Chapter 1
As I’m busy stocking the display case with scones, muffins, bars, and cookies, the soft chime of the door has me glancing up. My best friend and business partner, Sarah, enters the bakery, her heels clicking across the hard floor as she comes to stand next to me.
“Good morning!” she singsongs.
“Morning!” I finish stocking the case and face my friend.
With her long, straight red hair, big blue eyes, fair complexion and long lean legs, Sarah is a stunning woman.
Today she’s wearing a tight black tank tucked inside a bright-pink skirt that comes to a stop near her calves, paired with nude heels.
Compared to my skinny jeans, sneakers, and purple blouse, she looks like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
Sarah and I met in our first year of college when we were assigned as roommates, and despite our different personalities, we hit it off right away and have been inseparable ever since.
I was closed off and shy, while Sarah was outgoing and wild.
She helped crack my shell and pulled me out of depression, and because of her, I was able to find happiness during a really dark period of my life.
She has become more like a sister to me than a friend, so after graduation I followed her to her small hometown of Lavender Falls, British Columbia, where her grandparents raised her.
Ever since moving to town, we dreamed of opening our own little bakery and coffee house, so when a property on Main Street came up for sale a little over a year ago, we got a loan and made our dream come true. Lemon and Lavender is our pride and joy, and we put so much love into her.
The outside of the building is painted a soft shade of lavender with a big, beautiful flower bed outside the storefront window.
We sit right on the corner of Main Street and have a beautiful view of the town centre across from us.
The inside is a clean white with tones of purple, yellow, and gold accents.
Our counter is a darker shade of purple with a gold display case, and behind us sits an array of stunning gold espresso and coffee machines. It’s elegant and classy.
“What time did you get here this morning?” Sarah asks, reaching for a square from my tray.
I shrug in response, not wanting her to know that I didn’t get any sleep at all. Every time I’d get to a place between sleep and consciousness, I’d jolt awake. Giving up around two in the morning, I started baking at home before making my way into the bakery at four.
“Jade,” she tuts with an edge of concern in her voice. “ Are the nightmares back?”
For as long as I’ve known Sarah, I’ve had awful nightmares that are flashbacks of my past.
They are always sporadic, so I never know when they will happen.
During the years we lived together, Sarah was always there for me.
When the nights were really bad, she’d let me crawl in with her and comfort me back to sleep.
But I’ve never shared what my nightmares are about, and she’s never pushed me to tell her.
“I’m fine. I promise. I just couldn’t sleep is all.” I paste on a soft smile and hope she can’t see the dark spots under my eyes, or that I seem a little extra on edge today.
May 5 is always a hard day for me. This year being extra hard. It’s officially been ten years since the day my life changed forever.
Sarah knows I lost my parents, and I’ve given her little pieces of me throughout the years, but I’ve never given her the real story. It’s not that I don’t trust her, or that I don’t want to tell her. It’s that I can’t.
After waking up in the hospital following my attack, I learnt that the person responsible had gotten away.
The officer waiting for me to wake up helped me fake my death and change my name, giving me a new start.
To tell Sarah my truth could put me, and even her, in danger.
I know the chances of Adam ever finding me are slim, but I never want to take that risk.
I place the last tray of squares onto the plate on the counter and walk to flip the sign on the door from closed to open.
Changing the subject off my lack of sleep, I ask Sarah how her date with Davis Jennings went the other night.
“He was perfect, Jade! I don’t think I can see him again.” Her hands fall in exasperation, making me giggle.
“Sarah, that doesn’t even make sense.” I shake my head, confused.
Ever since I’ve known her, Sarah has liked to date. Not many men make it past the first date.
She has a tendency to bring them home and then ghost them. She claims that when you know, you’ll know, but personally, I think she has just never recovered from a broken heart and is afraid to get hurt again.
“You don’t get it, Jade. I don’t want some gentleman that’s just going to treat me like I’m delicate. Sure, he can open my car door for me every now and then, but I want a real man.
Ruggedly handsome, sweet but not afraid to crack some jokes and get a little rough in the hay.
I want someone that will spar with me and match my tongue.
I’m bossy, and I know I am. I want someone to challenge that and not just give me what I want.
” She shoves the remainder of the bar in her mouth and reaches her for her apron.
The bell above the door chimes for a second time as the first customer of the day makes his way inside.
Sheriff Donovan is a regular at Lemon and Lavender.
He’s come in every morning since we opened.
He’s also one hell of a good-looking man.
Just looking at him has my blood pumping and my face heating.
Cropped dark-brown hair, strong jawbone with a little stubble, tall and broad, his police uniform hugging him in all the right places. Weston Donovan is a sight to behold.
He’s been flirting with me for the past two years, but I’ve never really been brave enough to flirt back. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about him that makes me feel like he can see through the facade I put on.
“Good morning, Sheriff, what can I get for you today?” I smile.
With a tip of his hat, Sheriff Donovan begins to eye up the display case. “Mornin’ ladies. I’ll take two of those lemon scones and a coffee please.”
“Coming right up.” I open the display case and grab the scones with my gold tongs, placing them in a bag before handing it over. When Weston reaches for the bag, his fingers gently brush against mine, sending a zap up my wrist. I pull back as my heart begins to flutter, wondering if he felt it too.
“How’s your morning going, West? Any high speed chases or bad guys? Oh, I know! Please tell me that brother of yours is sitting in lock-up right now.”
Sheriff Donovan gives a deep, throaty chuckle. “That would just make your day now, wouldn’t it?”
“Sure would, I even volunteer to be the one to slap those cuffs on him if you ever need the help.” She winks, and West laughs.
“If I ever have to arrest him, you’ll be the first person I call.” With a grin on his face, he turns his focus back to me. “Jade. I like what you did with your hair today.”
I reach up and play with the end of my braid, rolling my bottom lip between my teeth. This morning while waiting for the clock to tick, I decided to try a fishtail braid. It’s not the best, but I thought it was cute enough. “Oh. Thank you, Sheriff.”
“You ever going to call me West?” he asks, lips curved into a smirk.
“Maybe someday,” I reply, biting my lip in a nervous habit.
“What if I ask you out on a date? Would you call me West then?” His eyes gleam with the question, and I’m not sure if he’s being serious or just playing around.
“I guess you’ll just have to ask me and find out.”
We stare at each other for a bated breath, his mouth opening and closing before the buzz of his phone breaks the silence.
“Sheriff Donovan.” He clips into the device.
He places the phone against his shoulder and mouths a thanks to Sarah and I, reaching for his things before heading out. His eyes linger a bit longer on me before he pushes on the door and turns around.
When the door closes and he’s made it a few steps, Sarah turns to look at me with her mouth hanging open and eyes wide.
“What was that?” she asks, pointing after him.
“What was what?” I act like I have no idea what she’s talking about.
“You just flirted back! And you’re blushing!” she shrieks. “Omg, you like him!” She gives me a playful shove. “I don’t blame you, Weston Donovan is sexy as sin. I’d let him use those cuffs on me any day. Or night.” She winks, and a hot flush works its way across my skin.
“Hey, I’m not making fun of you. I think it’s great, Jade! You haven’t been with anyone since we’ve moved here. That man has had a crush on you since he met you.”
“Oh, so you’ve found my perfect match but not yours?” I tease, and she swats me with her rag.
“I’m just saying,” She singsongs.
Getting lost in the morning rush, I think about how nice it would be to have a partner. All past experiences haven’t been great, and it makes me nervous to be around men, scared to open up in fear of what they might think of me. I come with baggage and scars.
It’s been so long since I’ve dated.
The door chimes, pulling me from my thoughts, and my mouth tips in a smile to greet Mrs. Ira.
“Hi, girls.” She sidles up to the counter, her large hips swaying.
“Hi, Mrs. Ira,” we say in unison.
“Jade, I’ve noticed that you’re always alone. No young man in your life?” she quizzes, bringing her glasses down her nose and watching me with inquiring eyes.
Wondering where this is going, I answer, “Umm. No. No man.”
“Great!” She claps her hands with glee and starts digging in her large purse. “My newly single nephew is coming to visit. I told him I had just the sweetest lady for him. He’s handsome, my nephew. And a lawyer.” She rubs her fingers together in a money motion.
“Here. This is him.” She beams, holding out a photograph.
Sarah covers a snicker behind my shoulder, and I stomp on her foot. In the photo is a man who looks to be in his thirties. He’s bald and doesn’t have the slightest hint of a smile on his face. In fact, he looks completely pissed off.
I hand Mrs. Ira her photo back. “He’s very handsome, Mrs. Ira.”
“Told you, didn’t I! Takes after his uncle! Why don’t you let me go ahead and set up a date for you two?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Mrs. Ira.”
“Nonsense.” She waves her hand. “I’ve never seen a man come from your house. Or a woman other than Sarah.” Her eyes raise, and she looks from me to Sarah.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Ira. I can assure you, I like cock. Jade and I are not together.” Sarah giggles, and my cheeks flame.
“Well, great then! You know, Jade, you don’t want to be alone forever. I’m sure there must be a lot of sexual frustration there. Every woman needs a real good orgasm every now and then.”
A laugh bubbles from Sarah, and a sound similar to a strangled gargle leaves my throat.
Oddly enough, this isn’t the most bizarre thing to come from Mrs. Ira’s mouth.
“You know, Jadie, Timothy and I were already married and had six children by the time we were your age. We had such a great sex life. My vagina was happy back then. Now that my Timothy has passed on, she’s a sad little kitten.
You don’t want to end up with a sad vagina now, do you?
” Mrs. Ira points her chin down, eyeing me above her glasses.
Someone kill me now.
“Ya, Jade. You don’t want a sad vagina, do you?” Sarah bumps my hip and looks like she’s going to combust with laughter at any moment.
“I promise, Mrs. Ira, my vagina won’t be sad,” I tell her, wanting this conversation to end immediately.
“ And this isn’t really appropriate talk for the bakery.”
“Just one date with my nephew and I’ll take my order and leave.” She raises her chin and stares me down.
I sigh and can’t believe I’m about to do this, but I feel like I have no other choice. She knows where I live after all. “Fine. All right. One date.” I appease her.
Her entire face lights up. “Perfect! I’ll let him know. He’ll be here tomorrow.” She grabs her regular tea from Sarah and quickly shuffles out of the shop.
“What did I just get myself into?” I mumble, shoulders slumping.
Not only is Mrs. Ira my seventy-year-old neighbour, she’s also the town meddler. Her and her group of knitters are always in everyone’s business. She is very sweet, but she’s incredibly nosy, and sometimes a bit pushy.
“Why couldn’t she have picked on you instead? At least you like to date.” I grumble, looking at Sarah.
“Because the last time she tried to set me up, I told her I was going to join her knitting club just to learn how to make a fancy noose and hang her from it.”
I laugh as I recall the time Mrs. Ira set Sarah up with the one person in town she cannot stand. She knew exactly what she was doing, so she shouldn’t have been surprised by Sarah’s response. Everyone in town knows Sarah Walker and Hayes Donovan do not get along.
Later in the day, I’m busy in the back when the hairs on my arms begin to rise. The feeling of being watched snakes its way up my skin, and I slowly walk over to the window at the back, my blood racing as I peek out. When my eyes catch on a shadow, I drop to the floor, curling into a ball.
Just breathe, I tell myself, counting my breaths the way my old therapist taught me.
I try to calm my racing heart when Sarah swings open the doors. “Jade?” I hear the clicking of her heels and feel the soft touch of her hand as she squats down next to me. “Hey, are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine. A shadow outside spooked me is all.”
I feel Sarah get up and open the back door, and my senses are screaming at her to shut it.
“It’s just the garbage man,” she tells me. “ Are you sure that’s all it was?”
My breathing finally slows, and I feel embarrassed over my freak out.
Just the garbage man, I repeat her words back to me, hoping they’ll calm me.
“I’m sure. Must just be from the lack of sleep.” I stand up and brush off my apron, giving Sarah a small smile.
“Okay then. I’m going to head back out front if you’re sure you’re fine.”
When the doors swing close behind her, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. It’s been so long since I’ve been so jumpy, but today being the ten-year anniversary is really messing with me. This morning I swore someone was following me on the way to work, and now this.
I shake it off, sure it’s just the reminder of what today is that’s making me on edge. I allowed myself to grieve this morning and now, my family has been on my mind all day.
Just the garbage man, I remind myself, getting back to baking.