Chapter Four
Mid-morning on Monday a new guest came to the bakery. He carefully selected his treat and purchased it from Miranda. As always, Miranda made small-talk with him. “How long will you be at the ranch?”
“Through the end of the year. Taking some time off work and just reconnecting with my life. Why? You looking for a hot date for Friday night?” he asked, a grin on his face.
Miranda’s eyes widened and she really looked at the man for the first time. He was late twenties with dark hair and eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard. “No…I’m kind of seeing someone.”
“Only kind of? Sounds to me like the man needs to get on the ball to keep a pretty girl like you from slipping away from him.”
Miranda stared after him as he left the bakery, wondering what had just happened. No one flirted with her. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and covered with a hat to keep it out of food. She definitely didn’t look her best in her baker’s uniform, and wasn’t exactly beautiful without. So why were men suddenly interested in her? First Bob and now this new guest.
She shrugged, deciding to forget about him as she went about her day. There was a time for everything, and the Christmas season was all about work for her. She had lots of cookies to bake and freeze for the cookie decorating, plus her regular work. No, she needed to not worry about a flirty guest.
Instead of heading straight to her car when she locked up the bakery for the day, she walked toward the lake. She’d talked to Jaclyn a couple of times when she’d seen her in her yard, and the woman had always said the same thing, “It’s not time for you to talk to me yet.” So every time she’d left, wondering what the older woman meant.
As she got close to Jaclyn’s yard, one of the gnomes seemed to be watching her intently. She laughed. They were just clay garden gnomes. They had no feelings. How on earth could they be watching her?
“There you are!” Jaclyn called from her backyard, right beside the gnome that had seemed to be watching her. “Gorgeous George was watching for you. He promised to tell me when you got here! Come in! It’s time.”
“Time for what?” Miranda asked, feeling stupid as she did. She’d seen people come and go from Jaclyn’s house many times in the year she’d been on the ranch, and she’d talked to her several times while she was out walking, but she’d never been invited inside.
“For us to have our little chat of course. The fairies have decreed it, and even the gnomes don’t dare argue with the fairies.” Jaclyn patted the gnome she’d called Gorgeous George on the head before turning to go inside. “Well come on!” she called over her shoulder. “Our tea will be cold if you dawdle!”
Miranda hurried after the older woman, unsure of what else she was supposed to do. When she stepped into the house, a cute little brown bunny wearing a diaper hopped up to her. She picked him up, looking at him curiously. “Why is this bunny wearing a diaper?”
Jaclyn smiled sweetly. “I stumbled on a rabbit burrow out in the woods a few days ago. The mama was missing. I watched for several hours, and when it was obvious she wasn’t coming back, I brought all the bunnies home. I forgot how much work they are before they’re litter box trained.”
Three other rabbits were peeking at her from various places around the small house. “I didn’t even know rabbits could be litter box trained.”
“Oh my yes, of course they can. How else would I be able to live with thirty-two bunnies?”
“Thirty-two? That’s a lot of bunnies.”
“Well, I only had twenty-six last week, but I found six more with no mama. How could I possibly leave them there?” Jaclyn poured tea from a pretty porcelain teapot into cups. “The fairies said you prefer tea with your cookies?”
“Umm…sure. That sounds good.” Miranda had heard stories of Jaclyn and her fairies, but until today, she’d never gotten a first-hand look at the inside of her house. The fairies hadn’t been mentioned to her before either. She wanted to bounce up and down with excitement, because she felt as if she was finally a member of the family who lived and worked on River’s End Ranch. This was her initiation.
“The fairies are never wrong.” Jaclyn looked over the top of her cup at Miranda. “Have some snickerdoodles. I assure you, they’re just as good as yours. I’m more of a one-trick pony where cookies are concerned. I don’t dabble in a lot of different kinds, and instead stick to making my snickerdoodles as perfect as a cookie can possibly be.”
“That’s good.”
“Well, out with it girl! Enough small talk. Ask me about them.”
“About the fairies?” Miranda asked, confused. She didn’t have a lot of questions about the fairies. They seemed to simply be a part of the ranch, and that’s what mattered.
“Of course not. About Bob and Matt.”
“Bob from Kelsey’s Kafé? Who’s Matt?”
“Matt! The man who came to the bakery this morning and offered you a hot date for Friday night? Don’t play daft, girl. It doesn’t suit you.” Jaclyn crunched into a cookie as she watched Miranda.
“He never told me his name. I wasn’t playing daft. How do you know about Bob?”
Jaclyn laughed. “Oh please. You sat together at church on Sunday. That’s tantamount to declaring undying love in these parts. You in love with him?”
Miranda shrugged. “I don’t know what I feel. Bob and I have been arguing for months, and suddenly he’s acting like I should have known he had a crush on me all along. I can’t figure him out at all.”
“How do you feel when he kisses you? And don’t tell me he hasn’t kissed you, because I know what the fairies said, and I see that blush on your face.” Jaclyn shook her head. “Albino brain chiggers, my big toe!”
Miranda’s eyes widened. She’d heard that Jaclyn had a creepy way of getting into a person’s head, but she hadn’t seen it before now. “You know about the albino brain chiggers?”
“Those albino brain chiggers aren’t like Bigfoot and the fairies. Albino brain chiggers are imaginary! Get them out of your head.”
Miranda’s eyes narrowed. “But if they’re not real, and therefore not in my head, how can I get them out?”
Jaclyn grinned. “You’re a feisty one, Miranda Sue.”
“My middle name is Marie, not Sue. Why is everyone suddenly calling me Miranda Sue?”
“Bob likes it.” Jaclyn sighed. “I think the fairies were wrong. You’re not ready to talk yet. Come back when you are.” She stood up and took the bunny from Miranda and then took away her teacup. “Go on now!”
Miranda stood, unsure why she was being kicked out. “I thought we were going to talk.”
“You’re not ready.” Jaclyn put the cup down and opened the door. “Come back another time when you are.”
Miranda stepped outside and turned to ask a question but found the door closed in her face. She frowned. What was she supposed to do now?
*****
When Miranda got to work Tuesday morning, there was a small wrapped box on the ground in front of the door. She looked around to see if anyone was there, but there was no one. She unlocked the door and stepped into the bakery, flicking the lights on. Once she was inside, she carefully opened the box, saving the bow. It was a charm bracelet with one small charm…a cupcake. The card in the box was signed, “Your Secret Santa.”
She smiled, holding it up to the light. It must be from Matt. He’d bought a cupcake yesterday. Besides, Bob wouldn’t know how to wrap a gift to save his life. The man was all thumbs everywhere but the kitchen. And kissing. He was not all thumbs when it came to kissing.
She put the bracelet and the ribbon into her purse. It was beautiful, and she’d treasure it always. She had to find some other charms to put on it. What a fun idea for a gift.
When she delivered the cookies to the café that morning, Bob confirmed he would cook and bring dinner to her house. “Would you mind making some dinner rolls? And you promised me lemon cheesecake for dessert.”
Kelsi’s eyes lit up. “Lemon cheesecake? Oh, that sounds yummy. Duchess Hiccups needs to try some lemon cheesecake.”
“Duchess Hiccups? I thought she was Princess Wiggles. And what happened to Zsa Zsa?”
Kelsi shrugged. “She’s had the hiccups since Sunday morning. She’s making me crazy.”
“Duchess Hiccups it is.” Miranda looked at Bob. “I’ll make the dinner rolls, and I’m going to make several of the lemon cheesecakes today, now that I know they’ll sell. I’ll bring half of one to Kelsi to take home to Shane, and I’ll take the other half home for dinner tonight. Does that work for you, Bob?”
He shrugged. “I’d rather have the whole cheesecake of course, but since Kelsi is pregnant and all…” He wandered back into the kitchen without another word.
Miranda looked at Kelsi. “Will that man always be a mystery to me?”
Kelsi laughed. “It’s the way of the Bob.”
“Was Shane like that?”
Kelsi shook her head adamantly. “As soon as we started dating, he made it very clear he had very strong feelings. I’m glad he did. I wouldn’t like to feel as if I’m living in limbo.”
Miranda sighed. “I do kind of feel that way.”
“Are you having breakfast here this morning?”
“I don’t think so. I made some kolaches, and I’d rather have one of those today.”
“Are they ham and cheese kolaches?” Bob called from the kitchen.
“Yup!”
“We don’t open for twenty minutes. Kelsi, I’m running to the bakery for kolaches. You want any?”
“Sure!” Kelsi responded. She grabbed her purse. “I want three…no, make it six. I can heat up three for lunch!”
Miranda laughed. “I should have just had you guys come get the cookies this morning. I had no idea you were all kolache fiends.”
Bob grabbed his coat. “You make kolaches, you let us know. We’ll happily come get our own cookies and swipe as many kolaches as you’ll give us.” He took the cash Kelsi offered and left with Miranda. “We have to hurry. The first of the customers get there right at open.”
Miranda nodded, walking as fast as she could. “I have ham and cheese kolaches and sausage and cheese. I guess I should have asked Kelsi what she wanted before we left the café.”
“I know Kelsi. Make hers sausage. I want three ham and cheese. I haven’t had a good kolache in ages.”
“What if I don’t put enough cheese in mine?” she asked, her voice full of mischief.
“Then I’ll cry,” Bob said, winking at her. “I can’t wait to watch your show with you tonight.”
“Because you’re curious about who Bob is going to choose to date?”
“Because I want to sit close to you on the couch and share popcorn with you.”
“And maybe steal a kiss or three?” Miranda asked, unlocking the bakery and hurrying behind the counter. She washed her hands and pulled out a bakery box, filling it with the kolaches.
“Three? You underestimate me. My goal is five tonight.”
Miranda laughed. “You’re making kiss goals? You need more entertainment in your life, Bob.”
He shrugged, taking the box and handing her cash. “Maybe I do. You’ll provide it for me though, won’t you?”
“If you’re happy with watching Lazy Love every Tuesday, I’ll gladly provide it.”
He grinned, his fingers stroking her cheek across the display case. “I’ll see you tonight. Eating at five?”
She nodded. “That sounds good. We can binge watch old episodes until the show starts.”
“As long as there’s cheesecake and kisses involved, I’m a willing entertainee.”
Miranda smiled as the bell over the door sounded. Life was certainly getting more interesting lately.
*****
Bob arrived shortly after five. He carried a crockpot in both hands and Miranda moved out of his way as he set it on the counter. She sniffed deeply. “That smells good.”
He plugged in the crockpot, turning to her, and kissing her softly. “I was thinking the same thing about the bread you have baking.”
“What is it?” she asked, peering through the glass cover into the crock pot.
“Beef stew. Sounded nice and hearty and warm for a cold winter night.”
“Works for me.”
“Are you hungry now, or do you want to watch one of your shows first?”
She shrugged. “I nibbled on kolaches all day. I can eat now, or I can wait.”
“Let’s wait then, if you don’t mind?” He caught her hand and pulled her to the couch. “Are we starting at the beginning?” He reached down to pet Cinnamon who was nudging him with her nose, anxious for his attention.
“I’d like to, if you don’t mind? You have to see how Jesse and Valerie were together from the very first show. It’s like they were created to be together. The chemistry between them is absolutely amazing.”
He nodded. “Do you find their chemistry isn’t as good since they married?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. I still love them together. The chemistry is just as good, but they seem to be more…well, relaxed around each other is the best way to put it, I think.”
“That makes sense.” He handed her the remote, letting her set up the show. “Didn’t I hear recently that Bob married too?”
“Do you remember Kaya and Liz’s friend from the summer? The three of them came to have a writing retreat.”
“Oh yeah…what was her name?”
“May. It’s now May Bodefeld. She married Bob. Isn’t that cool?”
“So we kind of have a connection to Lazy Love? That’s really cool!”
“I know!” The opening song came on the television and she sighed contentedly, snuggling close to Bob.
They had dinner and watched two episodes of the show before the new one came on. “Wow. She’s very pregnant!” Bob said.
“They had to write a marriage into the show or write in an unwed pregnancy. She didn’t want to have to try to hide the baby from the camera.”
“I hate it when they do that!” Bob shook his head. “You can always tell.”
After the show, he turned to her. “I feel like we’re little kids, both of us having to go to sleep so early, but I won’t be fit to work with tomorrow if I don’t go now.”
She nodded. “At least you don’t have to face the guests. I have to talk to every single person who comes into the bakery.”
“You amaze me. I can cook, but if I had to deal with guests, I’d be fired. You bake and deal with guests, and do both beautifully.”
“Even bake chocolate chip cookies?” she asked.
He sighed. “I’ve never eaten a better chocolate chip cookie. There. Are you satisfied?”
“Not until you convince me that you mean it!” She stood up and walked into the kitchen, unplugging his crockpot. There was still some stew left, and she was sure he’d take it home.
He followed her into the kitchen and turned her to him, kissing her softly. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
She nodded, smiling up at him. Dating a Bob was a new experience, but it was one she liked.
*****
There was another small wrapped gift on the ground in front of the door of the bakery the next morning. When she opened it, she found a small rolling pin charm for the bracelet, and she sighed happily. Maybe they weren’t from the man she was falling for, but they were nice, sweet gifts that she was happy to receive. She’d wear the bracelet with pride.
*****
Every morning all week there was another gift. Each of them charms for the bracelet. She looked around every day, wondering who they were from. Her first thought was Bob, but they just didn’t seem like something he would do. It had to be that guest, Matt, who came into the bakery for a treat every morning.
On Friday morning, she made kolaches again, thinking to take some to Jaclyn after work. Maybe that would get her a foot in the door. Jaclyn knew something about what was going on, and Miranda wanted to know what that something was. Instead of taking the cookies of the day to the café, she called.
“Kelsey’s Kafé, this is Kelsi. How may I help you?”
“Kelsi, this is Miranda. I made kolaches. Do you want me to bring some over with the cookies this morning?”
“I’m sending Bob. You wait right there!”
The phone went dead in her hand, and Miranda had to laugh. Kelsi sure did have a lot of pregnancy cravings, and she had no problem letting them rule what she ate.
While she waited, Miranda worked on decorating the cake for a wedding the next morning. The parents of the Westons who ran the ranch were traveling around the country in an RV, but they were making odd demands. One of the demands was that a barn be built that would be used exclusively for large events. Pastor Kevin would perform a wedding in the morning, and the reception would be in the barn all afternoon and evening. The entire bridal party had been staying at the ranch all week, and Miranda had been asked to do the cake. She wasn’t an expert on wedding cakes by any means, but it was fun to do something different on occasion.
She had just finished icing the bottom layer when the bell over the door tinkled and Bob came into the bakery. “Kolaches,” he said by way of greeting. “Duchess Hiccups needs both sausage and ham this morning.”
Miranda wiped the frosting off her hands on her apron, and walked to the display case, getting out a bakery box. “She’s still Duchess Hiccups? Has she ever had the same name for this long?”
“She was Herberta for a really long time.” He grinned, telling her how many of each kind of kolache they needed. “ I hope this name doesn’t stick around. I can just see Kelsi really naming her kid Duchess Hiccups.”
She laughed, filling the box. “I know. She’s nutty. I think my favorite name so far has been the one Shane suggested. Tori, short for Victoria. Isn’t that sweet?”
“There’s no way on earth Kelsi will agree to something that even resembles normal. I just hope she doesn’t name her the ‘at’ sign or something equally atrocious.”
“I don’t think she will.” She frowned at him. “She knows better, doesn’t she?”
“I think if she tries, Shane will stop her. He gives in on almost everything, but he won’t give in when it comes to his daughter’s name. At least I hope not!”
She gave him the box full of kolaches, and took his cash. “Thanks for your business.” She pointed to the box of cookies she’d baked. “Those are for you guys as well.”
He put the kolache box down and walked around the counter to her, grabbing her shoulders and kissing her. “That’s how I should start every morning. A kiss from my very own cookie lady.”
“Cookie lady? I guess that’s better than Duchess Dough or something…”
He laughed. “I won’t tell Kelsi you suggested that name, or poor Zsa Zsa will have a new name again.”
“I’m going to think of her as Tori. I refuse to change names for that baby as often as Kelsi does.”
“You are a wise woman.” With a wink, Bob picked up both boxes and headed out the door. “I’ll see you Sunday!”
“You will?”
“Sure. I’ll pick you up for church and we’ll do something. Even if we just spend the day snowshoeing.”
“Isn’t it supposed to warm up again this weekend?”
He shrugged. “I sure hope not! I want to explore outside with my ladybug.”
“Ladybug?”
“Duchess Dough?”
“Go away, Bob.”
He blew her a kiss as he left the building, a grin on his face the whole while.