Chapter 17 Caroline
CAROLINE
Caroline wrapped her hand around the lower half of a cupcake, careful not to squeeze the soft cake as she moved it from the tray to the bakery case. The bakery could have put Grand Central Station to the test the last couple of days, and she was running on fumes.
Actually, she’d barely slept the last two nights. Between jumbled thoughts of Justin and dreams of the register’s high-pitched Ching! sleep was evading her.
Skye leaned on the counter beside Caroline and let her shoulders sink. “What a day.”
For the first time since they’d opened the doors, there wasn’t a single person in line at the register.
News had gotten out about their special visit from Santa Claus yesterday, and now quite a few of Justin’s male fans decided it would be a good idea to drop by the bakery in hopes of catching a glimpse of Redemption Ridge’s very own pro athlete.
Caroline had filled more orders for drip coffee than in the last week combined. A few men still hung around the tables, watching the door for any sign of Justin.
When she’d placed the last cupcake in the display case, Caroline stood from her hunched position, stretched her back, and handed the empty tray to Skye. “I’m going to refill orders.”
“Leaving me again. It’s a good thing you’re sweet, or I’d be a disgruntled employee.”
Caroline bumped her friend’s shoulder as she passed. Skye was all talk. She loved working the register almost as much as she loved icing the cakes.
The bell above the door chimed, and Caroline looked up as she finished refilling the last cup of coffee. “Welcome to—”
Alicia stormed into the bakery wearing a red velvet sweater and dangling white frosted ornament earrings.
She started talking before she reached Caroline. “Hey! What did you think about the date?”
Caroline rolled her eyes but couldn’t contain a smile. She was still reliving her evening with Justin. The twinkling lights, the music, the dance.
The way he’d held her and reminded her of the old times when they’d been so in love they couldn’t think straight.
Resting the carafe on the coffee bar, Caroline smoothed the front of her apron and wiped sugar granules off the counter. “You were there. You know.”
Alicia was hot on Caroline’s trail as she headed back toward the checkout counter. “Yeah, but what did you think about it? First, did I do a good job? I did a great job, didn’t I?”
Caroline bit her lips between her teeth. “It was amazing. But it was also a little over the top,” Caroline confessed.
Alicia’s hand slapped to her chest, showcasing her bright-red fingernail polish. “Me, over the top?”
Caroline pulled out a carrot cake cupcake from the display—the sugar-free ones she always kept on hand for Alicia or any other diabetic. “I know you have access to pretty much anything and everything, but I’m a simple gal.”
Alicia chuckled, raising her arms and twirling them around her head. “You’re a simple gal? Look at this place.”
Most surfaces were baby pink with white trim.
Vintage photos of cupcakes and strawberry-topped angel food cake scattered over the walls, and a small chandelier filled with crystal drops hung from the ceiling.
It might have looked extravagant, but she’d bought it at a craft fair from a local woman who had basically let her walk out of the place with it.
The tabletops were a mosaic of pink, white, and rose gold, and the metal chairs were painted gold with pink cushions Caroline had added herself.
Floating bookshelves hung on the back wall near a cozy reading nook that she’d added when Mr. Burrows hurt his knee two years ago.
Caroline shrugged. “I make no apologies for the state of my bakery.”
Alicia took the offered cupcake and wrapped her arm around Caroline’s neck, pulling her in for a warm, sisterly hug that had her bones melting like fresh royal icing.
“It’s perfect. Now, back to the date. You two looked kind of cozy.” Alicia’s eyebrows bounced as she bit her bottom lip, desperate for any juicy news.
Caroline still hadn’t reconciled the old, secret relationship she had with Justin years ago with the new, very public, thing that was being scrutinized by everyone she knew today.
It was all so fresh, and she’d never been a fan of being the center of attention.
She liked to create things people looked at, but putting herself under the microscope was never her intention.
“It was great actually.” Caroline picked at a loose hem on the side of her apron. “I’m glad he’s back, but I’m still so scared to give this a chance.”
Nothing like the truth to kill the excitement. Caroline deflated like a sinking cake.
Alicia stopped peeling the wrapper off her cupcake and studied Caroline’s face like only a sister would. “I’ve talked to him, Caroline. He’s in this. Are you?”
Was she? Justin was trying, that was obvious, and actions did speak louder than words. “I want to be.”
Alicia bounced on her toes and let out a small squeal, almost losing her grip on the cupcake. “I think he’s a really good guy. Jordan likes him too.”
That got Caroline’s full attention. “What?”
“Yeah. They’ve been talking ever since Jordan went to the police department and did the whole, ‘What are your intentions with my sister’ thing.”
Caroline slapped a hand on her forehead. “He did what?”
“Keep up. They’re BFFs now.”
Two women entered the bakery, looking around instead of approaching the display by the register as usual.
And Caroline’s throat had decided to close up. Skye gave the customers the usual welcome, and they made their way to the register.
Alicia turned around and wiped the crumbs off her mouth. “They’re here for me!” she shouted to Skye. “Hi, I’m Alicia,” she said to the women as she held out her hand.
A brunette with dark eyes and a shy smile extended her shaking hand to Alicia. “You have no idea how amazing this is. Cade is going to be absolutely thrilled on Christmas morning.”
Alicia held up the hand that wasn’t holding the cupcake. “Don’t thank me. This was Justin McKinnon’s idea. I’m just the delivery woman.” She shook the other woman’s hand and introduced herself.
“Can we get a photo with you?” the second woman asked.
“Um, yeah!” Alicia turned to Caroline and held out the cupcake. “Can I get a container to put this in so I can finish it later?”
Caroline took the cupcake. Alicia always attracted attention. America hadn’t forgotten their celebrity sweetheart just because she’d slipped out of the spotlight for a quiet life in western Colorado.
Caroline started to walk away, but Alicia held her back with a hand on her arm. “Can you accept a delivery at the back entrance? Someone is on their way with items I need to distribute.”
“What are you talking about?”
Alicia reached for a napkin and wiped her hands. “Justin bought Christmas presents for all the kids that came to visit Santa yesterday.”
Caroline almost dropped the cupcake. “He what?”
“Kathy got the parents’ information, and Justin bought the things the kids mentioned,” Alicia explained.
The door bell chimed again as three women and two men entered, spotting Alicia and coming straight over.
He’d really done it. Justin had bought Christmas presents for all of the kids.
Did he have any idea how much his act of kindness would mean to those kids?
How much it meant to her? She set up an angel tree at the bakery every year so people could grant Christmas wishes for kids in town.
She promoted toy drives every year and donated to the children's homes.
It was a cause that was close to her heart ever since Justin told her he never received a gift when he was a kid.
Now, he was making sure other kids got presents.
“Um, yeah. Sure,” Caroline said, cupping the crumbling cupcake in her hand. “Tell them to call me when they get here, and I’ll let them in.”
After grabbing a takeaway box, Caroline called Justin. He was on his shift, but she could leave him a message if he didn’t answer.
“Hello,” his warm, familiar voice soothed her as it slid down her spine.
Her hand shook as she held the phone tighter. “You bought gifts for the kids,” she said in greeting.
There was a beat of silence before Justin whispered, “Surprise.”
“Justin, that’s amazing. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I repeat, surprise!”
More customers were filing into the bakery, and Skye was scrambling to take orders.
Her throat constricted as she turned her attention back to the call. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen,” Justin said.
Caroline rested her hand on her racing heart. “Can I see you after work tonight?”
“Absolutely. Want to come to my place?” Justin asked.
Oh. She hadn’t given much thought to where Justin was living. He’d grown up on the ranch next to her parents’, but his dad didn’t own that land anymore. “Sure. Can you send me the address?”
“Of course. And bring your appetite. I’ll have a late dinner ready for you.”
Muffins, she was not going to cry at work. With a deep breath, she let the last of her walls crumble. “I’ll see you later.”