5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Phoebe
My older brother, Caleb, showed up at Sugar Rush near the end of the day with my nephew. Jesse was eleven, smart as a whip, and basically the light of my life.
He had the Kelly eyes—like the perfect cup of creamy hot chocolate—thick chestnut hair and feet too big for his gangly body. When he stood in front of my pastry case with his arms crossed, it was all I could do not to laugh at how damn cute the kid was. He’d told me more than once that sixth graders weren’t cute.
I rounded the counter to tousle his hair. “What’s up, Jess?”
His brows were pulled together in consternation. “No chocolate chip cookies?”
Caleb moved next to his son and sighed. “Kid…”
The two of them were a funny sight. While Caleb obviously hadn’t carried Jesse, Jesse had inherited one hundred percent of his dad’s DNA. Caleb’s ex, Shelby, had just been the incubator. Same eyes, same coloring, same smile, same expressions. Caleb was essentially Jesse on a massively multiplied scale, at least in looks. In attitude, they were night and day. Cay was laid back, as easygoing as they came, while Jesse’s mind spun a mile a minute.
Jesse turned toward his dad. “It’s basically torture to bring me here when I can’t eat my favorite thing. I should call the cops on both of you.”
I put one hand on my hip, keeping the other behind my back. “Have you ever known me to torture you?”
He peered up at me. “There’s a first time for everything.”
Caleb’s massive mitt landed on top of his son’s head. “Be good to Aunt Phe, and I bet she’ll be good to you.”
It was hard to believe Jesse and I were blood related. The kid didn’t like sweets, chocolate chips being the only exception. I’d tried to win him over with countless recipes, had even made my bakery nut-free so he could try anything he wanted without worrying about his allergy, but he’d refused all but my cookies.
“Good, like this?” I whipped a white paper bag from behind my back. I’d set a batch aside just for him. “I have all these chocolate chip cookies and no one to give them to. Do you know anyone who wants nut-free cookies?”
Jesse did a dance he’d learned from some video game then snatched the bag from me, gave me a quick hug, and ran to an empty table to demolish the cookies. If I were his mom, I’d probably tell them to save some for later, but as his aunt, I got to let his father deal with that.
Caleb draped his heavy arm over my shoulders. “Thanks, Phe-Phe. Kid’s spoiled.”
“He’s cute. He deserves it.”
His chuckle was like thunder rolling over prairies, deep and resonant. “I’d agree, except he has two aunts and an uncle who gives him everything he wants, and that’s just on my side. His mom’s not much better.”
“And yet, he’s the best boy in the world.” I ducked out from under his arm and faced him. “How’s Shelby?”
He lifted a shoulder. “We don’t have much cause to have deep conversations. Jess says she’s dating some new guy. Says he seems nice, but he doesn’t hang around the house, so Jess doesn’t know him too well.”
I scanned my brother, gauging whether he felt any kind of way about Shelby dating. He was as relaxed as always. He and Shelby had never been anything serious, but after Jess was born, they’d tried for a while. It hadn’t worked out, and as far as I could see, there were no hard feelings. Not that Caleb would share if there were. He wasn’t a big talker.
“That’s good he isn’t hanging around the house yet,” I replied. “Are you hungry? Want something from the case?”
“I’d never say no to anything you make. Pick something for me.”
Cay ran a hand over his rounded stomach—a trait we’d both inherited from our dad. For Cay and Dad, the roundness was limited to their middles, while the rest of them were solid and strong from the backbreaking labor they did every day on the ranch. In contrast, I was plump all over, thanks to years of sampling the treats I baked.
I picked out a blondie and muffin for Cay then made him a coffee. He and Jesse hung around for a while, and I went back and forth between them and the few customers I had since Camille had gone home for the day. When it was almost time to close, the two helped me by wiping down tables.
“I don’t like you being here alone,” Caleb groused.
“I’m thinking about hiring an afternoon worker. I put in a job notice at the high school.” I had someone who worked weekends, but I needed another person during the week. I couldn’t keep asking Camille to work twelve-hour shifts. She’d burn out, and I’d be screwed if I lost her.
“That’s good. You work too hard.” Caleb frowned at the empty seating area. “You should close now.”
I shook my head. “There are always last-minute customers. I’ll close at five.”
He huffed. “You sure you’ll be okay on your own?”
“Of course. This isn’t my first rodeo, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” He put his hand on Jesse’s shoulder, still seeming conflicted. “I’d stick around if I didn’t have to get this kid to his mom’s.”
Jesse puffed up his scrawny chest. “I can’t be late for spaghetti night. Mom and I are making meatballs. She hates to touch the raw meat, so that’s all on me.”
I smiled at him. “Get out of here then. Don’t let your mom down.”
“I won’t.”
They were off soon after that, leaving me in a quiet shop. I started my cleaning routine, keeping an eye on the clock. We still had a half hour before closing, and chances were there’d be a few stragglers. There wasn't much left in my pastry case, but I’d rather it not go to waste.
The bells over the door tinkled. Crouched behind the counter, grabbing extra cup sleeves, I yelled out, “Be right with you!”
That was how he’d gotten so close.
I stood, spinning around, and the asshole from earlier in the week was leaning over the counter only a foot or two from me. On instinct, I stepped back, my hands going to my chest.
He chuckled, mean and humorless. “Did I scare you?”
What was his name? Ry? He and his friend hadn’t been back since the incident, and I’d been hoping that had been the end of it. I’d been wrong.
“You startled me, but that’s my fault. My mind was elsewhere.” Loosening my arms, I forced them to my sides. “How can I help you?”
Taking his time, he looked over the pastries I had left. While he did, I slipped my phone from my pocket, just in case I needed to use it. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but I was less than comfortable being alone with him.
“Give me one of them brownies. I could use a coffee too, if you still have some brewed.”
I jumped again at the sound of his voice, making him snicker. “Sure. Just a second.”
I moved as quickly as possible, pouring his coffee and slipping his brownie into a bag. He followed me over to the cash register, using his phone to pay. I told him to have a nice day, crossing my fingers he’d get the message, but he didn’t seem to be in a hurry.
He took a long sip of his coffee, peering at me over the lid. “He’s still not over it, you know.”
I gripped the edge of the counter. “I’m not sure what you mean, but we’re getting ready to close. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to take your coffee to go.”
He leaned his hip against the counter. “Still got ten minutes ’til closing. Think I’ll stay right here, enjoy my drink. You can go about your business. I won’t be no bother.”
I tucked hair that had slipped free from my braid behind my ear. “Actually, I have to close early tonight. Thanks for coming in.”
Chuffing, he put his coffee down. “When I moved here, all the guys told me about this cute girl who baked like an angel. I tell you what, I got a look at you, expected something better, but your coffee and baking didn’t let me down. Tommy, on the other hand? That boy’s downright smitten. You’re telling me you can’t make an exception for him?”
“I explained that’s not an option.” I started to round the counter, intent on opening the door for him, but he moved when I did, blocking my path. I wasn’t panicking yet, but my heart was in my throat, fluttering wildly. “You need to leave right now.”
He loomed over me, dark eyes like a rake as they moved over my body. “Don’t think so, darlin’. Not until we reach an understanding.”
Gathering all my bravery, I lifted my chin and stood firm. “There won’t be an understanding. Get out of my shop.”
Quicker than lightning, he snatched my wrist and yanked me into him, knocking my breath out of me. “Not happening, ya cunt.”
Now, I was panicking.