15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVER THE DAYS that ensued, the gray clouds oppressing Willa lifted. Life had begun returning to normal.

Customers at the bakery were kind, apologetic, offering their condolences for the disaster she’d gotten herself involved in. Many commented on Emily’s shadiness, which had been put to an end by her arrest. She’d been sent to Denver to stand trial for crimes committed there. And in a way, Willa was relieved that her rival had been put out of Coal Valley forever.

“Doors are locked,” said Julian as he strolled in from the cafe area. He tossed the keys on the counter. “You ready for tonight’s show?”

Willa turned to him with a smile. “Thank you for being such a good sport about all this. I know theaters aren’t your favorite thing in the world.”

“Anything for you,” he said and gave her a kiss. “Is that pie ready?”

“Yep.”

Willa tried not to get her fancy red dress dirty as she pulled a still warm apple pie off the cooling rack. He’d agreed to take her to the theater tonight to make up for time lost. She was eager to watch Coal Valley Theater’s play-of-the-month and glad they’d gotten front row seats compliments of her parents.

She set the pie down on the counter. “Get us some plates, please.”

Julian winked and disappeared around the back. He returned a moment later with two small plates. “Dessert first, play later.”

“Well, we can’t just let it sit here untouched,” she joked. “What kind of bakers would we be if we didn’t sample our product?”

Julian pushed his fork into the flaky crust. The creamy mixture of apples and cinnamon spilled out of the sides. “How are you feeling about everything? You seemed a bit more cheerful today.”

“Better.” She chewed, relishing in the flavor of spices filling her mouth. “Do you suppose Emily’s mother will take the baby? Or will they let her keep him in jail?”

“Hard to say if anyone would allow a child to be raised in such an environment,” Julian responded. “Can’t believe that baby will practically be an orphan. What a shame.”

Willa nodded, feeling sad about the situation as well. Emily’s mother had temporarily moved in with a local family while she awaited the baby’s birth. “Maybe she’ll go to Tennessee and raise the kid there.”

“Why don’t we talk about something happier?” Julian brushed her red bangs aside. “You know, we still have a short bit of time before Hannah comes by to meet us.”

“Oh, what a shame Ron had to be out of town this week.”

Julian pushed her hand down and wrapped his arm around her waist. “There will be other plays. But for now, let’s focus on us.”

Willa couldn’t help but let out a giggle. “And what do you propose we do while we wait?”

“Each other.”

“Here?”

“Why not?” He smirked. “There’s no one around.”

“But she’s meeting us here.”

“The doors are locked, remember? She won’t walk in on anything she doesn’t want to see.”

Not that Willa felt like protesting, but he was already unzipping her dress by the time she realized what was happening. “Julian...we can’t do it in our place of business.”

He deposited a set of light kisses down the side of her neck. “Says who?”

“Good grief, we make food in this place.”

“Not in this room. Quit being such a prude.”

“Oh, that’s it, mister. You can’t call me that.”

Julian’s gigantic smirk was so mischevious, so intoxicating, that she couldn’t help but be drawn in. He cut a piece of pie with the fork and picked it up with his fingers. “Open wide...”

The warm plethora of spices and apples inhabited her mouth as he fed her. “You’re bad,” she said, thoroughly enjoying the attention.

“I do so love you, Willa. You’re the woman of my dreams.”

She laughed. “Stop it.”

“Seriously. Your Pa should set up a matchmaking service.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“He did a good thing for us.”

“You’re right. He did. I love you, too.”

Willa stretched her neck back as he massaged her fleshy mounds. She moaned in delight when her dress fell to the floor. He grabbed a hefty chunk of one of her cheeks, and her fingers entangled in his blonde hair.

“We ought to consummate this place prim and proper,” he said, voice hoarse.

“Agreed...”

This time, no interruptions came. And in that moment, Julian filled Willa with the entirety of his love, fully belonging to her.

 

 

 

~ THE END ~