Cinnamon and Spice Conundrum (Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice)

Chapter 24

Sadie

My first official date with Jack! When I mentioned Dilbert, Jack was all in to attend the Pinecone Concert with me. I knew he’d be jealous of the sixty-year-old mechanic. I’m about as attracted to Dilbert as I am to Wilbur, but no need to admit that. A woman needs to create an aura of mystique to keep her man interested—that was Georgeanne’s advice and I’m going with it.

Although the headliner for tonight’s concert is several years past her prime, she was a great singer and performer at one point. I just love her biggest hit, “He’s Not Worth a Rotten Tomato.” A song about a man breaking her heart with his lies and deception. He pretends to be someone he isn’t and when she finds out, she thinks about throwing rotten tomatoes at him, but decides he isn’t worth it. It’s such a catchy tune and the audience—especially the female contingency—really gets into singing the chorus.

“I hear you’re going to the concert with Jack,” Judith says as we wipe down the tables and coffee bar. The café is closing at three today because everyone will be at the concert. I gave Julio the afternoon off; his country swing band is performing in the local talent portion of the concert. I can’t wait to hear the talented group.

Grinning, I reply, “It’s our first official public date. I don’t think dinners at the cabin count.”

Judith stops wiping, holds her wipe-down towel up to her heart, and sighs. “You’re so lucky. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.”

A zap of jealousy hits. Does Judith have a crush on Jack ?

She waves her hand, her lips tipping into a frown. “I’m not attracted to him. I always fall for the bad ones,” she says in a cynical tone.

There’s got to be an interesting story behind that statement, but I don’t have enough time to coax it out of her right now. “Are you going to the concert?” I ask.

“No, Michael, Ella, and I are going home for a rousing game of Chutes and Ladders,” she says brightly. “But I’m sure going to miss hearing the rotten tomato song.”

We both laugh. “Yep. That’s a good one,” I say. “How’s living over the bistro?”

“It’s terrific. Francine brings us leftover daily specials every night. She says she’d just have to pitch them, but I suspect she’s just being nice...After the kids go to bed, I help with cleanup of the bistro dining area.”

I nod, sure that Judith has been a real godsend to Francine, an extra pair of hands since Finn seems unable to do anything except cook. “Jack and I have a reservation at the bistro for six.”

“Ooh! Concert and dinner. What are you going to wear?” she asks excitedly.

I describe my outfit while we finish closing the café. I plan on pulling out all the stops with a new dress I purchased at the Conifer Boutique. But, if Jack wears that ugly hat, I’m going to yank it from his handsome head and toss it in the dumpster.

I pace around in my tiny apartment waiting for my date to arrive. Jolt looks at me from his comfy bed, emitting a doggie yawn. He dutifully followed me back and forth for a few minutes, then got bored.

“Jack’s going to be here in five minutes. Do you think he’ll like my new dress?” I twirl in a full circle, the skirt billowing around my legs. Teetering on my new platform sandals, I almost trip and fall .

So much for the aura of mystique.

Jolt yawns again, puts his head on his paws, and falls asleep. Hopefully the male human finds my dress a little more enticing than his canine counterpart.

Knock! Knock!

My heart flutters at the sound. I haven’t been on a date for years, so I’m probably blowing this one way out of proportion. It’s a concert and a dinner , I remind myself as I draw in a few calming breaths. But my heart doesn’t listen as it tries to skyrocket out of my chest because this is the first date with the guy I’ve fallen in love with. Jack... Sweet... Wonderful... ordinary Jack. We’re a perfect match. I don’t want a billionaire CEO like my brother, I want a guy who loves to go fishing, who doesn’t mind staying in a humble cabin in a quirky small town, a guy who supports me in everything I do. Running down the stairs to my dream guy, I fling open the door, and my breath catches.

Swoon!

Jack is dressed in tight blue jeans and a Henley that molds perfectly to his muscular chest. He looks nothing like Mr. Rogers. His face isn’t obscured by the ugly fishing hat. My eyes lock with his gorgeous chocolate brown ones no longer hidden behind his glasses.

“When did you get contacts?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I don’t usually wear them.” Grasping my hands, he says, “You look spectacular. Wow!”

The way he’s looking at me takes my breath away. Leaning in, he trails a string of kisses up my neck, causing goosebumps to form. He proceeds until his lips meet mine. The searing kiss knocks me off balance, and if Jack’s arms weren’t around my waist, I’d topple over. The attraction between us flares to life and I don’t resist it, kissing him back with equal fervor.

When a wet nose grazes against my leg, I jump. Jolt looks up at us with doleful eyes. He bumps his big head against Jack’s legs, and my date laughs .

“I think the big guy is jealous,” he says with a chuckle.

“You’re supposed to be upstairs in your bed,” I scold, but the dog ignores me. His tongue hangs out as Jack scratches him behind his ears.

“Bed,” I say in a firm voice, pointing to the staircase. Jolt gives Jack one final look, then dutifully trots up the stairs.

“I think he was telling me to get you home safe,” Jack comments as we walk out the back door.

“Or maybe he was reminding you of my curfew,” I add with a giggle.

With an eyebrow quirk, Jack says, “And what time is that, Cinderella?”

“For tonight’s special occasion, I’m allowed to stay out until nine o’clock,” I say in a prim voice.

Laughing, my date says, “I’ll make sure you’re home in plenty of time so the evil stepdog doesn’t eat me.”

There’s hardly any parking at the concert venue, so we park in a dusty lot in a nearby field. My shoes aren’t ideal for walking along the dirt path. Jack holds my elbow tightly as we navigate across the bumpy field. When we’re almost at the arena, Jack pops on his shades and pulls a baseball cap low over his eyes.

“What’s with the disguise?” I tease. “Are you a celebrity or something?” You’d think he was a rock star in hiding.

Clearing his throat, Jack says, “I don’t want that snotty pair who came to the café to recognize me. They were scary.”

Shrugging my shoulders, I accept his explanation, although it feels a bit off. Jack is a confident guy; he’s not afraid of anything.

“Sadie and Jack!” Julio yells from his position off to the left of the stage.

The interruption distracts me from questioning Jack further. “What great outfits!” I enthuse as he and his band members greet us. The group has really spruced themselves up. Julio is the youngest member by at least a couple decades, but they all look country-appropriate in their concert gear.

“You look like Porter Wagoner,” Jack teases Julio.

The neon blue rhinestone and fringe cowboy shirts are a little over-the-top, but I like them.

“You look like a celebrity in hiding,” Julio teases right back.

Jack grunts but doesn’t comment.

We chat with Julio and his band for a few more minutes until Agnes comes out to announce the start of the concert. Georgeanne pushes her in a wheelchair adorned with pinecones, and the crowd claps and cheers. She’s looking good, and we’re all so happy our mayor is on the mend.

Adjusting the microphone to her level, Agnes says, “Are you ready for a great show?” Another round of applause almost drowns out her words. “Without further ado, please welcome the Country Pines.”

Julio and his band trot onto the stage while Jack and I dash to get a seat in the stands. Although I spot a few empty seats in the front couple of rows, Jack leads me to the furthest row in the back.

“Why are we sitting so far back?” I whisper as we take our seats.

“Those amps are huge,” he says, pointing to the amplifiers on the stage. “We’ll be out of their direct range back here.”

I want to say, But we’ll need binoculars to see everything . Except when he smiles at me, my heart melts and I snuggle close beside him. With this handsome guy next to me, maybe I won’t be watching the show that closely after all.