Chapter 2
CAROLINE
Caroline parked behind the bakery and scanned the dark area before getting out of the car. Redemption Ridge was a fairly safe place, but with the tourists pouring into town for Christmas, she didn’t want to be surprised by a wandering stranger before daylight.
The coast was clear, so Caroline entered the back door of The Cakery and locked herself in. Bright lights shone on the blush-pink hallway, and clinking and clanking drifted from the kitchen.
Great, she was still sniffling. She slipped into the back room, stored her purse and makeup bag in her locker, and wiped at her eyes. Ugh. Crying was the worst, especially for stupid reasons. Her nose still tingled, and a dull headache pounded behind her raw eyes.
Buck up, buttercup! You’re the face of happiness.
Well, she didn’t have to officially radiate rainbows and sunshine for another three hours, but it might take her that long to pull her joy out of the gutter it fell into last night.
She stretched her neck from one side to the other and rolled her shoulders.
Four hours of sleep wasn’t nearly enough.
Every muscle in her body ached like it did after she attended Zumba classes with Skye.
Caroline grabbed her bright-pink apron off the hook as she stepped into the kitchen. Skye was already kneading the biscuit dough at station one. Her dark hair was gathered into a ponytail that coiled in her hairnet.
“Good morning,” Skye sang, continuing to work the dough on the counter.
“Good morning,” Caroline mimicked.
Skye looked up, and her brows lifted.
Oh no. Skye was like a bloodhound on a scent trail. Having a best friend who was completely attuned to Caroline’s moods was both a blessing and a curse.
“What’s wrong?” Skye paused with her hands around the bundle of dough.
Caroline let out a bone-deep sigh. “I broke up with Conner. Last night.”
Skye’s shoulders fell. “Oh no. I’m sorry… I think.”
Caroline huffed. “My thoughts exactly.” She brushed her hands over her swollen face. “He’s a good guy, but—”
“But you weren’t crazy about him. Unfortunately, I could tell.”
Great. That stinging behind her eyes returned. She did not have time to cry over a breakup. Those cupcakes wouldn’t make themselves. “Tell me I’m not ridiculous.”
Skye wrapped her arms around Caroline, careful to keep her floured hands out of the way. “You’re not ridiculous. A little strange, yes.”
“Thanks so much,” Caroline whispered. She needed to laugh or the tears that were hanging right around her eyes would spill over.
Skye burrowed her face in the crook of Caroline’s neck, and they sank into the deepening hug. Skye was the best friend and roommate she could have ever asked for. They’d been thicker than sourdough since they could walk, and she was the only friend who knew Caroline’s hang-up with relationships.
“You’re going to find the best man one day. I know God has an epic plan for you. You just don’t know what it is yet,” Skye soothed.
“I know. I just don’t know when it’s going to be the right time. I broke up with Conner because he kept dropping hints that he was going to propose around Christmas. If he asked, I couldn’t have said yes. I just can’t…”
“You can’t marry a sweet, attractive, wealthy man? Sounds awful,” Skye joked.
“It’s not… Ugh. You’re right.”
“I get it. I get it. Look at it this way, your self-esteem should get a good boost. Another sweet, wealthy, attractive man wanted to marry you!”
Caroline chuckled. “Why did you have to bring up the others?”
“Because I don’t know anyone who’s turned down three proposals.”
Caroline lifted her head and wiped her eyes. “Two. I didn’t let Conner have his moment.”
Skye tried to hide her chuckle behind the back of a flour-caked hand. “You’re such a heartbreaker.”
Caroline froze. It was just a word. Why did she want to crush a cupcake every time she heard it?
Skye’s eyes widened. “Sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine. Just another reminder of why I’m so messed up.”
Skye squinted one eye. “He didn’t mess you up. He just ruined you for all other men.”
“Same thing!” Caroline argued. “Why haven’t I found another man like that? One that I can love and see myself spending the rest of forever with?”
“I don’t know, but there isn’t anything wrong with what you’re doing. If you want a relationship that’ll knock your socks off, don’t settle for anything less.”
The hole in Caroline’s heart opened up, letting her feel its raw edges. “How long am I going to be hung up on a ghost?”
Skye let her head fall back. “I don’t know, but I hate this for you. As much as I know you loved him when you were eighteen, maybe you’re only hanging onto the rush of first love.”
“Where’s my second love? Do I not get another chance? What if I missed it, and—”
“I fully believe you’ll find a man you can love and spend a happy life with, but comparing everyone to Justin isn’t good for you.”
Justin. The man who showed her true happiness then took it away. She’d trusted him. She’d given him her whole heart.
Then he left, taking her heart with him. Everything since was dull and lackluster, which was ridiculous because she had everything she could ever want. She was finally the owner of The Cakery, her family was hands-down the best in the world, and she considered everyone in Redemption Ridge a friend.
Well, except Justin’s dad. Chuck liked to do everything to terrorize her family, and that was one thing that hadn’t changed in the years since Justin left.
Strangely enough, the family feud didn’t ruin her relationship with Justin. Neither did the secrets and sneaking around. No, Justin wanted to leave more than he wanted to stay. Not only that, but he didn’t ask her to come with him.
The rejection was brand new again, burning like a pie forgotten in the oven. Their love had been a season for him. To her, it was the standard that no other man could match.
Caroline wiped her eyes and slipped the apron over her head. “I’ll be fine. I just need to focus on mixing cupcake batter.”
“That’s probably a good idea, but I’m always here if you want to talk about it. I love you, and I really want you to find a man who is perfect for you.” Skye knew how to be exactly what Caroline needed in any situation.
“You know we’ll be talking about this again next time I manage to find myself in a new relationship.”
Skye’s phone dinged, and she rushed to the sink to wash the flour off her hands.
It was probably Hayden. Skye’s boyfriend sent sweet texts all throughout the day. The only reason she wasn’t giggling and giddy about it this morning was to spare Caroline’s feelings.
She wanted that for her friend. She wanted Skye to have all the happiness in the world. Caroline’s damaged feelings weren’t jealousy. She was just hung up on the loss of something she’d once had with Justin.
Skye’s smile stretched wide as her thumbs danced over the screen. Maybe she would be the one receiving a proposal this Christmas.
It was easier to focus on mixing batter after Skye turned on their usual Christian worship radio station. Christmas music was in full swing, and the upbeat tunes put a little pep in Caroline’s step.
A long gasp drew Caroline’s attention away from the eggs she was cracking into a mixing bowl. “What is it?”
Skye’s eyes were wide as she looked up from her phone. “Nothing.”
“Are you sure? That didn’t sound like nothing.”
Skye glanced back at her phone. “Actually, I think you need to see this.”
Caroline rinsed the egg goo off her hands and dried them on her apron as she moved to Skye’s side.
She tilted the phone toward Caroline, showing a post from a Facebook page called Rumor on the Ridge.
Looks like the heartbreaker has come home.
The post was a share of an original post made by Garrett Johnson. Caroline read the text, ignoring the video until she knew the explanation.
Ladies, this guy is new to town and needs a date to cuddle this Christmas.
The dark eyes of the only man she’d ever loved stared back at her. They were older and deeper than they’d been twelve years ago, but the recognition struck her like a lightning strike straight to the heart.
Justin sat at a table with a donut stuck in his mouth. Even caught in a candid moment, he was irresistibly attractive. His black hair was cut short and lay to one side, perfectly and obediently showing off the control he’d always possessed—something Caroline always lacked.
Everything in his life had a compartment, and the things of importance always fought for the top spot. Hair, baseball, feelings, the few people in his life who had earned his loyalty.
She’d never made it to the top, though she’d certainly tried. There were times when she’d falsely believed she was worthy of his attention, but it had all been a pipe dream.
Everything in her head flew into chaos. Justin was in town. For how long? Why was he wearing a police uniform? Did he have to look so good? He was looking for a date. He’d have no problem finding one, and it wouldn’t be her.
To put the cherry on the top, he was eating a donut that wasn’t hers.
“How dare he.” Caroline fought for control of her shaky voice. “How dare he eat someone else’s donut!”
“Maybe he doesn’t know about The Cakery. Seriously, ours are better,” Skye said, completely confident in their baking skills.
Caroline wasn’t confident about anything at the moment. In fact, she might descend into a fit of rage if she couldn’t get a handle on her shallow breaths.
Justin was back in town, and she didn’t have a boyfriend buffer anymore. Justin would have his pick of any woman in Redemption Ridge, and Caroline would have a front-row seat to the show that would continue breaking her heart.
Caroline turned away from the phone. “I don’t want to talk about it. We need to work.”
“Okay. I’m so sorry—”
“Please. I can’t,” Caroline said, picking up the remaining eggs and smashing the shells to bits above the mixing bowl.
Yeah, the heartbreaker was back in town. She might have been the first heart he broke, but she wouldn’t be the last.