Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Titus finally found a parking space behind the gym. The parking lot should not have been so crowded, and he hoped it was because everyone was in the gym.
It was late afternoon, and the sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds.
He did some shoulder rolls to release the tension in his neck. Later, he’d get on a machine to get rid of pent-up energy.
He had just wrapped up a two-day job. It had been easy—guarding a young boy vacationing in Florida with his father, who was the CEO of an upstart investment firm. The CEO was mega-rich and had received various threats. However, the boy had begged to come with him. The CEO wasn’t taking any chances.
He knew shit about young kids. However, after raising two younger brothers, it was easy to keep the boy’s attention.
The CEO was grateful and generously gave him a bonus.
A bonus that was large enough to pay for health insurance for his employees.
Insurance was something his mother never had, so his brother suffered from severe allergies because they couldn’t afford medication. Well, not that his mother could even afford insurance because any money she received was spent on booze.
The Brotherhood Alliance believed in taking care of its own and offered it to its employees. Titus was proud he could reciprocate for his employees. In the months since the gym opened, his staff proved over and over a willingness to make the gym successful.
“Titus!” Vanessa greeted him warmly and waved from the front desk. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks. Good to be back.” While his employees were aware of his security work, they were clueless about the undisclosed and unpaid jobs the Brotherhood handled.
“Any problems while I was gone?”
Vanessa shook her head. “It was busy but drama-free.”
Perfect. That was what he wanted to hear. Coming out of one job and dealing with problems at another was difficult.
“You should try these blueberry hand pies,” said Vanessa. She pointed at a pale pink box at the corner of her desk containing pastries and cookies.
“Did you bake them?”
“Ha ha.” Vanessa laughed. “No. That sweet young woman who owns the bakery decided to make sugar- and gluten-free items and wanted us to try them out, then let her know if we like them.”
Titus mentally slapped his head. Damn. He’d never apologized for yelling at the woman from the bakery. It had bothered him that night, but with getting ready for the security job and payroll, he completely forgot. Although she shouldn’t have fed the stray dog, he shouldn’t have yelled at her. He wondered what happened to the dog. Hopefully, it was at a shelter or ran home.
“I suppose I should go over and thank her.” Titus took a bite of the hand pie. The blueberries burst in his mouth, the flavors both mildly tart and sweet. The crust was flaky and delicious. It was like eating a slice of blueberry pie, only it was handheld. “Delicious.”
Vanessa nodded.
Well, there was no time like the present to walk over to the bakery, thank her for the pastries, and apologize. “What’s the woman’s name again?” he asked Vanessa.
“Emelia. Emelia Wells.”
“Oh right. I’ll be back in a few.”
Some people were window-shopping in the alleyway, while others were exploring the nearby craft and clothing stores. Shops would close soon, and all that would be open was the gym. Titus hoped Emelia was still at the bakery. He hated to miss her or forget again. The smell of baked bread and goodies hit his nose as he got closer. Bakeries always smelled like home to him, although his childhood home usually stank of stale cigarettes, booze and fear.
A small bell tinkled as he opened the bakery door and looked around.
A couple of tables held customers. The grinding of coffee beans filled the air, vying with the soft tones of a guitar playing in the background.
The shop’s interior was painted a pale pink similar to the pastry box on Vanessa’s desk, and the woodwork was painted white. Colorful chairs and tables were placed around with green plants in between. Glass display cases showcased multicolored pastries and cookies. Baskets on the wall held different breads. It was a comfortable space. Titus glanced around. Emelia had done a nice job.
The barista nodded at him as he walked over to the coffee bar. Maybe he’d get a cup to go after he spoke to Emelia.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
“Nothing right now,” he replied. “Is Emelia here?”
The woman nodded. “I’ll get her.”
She put down the cup she was holding and walked through the swinging bar doors to the kitchen. He heard voices in the back.
The barista returned to her post, and Emelia walked out from the back.
He promptly recognized Emelia, even though she looked a little harried and swiped at some flour on her cheek. Her apron was spotted with what he thought were blueberries. Her hair was tied up and underneath a skull cap. She had dark circles under her eyes, but still she was a pretty woman.
Emelia’s smile quickly vanished when she realized who he was.
“If you’re here about the sweets, there’s no charge. I was experimenting.”
Titus cocked his head and frowned. She certainly was unpleasant. Was that her normal state, or was she just tired?
“No, I came over to talk to you.”
“Okay. Is there a problem?” She rubbed her hands down her apron. “I’m rather busy.”
He had hoped to have a civilized conversation with Emelia, but that wasn’t happening. However, he came to apologize, and that was what he’d do, then get the hell out of the bakery.
“I wanted to apologize for yelling at you the other day.”
“Oh.” Emelia took a deep breath. “I appreciate that.” She looked at her watch and then at Titus. “Anything else?”
“No.”
Talk about being dismissed, but damn, that woman was rude.
“Well, that’s all I have to say.” As he turned and walked out, the bakery door chimed. Tension followed him out.
Emelia stomped back into the kitchen.
She leaned against the wall and rubbed her face.
She had been distracted and hadn’t recognized the tall, muscular, red-haired man in front of her.
The tight black T-shirt and black chinos emphasized every muscle. His brown eyes looked her up and down, and Emelia thought he liked what he saw, even though she wore most of what she made on her apron and, most likely, her face.
However, she already had been blatantly rude, which wasn’t like her, to the man before she realized who he was and that he was simply trying to apologize. Her only excuse was that it had been a hell of a day.
Two employees had called out sick. She ran out of several ingredients that were supposed to be on the shelves. The oven was malfunctioning, and she called a repairman to recalibrate it. There was something wrong with the water in her apartment, so she couldn’t shower this morning.
Thankfully, she had enough product to sell.
John baked most of the loaves of bread before the oven problem. The one accomplishment she felt good about before the day went south was bringing the gluten- and sugar-free pastries to the gym early this morning. It was the perfect business to try out the pastries before she offered them to paying customers. Vanessa, the receptionist, was thrilled to receive them and promised to provide her with feedback.
Emelia meant to talk to Titus the other day about his attitude, but the bakery was busy. This morning would have been perfect, but he wasn’t there when she delivered the pastries.
She’d tried unsuccessfully to catch the pup, but he’d disappeared the past couple of days. Emelia hoped he was safe and hadn’t been run over or hurt.
He was a cute little thing, and she thought she might like to have a dog. Although Emelia had no idea how she would keep him in her apartment or feed him. She barely had enough money to feed herself.
However, he deserved a good home. And she deserved to give love to a pup that needed it. The next time she saw him, Emelia was determined to make a decision—adopt him or call the shelter.
“Everything okay, Emelia?” asked Stacy. She was transferring cookies from the freezer to trays. Emelia was glad she had the foresight to bake enough to freeze and was thankful the freezer hadn’t stopped working.
Emelia let out a heavy sigh. “Just ducky. I’ll be glad when this day is over.”
“I hear you,” replied Stacy. “When does the repairman come?”
“He’s scheduled first thing in the morning, along with the plumber, who will check my water heater. Hopefully, Patty and Alice will feel better and come to work tomorrow.”
Stacy picked up the tray of cookies and walked into the bakery.
Emelia glanced around at what had been her happy place. It felt like an ongoing stream of problems with no resolution in sight.
No more notes had appeared, although ingredients were still disappearing.
Thankfully, she hadn’t heard a peep from Wyatt. And while her parents were still encouraging her to come home, she thought they were getting the hint that she loved Haywood Lake. Most of all, Emelia regretted being rude to Titus.
Somehow, she had to make things right.
But how?