Chapter Four
S adie entered Champion Bakery with a spring in her step, the sweet aroma of fresh pastries and coffee immediately lifting her spirits. It was her favorite spot in Harland County, a cozy haven where the cares of the world seemed to melt away like butter on a hot croissant. Today, she was meeting her friends, Loni and Lori, the twin sisters who owned and operated the bakery. The two were also her childhood friends, even though they hadn’t grown up here.
But they had spent their summers in Harland with their aunt, who was the cook at the McCall ranch. The three of them used to wander to the corrals and watch some of the local boys helping the cowboys.
And she wasn’t the only one who used to drool . Well, she drooled over Dale, they drooled over everyone else. A smile tugged at her lips.
Good times.
The bakery was bustling with locals picking up their early afternoon dose of caffeine and sugar. Sadie spotted Loni and Lori at their usual corner table, both already sipping their lattes and animatedly discussing something. Waving on approach, she grinned at the sight of their matching aprons that Sadie had made them. The violet aprons were embroidered with “ Champion Bakery ” and a three-tiered cake logo.
“ Sadie! Over here! ” Lori called, waving her hand enthusiastically. Lori was the more outgoing of the two, with a penchant for bold fashion and a laugh that could be heard clear across the room. A stunning beauty with face-framing bangs, she wore her dark hair in a messy-type bun like Sadie’s.
Loni, the quieter and more reserved twin, smiled warmly as Sadie sat down. Her long, dark hair was tied back in a neat ponytail. She was the yin to Lori’s yang, providing a calming presence that balanced her sister’s exuberance. She was also going blind, thanks to a juvenile form of macular degeneration her sweet friend hadn’t even known she had until recently.
“Hi,” Sadie greeted, plopping down into the cushioned chair before reaching for the mocha latte already awaiting her among a plate full of muffins.
Lori leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “So, we were just talking about the most interesting news in town—Dale Taylor is back.”
Heat rushed into Sadie’s cheeks. She should have known they’d bring him up. News traveled fast in Harland County, especially when it involved a former high school football star, no doubt.
Loni, ever the observant one, noticed Sadie’s reaction and smirked. “I see some things haven’t changed.”
Groaning, she set her cup down and buried her face in her hands. “I know! Stupid body.”
“I think it’s cute.” Lori chuckled. “So, tell us, how does it feel to have your childhood crush back in town?”
Sadie peeked out from between her fingers, giving them both a playful glare. “Hey! I thought we agreed to never speak of that again.”
Loni grinned. “That was before he came back, and you started blushing at the mere mention of his name.”
“Just so you know, both of you do that when your husbands are around,” she stated.
And why wouldn’t they? The twins were married to two very hot former SEALs who now worked at ESI. It was cute to see them flustered, and she was happy they’d married men worthy of her friends.
“That’s because they make our hearts race,” Lori said. “Don’t try to deny that Dale does that to you, too.”
With a sigh, she acknowledged there was no way out of this conversation. “Fine, fine. Yes, he does. Yes, I may have had a tiny crush on him when we were kids. But it’s not like he ever noticed me back then. He was a senior, and I was a lowly freshman, so, basically, invisible.”
Memories of that awkward time and the stupid unreasonable longing washed over her. She winced. Thankfully, that was all in the past.
Loni and Lori exchanged a knowing look, the kind that only twins could master. It was a look that said they knew more than they were letting on.
“Oh, come on,” Lori teased. “You were adorable back then. How could he not notice you?”
Sadie rolled her eyes, finally taking a sip of her latte. “Maybe because he was too busy being cool and gorgeous, running around with his older brother and their friends. Besides, I was more interested in books and crafts than boys.”
It was mostly true.
Loni nodded thoughtfully. “You were always crafting something. But still, now that he's back, maybe it’s time for a second chance. I mean, he’s not just back, he’s staying at his dad’s place, and you’re now neighbors.”
Heat returned to her cheeks with a vengeance. “Yep. He’s staying next door. But he’s got a lot on his plate with Sam’s recovery and everything. The last thing he needs is me and my old crush getting in the way. Besides, my channel’s expanding, which means I need to put up more content more often.”
It was a double-edged sword.
“Success does have its drawbacks,” Loni said. “We’re happy for the volume of clientele, but in order to keep up, we’ve had to hire two more people.”
She nodded. “Exactly why I’m trying to talk my cousin into relocating here.”
The sisters sat up.
“Harper? Really?” Lori blinked.
Loni grinned. “That’s a great idea.”
Like the twins, Harper used to spend her childhood summers in Harland County, and the four of them had become fast friends.
Sadie lifted a shoulder. “I think so, too. I’m hoping now that my aunt and uncle are getting ready to retire and move to Florida near my parents, she’ll give it some serious thought.”
“Good,” Lori stated. “And a change of scenery will be good for her.”
Loni nodded. “I agree, although I’m sure it’ll be a tough step for her, so be patient.”
“I know and I am.” She sighed.
Ever since surviving a school shooting her senior year, her cousin didn’t leave her house that often. She only ventured out to get supplies or pick up discarded furniture to work on. That would be great for the channel and for Harper too. Working on pieces and explaining the process, step by step, were up her cousin’s alley. More than once, she’d done exactly that with Sadie on a Zoom call.
“I plan to suggest it again when I call her tonight,” she said before biting into her pumpkin cream cheese muffin.
The last time Sadie had made the suggestion, Harper told her she’d think about it. Since it hadn’t been a flat-out no like in the past, she felt optimistic that the timing was right.
“Well tell her we’re hoping she comes down,” Loni said before sipping her drink.
Lori sat back, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Let’s circle back to the Dale subject.”
“Let’s not,” she muttered into her muffin before biting off another delicious chunk.
“You living next door could be beneficial to him. Maybe he could use a little distraction. You know, something to lighten the mood. And who better than our lovely Sadie, the queen of crafts and good vibes?”
Sadie choked on her muffin. Shaking her head, she gulped down her drink before clearing her throat. “Oh, sure. Because nothing says, ‘Welcome home’ like glitter and glue guns.”
Loni chuckled, setting her cup down. “Actually, that sounds like a great idea. You could make him a welcome home gift. Or Sam. Something simple, like a ‘Get Well Soon’ card or a little craft project to cheer them up.”
“Already took care of the ‘Get Well Soon’.” She cocked her head, her mind already whirring with ideas. “But something for Sam for when he gets out of the hospital isn’t a bad idea. Thanks, ladies.”
It felt good to have friends who knew her so well and encouraged her creativity.
While they finished off the muffins, they chatted, moving from the topic of Dale to the latest happenings at the bakery. Loni excitedly talked about their new seasonal flavors, while Lori mentioned a few upcoming events they were commissioned to bake for. Sadie enjoyed the comfortable banter, feeling the usual warmth of their friendship wrap around her like a cozy blanket.
As Sadie and the twins finished their conversation, the bakery’s bell jingled, signaling new customers. She glanced toward the door and her heart skipped a beat. Dale walked in, followed by the sheriff. The duo seemed to command the room’s attention without even trying. Both men were ruggedly handsome, with broad shoulders and muscled biceps, but it wasn’t the man in uniform who ruled Sadie’s pulse.
Lori nudged her. “Wow. He certainly grew up.”
Sadie rolled her eyes. “Shush. Be cool,” she whispered, but her heart raced, nonetheless.
Gabe spotted the group first and waved. “Hello, ladies. I brought my friend here for the best Boston Cream donuts in town.”
Loni grinned, rising to her feet. “Hello, Sheriff. Hi, Dale. We heard you were back in town.”
Great. He was going to think she was talking about him. Okay, technically that was true, but Sadie hadn’t been the one to bring him up.
Gabe’s brows rose. “Wait, you know each other? Of course.” He laughed. “Probably through Zoom calls with Dean and RJ.”
“No. Happened many summers ago,” he told Gabe. “Nice to see you again…Loni, is it?” Dale asked, and her friend nodded as he approached. “It was always tough telling you and Lori apart.”
Lori snorted. “We’re making it easier now. I’m the one with the bangs. Good to see you, Dale. Sorry about your dad. How’s he doing?”
His expression sobered. “Thanks. And good.”
“You guys are in luck,” Loni said, walking behind the counter. “We just made a fresh batch of Boston Cream. How many do you need?”
“Make it a dozen,” Gabe replied. “We’re heading to ESI to talk to the guys.”
Loni nodded. “You got it. I’m going to throw a cinnamon bun in there for my man. Make sure he gets it.”
Gabe grinned. “Roger that.”
As her friend began to fill their order, Dale’s gaze drifted to her. He nodded but didn’t say anything, so she nodded back. The fact his expression was kind of closed off kept her from speaking.
Her chest tightened. Crap. It felt like she was back in school, getting the brush off from him again.
Loni boxed up their order and pushed it toward the men. “Because it’s your first time back in town, Dale, they’re on the house.”
“That’s not necessary.” He frowned, reaching for his wallet.
Loni grinned. “But it is.”
He lifted a brow. “You ladies always so generous?”
Loni laughed. “Only to charming ex-SEALs, and of course, old schoolmates of Sadie’s.”
She groaned as all eyes turned to her.
“Yeah. Sadie’s great,” Lori chimed up. “She’s the town’s secret guardian angel, keeping spirits high with her crafts and all. She’s practically a local celebrity.”
She snorted. “You’re exaggerating. I just like to brighten people’s days.”
“According to my wife, you’ve always been the heart of Harland County,” the sheriff stated with a grin.
Sadie had gone to school with his wife, Lyndsey, and her best friend, Emily. Even though the two were a year ahead of her, they still had several classes together. She appreciated their passion for helping animals because it mirrored her desire to see people happy.
Heat crept into her face. “I don’t know about that.” She laughed.
“Well, I think it’s true,” Loni said. “Your wife is smart, Sheriff.”
Gabe grinned. “Absolutely, but don’t tell her I said that.” Still grinning, he tried to hand Loni money, but her friend waved him off. “You ladies are too kind. We appreciate it.”
“Yes,” Dale said. “Thanks.”
The sheriff grabbed the box, and as the two men exited the bakery, the bell jingling behind them, Loni and Lori turned to Sadie, identical thoughtful expressions on their faces.
“That was interesting,” Loni said, folding her arms across her chest.
Lori nodded as her sister rejoined them. “Very. It was like he was trying to play it cool but only when you were looking at him.”
“Yeah.” Loni leaned back, a knowing smile on her face. “Because when you weren’t, his gaze was eating you up.”
Sadie laughed, shaking her head. “Doubtful.”
The man had been giving off Not interested vibes. She wasn’t sure what her friends had seen, but Sadie couldn’t ignore the thrill shooting down her spine at the thought of Dale’s attention. It had been a long time since she’d felt this kind of excitement. And confusion.
Mr. Hot and Cold.
What kind of game was he playing?
As Sadie sipped the last of her latte, she couldn’t help but feel that this homecoming might be more eventful than she’d ever imagined.