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  Dot looked skeptical. “Root beer in a cookie? I'm not so sure about that.”

  Sophie asked, “Would you like a sample?”

  The woman looked like she would rather eat a bug but accepted the cookie from the waxed paper Sophie had used to retrieve it. At the first bite, Dot's eyes widened at the unusual flavor. Sophie could tell she enjoyed it even though her face gave nothing else away. She chewed slowly, savoring the taste. After the last bite, Dot finally gave her opinion.

  “These will do. I'll take a dozen.”

  Such high praise.

  Sophie added them to the order form while Dot chose fourteen other flavors as well.

  “Okay, Mrs. Sutton, when will you need these?”

  Without batting an eye, she said, “Tomorrow by noon.”

  Sophie thought she heard her wrong. “Tomorrow? That's a little short notice for this much of a variety.”

  Dot almost looked smug. “If it's a problem, I can always order from the Madison Falls Market.”

  Like they had the quality that Sophie offered. She had a feeling this was a test of some sort.

  Sophie calmly replied with a confidence she didn't feel. “No problem at all. Your order will be waiting here for pick up before noon.”

  Reed's mother looked displeased. “That won't do. I have a busy morning. Would you have them delivered to the town hall between eleven thirty and noon?”

  Sophie was seriously wishing she had hired that part-time help. If she said no to the delivery, she could lose any possible future orders from the MFLIC. Dot Sutton would make sure of it.

  There was nothing to say but, “Absolutely. Not a problem.”

  Biggest lie ever.

  Dot rifled through her purse. “I'll have to pay you when you deliver them. I left the committee checkbook at home.” She didn't ask if that was okay. She simply stated it as a fact.

  Sophie filled out the rest of the order form and gave it to Dot to confirm the cookie selection. For an order this large, she normally required payment up front.

  “That's okay but I'll need cash on delivery.”

  Dot looked vaguely insulted. “Yes, of course. You'll have it.” Lifting her chin, she disdainfully asked, “Will they be fresh? I don't want any that have been sitting in this case all day.”

  “Mrs. Sutton, my cookies are always freshly baked.”

  Without a reply, Dot sniffed indignantly and returned the form to Sophie.

  Sophie was hanging on to her smile by a thread. Come on, game face! Her cheeks were getting sore from the effort. “Thank you, Mrs. Sutton. Have a nice day.”

  Reed's mother turned and left without a goodbye.

  Sophie leaned against the counter and blew out a long, frustrated breath. “So, that went well.”

  Tracy brought a tray of red velvet cupcakes out front and began arranging them. “I thought I heard the bell over the door jingle. Did we have a customer?”

  “You could say that. Reed's mom was here.”

  Tracy's mouth fell open in shock. “Are you kidding me? What the hell did she want?” Her voice lowered conspiratorially. “Was it about Reed?”

  Sophie shook her head. “Not exactly. She pretended like we'd never met before. Introduced herself and everything. Said she thought I might know Reed and Keith. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Sutton was here to snoop, but she placed an order.”

  Tracy looked around. “Check the news. Is it The Apocalypse?”

  Sophie rolled her shoulders and rubbed at the back of her neck. “It looks like I have fifteen dozen cookies to make by tomorrow if they're going to be fresh. Did I mention she wants fifteen different kinds?”

  “Sophie, how are you going to do that?”

  She shrugged. “I guess I'll have to work extra late, probably through the night. Would you check on Max and make sure he has food and goes outside?”

  “You're really going to do this?”

  She was determined to do this. “If the committee likes my cookies, this could bring in a lot of future orders. It's good for business; you know that.”

  “I do, but you have your other orders too. Do you want me to help?”

  Sophie wished that were possible. “Thanks, Tracy, but you know you have your own baking itinerary. You're doing me a huge favor by taking care of Max. I'll figure out the rest.”

  Tracy gave her a big hug. “You're crazy, you know that?”

  Crazy or not, work was work

  Chapter 9

  Reed and Ben came through the front door and were enveloped with the delicious scent of cookies baking. Reed set down his tool belt and followed his nose to the kitchen. Sophie was there, wearing a bright pink T-shirt and matching shorts. Her hair was up in a messy bun that was starting to unravel.

  She had her back to him, pouring something into a stand up mixer and hand stirring something else. Cookies, in different stages of baking and cooling, were everywhere. He checked but didn't see any chocolate chip yet.

  “Hey, Sophie. Are you stocking up or something?”

  She turned immediately and held a hand to her heart. “Oh my God, Reed! You scared the hell out of me.”

  Reed held up his keys. “Sorry. We let ourselves in. I thought you'd be home by now.” He looked around. “Why so many cookies? Is this normal or is the circus in town?”

  Calming herself down with a deep breath or two, Sophie gestured around the kitchen. “Actually, most of these are for your mom.”

  “My mom?”

  Clarifying, Sophie said, “Well, they're technically for the Madison Falls Ladies Improvement Committee. Your mom placed the order.”

  Taken aback, Reed questioned her. "My mom? Here? When was this?"

  Sophie could hardly believe it herself. “She came in today to get a fifteen dozen variety sampler for a meeting tomorrow.”

  “There's only fifteen or twenty women in the committee, Sophie. They would have to eat almost a dozen apiece.” He looked perplexed as he considered it. “She wants them by tomorrow? Are you sure? Thursdays aren't her normal meeting days.”

  * * * *

  Pointing to the table before turning to stir whatever was in the bowl, Sophie answered him. “The order form is over there, Reed. I wrote down the date and amount myself. She specifically said there was a meeting tomorrow. Your mom requested fifteen dozen cookies, each dozen a different flavor.”

  Seeing how frustrated Sophie was by the angry way she was stirring, Reed went to her side and put a hand on the small of her back. “I don't doubt you. Thursday is just an off day for a meeting.” He thought about it. “Then again, I remember her mentioning a vote they were going to have over…I think it was mulch?” Reed placed a soft kiss on her lips. “How are you going to make all of these tonight and still get your regular baking done in the morning?”

  Sophie smiled ruefully. “It wouldn't be the first time I had to work late. Tracy's been busy too. If I can get a hold of my sister, I'll see if she can watch the shop for an hour while I make the delivery.”

  “You do deliveries too?”

  Sophie shrugged. “No, not really. Your mom said she would be too busy to pick it up.” She rubbed her forehead in thought. “I've been meaning to hire extra help but there hasn't been any time.”

  Reed didn't like to think of Sophie running herself ragged.

  “I have an idea. Since it's my mom's order, how about I deliver them for you? That way, you can take a little nap up at Tracy's place while your sister or someone minds the counter a while.”

  Sophie began to protest, but Reed stopped her with another kiss. “I know you're running a business but you need to take care of yourself.” He shrugged. “I'll be in town anyway, so let me help.”

  When he saw the tension in her shoulders ease a little, Reed knew Sophie had finally relented.

  “Thank you, Reed. You're a sweetheart.”

  He put an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. “No, I'm not. I just have a thing for cute little bakers in distress.”

  Rising up on her tiptoes
, Sophie pulled him down for a kiss. It began as a sweet thank you but heated up quickly. Reed was setting her on the counter for better access to her lips when Ben interrupted…again.

  “Hey lover boy, we working?”

  Reluctantly Reed stopped kissing Sophie and dropped his forehead to hers. Sophie was doing her best to scramble away, but Reed blocked her escape.

  “Go on. I'll be there in a minute.”

  Ben stayed put. “Hi, Sophie.”

  Reed could hear the laughter in his voice.

  Sophie looked over Reed's shoulder and murmured, “Hi, Ben.”

  He could feel the heat radiating from her face. Reed gritted out, “Go away! You're embarrassing her.”

  Ben left, looking quite amused with himself.

  “I swear he enjoys being an ass.”

  She untangled herself and hopped off the counter. Pink tinged her cheeks in a rosy glow. “I suppose we should get back to work.”

  “I suppose we should.” Reed knew she was right but didn't budge. What would be the harm in one more kiss?

  Sophie gave him a little push. "Go on now.”

  Reed gave in and walked backward as he talked. “I'm going. I'll be back later to see if you need me for…anything.” He winked at her.

  “You'll be the first to know if I do.” She gave a shooing motion with her hands.

  “Anything at all. Just saying.” Reed caught the smile she was trying to hide before heading back up front.

  * * * *

  Sophie called her sister, Sarah, first.

  Sarah answered with a frustrated “Hello?”

  That didn't sound promising.

  “Hey, Sis. What's up?”

  “Mom's trying to drive me insane. She wanted the kitchen painted avocado green. I tried to talk her out of it, because honestly, it's a butt-ugly color. She insisted that it reminded her of Grandma's kitchen when she was a kid.”

  “So, you painted the kitchen?”

  “Yes, the guilt was getting to me.”

  Sophie knew the feeling. “How does it look?”

  Her sister groaned. “Oh, it was so god awful! Mom didn't say a word about it until the next day. Told me that she might have remembered the color wrong and could we try something else?”

  Sophie set cookies on the cooling rack as she talked. “What color did she decide on?”

  “The same color it was before! Butter yellow! The same color it's always been.”

  She tried not to laugh, but it bubbled up anyway.

  “I take it the kitchen is yellow again?”

  Sarah huffed. “Damn straight and it's staying that way! I love her to pieces, but she tries my patience. Wait, that's putting it mildly, Sophie. I'm pretty sure I might go postal.”

  That would make it a no go with her sister.

  “How bad of a mood are you in?”

  “Oh, I'm not. Well, not really. Why?”

  “I'm sort of in a jam.”

  “What's wrong, honey? Are you okay?” Sarah was a worrier.

  Before her sister could imagine a catastrophe, Sophie hurriedly told her what she needed.

  “I'm fine, Sis! I promise. I was only wondering if you could watch my counter for a few hours tomorrow?”

  “Oh, of course! But I need to be at the bar by three to sign for a liquor delivery. Will that work? Where will you be?”

  Sophie explained her problem with the possible all-nighter and Mrs. Sutton's insane order.

  “Reed is your new delivery boy? That should drive the woman bat shit crazy. Her precious boy bringing cookies from you.”

  Sophie hadn't planned it to be vengeful. “I never thought of it like that. Reed offered since it was his mother who made the order. Besides, he said he'd be in town anyway.”

  “Reed's being quite the helpful guy lately, huh?”

  She ignored that. “Thanks, Sarah. Give my love to Mom!”

  Sarah took the hint. “Okay then, see you tomorrow.”

  Sophie got off the phone and back to work.

  * * * *

  The aroma coming from the kitchen was amazing. Reed could smell the cookies over the pine sawdust. He wanted to check on Sophie but didn't want to mess up her work rhythm. He had his own work to do anyway. Then again, she might need a break.

  “Keep looking back there and you'll hurt your neck.”

  Reed turned back to Ben. “My neck's fine.”

  “I'm good here. Go see her.”

  At that moment, Sophie came out with a small tray of chocolate chip cookies and four single serve cartons of milk. “Hey guys. I thought you might want a break. These just came straight from the oven.”

  She was worried about them?

  They stopped working and headed for the counter in record time. Ben smiled a thank you and snatched two cookies at once. He took a bite then closed his eyes in bliss. Between cookies he mumbled, “Good.”

  Reed grabbed two as well, then one more, just in case Ben got greedy. His cookie was still warm so the chocolate melted on his tongue. It was chewy and sweet with a hint of crispiness at the edges. “Mmmmm.”

  Smiling, Sophie watched them as they ate. “I'm glad you like them.”

  Reed took a drink of milk and said reverently, “Like them? I love them.”

  Ben nodded in agreement.

  Sophie gestured toward the cookies. “Thank you. Eat up and enjoy.” Reed put a hand on her arm before she headed back to the kitchen. “Stay. You need a break too.”

  Giving a slight shake of her head, Sophie declined. “I can't right now, but maybe later? I have another batch almost ready to come out of the oven.”

  He slowly let go by sliding his hand away. “I'm going to make sure you sit down for at least ten minutes before we leave tonight.”

  Sophie gave a cute little salute and went back to baking.

  “Guess our break's over, Ben. Back to work.”

  Ben grabbed the cookies. “Get the milk.”

  * * * *

  By the time Reed and Ben packed up for the night, Sophie had hit her stride. She felt tired but upbeat. By midnight, she started to wilt but perked up once she started chugging coffee. At three o'clock, she was feeling punchy but getting by. Four o'clock rolled around and Sophie was ready to push the cookies onto the floor and take a nap right there on the table. By five o'clock, she was on caffeine overload and ready to crash.

  Tracy walked in and Sophie was only half sure she wasn't a caffeine-induced hallucination. Looking wearily at her friend, she asked, “Are you really you?”

  “Who else would I be? Sophie, take a break, hon.” Tracy eyed her with concern.

  Shaking her head and then getting a little wobbly from it, Sophie held on to the table for balance. “I can't. If I stop moving, I won't be able to start up again.”

  Turning Sophie toward her, Tracy put her hands on her shoulders. “You're already run down and this insane order just made it worse.” Her friend's eyes narrowed in anger. “That woman had to know what she was doing to you. Get the bail money because I'm going to Google how to hide a body.”

  Sophie wasn't sure if Tracy was kidding or not.

  Tracy led her to the back door and opened it. “It's time to freshen up.” She gave Sophie a once over. “You look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy threw up on you. I picked up some clean clothes when I checked in on Max.” Before Sophie could ask, she told her, “He's fine, by the way. Go on upstairs and take a shower. You'll feel better.” Tracy nudged her out the door. “Go on, little mama.”

  Sophie took Tracy's advice and had to admit that washing off the coating of flour, sugar and baking whatnot felt wonderful. Scrubbed clean, she turned the water from hot to cold and tried not to yelp. Whether she liked it or not, she stood under the frigid water long enough to wake up. After her frosty shower, Sophie redid her hair and put on a little makeup to conceal the violet smudges under her eyes. No one wanted to buy cookies from the walking dead.

  By the time she came back downstairs, she saw that Tracy had boxed up her cookie
s and organized the others on display trays.

  Sophie was so touched and tired that tears welled up in her eyes.

  “There's my girl. How was your shower?”

  Sophie hugged her best friend for her thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

  “Not a problem. Let's get the rest of these cookies arranged, then finish up with the rest of the baking.”

  * * * *

  They were both running a brisk business today. Some customers picked up their completed bulk party orders. Others came in for a sweet treat to eat in or take home.

  Then, there were the gossips who came in to see if a wall was really being built in the bakery. They loitered over the partial construction, wanting confirmation that Darlene Donaldson was telling the truth.

  Most only wanted to know if Reed Sutton was the one building it.

  It must have been a slow day for the Madison Falls grapevine if a new wall was considered titillating. Elaine Newman bought one lemon chiffon cookie and nibbled on it slowly in the hopes of gleaning a clue about the status of Reed and Sophie's relationship.

  Sophie was tired and irritable and doing her best to answer questions about the construction and ignore anything too personal. It was getting a little ridiculous. She just wanted to sell cookies. And sleep.

  Reed showed up at eleven thirty to pick up his mom's order. Elaine must have done a superior job of gossiping about them because all eyes were on their interaction. Did they think they were going to tear each other’s clothes off and go for it on the hardwood floor?

  If the biddies thought they were going to get an eyeful, they were sorely disappointed. Reed took the order boxes, nodded at the patrons, then said, “Thanks. See ya, Soph.” Disappointed that was the extent of their exchange, Elaine Newman shoved the rest of her cookie in her mouth and left with her entourage.

  By that time, Sarah was there to relieve her. Sophie wearily made her way up to Tracy's apartment, thinking the whole way that she really did need to hire someone. Buying a thank you lunch for her sister was added to her mental to-do list. She'd invite Tracy too. Sophie would think of a way to thank Reed later.