Baking Love Read Free

attack.”
    His face fell. “Kate, I’m so sorry. I hadn’t heard. Are you alright?”
    She forced a smile. “I’m hanging in there.” I need to redirect this conversation so I’m not bawling when Cecilia walks through the door. “What brings you to town?”
    “Actually, I need to order a cake.”
    “Oh? What’s the occasion?”
    Before Eric could answer, the bells on the front door jingled again. Kate looked and saw Cecilia, Loraine, and an older gentleman she immediately recognized entering the bakery. Walter Prescott, the renowned Manhattan businessman. Suddenly, it clicked. He’s Cecilia’s father…and the reason cost isn’t an issue for this wedding cake. “Good morning,” Kate greeted them. She realized her nerves had vanished at the sight of Eric and returned at the sight of Cecilia and her father.
    “Good morning,” they replied. While Walter and Loraine sat down at the table, Cecilia walked over to Eric. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips.
    Kate frowned. What’s she doing?
    After they’d kissed, Kate shifted her gaze quizzically between them. “You know each other?”
    For the first time, Cecilia smiled at her. “Eric is my fiancé.”
    Surely you jest. Kate’s eyes darted to Eric for confirmation. As if reading her mind, he nodded.
    I must’ve entered an alternate universe.
    “You looked surprised,” Cecilia said coolly.
    Try shocked. “I just can’t believe Eric is back in Hillsborough.” Or that he’s engaged to you.
    “Ah.”
    Despite my state of astonishment, I need to say something appropriate. “Congratulations.”
    “Thanks,” Eric smiled.
    Now I need to get it together. “Let’s have a seat.”
    As Kate followed Cecilia and Eric, she bit back a smile. I can’t wait to see the look on Jess’s face when she finds out Eric is Cecilia’s fiancé.
    They arrived at the table, and Cecilia put her hand on Walter’s shoulder. “Kate, this is my father, Walter Prescott.”
    Walter extended his hand to Kate. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Nice to meet you, too.” Kate shook his hand. then took a seat. Maybe this alternate universe will present me with a way to fast-forward to the end of this meeting. Seeing no signs of that happening, Kate rested her hands on her sketchbook and met Cecilia’s gaze. “I drew some wedding cakes based on what you told me and also based on your photo. I’d like to show you those drawings and see what you think.” She turned the sketchbook around to face Cecilia and Eric and opened to the first drawing. It was the one Jess loved, the one she loved, and the one she bet Cecilia would love. “What do you think?”
    “Kate, that cake is nice ,” Eric said emphatically.
    “The cake is beautiful, dear,” Loraine smiled.
    “Well-done,” Walter nodded.
    “I’m not sure I like it,” Cecilia announced.
    Say what? “You don’t like this one?”
    “Not especially. May I see the others?”
    Kate could hardly speak for surprise…and confusion. “Uh, sure.” She slid the sketchbook closer to Cecilia. “By all means.”
    Cecilia started to flip through the sketches, and Kate couldn’t believe her eyes. The woman appeared unimpressed, unaffected, and unsatisfied by every drawing. What the hell is going on?
    Finally, Cecilia returned to the first sketch. “This one will do.”
    You just said you don’t especially like that one—which means you like the others even less. “If you’re not happy with these sketches, I’ll draw some new ones tonight. You can come back tomorrow and take a look.”
    “That won’t be necessary. Why don’t we just move on to the groom’s cake?”
    Kate hesitated. Should I ask her what about the drawings fell short of her expectations, or would that only make her angry? In the interest of peace, Kate slid the groom’s cake photo album over to Eric. Knowing him, he’ll be much easier to please than his better…other half.
    As Eric looked through the album, Kate started to