Matt made his usual runs around town, stopping at the Happy Apple, a small café that served breakfast and lunch and featured apples in every dish. Everywhere he turned he was greeted by the fruit. Apple plates, apple curtains, apple salt and pepper shakers, apple mugs, and apple wallpaper. It was kooky and over-the-top, but at the same time, warm and welcoming. A real gem for the town, and most people that visited came back again to see Terry and Walt, the proud owners, a couple in their late sixties. Terry, a rambunctious redhead, and Walt, a gentle giant, were staples to Red Maple Falls and also his parents’ best customers.
They bought all their produce and herbs through them and come apple season, Terry would be out there teetering on her five-inch heels, picking her own apples.
Terry greeted him at the door, planting a big kiss on his cheek. He could feel the bright red lipstick coming off her lips and smearing across his skin. Her trademark.
“How you doing today, pumpkin?” she asked, her unnaturally red hair bigger than normal. Matt swore Terry owned stock in hairspray.
“Pretty good, how about yourself?”
“My bunions are killing me, and I hurt my back getting off the toilet, but I’m alive to complain about it, so couldn’t be better.”
It was no surprise to Matt that Terry and his grandmother were good friends.
“I hear you’re shacking up with that pretty Michaels girl.”
News travelled fast in these parts, and Matt had to laugh because not only did it travel fast, but most people weren’t shy enough to keep it to themselves. Terry especially.
“Something like that,” Matt said.
“Well good for you!” She gave him a gentle slug to the shoulder. “As long as you don’t go cheating on me. You’ve been getting your breakfast here since you were a little pip squeak in diapers.”
“I would never do that to you,” he lied. The truth of it was he didn’t want to hurt Terry’s feelings, but he didn’t want to hurt Shay’s feelings, either. So for the past week, he’d been making two stops every morning, getting breakfast from Terry and coffee and a snack from Shay.
“Good boy. Now what can I get you today, sweetheart?”
“I’ll take two eggs and sausage. Hold the bread.”
Terry arched an over-colored eyebrow. “You watching your weight or something?”
“Just in the mood for eggs.”
“You don’t want that. I’ll whip you up some apple pancakes with sausage and bacon, extra crispy, just the way you like it.”
“Just the eggs should do.”
She pointed a red manicured finger at him, walking toward the kitchen. “I’ll get those pancakes started.”
Matt’s shoulders fell in defeat, and he let out a sigh. “Sounds great, Terry.”
“You better believe it. Best pancakes—”
“On this side of the state line,” Matt finished for her with a wink.
“Like I said, smart boy,” she said before her and her over-volumized short red hair disappeared into the kitchen.
Matt hung back near the baker’s rack that housed all the apple themed dinnerware and waited for his order. Most of the tables were filled with families—little kids with sippy cups and crayons, making a mess on their paper placemat that parents declared beautiful.
Terry’s husband Walt stepped out from the back—a stocky man with white hair that was once red. He had big cheeks that were always flushed and a wide nose that fit his face. Wrinkles covered his forehead, showing years of hard work. An intimidating man until he smiled, and his entire face lightened into the oversized teddy bear that everyone knew he was.
“Damn woman kicked me out of my own kitchen,” he mumbled as he swung a dish rag over his shoulder.
“How’s it going, Walt?”
“Don’t ever get married. They’ll drive you insane.”
“Not if you drive them there first!” Terry called from the kitchen.
“See what I mean?”
“Matthew, you better watch what you say. I can hear you back here.”
“She has ears everywhere,” Walt whispered.
“I heard that.”
“Crazy woman,” Walt muttered as he went to check on the customers. An easy smile fixed on his face as a boy no more than two waved at him. Matt watched the cranky old man dissolve into a puddle of mush as he waved back and started talking to him about his coloring.
A few minutes later, Terry came out from the kitchen with a to go bag for Matt. “Here you go, sweetheart. Tell that pretty girl of yours I said hello.”
“Will do, ma’am.”
“Maybe now you can make your grandmother happy and give her great-grandchildren.”
“Have a good day, Terry.”
She laughed, gave him a kiss, and went on her merry way.
Matt headed out to his car and dropped the bag on the passenger seat before heading over to the bakery. This was a lot of work to keep two separate women happy and not hurt their feelings. Why the hell would anyone deliberately cheat and do this to themselves? He was only dealing with breakfast foods and coffee, and he was exhausted.
He walked into Sweet Dreams Bakery and was greeted with a big bright smile from Louise.
She had on a pair of overalls with one strap undone. “Good morning! Shay’s in the back. Let me go grab her.” Louise disappeared and Matt bent down to look at the display case. Everything looked delicious, and he made a point to try something different every time he came in.
There were a few small tables around the shop, as well as two outside. It was a beautiful spring day and both tables were occupied.
“Well hello there, Mr. Sheriff. What can I do for you today?” Shay asked, and Matt stood up to catch her eyes.
“Came in for some breakfast.”
“Is that so?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “You sure you haven’t had anything already?”
“Why would you ask?”
She spun around and when she turned back, she handed him a napkin. “You have a little something right…” She pointed to her cheek and Matt took the napkin, swiping it down his face. When he pulled the napkin away it was smeared with Terry’s signature red lipstick.
“Caught red handed,” he said with a laugh. “I thought I was being smooth.”
“Terry knows how to brand people.”
“She says hi, by the way.”
“You told her you were coming here, but wouldn’t tell me you were going there?”
“Not exactly. Apparently, word got out around town that we’re together.”
“That explains it,” she said.
“Explains what?”
“Mr. Krugar told me earlier that I broke his heart, but I had no idea what he was talking about. Now I do. He’s been asking me out since I opened.”
“He’s half dead.” Mr. Krugar was a few years older than his grandfather.
“According to him he’s still got the moves.”
“That’s a visual I do not want in my head. Thank you.”
Shay laughed, and it was as sweet as her cupcakes. “You’re telling me. So how long has this been going on?”
“All this week.”
Shay covered her mouth with her hand, but it didn’t matter, Matt could still see the curve of her lips. “You could have told me.”
“I didn’t want to upset you.”
“It wouldn’t upset me. I think it’s kind of sweet, actually.”
“That I’m cheating on Terry with you?”
“That you don’t want to hurt an old lady’s feelings. How about just coffee today?”
Matt let out a sigh of relief. “That would be perfect.” He handed over a silver travel mug.
“What is this?” she asked.
“To put my coffee in.”
“Do the cups bother you that much?”
“I figure this would keep it hotter longer.”
“Likely story, buddy,” she said as she swiped the mug from his hand. “You’re ridiculous.”
“But you like me anyway.”
She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a sexy wink that he felt right down to his pants. When she finished pouring his coffee, she slid it across the counter to him. Her cell phone rang, he knew by the ringtone, but she didn’t even attempt to see who it was.
“Your mother again?” he asked.
Shay nodded. “She’s relentless.”
“Maybe, but you’re strong.”
The cell phone stopped ringing and within seconds the shop phone rang. Shay ignored it and took several deep breaths just as Louise’s voice floated out from the back.
“Sorry Mrs. Michaels, Shay is out today. No, I don’t know where she is. No, I don’t believe her cell is broken. No, she didn’t tell me. Yes, I’ll let her know when I see her. Have a nice… Shay your mother is a witch. Feel free to replace the W with a more fitting letter.”
“Thanks for handling her.”
“No problem,” Louise said, coming back to the front. “I find pleasure in hearing her get worked up.”
The bell above the door chimed, and Shay motioned to Matt to move away from the register. She came out from behind the counter and sat down at one of the tables while Louise helped the customer.
Matt sat across from her, taking her hand in his, missing the feel of her skin against his. “She driving you crazy?”
“When she’s not calling my cell or the shop, she’s sending me emails. Even called my grandparents, telling them to talk some sense into me.”
“What actually happened with you two? What finally made you stand up to her?”
Her body froze at the question, and her eyes locked with his. “It’s not important.”
“Why do I find that hard to believe?”
“She’s controlled me my whole life. I finally told her enough is enough. Clearly, she can’t accept that.”
Matt laced his fingers through Shay’s then pulled her hand to his lips. “Give her time. I’m sure it’ll die down soon enough.”
Shay laughed, but it wasn’t her sugary sweet laugh, it was short and slightly manic. “Then you don’t know my mother. She gets what she wants when she wants it. I’ll talk to her eventually, but not until I’m ready. For once I want to do things on my own terms and not because she forces me into it.”
It was a big step for her, he knew that much, and he was proud of her for being strong enough to put her foot down. Her mother was entitled and selfish, and the woman deserved a little push back for once.
“Stay strong,” he said.
“I will. I have you.” She squeezed his hand. “Which I have to say is much healthier than a tray of double chocolate brownies.”
He laughed. “I need to head out.”
“Yeah, I should get back.”
They both stood and Matt took Shay into his arms, pressing a kiss to her head. “Have a good day. I’ll see you tonight?”
“I have a big order for tomorrow, so I’ll be here late.”
“I’ll bring you dinner?”
“You’re too good to me. You should go out with Sam or go see your brother.”
“Mason is too busy with the brewery, and Sam hangs out with his sister on Wednesday nights.”
“I didn’t even know he had a sister.”
“She’s fourteen.”
“That’s a big age gap.”
“His mom had him when she was sixteen. His dad was a mean drunk who was in and out of their lives until Sam was eight then he just disappeared. Bev remarried when we were nineteen, and she had Kayla shortly after. You were already gone by then.”
“That’s sweet that he’s a part of her life like that.”
“He’s a good guy.”
“I always knew he was even if he was dating a different girl every time I saw him.”
“We can’t all be saints.”
“Except for you, Matt Hayes.” Shay got on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips, sweet and lingering, just the way he liked it.
“I’ll see you later.”
Matt kissed her again because he couldn’t help himself, took his travel mug of coffee, and headed back to work.
***
Shay thought about tossing her phone in the mixer at least twenty times today. The only thing that stopped her was that she didn’t want to ruin the batch of cupcakes she was working on. She would only have to start over to ensure there were no broken pieces of phone in the batter.
Her mother had called the shop at least three more times, even though Louise assured her that Shay had the day off. Each time she called, her level of nastiness reached a new height. Even sweet Louise was starting to get snippy, which made Shay love her more.
“It’s like she thinks I’m lying,” Louise said as she shut the phone off.
“You are, and I appreciate that.”
“She doesn’t know I’m lying. She should take my damn word.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
The bell above the door chimed and Kate walked in. “What’s not going to happen?” she asked.
“My mother believing Louise when she tells her I took the day off.”
“Cruella’s in rare form, I’m guessing.”
Louise barked with laughter.
“You know who Cruella is?”
“Of course I know who Cruella is.”
“This coming from the girl that never heard of Saved by the Bell.”
“What?” Kate exclaimed, and Louise let out a loud breath of air.
“You guys act like it’s a crime.”
“It is,” Shay said.
Kate nodded. “Punishable by law. I think you need to be schooled.”
“I think you girls need to step out of the nineties and… oh, what’s that? 2017 calling your name?” Louise picked up the phone and held it out to Kate then Shay. “I really think you girls should take this.”
Shay swatted her with her hand. “Go bake something.”
“Don’t want the reminder that you’re old sticking around, huh?”
Kate pointed a finger at her. “Next time I come in, I’m bringing my DVDs. I have the whole series.”
“You still have DVDs?”
“Where did you find this girl?” Kate asked with a wink.
“Love you guys,” Louise said before skipping off to the kitchen.
Shay and Kate laughed as she disappeared.
“Are we really that old?” Kate asked.
“Apparently.”
“I don’t feel old.”
“Me either. Some days it’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that I’m thirty-four.”
“Ditto. Who would have thought I’d be thirty-three and single?”
“You own and run a business. Not to mention you’re the best glass blower in the state, if not the whole country. That’s pretty damn impressive for thirty-three.”
“It is kind of awesome, isn’t it? Speaking of single, I hear you’re not anymore.”
“Is that why you stopped by?”
“I stopped by for my sugar fix. Just consider this an added bonus.”
Shay reached down into the display case and pulled out Kate’s favorite: Death by Chocolate cupcake with a decadent chocolate cake and a chocolate fudge ganache. It was rich and delicious and the perfect recipe for a bad day. Shay had given one to Kate after she lost the bid to create a piece for a local college, and she’d been hooked ever since.
There was no use for a bag, since Kate would eat it while she talked, so Shay placed the cupcake on a napkin and slid it across the counter. Kate stuck her finger in the ganache and brought a nice scoop to her mouth. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back and forth.
“This is so freaking good. When my pants no longer fit, I’m blaming you.”
“I take that as a compliment.”
“You would. Now back to my brother. How long has this been going on?”
“The night at the bar.”
“I figured as much. Were you planning on telling me?”
Shay shrugged. “I would have, but small town, news travels faster than I do.”
“I’ll give you that.” She went to stick her finger back into the ganache and stopped, looking up at Shay. “You’re my best friend, and I don’t want this to get weird, but I have to say this.”
“Go on.”
“Don’t hurt him.”
“I won’t.”
Kate’s lip curved, but the smile was lacking. “I know you say that and probably think that, but you’ve hurt him before.”
“We were kids then. It was different.”
“Maybe for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“All I’m saying is Matt has a big heart, but because of that it can break easily. I’m not sure it ever fully recovered from the last time it was broken.”
Though his heart wasn’t the only heart to break that day, and it wasn’t the only one that never fully healed either, it still didn’t change what Shay knew deep down.
For so long, she’d blamed her mom, but really, her mom was just a scapegoat because if she were honest with herself, she would know that the blame lie solely with her.
It was her fault. All of it.
A part of her heart had always been with Matt and now that they were back together it was as if it was finally complete again. If she had only realized sooner how complicated she made things because of her inability to stand up to her mother… How different things could have been for the both of them. Instead, they both needlessly suffered broken hearts.
“Mine either,” Shay said.
This time Kate’s smile spread a little farther and had a little more life behind it. “I know, which is why I’ll be talking to him next.”
“You’re a good friend and a good sister.”
“I’m just looking out for the people I care about. Besides, if it came down to it and I had to choose between this cupcake and my brother, we’d have problems.”
“The cupcake always wins.”
“So you see my dilemma if this doesn’t work out. I can’t lose my brother.”
“I wouldn’t let that happen.”
“Now that’s out of the way…” Kate took a huge bite of her cupcake, closing her eyes while she savored it, and Shay laughed.