Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“Hmm, yeah, you do seem overwhelmed.”
“You don’t happen to know how to bake, do you?” she asks.
“Sorry, Mrs. Lane. I’m more of a metal and grease kind of guy.” I shrug.
“I know.” She leans against the counter. “You’re a lifesaver when my equipment breaks. I can’t ask for more. How’s your father? I heard he’s been ill.”
“He’s fine. Just banging around in that big old house and terrorizing the help every chance he gets. Same as always.” I check the oven once more. “It’s getting to temp properly now. You should be good to go.”
“Thanks so much. What do I owe you?” She follows me to the front of the shop.
“I’ll just put it on your tab.” I sidestep Olin as he walks to the counter to place a slew of new orders.
“Hi, Olin. I’ll be right with you. More orders?” she asks somewhat incredulously.
He nods. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Yes, I’ll be with you in a second. Knox, you have to let me pay you something. My tab has to be huge by now. You’ve never charged me for—”
“No worries.” I wave her concern away. But before I push out the door, I pause.
Olin glances at me and waits.
I clear my throat. “Mrs. Lane?”
“Yes?” She digs behind the counter and pulls out a worn check register. “How much?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Not that. It’s just …” My palms get sweaty, and I feel like I’m trying to kick a field goal to win a game. Not just any game, the biggest game of my life. “Wouldn’t it be great if you could get Ruby to come help out? She knows how to bake.”
“She better. I taught her all my tricks.” She smiles. “I don’t know, Knox. She’s so busy with her job ever since she graduated college. She hasn’t even come to visit. It was like pulling teeth to get her home at all the past few years, what with her course load and everything. And now she’s in the big city.”
“I know. But surely she’ll get some time off for the holidays? You need help, and it seems to me like Ruby is the only one who can step in for you. Especially since you keep getting so many orders.” I gesture toward Olin.
“Twenty more.” He shrugs.
“Twenty cakes?” Mrs. Lane’s eyes widen. “For who? There’s no way you’re eating all this. Look at you. All muscle.”
Olin shrugs. “I have clients who love your cakes. What can I say?”
Mrs. Lane raises a brow but readies her pen to take his order.
I give Olin a brief nod before swinging the door open, the bell tinkling in the cold December air.
“You know what?” Mrs. Lane calls after me.
I turn, my breath coming out in steam as a snow flurry surrounds me. “Yes, ma’am?”
“You’re right. I’m going to call Ruby. She needs to come home. It’s been too long. And I know our little town isn’t the fast city life, but I need help.”
I smile and try to play off the way my heart leaps and my body heats. “She’ll come running if you say you need her. She’s a good girl, Mrs. Lane.”
“She is.” She nods and waves me away as I let the door close.
I stand there staring down the quaint Main Street of Reindeer Valley. A few cars pass as I wait, my heart still pounding as I think about Ruby finally coming home where she belongs.
The bell rings behind me, and Olin steps out.
I pull a list from my back pocket and hand it to him.
“More?” he asks.
“More.”
“What are we going to do with all these cookies?” He groans.
“Get to work.” I hitch a thumb over my shoulder and stride away, the snow swirling around a few cars as they pass. Olin goes back into the bakery, adding to his order. My order.
I smile as I pull my coat tighter around me and head for my mechanic shop. I have to get ready for Ruby, though I don’t think she’s ready for me. But once she’s here, that’s half the battle. All I have to do now is convince her to stay.
She was meant for Reindeer Valley. And more than that, she was meant for me.
2
RUBY
“Ruby, in my office.” Mr. Brooks orders as he passes by the front of my desk.
My stomach drops. I thought he was still out of town. I've been enjoying this week without him here. Well, enjoying it more than I normally do. This place is a bit more tolerable when he’s out of the office and on one of his daddy’s yachts trying to escape the cold of the city.
I don’t blame him. There’s something about winter in the city that doesn’t work for me. Back home in Reindeer Valley it’s much different. I actually love the winters there. The smell of snow is always in the air. As well as the sweet scent of my grandma’s baked goods. Whenever you step outside, it’s a reminder that the holidays are closing in. Just thinking about it makes me a bit homesick.