9. Thea
9
THEA
“You are a lifesaver,” Sutton said as she shifted a massive bag of flour over to the other side of the storeroom.
I grinned as she swiped a hand over her face, leaving streaks of flour in her wake. She was constantly covered in the stuff. “It’s no problem, really. You know I like the extra hours.”
It was more than liking them, it was needing them. My credit had been thoroughly trashed during the whole Brendan ordeal. The only way I’d been able to secure a mortgage was because Nikki had assumed a figurehead role at the trust that purchased the property.
I’d had to freeze my credit so no new cards could be opened or purchases made in my name. The only money I had was what Sutton and Duncan were—thankfully—willing to pay me in cash. Every time I hid it in the tin beneath a wobbly floorboard in my closet, I felt like one of those deranged conspiracy theorists who didn’t believe in banks or the government.
But I guessed I could see where they were coming from more these days. Anything tech-related was fallible—a risk I couldn’t afford to take.
So, I scrimped, saved, and hid it all away.
Sutton shifted to face me. “Everything’s okay, right? I can probably extend your shifts if you need?—”
I shook my head, cutting her off. Sutton was struggling with a small business and her son. She didn’t need me on her conscience, too. “I’m good. I have the nursery now, and Dunc said he’s keeping me on year-round.”
Sutton’s whole face brightened as she pulled me in for a hug. “That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you. I know you love working there.”
“I am a little more knowledgeable about plants than baking.”
Sutton laughed as she released me. “You’re good at the bread. And you’re an expert taster. That’s more important here. You can guide customers to their perfect treat.”
I grinned back at her. “This is very true. And that pumpkin spice latte cupcake you’re testing for fall?” I made an exaggerated fainting motion. “Perfection.”
Sutton did a jump in the air, letting out a squeal like a little kid. “I loved it, too. I’ll try it on the menu as soon as we hit September. Should get us in the fall mood.”
“People will love it. Especially when you pair it with that drink.” I knew the high school girls who came in regularly would be all over it.
“I hope you’re right. I’ve got some watermelon ones I’m trying tomorrow, too. They’re super cute. The cake is green, and the frosting’s pink with mini chocolate chips for the seeds.”
I frowned at her. “I’m not sure how I feel about green cake.”
Sutton chuckled. “Luca wanted me to make zombie cupcakes with the batter.”
“I bet he did.” I marked off the second bag of flour on our inventory sheet and moved the sack to the other side of the room. “How was skating today?”
Sutton sighed as she grabbed the third bag. “He’s definitely got the bug. Of course, he had to pick the most expensive sport imaginable to fall in love with. ”
“Hey, at least it wasn’t horseback riding or Formula 1,” I offered.
“True. But I wish he would’ve fallen in love with drawing or ballet. I can’t say I’m thrilled with my kid wanting to smash into other kids on a freezing-cold ice rink.”
“Fair enough. They must keep the full contact to a minimum at this age, right?” I asked.
“They don’t have a team yet, so I’m not sure. I think they’re still looking for a coach. But in the meantime, they’ve all been playing hockey superstar during open-skating time. I just brace the whole time, but at least he’s happy.”
The wistfulness in Sutton’s voice had me turning toward her. She never spoke about her ex, and I’d never seen any sign of him. All I knew was that she’d moved to Sparrow Falls to start over. It seemed this was the place for that.
I squeezed her arm. “You’re a good mom.”
The corner of her mouth kicked up. “You sure about that? My kid is sitting in the store right now eating cupcakes and playing games on his tablet.”
“Everyone deserves a treat at the end of the day.”
“That is true.” Sutton straightened. “And you do, too. Because I think we’re done.” She dusted the flour off her hands. “Let me give you some of our leftovers from the day.”
“Not too much,” I warned. “You always forget I only have one stomach.”
“You need to eat more,” Sutton said, heading out of the storeroom and down the hall to the main bakery.
Luca looked up as we walked in. He had blue icing from a Cookie Monster cupcake smeared across his face as he grinned. “The kittens are snoring.”
I glanced at the carrier, seeing the pile of fluff inside. They were definitely getting used to people, between coming with me to the nursery and being here. “They always love a nap after they eat.”
“Can I name one of them Zombie?” Luca asked hopefully.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not sure the name Zombie will help a kitten get adopted. ”
Luca frowned. “Okay, what about The Reaper? That’s what they call my favorite hockey player.”
“See why I’m concerned?” Sutton asked as she handed me a bakery box. “What kind of sport gives people that sort of name?”
“The awesome kind,” Luca said with a blue-stained grin.
Sutton just shook her head and grabbed the kitten carrier. “Let me help you get loaded up.”
“Thanks,” I said, ruffling Luca’s hair. “Don’t kill too many zombies.”
“Can’t promise that,” he called, looking back at his game.
Sutton and I headed out into the evening air, still warm from the scorcher of a day. The sun hung low over the horizon, but plenty of light was left in the sky for me to make it home safely. As we approached my bike, I squinted. Something about it looked off. As we got closer, I saw what it was. Both my tires were flat.
A prickle of unease slid through me as I crouched by the back tire, running my fingers over it. A long, angry slash went straight through the rubber, and the front one had a mirroring slice.
My unease twisted into panic as I scanned the streets. I saw no one but a handful of people outside The Soda Pop—the diner a few blocks down. Other than a couple of restaurants, Sparrow Falls closed up early.
The tiny hairs on the tops of my arms rose. Someone had done this purposefully. Had taken a blade to my tires and then gone on about their night. Or were they watching right now?
Sweat broke out down my spine as panic dug in. Was it Brendan? My mind spun with all the precautions I’d taken. The trust. Never changing my driver’s license from my California one. Nikki owning my car. The post office box two towns over, under the trust’s name. I’d been so careful.
“Oh, my God,” Sutton clipped. “Those damn teenagers.”
My gaze snapped to her. “Teenagers?”
She glared at my bike. “A few of them have been causing all sorts of trouble. Trace brought them in for spray-painting the back of The Pop last week, but a few other store owners have said they didn’t get the message. The boys are still vandalizing whatever they can get their hands on.”
Sutton squeezed my arm. “I’m so sorry. I can give you a ride home and get you new tires.”
Troublemaking teenagers. Random vandalism. That was all it was. I repeated it over and over. But I wasn’t sure I believed it.