The Baker's Man (16 page)

“I’m exhausted. I’d rather be a bum on your couch.”

Anna smiled at him and leaned her head against his bicep for a moment. “We have to set an alarm
before
we start eating. I have a feeling that once we fill up on pizza, we’re going to fade fast.”

Eli chuckled. “You’re in charge of the alarm. I’ll be in charge of the pizza. Let’s close this place down.”

˜˜˜˜

Eli ordered pizza, and Anna filled the claw foot tub with water and lavender-scented bubble bath. When she eased into the water, the bubbles rose to her ears, and she draped her hair over the lip of the tub and sighed. Anna closed her eyes and soaked for a few minutes before she dried her hands and reached for one of Grandma Bea’s last letters.

December 24

Today Joe brought home a guitar. He saw it in the pawn store window during his afternoon walk, and he said he felt lured in by the music he heard in his head. I laughed when he sat down at the kitchen table and tuned the strings. He hummed and twisted the knobs until each string sounded perfect.

I busied myself tossing dirty aprons and towels into the washing machine, but when Joe started strumming his fingers across the strings, I stopped, bent over with my hands hovering above the dirty laundry. I straightened slowly and walked into the kitchen.

Joe whistled and played a song I’d never heard before. He looked up at me, grinned, and made up words about me and the bakery. I asked him how he knew how to play the guitar because I don’t have one musical bone in my body, and he shrugged. Said he
felt
it.

My skin felt shivery as I realized that Joseph O’Brien was becoming his own man with his own talents and his own ideas. And still he loved me. That was something to smile about.

13
Passion Fruit Torte

Anna had rented two large blue tents housing long tables in the front and extra tables in the back used for storing the product not on immediate display. Cupcakes spun on the whimsical arms of holders shaped like trees. Pies sat in neat rows and summoned people over with their buttery, flaky crusts. Pairs of cookies wrapped in plastic bags tied with aqua ribbons lined the fronts of the tables. Eli hung a nylon sign announcing the name of the bakery, and it draped across the top of both tents.

Anna hugged her arms around her chest and bounced on her toes. “I think that’s everything. People should start piling in here within half an hour.” She reached for her hot chocolate and drank. It spread warmth throughout her chest and traveled to her fingers and toes.

A cold north wind rushed down the streets. Anna’s knitted scarf flew into her face, and the sign flapped wildly before Eli could tie it down tightly. Grandma Beatrice had always said a north wind was a bad omen. It foretold coming storms, disaster, and sometimes violence. Anna shivered.

Eli stepped off the ladder and folded it. He grabbed his coffee. “You think the cold will keep people away?”

“Not the people in this town,” Anna said. “I don’t think a snow storm could keep them out.”

Hours later, the downtown streets of Mystic Water were alive and packed full of people bundled in scarves, hats, and mittens. Steam rose from cups of coffee, hot chocolate, mulled cider, and buttered rum. Big band music swelled from the stage, and Anna bopped her hips to the rhythm. Vendors sold bratwursts, giant turkey legs, and kettle corn. Funnel cakes filled the air with the smell of hot vanilla, and blue and pink swirls of cotton candy bounced above heads like edible balloons. People walked by eating corndogs, grilled cheese sandwiches folded in wax paper, and french fries in brown paper sacks dotted with grease.

Anna brought out cookies and brownies to replace the dwindling supplies, and she refilled the cupcake stands. “We’ve sold more than half of our supply,” she told Eli. “If sales keep up at this rate, we’ll have to close down before the festival ends.”

“We can enjoy the rest of the night,” Eli said.

“My thoughts exactly.” She smiled at him.

Three young women giggled their way over to Anna. They cupped mugs of steaming hot chocolate, and happiness bubbled inside them, making their cheeks rosy and their smiles wide. She didn’t recognize them as bakery regulars.

“Hey, y’all,” Anna said. “See anything you like?”

The bright, red-haired woman glanced over the offerings. “We’re from out of town—road trip! And everyone keeps telling us we
have
to come and buy something from your booth. They swear your stuff is magical. I’m looking for a cure. I ate too many nachos—”

“Too many nachos?” the dark-haired woman laughed. “You cleaned out their supply. And I recall you trying to bite my finger off when I reached for one.”

The redhead snickered. “Man, that cheese was good. What do you have that’ll settle this stomach? Money is no object,” she said playfully.

Anna lifted an aqua box stamped with an emblem of the bakery’s logo. “Peanut butter truffles cure cheese overload. Eat a few of these, and you’ll forget your rumbling tummy,” she said with a smile.

“I could really use a good night’s rest,” the dark-haired woman said. “Crashing with these two nuts takes its toll on my beauty sleep.”

Anna gave her two bags of double dark chocolate chip cookies. “Guaranteed to bring you peace and relaxation.”

“What do you have to spur creativity?” the woman with long, curly hair asked with a laugh.

Anna motioned for her to follow her to the far end of the table. “I call this the Black ‘n Blue,” she explained. “It’s a freshly made pie with blackberries and blueberries and a buttery double crust. I’d say one piece will do the trick, but if you find yourself in a creative lull, I’d add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.”

The redhead squeezed in beside her friend. “I think we passed the ice cream station a few minutes ago.” She looked up at Anna. “Don’t suppose you have a fork and spoon handy?”

Eli rummaged around in a box while Anna took payments for the desserts. Then, Eli passed the woman three forks and spoons. “We have a little bit of everything.”

“I bet you do,” the redhead said, and she winked at Eli. Then all three women giggled and walked off.

Eli shook his head and watched the women fade into the crowd. “Do people really think your sweets are magical?” he asked.

Anna shrugged. “If they believe it works, then it does. I know only what they’ve told me.” She refilled her travel mug with hot chocolate.

“What’s the most magical thing you’ve ever made?” he asked, and she coughed as she choked on her drink.

Tessa chose that moment to bound around the side of the tent. “Hey!” She waved at Anna and pulled Eli into an awkward side hug. “I haven’t seen you in days,” she said to him. “Anna’s been working you too hard.”

Anna wanted to look away, but she couldn’t stop staring at Tessa’s arm wrapped around Eli, breathing him in, staring up into his blue eyes. Eli gave her a squeeze and patted her back for a moment.

“Hey, Tessa, how’s the festival?” Anna asked, hoping forced conversation would pry Tessa’s arm off Eli.

“It’s great,” she said, dropping her arm, but not moving away from Eli’s side. “Mama felt like walking around today, so we’ve been taking everything in. There’s so much more to see this year. She’s resting in the park, listening to the band, so I told her I wanted to come by and see how y’all were faring.”

“We’ve been busy,” Eli said. A customer stepped up to the booth and ordered a slice of coconut cake.

Tessa lowered her voice. “Think you can let Eli slip away with me for a while tonight? Later, of course. I don’t want to take away your help, but I think after suppertime, you’ll be a lot slower and able to handle things by yourself. I’d love to watch the fireworks with him.”

So would I
. “Check back tonight. If it’s slow, I’m sure he’d love to have a break.” Anna knew they might be done early, but she didn’t mention it to Tessa.
Because you’re being a bad friend
.

Tessa made a squealing noise in her throat—very unlike her—and squeezed Anna’s forearm. “Thank you, thank you. I’ll be back later.” She bounced over to Eli and managed to touch him five different times while she explained she would check on them later.

Anna felt as though she’d eaten too many raw oysters. How could she tell Eli how she felt when Tessa was so obviously crazy about him? What kind of friend would she be? Just as her guilt was spiraling out of control, Lily and Jakob walked up.

Lily’s arm was hooked in the crook of Jakob’s elbow, and she carried a travel mug of coffee in her mittened hand. Jakob wore a down jacket and a black stocking cap pulled over his ears. He shook hands with Eli.

“It’s dinnertime,” Jakob said. “Can you sneak away for some pub grub? The Thirsty Whale has a booth in the park, and they’ve got the best fish and chips you’ve ever had.”

Eli looked at Anna and rubbed his stomach. He grinned at her, and she was rendered incapable of saying no. “Go,” she said and made a shooing motion with her hands.

“I’ll swap Lily for Eli,” Jakob said, herding Lily to the front of the booth.

Eli grabbed his coffee mug. “You’ll be okay?” he asked.

“I have Lily. What could go wrong?” Anna asked. Another powerful north wind blew through the streets. People grabbed their hats, and paper napkins tangled around ankles on their escape. Anna pressed her hands against the bags of cookies as if they might take flight and find new homes. Eli zipped his jacket and smiled.

“Don’t blow away,” he said. Then he followed Jakob as they weaved through the crowd. She watched him walk away until Lily tugged her arm.

“Tell me you didn’t sell out of the almond truffles,” Lily said.

Anna lifted a pink box with Lily’s name written on the top. “My treat to you. Two dozen almond truffles. Don’t eat them all at once.”

Lily grinned. “I can’t make any promises.” She opened the box and popped one into her mouth. She closed her eyes while she ate it. “Perfect,” she said. “They always make me feel so stress-free. And speaking of stress, when are you going to tell him?”

Anna sagged against the table and slumped on the edge. “I don’t think I can,” she admitted. “I can’t do that to Tessa.”

Lily put down her box. Then she dragged Anna to the back of the booth. “You can’t do this to
you
,” she argued. “How do you think Tessa is going to feel when she finds out later that Eli has always been in love with you? You’re doing her a favor by telling him the truth.”

“You’re operating under the assumption that Eli is going to choose me if I tell him how I feel,” Anna said. “What if you’re wrong?”

“I’m not,” Lily said.

Anna caught movement at the front of the tent.

“Could I buy a slice of pumpkin pie?” a young boy asked.

Anna smiled and helped him while Lily waited impatiently for her to return. When she finished with the customer, Anna pulled Lily farther back and lowered her voice. “I read some of Grandma Bea’s letters. She wasn’t in love with my grandpa at first. She actually made him for someone else. She said Grandpa Joe loved her because she created him,” Anna explained. “What if Eli is only attached to me because I made him?”

“What do you mean you
made
him?”

Lily and Anna jumped in unison. Lily squeaked in surprise while clutching Anna’s forearm. Anna’s heart leapt into her throat and cut off her air supply. Tessa was one of the last people on earth Anna wanted to happen upon such a conversation.

Tessa stared at them with expectant brown eyes. Lily was the first to respond. She tried to chuckle. “She meant she made Eli his favorite dessert.”

Tessa tucked her hair behind her ears and glanced around. “I heard what you were saying, Anna. Something about Grandma Bea making your grandpa. Is that true?”

“How could that be true?” Lily asked, still trying to laugh, but it sounded fabricated and tight in her throat.

Tessa looked only at Anna. “The truth,” she said.

“Tessa, it’s nothing,” Anna said. “I thought you were with your mama.”

Tessa exhaled. She looked at Lily and Anna and rewrapped her brown scarf before speaking. “How could Grandma Bea have created your grandpa?”

“That’s an absurd question,” Lily said, fisting her hands on her hips.

“Don’t make fun of me, Lily,” Tessa said. “I know y’all aren’t telling me the truth. You’re both acting weird.”

“It’s a long story, Tessa,” Anna said. “We can talk about it some other time. Did you need something?”

Tessa went through the motions of tucking her hair behind her ears again even though it was unnecessary. She licked her lips and leaned forward as though she had a secret to tell. Anna and Lily involuntarily leaned toward her. “Was your grandmother making your grandpa for someone named Mildred?”

Anna’s mouth dropped open. The air around them chilled and filled her lungs with an icy breath. “Why would you ask that?”

“Mildred was my grandmother. She told me this story at least a hundred times when I was growing up. She said your grandmother made a man for her out of dough. She said your grandmother used magic sand from a tin box given to them by gypsies. Then your grandmother stole him. I assumed she was crazy. She never seemed quite right in the head.”

“That’s quite a story,” Lily said, casting a sideways glance at Anna.

“There’s no way that story is true, is there?” Tessa asked, gripping both hands on her scarf. “It’s impossible, right?” She looked as though she wanted to laugh but was afraid.

Anna could see disbelief in Tessa’s eyes. She rubbed her right temple. “And if I tell you it’s true?” Anna asked.

Tessa shook her head. “It can’t be. Things like that don’t happen.” She reached up and tucked her hair behind her ears, pushing the hair a few times to make sure it stayed.

Lily exhaled loudly and rolled her eyes. “Tessa, please don’t flip out like you did when I told you my secret. I don’t want to have to sedate you. But the story is true. Grandma Bea tried to make a man for your crazy grandmother, and it backfired in a way.”

Tessa pressed her hand to her chest and shook her head. “Are you serious? And you…you
made
Eli?” she asked, leaning backward as though the truth knocked her balance askew. “But that’s impossible. All these years I thought my grandmother was a nutcase. How did you do it?”