“Working hard or hardly working?” a female voice teased.

Adam looked up at Angel with blurry eyes. His work day had started at six, and here it was three hours later and he hadn’t left his desk once. A dry donut and a cold cup of coffee still sat on the corner of the desk, right where he’d set them when he came downstairs that morning. He been staring at the accounting data for the newspaper for far too long and his brain felt like it had been filled with sticky cobwebs.

“Huh?” He shook his head to clear it.

Angel smiled down on him. “Sorry, bad joke.”

“No, I’m glad to see you, and not only because you’re saving me from obsessing over these financials.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Time got away from me. Are you ready to help me with these?” He motioned to a stack of newspapers and boxes that were piled against one wall. “I talked to Stan down at the grocery store and he’s willing to take an order of twenty to start. It’s not much, but he said he’ll increase it if they’re popular.”

“That’s great. Maggie gave me two paid hours off from the café to help out with this project. I think she’s quite pleased with how much revenue it’s bringing in already. Gretchen said that her parents are happy with it too. Several customers have left good reviews mentioning the bundles and it doesn’t cost her parents too much.”

He came around to the other side of the desk, and gave her a hug and a quick peck on the cheek. “Sorry, I should’ve done that earlier. It’s nice to see you.”

They’d had a few impromptu meals together since their bowling date in Haven Shores, but he wanted to do something special for her. He didn’t want her to think he was taking her for granted. Unfortunately, there hadn’t been much time to plan a date yet.

She cocked her head to the side. “You’ve got a lot on your mind. How are things going? Are the increased circulation numbers enough to be able to afford a new website?”

He shook his head. “It’s too early to tell yet. I have to wait until all of the figures are in at the end of the month to see if it’s making a significant difference.”

“Oh.” Her face crumpled and he felt bad for raining on her parade. She’d been so enthusiastic about her idea.

“I’m sure it’s helping though.” He motioned to the stack of newspapers. “All of those are papers I wouldn’t have sold otherwise.”

She brightened and walked over to the pile. “Okay, let’s get going then. I want to make sure we get them there early.” She handed him a handful of unfolded boxes. “Race you.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Loser has to buy lunch next time.”

“You’re on.” He loved her spirit and willingness to help. He was lucky to have her. The memory of his promise to Mary washed over him again like an icy cold wave. He couldn’t let Angel find out that he’d known about Mary prior to her grandmother making contact with her. She hadn’t asked him recently about his search for her family. Although it made things easier by not having to lie to her, it was worse because he knew she trusted him to tell her when he found something out.

They sat down at the table, folding the white cardboard like maniacs. Angel’s fingers flashed as she bent sides up and tucked flaps down to form the small boxes. When no flat boxes remained, Angel had at least twice as many completed in front of her as he had.

“How did you do that?” He stared at her rows of boxes.

She wiggled her fingers in the air. “I have to be quick at work, so my hands are well trained.”

She opened the boxes of blueberry muffins and, using tongs, placed one in each of the white boxes. He followed behind her, closing them, then they tied the bundles together with a blue satin ribbon. The tantalizing smell of blueberries and sweet muffin dough hung in the air, making his stomach grumble.

Angel laughed and held out one of the extras to him.

“Thanks,” he said sheepishly.

“Yeah, I figured you’d waste away to nothing if I didn’t feed you.” She laughed again, and then grabbed an armload of boxes to take out to Adam’s car. As they placed the bundles in the back seat, she asked, “Have you found anything out yet about my relatives?”

Every muscle in his body froze and the bite of blueberry muffin he’d been chewing gummed up in his mouth. He’d hoped they could get through the morning without this coming up.

“I haven’t been successful yet. But I’ll keep working on it.” Technically, he was telling the truth. He hadn’t been successful, as Mary wouldn’t let him tell Angel about her existence. But he knew that was a mere technicality. It was still a lie.

“Oh,” she said in a small voice. “I didn’t think it would be this difficult. Maybe I should just give up on it.” Her good mood had vanished.

“I’m sure I’ll be able to find them soon.” He hated lying to her, hated that she didn’t know she had an aunt and grandmother living less than a mile away from where she now stood. All she had ever wanted in life was to have a family that cared for her, and he felt as though he were holding that just out of her reach. Nausea rose up through his stomach into his chest and he gripped the box he was holding even tighter. The sides of the lightweight cardboard box bowed in and he released the tension, pushing on the edges of it to pop the dents out.

“I guess. At least we’re making some progress with the newspaper.” She examined him closer. “Are you okay? You look a little green.”

He nodded. “I’m fine. Just tired from an early morning. Hey, are we still on for Saturday night?” Mary had told him she’d tell Angel that she was her grandmother by Wednesday, so he only had to get through the next few days of not telling Angel about her. But, at this rate, the guilt might just kill him.

“Yes.” Her face glowed with happiness. “I’m looking forward to it. Where are we going this time?”

“I thought maybe something a little nicer than pizza and bowling?”

“What, like hamburgers and a movie?” she teased.

“Hey.” He frowned. Had his date idea last time really been that cliché? Angel had looked like she had enjoyed learning to bowl.

“I’m joking.” She sighed. “Hamburgers and a movie would be fine with me though. Really.”

He eyed her. “I was thinking more along the lines of the Seaside Grill here in Candle Beach.”

“Ooh, I’ve heard their food is good.” She pushed the last box in on the back seat of Adam’s car and shut the door. “When do you want to go?”

“At six?” He held his breath.

“Sure. I’m off at five, so that will give me time to get ready.”

With every word she spoke, he felt worse. He eyed his watch. “It’s getting pretty late. You probably need to get back to work. I can drop these off around town by myself.”

“Are you sure?” She hesitated. “I hate to just leave you with everything. I said I’d help. I’m sure Maggie wouldn’t mind letting me stay out a little longer.”

“No. I’m fine, really.” He forced a smile, even though his stomach was threatening to heave from the guilt.

“Okay then.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“Yes. Six o’clock.” He got into the car and turned the key. “See you later.” He shut the door, wanting some separation between the two of them. He gripped the cold hard leather wheel and glanced out the window at her. She had her head cocked to the side, assessing him. Did she know? Before he could think about it anymore, he drove away.

* * *

At lunchtime, Angel stopped in at the property management offices to see how sales of the newspaper bundles were going. Adam had seemed unusually distracted that morning and she hoped an increase in sales would help return him to his usual happy disposition. It hadn’t been long since they’d started dating, but she’d enjoyed being around his optimistic outlook about life as it had buoyed her own troubled spirits.

“Hey,” she said as she approached Gretchen’s desk in the back of the office.

“Hi.” Gretchen smiled at her. “Did we have lunch plans?”

“No, but we can grab lunch if you want. After baking blueberry muffins all morning, something savory sounds good to me.” She smiled back. “I actually came by to check on the newspaper sales. Adam seemed a little off this morning, at least to me. I’m hoping to have good news for him.”

“Oh.” Gretchen moved some papers around on her desk. “Uh, I’m sure he’s fine. There’s just a lot going on in his life with the newspaper and all.”

She was hiding something, but Angel wasn’t sure what.

Gretchen looked around her desk. “You know, I’m excited about the new real estate firm Parker and I are opening, but I am going to miss this place. It’s been such a huge part of my life. I started here right after graduating from college. I can’t believe it’s been over ten years already.”

“It will be a big change.” Angel couldn’t even imagine staying in a job for three years, much less ten. She’d always sought out the next big opportunity. Short of opening her own bakery, there weren’t many options for career advancement in Candle Beach. That was another thing to consider about potentially staying in town.

Gretchen stood and motioned for Angel to follow her. “Let’s go check up at the front. I know we’ve had a few people check in, but most of our guests won’t be here until later. We’re a three to four hour drive from Seattle, so we’re open late to allow people time to get here after work for the weekend.”

“Ah. That makes sense.” Angel nodded. She learned something new every day about the intricacies of operating a business in a tourist town.

Gretchen’s high heels clicked rhythmically on the hardwood floors as she walked. They stopped at a counter in the front of the office. A woman in her early twenties sat at the desk, typing something into the computer while talking on the phone.

“Hi, Rebecca,” Gretchen said when the woman got off the phone. “We were wondering how the newspaper bundles were doing today.”

Rebecca looked up. “We haven’t had many guests check in yet, but they’ve all taken them. I’d say about 95 percent yesterday accepted the offer and were happy to get them. Actually, I even had a few guests come in this morning to ask where the Bluebonnet Café was so they could get more baked goods. I’d say they’re a success.”

“Great! Thanks, Rebecca.” Gretchen touched Angel’s arm as they walked away. “See? I told you.”

“I really appreciate this,” Angel said. It still amazed her how everyone in Candle Beach pitched in to help each other, whether it be with the newspaper or with the Sorenson Farm project.

“No problem.” Gretchen grinned. “Now, onto more important things. Where are we eating lunch? I’m starving!”

Angel laughed. “You choose. I’m still getting my bearings around here.”

Gretchen looped her arm through Angel’s. “I hoped you’d say that. Teriyaki it is.” She tugged on Angel’s arm, leading her down the street.

As they were both happily eating their chicken and rice bowls from Tasty Teriyaki, Angel glanced up at Gretchen.

“Um, I’ve been meaning to ask. Is it okay with you for me to date Adam?”

Gretchen’s eyes widened. “Of course. There’s never been anything more than friendship between us. Well, on my part at least.” She stared at Angel. “Do you think there might be a chance for something serious between you two?”

Angel squirmed. “I don’t know. Maybe?” She sighed. “It’s hard for me to trust people and open up to them. But Adam seems different…”

“Oh, he is,” Gretchen chimed in. “I think he really cares for you. I know he’s really broken up to not be able to tell you who your family is.”

Angel dropped her fork, which clattered lifelessly to the table. “What do you mean? Did he find out who they are?”

Gretchen’s face blanched. “Oh, um. That’s not what I meant. I mean he’s upset to not be able to find anything out. That’s all.”

Angel scanned her friend’s face, but she was stuffing chicken teriyaki into her mouth. Had Gretchen misspoken, or had she slipped and said something she wasn’t supposed to divulge? Angel shook her head. Not everyone was hiding something from her. It was time she learned to trust people in her life.

“Okay.” She changed the subject. “How is Maggie’s cleanup over at the Sorenson Farm going? Did they finish clearing away the debris from the side of the barn?” When she’d left, they’d only been about halfway through and she’d wondered how it would be ready on time. She bit into a piece of tangy chicken. As much as she loved baking, sometimes the sweet smells of all those baked goods could get to be too much.

The color came back to Gretchen’s face. “Yes, there’s still a lot of work to do, but they’re on track for the dance next Wednesday.” A sly smile crossed her lips. “Parker and I are looking forward to going. Will you and Adam be attending together?”

“I don’t know. We haven’t really talked about it yet.” It seemed funny to think that only a few weeks ago, the idea of attending the Sweethearts’ Dance with someone she cared about had been a far-off prospect. In such a short time, Adam had become a big part of her life.

“You should ask him.” Gretchen winked at her. “He could use a diversion from worrying about the newspaper.” She shook her head. “I’m concerned about him. He’s always been so focused on his business. I don’t think he ever has any fun.”

“I think he’s okay.” She thought about how fun her inaugural bowling game had been and how comforting it had felt to have Adam’s arms around her as he taught her how to roll the ball. Her cheeks warmed with the memory and she lifted her face to meet Gretchen’s eyes. “But I’ll ask him.”

“Good.” Gretchen finished her food and picked up her plates to move them to the dirty dishes bin at the side of the restaurant. “I’d better get going. It’s Friday, so we’ll have a lot of people checking in soon.” She smiled at Angel. “And every one of them is going to get a newspaper. I’ll make sure.” She touched her on the shoulder. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

Angel nodded and picked up her own dishes to place in the bin.“Thanks Gretchen.”