Jill looked up at the sound of the front door opening, and watched as a stream of Boudreau men walked through, arms loaded with cleaning supplies, buckets, mops, brooms, and about every other cleaning supply she could imagine. She didn’t even try to hide her grin, and directed them to where they could unburden themselves of all the goodies. Trust Ms. Patti to be true to her word, because she’d sent enough help that the bakery could be cleaned from top to bottom with ease.
“I can’t thank you enough. There’s a ton of work still, and I honestly can’t imagine how I’d get it done without y’all pitching in.”
Douglas strode over and placed his hand on her shoulder. “We’re more than happy to help out, Jill. My wife said she’d be along in a bit. She had a client meeting, and this morning was the only time available. Happens that way more often than not. Folks working Monday through Friday end up having to do all their outside meetings on the weekend. We’ll manage fine. Point out what needs doing or fixing, and we’ll get started.”
“The kitchen area needs the most work. Follow me.” She led the way through the doors separating the front of the bakery from the kitchen, and Douglas, Liam, Shiloh, Brody and Chance followed.
“There’s a ladder by the back door. Dante got the cobwebs down the other night, and brushed off the walls for paint. Over there,” she pointed to a stack of boxes piled against the far wall, “are new light fixtures I need to get installed. Is that something you can handle? Otherwise, I’m going to call in an electrician to put them in.”
“No problem, Liam and I can handle the light fixtures. All I need to know is where you want them, and where your breaker box is.”
Jill pointed to the electrical panel on the back wall, and Douglas nodded once. Taking the small notepad out of her pocket, she jotted down the light fixtures by name and where she wanted them installed. Handing the list to Douglas, he gave her a smile and walked over to Liam. Heads bent together, they talked for a few minutes, then Liam grabbed the ladder and lined it up beneath the first fixture.
Jill spun around to find the rest of the Boudreau men standing in the open doorway or leaning against a wall, watching her. Waiting for instructions. Chance was busy unloading the boxes of cleaning supplies. Every time he bent over a box, more stuff was added to the growing stack on the table, until it held a mountain of rags, sponges, soaps, bleach, degreaser, and even steel wool.
“Sorry I’m late.” Lucas shouldered past Brody, and walked over to stand in front of Jill. Her heartbeat sped up until it felt like her heart would burst from her chest. Lucas’ absence had been the first thing she’d noticed when the others came into the bakery, and for a fleeting second, she’d wondered if he would show up.
“Hi.”
“Looks like Momma rounded up everybody who could make it. Course she promised to feed us, so that’s a pretty big incentive.”
“Feed you—of course. I brought stuff. For you. I mean for everybody.”
Okay, stop talking. You’re babbling.
Spinning around, she rushed through the door, with Brody and Shiloh moving out of her way, and darted into the front of the bakery. She’d left a big box of goodies there, knowing she’d be feeding a bunch of hungry men. Reaching for the box, a pair of masculine hands grabbed it first.
“Let me help you.” Lucas’ amused tone told her he knew he made her nervous. Of course, she hadn’t seen him since she’d admitted to Tessa she was in love with him.
“Thanks. You can put it on the other table, beside the one where Chance unloaded the supplies.”
Lucas carried the box, and as soon as he put it down, she started unloading it. The last two nights after she’d gotten home, she’d been baking like mad. It was the least she could do to show her appreciation. There were dozens of cookies, lemon bars, which she knew were Douglas’s favorites, brownies and even those almond shortbread cookies with the cherries. The ones Lucas mentioned were his favorites. She’d also made a batch of peanut butter fudge, cupcakes, and blueberry and banana nut muffins. Enough to feed an army—it might be enough for a few hungry cowboys.
Paper plates, napkins, and plastic forks joined the food, and she put the empty box on the floor beneath the table.
“Everybody dig in. I’m gonna run across the street to Gracie’s and grab some drinks for everybody. Back in a second.”
“Thanks, Jill.” Brody barely got the words out around a muffin, and she didn’t even attempt fighting her grin. A chorus of happy thanks filled the air, and warmth grew inside her. This was what she was meant to do, provide a little sweetness, a little happiness through her concoctions.
“Hang on a sec, Jill. I’ll go with you, help you carry stuff.” Lucas matched her stride for stride. They crossed the street and walked past a couple of shops until they reached Gracie’s Grounds Coffee Shop. Gracie Medeiros had moved to Shiloh Springs a couple of years back from San Antonio and opened the place. Jill knew she’d have business crossover between the two shops, since Gracie’s provided hot drinks and she’d be providing sweets for those with a hankering for something to munch. It was an ideal match, and she needed to meet up with Gracie, and see if they could work out something beneficial to both their businesses.
“Hey, Gracie.”
“Lucas! What a nice surprise. I heard you were back in town.” Gracie came from around the counter and gave him a hug. Jill resisted the urge to reach out and grab the petite brunette by the hair and yank her out of Lucas’ arms.
What is wrong with me? I don’t act like this, not about any man and especially not about Lucas. He’s not mine, no matter how much I wish I could change that.
“I’m taking a quick break. Turned in my last assignment, and thought I’d come home and visit with my family.” He looked around at the crowded bistro tables, and chuckled. “Guess I don’t have to ask how you’re doing. The place gets busier every time I come by.”
“Things are going well.” She finally seemed to notice Jill standing quietly by Lucas’ side. “Oh, hi. Good to see you, too, Jill. Didn’t mean to monopolize Lucas, I was surprised to see him. What can I get you folks?”
“We’ve got a pretty good size order. Go ahead and handle the customers at the counter first.”
“Okay. Come on up to the register when you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Gracie.”
After she walked away, Jill studied Lucas’ face, wondering if there was something between the two. Before she could think of a polite way to ask, without seeming all stalker-like, Lucas nodded toward Gracie’s back.
“She helped me out on a story. About a year ago, she put me in touch with her ex. He’s a cop in San Antonio. Gave me some surprisingly good intel.”
“I wondered how you knew her so well. She opened the business after you moved to Fort Worth.”
“Actually, Rafe introduced us on one of my visits home.”
“Oh.”
“I think he was trying to play matchmaker. Didn’t work, since Gracie’s got her eye on somebody else. Never would tell me who it was, though.”
As long as it’s not you, it’s all good.
Once the crowd cleared, Jill placed an order for enough coffee for the entire group over at her bakery, and made an appointment to talk with Gracie in a couple days.
Grabbing their order, along with all the little extra cream and sugar packets, they headed back across the street and into the back. Jill’s mouth dropped open when she spotted the table and what was left on it—which was basically a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies, one brownie, half a banana nut muffin, and crumbs. It looked like a swarm of locusts descended while she’d been gone.
“What happened?”
Shiloh shrugged, though the twinkle in his eyes belied his solemn expression. “We were hungry.”
“Dude, couldn’t you have saved me something? I mean, I brought you coffee.”
“There’s still stuff—oh, guess the vultures already picked the bones dry.”
“Can we help it if Jill’s the best baker in town?” Chance reached into the box and plucked out one of the cups. “I’ll probably be in here every morning once you’re open, Jill. I’ll have to add an hour to my daily workout, but it’ll be worth it.”
“Um…thanks?” Placing the box with the coffee on the table, she started handing out cups, placing creamer and sugar on an empty place by the box. “Glad you enjoyed the food.”
The sound of a throat clearing behind her caused Jill to spin around, and she spotted Ms. Patti standing inside the doorway with an amused expression. “Thought you boys were supposed to be cleaning.”
“They certainly cleaned me out,” Jill quipped, pointing to the table, with its wadded-up napkins, paper plates, and remnants of the Boudreau’s feast.
“I can see that.”
“Okay, guys, coffee break’s over. Back to work.” Chance passed coffee to Shiloh and Brody.
“Right, like they’ve even started yet,” Lucas whispered, making Jill smile.
“Now they’ve been fueled up and ready to work, I know we’re going to get a lot accomplished today.”
“But I didn’t get anything. I knew I should have snagged some of those cookies.”
“You snooze, you lose, bro.” Shiloh saluted Lucas with his cup.
Jill patted Lucas’ arm, and whispered, “Don’t worry, I saved some especially for you.”
“You’re the best.” Leaning in, he kissed her on the cheek, and then grabbed a cup of coffee for himself. “Put me to work, boss lady.”
“I’m thinking all of your brothers better get busy, too.” Ms. Patti hefted her ever-present bag higher on her shoulder, and the boys scattered, grabbing the buckets and rags. Satisfaction lit her eyes, and Jill snickered behind her hand, watching grown men cower in the face of a five-foot nothing woman.
“Can you teach me that?”
“Hang around my boys long enough, you’ll pick it up naturally.”
Ms. Patti pushed back her sleeves, and put her hands on her hips, eyes surveying the room. “Douglas and Liam already started on the lights. Shiloh and Chance can deal with scrubbing the floor in the front. Lucas and Brody, I need you to run an errand.”
“Of course, Momma. Whatever you need.” Brody walked over and placed a kiss on his mother’s cheek. Jill loved how all the Boudreaus freely expressed their affection and love for each other with little gestures and felt a bit envious. That wasn’t something they’d done in her home when she’d been growing up. Oh, she never doubted her family loved her and each other, but spontaneous displays just didn’t happen. An occasional hug was about the extent of any physical outpouring.
“Jill, did you make the order at the hardware store?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Brody, you and Lucas head over to McAnaly’s and pick up Jill’s order. Do you have your truck? Otherwise, borrow your daddy’s.”
“I have mine. We’ll be back in a bit.”
They left, coffee cups in hand, and Ms. Patti turned to Jill. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but I like what you’ve done with the place so far. Have you come up with a name yet?”
“I’ve been toying with a couple of things, but haven’t really settled on any one yet. I kinda like Sweet Temptations or How Sweet It Is.”
“Oh, I like that. How Sweet It Is. Reminds me of an old Marvin Gaye song. Douglas and I danced to that song forever. I think we wore out the album.” She began humming the tune, swaying a little with the melody. Almost immediately, Douglas crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Ms. Patti from behind. It was an incongruous sight, to see this mountain of a man holding his petite wife in his arms, swaying to an old classic.
“You’re singing our song.” He closed his eyes and hummed along with her, his expression so full of love it brought tears to Jill’s eyes. Watching these two, their love stronger than ever after all these years, gave her hope maybe one day she’d be lucky enough to have something of her own.
“Love you,” Jill heard Douglas whisper to his wife, before taking her hand and spinning her out in the prettiest dance move, before twirling her back into his arms.
“Love you too, cowboy.”
The moment seemed suspended in time, and Jill turned away, not wanting to intrude on the magic. The sound of splashing water and masculine chuckles caused her to turn, and she saw Chance and Shiloh watching their parents, while Liam leaned against the ladder with an indulgent expression.
“Back to work, sons.” Douglas turned Ms. Patti loose and walked over to the partially unpacked box holding the light fixture. Between him and Liam, they’d already managed to hang one. Guess that explained why the kitchen area lights were turned off. There was enough sunshine spilling through the big glass block windows to see by, but Jill couldn’t wait until they got the other three installed.
Grabbing a bucket, she filled it with soapy water and joined in the cleaning. Half an hour later, Brody and Lucas came back, loaded down with the buckets of paint, drop clothes, rollers, brushes, and the other stuff she’d ordered. Nibbling on her thumbnail, she hoped her business partner liked her choices, because once they started slapping paint on the walls, it was a done deal. Besides, she’d already ordered the artwork, and the sign with her logo design was simply waiting on the bakery’s name.
Which they’d just chosen, she realized.
“Got everything you wanted, Jill. Mr. McAnaly said if you need anything else, he can whip it up in a jiffy. His words exactly.”
“Thanks, Brody.”
“Boys, stack everything in the front, and then grab some supplies. We’re going to finish up the cleaning today. Tomorrow, we paint!”
Jill fist-bumped Ms. Patti’s raised hand, and everyone laughed, before hunkering down and getting to work. It was going to be a long day.