Chapter 4
Sydney
I can't stop smiling. I keep trying to tell myself it has nothing to do with Maverick and everything to do with the extra business.
I wasn’t lying to Maverick when I said I could handle this. I can fill Maverick’s orders with no problems. I know he isn't going to want complicated desserts and depending on his set-up at the bar, he might want to cook some of the desserts himself.
I spend the rest of my day working on prepping some things for tomorrow.
A lot of times I make dough or batter the day before and cook everything in the morning.
That makes my mornings so much easier. Instead of doing everything at once, I just have to pop some things in the oven as soon as they’re preheated.
Some cookie dough I can even mix up and freeze so they don’t need to be made as often.
Since I’ve been prepping so many desserts and bakery items, I add in a few things I wasn’t planning on making this week. I do it because I think they’d be great items for Maverick to pair with cocktails or beers.
A little after four, the kids walk through the backdoor of the shop with their school bags hanging off their shoulders.
“Hey, how was school?” I smile at Danny and Bree.
“It was so much fun, Mommy! I made something for you in art, but I can't bring it home yet. I can't wait to give it to you!” She’s practically bouncing on her toes as she talks.
“Oh, I’m excited to see what it is.” I smile and hug her back as she wraps her arms around my legs. “Why don’t you go drop your things in the office? Uncle Peck is coming to get you in about two hours. Do you think you can finish your homework before then?”
“Yes! I wonder if Uncle Peck will take us to the park.” She’s off before I can even respond to her. I chuckle and shake my head before turning my attention to Danny. “How was school, buddy?”
“It was good. I have a history test tomorrow that I need to study for.”
“What are we studying?”
“Ancient Greece.”
“Yeah, you should ask Uncle Peck to help you with that. I'm useless when it comes to history. All I know about ancient Greece is that they had a lot of gods. They fought a lot and it seemed like a complete cluster. They seemed to stick their noses in things that didn’t concern them and made things difficult.”
“Mom,” Danny groans and rolls his eyes. “You’re the worst with history.”
“Yup, I just said that. I'm useless. If you’d like to discuss algebra or how a plant makes food, I'm your girl. If you want me to use proper grammar or give you a timeline, go find someone else to ask.” I shrug unapologetically.
I know where I'm skilled and where I'm lacking. I don’t mind my son knowing.
“Ok, well, I'm going to study until Uncle Peck gets here. Hopefully if I need any help after that, he can help me.”
It feels like it’s minutes later when Peck walks through the door with a grin on his face.
“So, what did you need a last-minute babysitter for?” He leans against the metal table and folds his arms across his chest and crosses his ankles.
He stares me down like I'm one of the criminals he’s arrested and not his sister.
He thinks if he stares at me long enough, I’ll spill all of my secrets.
“Well, I had a local business owner come to me and request that I do business with them. We’re discussing the specifics tonight.”
“Over dinner?”
“Dinner will be provided.” I turn my head so Pecker doesn’t see me smirk. He’s trying so hard to get information out of me, but I really don’t want to give anything up to him. He’ll ask a million questions and probably question Maverick the next time he sees him.
“And what local business did you say this was?”
“Oh, I didn’t.” This time I lift my chin and smirk at him, knowing this will irritate him.
“Syd, I deserve to know where you’re going. What if this is some creep who’s just trying to make a move on you?”
“It’s not, Peck. Not everyone is out to rape or murder people.” I roll my eyes. I love my brother to death, but he’s a bit overprotective.
“How do you know! There’s no way for you to know someone’s true intentions. At least if I know where you’ll be and who you’ll be with, I can feel a little better. If you disappear, I’ll know who to question first.”
“Boy, are you dramatic.” I throw my head back and let out a loud laugh. “There’s nothing for you to worry about. It’s Maverick. I don’t think he has any hidden agendas. He’s a good guy.”
Pecker opens and closes his mouth, but nothing comes out. He knows exactly who Maverick is and that he can be trusted. After all, Maverick is best friends with the chief of police. He’s not doing anything sketchy.
“We’ll be at the bar. He wants to pair cocktails with desserts. Something to take both of our businesses to the next level.”
“Ok…” he says slowly as he narrows his eyes on me.
“Oh my gosh, Peck! What’s wrong with my plans?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” He slowly shakes his head, but I can tell there’s something he isn't saying.
“If you’re going to be annoying, you should probably take the kids home before I punch you.”
“That would be assaulting a police officer. You’d go to jail and honestly, Syd, I don’t think orange would be a good look on you,” he tsks as he makes his way towards the office to tell the kids it’s time to go.
“I don’t think it’s considered assaulting a police officer if you’re not on duty or working. It’s just assault.”
“Premeditated assault.” He points a finger in my direction.
“I'm pretty sure they’d have to be able to prove it was premeditated. That would be hard. I'm sure I can make it look like a crime of passion.” I wiggle my brows.
“Yeah, I'm going to take the kids and leave before they’re parentless and I have to raise them alone.” He backs away from me, never taking his eyes off of me.
“Oh, please. Sophia would love to raise them.”
“That’s true.” He nods his head like he’s really thinking about it. “Maybe I should let you go to jail.”
“Get out of my bakery.” I chuckle as I shove him towards the back door.
“I'm going, jeez.”
“Love you, Pecky.”
“Love you, Syd.”
“Love you, Danny and Bree.”
“Love you, Mom,” they call as they walk out of the shop.
Within minutes, I have a bag packed with two dozen desserts and bakery items. I can't wait to see how tonight goes.