glasses and carried a refilled tray of cookies to the front case. “How’s that TCFC recipe coming?”
“Nowhere. I have leaky ceilings and a special birthday cake to make. Now I have a big market competitor coming to town.”
“If you make that cookie, Donut Heaven won’t stand a chance.”
“The cookie for which I have no recipe?” She made a face.
“You’ll get it.” Ruby patted her shoulder, squeezed. “I know you will.”
Back in the office, Chloe looked up the town council meeting agenda.
Sure enough, the Benedict Arnold Reclaim Downtown committee had approved Donut Heaven’s bid at their last meeting so the application was being formally presented at the town council’s upcoming meeting.
How in the world would a cold, impersonal chain donut and coffee shop help Hearts Bend reclaim its downtown?
Chloe scanned the committee’s minutes, the ones the council would review. She wanted all the data at her fingertips before calling her bosses.
What a report it promised to be. A leaky roof, still no TCFC recipe and, last but by no means least, Donut Heaven threatening their livelihood.
Her attention to detail used to drive Jean-Marc crazy.
But how could she make a decision otherwise?
And he loved her for it when they purchased their flat in the Bastille.
Reviewing all the minutes again, she caught a new detail. Someone on the town council was behind the invitation to Donut Heaven. Well, if that didn’t stack the deck. Small towns like HB thrived on handshakes over dinner, a promise given in the church parking lot after a deacons’ meeting.
But this really wasn’t her fight, was it? No, this tangle belonged to Sam and Rick. Still, she couldn’t—wouldn’t—sit by and watch.
Ruby appeared at the door. “Had a thought. You should talk to the person who knows what’s going on in this town more than anyone. Tina Danner over at Ella’s Diner.” Ruby nodded with a wink. “That gal knows where all the bodies are buried.”
“Ruby, you’re the best. Thank you.” She could run over to Ella’s real quick during the pre-lunch lull and get the scoop from Tina. Just as she reached for her phone, a new text came in from Vivienne. Please, Chloe, we need to speak with you. It’s important.
Whatever Vivienne wanted could wait. Chloe grabbed her jacket and hat. “Ruby, I’ll be back.”
“Bring a list of folks we need to bribe with fresh fritters. Er, I mean, remind them of Haven’s locally sourced, delicious baked goods. No franchise has our quality and personal touch.”
“You’re coming with me to the council meeting.” Chloe stepped around the bucket. “If Cole comes by, tell him what’s going on, then have him call me.”
Chloe pushed through the swinging doors with a buzz in her chest, a certain determination to confront whoever was behind this Donut Heaven scheme.
Not in her town. She’d had enough stolen from her: people that were precious to her, many of her personal things, her dreams. Haven’s would not be next on her list of regrets and losses.
She strode through the doors. Bam! Right into the brick wall of Sam Hardy, smelling fresh and clean and looking better than any man had a right to.
“Oh, hey, what are you doing here?” She took a moment to compose herself, patted her warm cheek, tugged on her beret.
“Just finished therapy and thought I’d check in. Where are you going?”
“Um, to the—” Couldn’t say the bank, she didn’t have the deposit. Should she tell him? No, she’d gather her data and then tell him. She didn’t want to spark drama for drama’s sake. “Errand. Running an errand.”
“Chloe, wait…”
She paused at the door.
“I was, um, wondering…” Sam closed the gap between them. “Are you free for dinner?”
What? Had he just asked her to dinner?
“Chloe?”
Ruby stepped between them, handing Sam the cruller and chocolate milk he had yet to order.
“She’d love to go to dinner.” She turned to Chloe.
“He’ll pick you up at six. Sam, you can sit over there and don’t let this treat spoil your dinner.
Chloe, go on and run your errand.” Ruby pointed to the door.
Errand? Right. She started for the door then turned back to Sam. What just happened? She’d been so focused on the questions she wanted to ask Tina… What if Tina was in on the Donut Heaven deal? No, why would she be? It would compete with her business. Still…