Chapter 16 Linc
LINC
Isipped coffee and watched Sunny race around the bakery, her owner hat firmly in place. She directed, moved, adjusted, instructed, and never once lost her patience or the smile on her face. She was in her element, and I felt a glow of pride observing her.
I had put aside my own work for the next few days.
The long weekend would bring in a flurry of tourists, many of whom would want to buy cookies, biscuits, or other tempting treats.
Sit for a few moments and eat a sandwich or sip a coffee.
Sunny had extra staff, lots of her delicious baked goods, and tons of supplies for sandwiches and coffee on hand.
She also had one area set up with samples.
Her idea was simple. Let them taste before they buy.
Because, she assured me with a wink, once they taste, they always buy.
That was my job this weekend. Official sampler overseer.
I had a T-shirt and hat, both branded with Sunny’s logo.
Abby was helping in the kitchen. She was excited and relaxed, which was great to see.
Much to my delight, she and Sunny had become friends, and the two of them worked well together.
We were both eager about helping out Sunny.
The door opened, and Michael came in, his arms filled with towels and linens.
Sunny liked white cloths on the tables, and she went through a lot every day.
Michael kept them clean, as well as all the towels, aprons, and other items she wanted pristine.
Her entire shop had an old-fashioned feel to it.
The soft color on the walls, the woodwork, linen cloths, and the mismatched pieces of china all gave it a homey vibe. It suited Sunny.
Sunny hurried forward with a smile. “I’ll take those, Michael.”
He gave them to her, then came over and shook my hand. “Linc.”
Sunny came back through the kitchen door. “Sit, and I’ll bring you a coffee.”
He smiled as he sat, pulling off his baseball cap. “A cinnamon bun would go well with that,” he called out. “I’ve been smelling them baking all morning,” he informed me. “A man can only take so much.”
I chuckled. You could smell the bakery for blocks. The rich scent of cinnamon, sugar, and butter drew you in.
Abby came out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of the cinnamon buns.
Her wild curls were held back with a hairband, her bright-pink stripe vivid against the blond.
She was wearing her pink high-top sneakers and swaddled in an apron.
After talking to Sunny, she slid two buns onto a plate and carried it over to the table, along with a coffee.
As she approached, I turned to say something to Michael, except he wasn’t looking at me.
He was staring at Abby, his eyes focused entirely on her.
“Holy mother of God,” he mumbled.
I tried not to laugh, especially when I looked at Abby and saw her returning his stare with one of her own.
She slid the plate and mug in front of Michael, their gazes never wavering. “I think I’m made for you,” she announced.
He gaped at her, and I snickered. Abby blushed and stammered.
“I mean, I made these. The buns. I brought them to you. Yeah.” She shot me a look. “Sunny asked me to bring them to you. So, I did. Here they are.” Then she turned and bolted back into the kitchen.
Michael stared after her, then turned to me. “Who was that?”
I crossed my arms. “My assistant.”
He ran a hand over his face. “Shit.” He looked down at the cinnamon buns. “She made these?”
“She’s been in the kitchen with Sunny all morning, so I assume so.”
“Does she have a name?”
“No. I whistle, and she shows up.”
His head snapped up, his eyes glaring at me, and I smirked. “Of course she has a name. It’s Abby.”
“Abby,” he repeated. He lifted a bun and bit into it, chewing slowly. He closed his eyes with a low groan. “This is so good.”
I stood and went to get a refill. Sunny smiled at me as I bent over the counter.
“Did you catch that?” I asked quietly.
“I think someone is smitten. Two someones, actually. Abby keeps peeking out the door.”
I glanced behind me. Michael was eating, his gaze fixed on the kitchen door as if he were willing it to open and Abby to reappear.
“Is he ready for that?”
Sunny sighed. “It’s been almost two years, Linc. That’s a long time to be alone.”
“He has kids. I’m not sure how Abby would feel about that. And she is younger than him.”
She stepped closer. “Why don’t you butt out, Linc, and let them figure it out. Abby’s a grown-up girl.” She brushed a kiss to my mouth. “I love how protective you are, but honestly, leave it alone.”
She was right, although I couldn’t resist pushing Michael a little when I returned to the table.
He had eaten both buns and drained his coffee. “I should get some of these to take home to the kids,” he said. “They’d love them.”
“Good idea. Want me to ask Abby to box up some?”
“Ah, no. I’ll do it.”
“Are you sure? It’s not a problem.”
“I said I’d ask,” he growled. I chuckled, and he relaxed in his seat. “You’re being an ass, Linc.”
I sipped my coffee. “Yep.”
“What’s her story? Is she single?”
“Single? Yes. Complicated? Yes. The closest thing I’ll ever have to a sister? Yes.”
He studied me. “Gotcha.”
I held up my hands. “Just saying. She’s important to me.”
“Okay.”
Abby came out of the kitchen, her bravado back in place. She approached the table with a smile.
“How were the buns?”
“They’re my new favorite thing,” Michael said. “I could eat you, um, I mean them, every day.”
I choked on my coffee.
Jesus, these two were going to kill me.
Color stained Abby’s cheeks, and my eyebrows flew up. Abby never blushed.
“Oh…good. That’s good,” she mumbled, her eyes never leaving his face.
Silence hung as they stared at each other. With a groan, I stood. “Abby this is Michael. Michael, Abby.” I pushed Abby down into my chair. “Why don’t you two talk? I’ll go help Sunny.”
I paused at the door and looked behind me. They were still staring at each other, both of them looking as if they were the only two people in the room.
I shook my head as I entered the kitchen. Abby getting involved with a local hadn’t been in my plans. Then I laughed. Me working in a bakery on the long weekend while in Mission Cove after finding Sunny again hadn’t been in my plans either.
Yet, here I was. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“Are you ready?” Sunny asked.
“It’s going to be fine.” I squeezed her shoulder. “I’m right here with you.”
“Okay.” Sunny’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and a few moments later, the screen filled with her sisters’ faces.
“Hey, girls.” She greeted them.
Hayley and Emily both started to talk, and I sat to the side, listening as they chatted, filling Sunny in on their news about school, their part-time jobs, boys they were dating and/or interested in—their lives in general.
I could see their faces from where I sat.
They were both grown up—no longer the little girls who loved hugs and treats.
As I listened to their voices and heard their laughter, they were still in the echoes of my memories that lingered.
I hoped once they heard Sunny’s news, they recalled some good memories of me.
There was a lull in the conversation, after they asked if Sunny was ready for the busy weekend coming up.
“Yes,” she replied. “I, ah, have some extra help.” Her gaze drifted my way. “And some news.”
Hayley came closer to the screen. “Sunny, are you seeing someone?”
Sunny reached for my hand, and I gripped it hard for encouragement. “Yes, I am.”
“Tell us!” Emily demanded.
Sunny’s cheeks turned a soft pink. “He’s special. Very special.”
“Oh my God, it’s serious,” Hayley said.
“Yes, it is. He’s here, in fact, and wants to say hello.” Sunny paused. “You met him before.”
“Really? Who is it?”
“Linc.”
Silence filled the room. Then Emily spoke. “Linc? As in Linc Franklin? The boy who broke your heart?”
Sunny swallowed. “It’s Linc Webber now. There are things about that time you don’t know.”
I loved hearing her say my name and the way she defended me. It made me want to kiss her.
“Sunny,” Emily hissed. “Are you sure about this? He almost destroyed you.”
I stepped in behind Sunny. “It almost destroyed me too.”
They looked shocked, both of them silent.
I pulled my chair beside Sunny and sat down, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.
“It’s a long story. I didn’t leave her. I was taken away from your sister—from my life here.
I searched for her when I came back—all of you—but you were gone.
Then, by accident, I found her again.” I tightened my hand on her shoulder. “I’m not leaving her again—ever.”
Emily leaned forward. “Sunny—”
Sunny cut her off. “I know what I’m doing, Emily.” Then she smiled, her voice softening. “I’m happy. Really happy.”
Hayley tilted her head. “You look happy.”
“We both are,” I stated. “I will do whatever it takes to keep your sister. To earn your trust again. I’ve been half alive without her.”
Emily sniffled. “We missed you.”
I smiled. “I missed you too, kiddo. We have a lot to catch up on, but I think you girls need to talk. So, I’ll leave you to it. Sunny can give you my cell number, and I’ll answer any questions you have.”
“Don’t hurt her,” Hayley demanded. “Don’t do that again, Linc.”
“I won’t,” I swore. I stood and kissed the top of Sunny’s head. “You know where I am.”
I walked into the bedroom, the girls’ voices following me.
“Is he staying with you?”
“Tell us everything, Sunny!”
“God, he got handsome. Is he that good-looking in person?”
I shut the door to give them privacy, but I did hear Sunny’s reply to the last question.
“Even better. And he’s so amazing, girls. You have no idea.”
I hoped they would accept my presence in Sunny’s life. I knew I had to work and earn their trust, but I would do it. I would take care of them as well as Sunny.
I knew their forgiveness would take time, but I would be patient.
I would do anything for Sunny.