Cinnamon and Spice Conundrum (Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice)

Chapter 15

Ryan/Jack

The Strobilus Bistro’s kitchen is huge compared to the one at the bakery. Two commercial-grade stoves, plus a wood-fired pizza oven. The smell of tomato sauce is quickly replaced by the aroma of baking muffins. Cinnamon and pumpkin combine to give the place a definite pizzeria meets bakery vibe.

“Thank you for letting us borrow your ovens,” Sadie tells Francine for at least the fifteenth time. We’ve got all the cabin-prepped muffins in the bistro’s oven and we’re enjoying a cup of coffee and some Swiss chocolate before mixing up the chocolate chip recipe. This caffeine is going to keep me up all night.

“No worries! We don’t use them during the night,” Francine replies with a chuckle and a dismissive wave. Finn looks on with a scowl, as if he was planning on using the ovens but is keeping his mouth shut because of his girlfriend’s presence. After being introduced, Finn didn’t even offer a handshake, but gave me a frosty nod. I’ve decided he’s even grumpier than Wilbur. Is that what happens when you get old? You become crotchety?

“We’ll leave you some of the chocolate chip muffins for your morning coffee,” Sadie says, popping up from her chair. She’s been a whirlwind of activity since we got here, and I’m worried she’s going to crash and burn from exhaustion.

“Finn and I will be upstairs if you need anything,” Francine says, jutting her chin towards a back staircase that I hadn’t noticed before. The pair disappears, but not before Sadie says another round of thank-yous to Francine.

I join Sadie at the massive stainless-steel island, and we work silently side by side to mix up the next batter. “How often do you make this recipe?” I ask because she hasn’t made chocolate chip muffins since I’ve been working at the café.

“I tried them a month ago for the first time and they were a hit, but I was saving them as something special to bake for the festival. However, desperate times call for desperate measures,” she says with a sassy grin.

The night slips by as we mix batter and bake. A clock on the back wall chimes out midnight, then one, then two before we’ve got enough muffins baked to sell tomorrow—or rather, today.

“Oh, I’m so tired,” Sadie says, stifling a yawn. We’re packing up the muffins to transport them to the cabin and then on to the bakery for opening time. She’s packaging them in huge boxes, carefully putting wax paper between them so they don’t get damaged.

“I can take the muffins to the bakery at six. You sleep in,” I say.

She stops what she’s doing and stares at me while blinking back tears. “You’d do that for me?” she says, surprise lacing her tone.

What kind of boyfriends did Sadie have in her past? Wouldn’t they have done the same thing for her in her time of need?

“Yes, I’d be happy to do that for you.”

She shakes her head. “You’re amazing. Why hasn’t a woman snapped you up by now?” she says.

Because all the women I know are after my money, not me.

Ugh! A zap of guilt hits, reminding me I was going to tell Sadie the truth about who I am. I open my mouth to explain everything, but she resumes packing muffins, so I tell myself this isn’t the time or place for a revelation.

A few minutes later, Sadie claps her hands. “There, all done! They won’t be quite as fresh as right-out-of-the-oven muffins, but they’ll do,” she says.

“If the taste testing I did is any indication, they’re going to be a big hit. Plus, don’t forget the specials we came up with. ”

Putting her hand on my forearm, she says, “Thank you Jack. I couldn’t have done this without you.” I fight a strong tug of attraction and desire to pull her into my arms and kiss her.

“I’m happy to help. Now let’s get you to bed before you fall over.”

On the drive back to the cabin, she falls asleep. I hate to wake her when we arrive, so I carry her from the car into the loft and put her to bed. Sadie doesn’t even move a muscle as I tuck the quilt around her.

“Sweet dreams, sweetheart,” I whisper.

Before I leave the loft, Jolt licks me a couple times, causing me to chuckle, as if he’s thanking me for delivering his person safely back home.

After I fall into bed, I’m reminded that Sadie’s falling for a guy named Jack Ryan, not Ryan Turnbill. When will the right time present itself for me to tell her the truth?

The next morning, the bakery is a madhouse. I barely have time to breathe. Once word gets out that Sadie is offering the muffin deals, I swear every resident of the town makes an appearance. It even brings in the younger set, although the majority of the patrons still appear to be sixty or older.

Sadie’s coffee is selling at a brisk pace, along with the muffins we baked last night. My fingers cramp as I give the coffee machine a workout. In addition to plain coffee, I crank out pumpkin spice, hazelnut, and a cinnamon blend Sadie wanted to try. Wish I could have discussed my new proposed coffee pricing because she’d be making a killing.

“Judith and the kids just left,” Sadie says to me during a small lull in the rush.

I arch an eyebrow. “Where are they going?”

She smiles. “Turns out Finn and Francine only use that apartment upstairs occasionally; they also have a cabin on the lake. When I explained the situation to Francine, she said they’d be happy to rent the apartment. I’m going to cover their rent until Judith can find a job.”

Big-hearted Sadie, never thinking about her own strained finances. She’s already in the red over having to order that new heating element for the oven. I need to ask Sam to give her a more substantial loan than she asked for, or maybe he’d be willing to have me provide the loan anonymously. My conscience tells me that isn’t a good idea, as it would just add to my string of lies.

“I have an idea; do you think Judith could learn to be your new morning barista?”

Sadie’s eyes go wide. I watch as a lightbulb goes on inside her head.

“Oh my gosh! Why didn’t I think of that sooner,” she says, smacking her palm against her forehead.

“I hear you’ve got a special on muffins,” a grumbly voice says, drawing Sadie’s and my attention. Wilbur glares at me as if it was my job to inform him.

“We do!” Sadie chirps happily. “If you purchase three, you get the best deal,” she adds.

“Three! That’s a lot,” the old guy grouses. His eyes narrow. “What kinds do you have?”

She leads him over to the bakery case. “Blueberry, pumpkin, and chocolate chip,” she says, pointing at the case. Even though we baked dozens, the supply is almost depleted.

“Guess I can try one of each. And a cup of plain coffee,” he says, still sporting a half frown.

Turning to the coffee machine, I start to brew his cup.

“I’ll be over there,” he says, referring to the other side of the room. As usual, he pays using a combination of wadded up bills and coins.

After Wilbur toddles off, Sadie slides up next to me and squeezes my arm. “The new pricing strategy is brilliant! I can’t wait to hear more of your suggestions tonight. How about dinner followed by a discussion about that spreadsheet?” she whispers.

“Don’t we have to bake muffins again tonight?” I say tossing cold water on her plans. “We could talk some basics while baking, but I think it would be better if I can show you the spreadsheet while I explain.”

Her smile fades. “Shoot! You’re right. We’re probably too busy until the oven is fixed. Oh well, we can talk about the spreadsheet on Sunday since the café is closed after noon. Dilbert’s going to install the new heating element on Saturday sometime, so we can bake here as usual on Monday.” Her lips twitch back into a broad grin. Nothing keeps this woman’s spirits down.

As we stare at each other, her beaming smile warms me all the way from my head to my toes. I love the way she automatically includes me in her plans. The allure of returning to the big city and my real job has faded like an old photograph, the image barely perceptible any longer. The more time I spend with Sadie, the more time I want to spend with Sadie. Even this quaint town and quirky residents are growing on me.

I know she’s falling for Jack, but what about when she finds out I’m Ryan? Guilt eats at my gut, making me feel slightly ill. Will this sweet, wonderful woman ever forgive me for my deception?