Chapter Twenty #3
Why was it so hard to find fresh goat’s milk? Jovi had reached out to Connie at the diner, the managers at both grocery stores, and a couple of coworkers at the hospital who had hobby farms. No goat’s milk to be found in all of Evergreen.
So how was she supposed to make the salted caramel chews without it?
She reread Grammie’s handwritten recipe, then scrolled through her phone to the picture she’d taken of the story explaining how Lois’s frustration over getting a goat had inspired the recipe’s creation.
Lois, and then Grammie, had most certainly used locally sourced goat’s milk.
Given Jovi’s lousy experience trying substitutes, she wasn’t about to sub anything else. But here she stood, with only hours to spare, and every possible utensil and baking pan at her disposal in the company’s test kitchen…and no goat’s milk.
Jovi let out a deep sigh, then scrolled through her phone and started another internet search for alternative ingredients. Everything that popped up in the results was something she’d tried already.
The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound in the otherwise silent kitchen. Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door. Had someone complained that Isabel had given her access?
She walked over to the door and opened it.
Her breath hitched. Burke waited on the other side. Holding a glass bottle of…milk?
“What are you doing here?”
Jovi tried to ignore the way her heart raced at the sight of him.
He looked as handsome as he always did. Tall and muscular, his dark hair a tousled mess, and his intense amber eyes locked on hers.
He wore a snug-fitting T-shirt layered under a windbreaker and a pair of faded jeans that hugged his trim hips.
Heat warmed her cheeks as she realized he’d caught her staring.
Burke offered a tentative smile and held up the bottle of milk. “I thought you might need this.”
“H-how did you know?”
“Word travels fast around here. Evidently, you’ve made a few calls already?”
“And so you just show up with fresh goat’s milk.”
His shoulders lifted in a casual shrug. “I have connections.”
Jovi took the bottle from Burke’s hand, feeling the smooth glass against her skin. She hesitated, unsure of what to say. Did he know she’d still planned to leave for California?
His eyes drifted to her lips.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “This is perfect timing.”
“Good.” His eyes drifted back to meet hers. “I’m happy to help.”
A thrill raced through her body as she recalled the way his lips had felt on hers and the warmth of his hands when he’d framed her face and leaned in for their first kiss. Oh, how she longed to rewind time and take back those harsh accusations she’d flung at him.
She cleared her throat, determined to regain her composure. She couldn’t afford to get distracted by Burke’s presence or the memory of that perfect kiss. She had a batch of salted caramel chews to make, and time was ticking away.
“Thank you again.” She mustered a smile then glanced at the clock. “I really need to get started on these candies.”
Burke’s smile faltered, but he nodded. “Of course. I’ll leave you to it, then.”
As he turned to leave, Jovi hesitated. She didn’t want him to go. Not now. Not after everything they’d been through.
“Wait,” she called out, her voice filled with uncertainty. Burke paused and turned back toward her, his eyebrows raised.
Jovi took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “I…I was wondering if we could talk. About what’s happened and…”
Oh, forget it. She didn’t want to talk. Not at all.
She set the milk down and raced toward him. His eyes darkened. Then he closed the gap between them and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m sorry, Burke.” She swallowed hard against the emotion tightening her throat. “I’m so sorry for the terrible things I said.”
“Shh, it’s fine.” The tenderness in his expression made her want to weep. He cupped her face gently in his hands.
“No, it isn’t.” She pressed both palms against his broad, firm chest. “My grandmother and your aunt were the ones who behaved badly. Not you. I’m so sorry I accused you of being a liar.”
He caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Darling, I forgive you. Your devotion to your family is one of the many things I adore about you.”
“But I shouldn’t have—”
“Jovi?” He angled his head to one side, sending a delicious tremor dancing along her spine.
Wow, she could get lost in those golden amber pools. “Hmm?”
“May I kiss you now?”
She nodded, her eyes already drifting closed.
Burke leaned in, his lips hovering just inches away from hers. “Are you sure?” he whispered, his voice gruff.
“Uh-huh.” Jovi’s pulse hummed in anticipation, her senses heightened by the closeness of his body. The test kitchen, her plans to leave town, all of it faded away as they stood there, locked in a moment of raw vulnerability.
Then his mouth met hers, and it was unlike the kiss they had shared before.
A soft and gentle touch that quickly deepened into a passionate embrace.
It was a kiss filled with forgiveness and the promise of a fresh start.
As their bodies melted into each other, Jovi felt the weight of her doubts and fears dissipate.
In that moment, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she wanted Burke by her side.
Breaking the kiss, breathless and smiling, Burke grinned. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she said, her fingers grazing his cheek. “I don’t want to leave anymore. Evergreen is where I belong, with you.”
Burke’s eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of joy and relief flooding his features. “Are you serious?”
Jovi nodded, her heart swelling with newfound conviction.
“Yes, I’m serious. And if it’s all right with you, I’m going to use this recipe I found for salted caramel chews to stop my parents from selling the company.
It was Lois’s recipe originally, but Grammie put it in writing and kept it tucked away.
There’s no need to hide it any longer. Think of this as a combined effort, from the Phillipses, the Solomons and the Wrights. ”
“It’s brilliant.” A satisfied smile spread across Burke’s face. “You have my family’s permission to move forward, and I can’t tell you how much it means to hear you say that you’re staying,” he whispered. “I’ve been hoping and praying for this.”
“I’m truly sorry that I pushed you away.” She grimaced. “I never should have doubted you or let my insecurities get the best of me. Or fussed at you because of how you chose to write your novel.”
Burke’s hand found its way to the small of her back, pulling her closer.
His eyes searched hers, filled with a mix of tenderness and understanding.
“We all make mistakes, Jovi. Including me. I should’ve talked to you about what I was writing, and at least let you look at the scenes before I submitted the manuscript.
Please believe me when I say that you’re not in the novel, but you definitely inspired the best parts.
I’m so sorry I didn’t think more carefully about how you might see that differently. Will you forgive me?”
“Of course I forgive you.” Her chest expanded with gratitude for his humble admission and his forgiveness. “Let’s not waste any more time,” she added. “I want to be with you, Burke. I want to make this work.”
Burke pulled her closer, wrapping his arms protectively around her. “I’ve wanted the same thing since the moment I met you,” he whispered, resting his chin on top of her head.
Jovi nestled into his embrace, feeling a renewed sense of hope.
Together, they walked back into the kitchen hand in hand.
The scent of sugar still lingered in the air, reminding Jovi of all the candy and chocolate that had been made here.
Sure, there had been flops. Products that didn’t satisfy some customers.
But this time, with Burke by her side, she sensed they’d conquer any challenges that came their way.
As she looked around the kitchen, Jovi surveyed the array of ingredients scattered across the counter. She could almost hear her grandmother’s voice whispering in her ear, guiding her with every step. It was a comforting presence that reminded her of the legacy she was trying to protect.
With renewed determination, Jovi turned to Burke and smiled. “Let’s start fresh,” she said. “Together.”
Burke grinned and nodded, his eyes filled with unwavering support. “I believe in you, Jovi,” he said. “And I’ll be right here by your side every step of the way.”