The Damaged Hearts Bargain (Tetherington Hearts #2)

Chapter Twenty Seven

A small drip of sweat trickled down her back and Cal tried not to think about how hot she was. The summer was moving on and she could swear it was getting hotter by the day. Not exactly usual for the UK. In fact, she had a distinct holiday kind of vibe as she walked down the street toward the bakery.

Maybe this was all kind of a holiday. A chance to get her head together, to decide what she wanted from life, to practice a little forgiveness even.

“Could it get any hotter?” she asked as she walked into the bakery.

“Don’t even,” said George, grimacing. “At least you haven’t been slaving over hot ovens all morning.”

“Neither have you,” Lucy pointed out, coming over to kiss Cal’s cheek gently.

Cal felt a faint blush of wanting and then a proud feeling of belonging. Belonging right here in this moment, belonging to Lucy. The kiss was a reminder of something that they might have, could have. Something that Cal was more and more sure that she wanted.

“Have so,” said George.

Lucy rolled her eyes. “You switched the oven on to warm up some croissants, that’s the extent of your slaving. Don’t exaggerate or no one will ever believe a word that comes out of your mouth.”

“It was for dramatic effect,” George said, leaning up against the counter.

Lucy rolled her eyes again. “Are you sure you’re going to be alright around here with George?” she asked Cal. “Because his dramatic effects can become full on tantrums and hysterics should the worst happen.”

“What’s the worst?” Cal asked, eyeing George.

“Mouse,” George whispered, shuddering.

“I can definitely handle mice,” said Cal, smiling. “And I think George and I will be just fine. This shouldn’t take long, right?”

“Nope,” agreed George. “Just a quick walk-through of the cash register and putting on gloves and that sort of thing. You’ll be out in a jiffy and back to your house clearance.”

“Fine, fine,” Lucy said. “In that case, I’m off to pick up Billy’s dry cleaning.” She leaned into Cal. “I won’t be long. Meet you back here in a half hour or so and we can have lunch, if you like?”

“I would like,” Cal said, wrapping an arm around Lucy’s waist. She could get used to this, this easy comfort, this having somebody.

“Perfect, I’ll see you soon then.” Lucy leaned down and cupped Cal’s chin with one hand, kissing her slowly and softly.

“No kissy stuff in the bakery,” George groaned.

“Romance bookshop manager,” Lucy reminded him with a grin as she danced out of the bakery.

“You two look like you’re getting on pretty well,” George said once she’d left.

Cal took a breath. He cared about Lucy. “We are,” she allowed.

“And, uh, any sort of plans or anything?” he asked, trying to look casual.

“Are you asking me what my intentions are regarding your daughter?” Cal teased.

George had the grace to smile. “A bit? Maybe?”

Cal nodded. “Fair enough. Um, I’m not sure where this is going. But I like Lucy, I think she likes me. We’ve agreed to meet up in London. And… and that’s it.”

“Such romance.”

“I offered to take her to Paris,” Cal said.

“Okay, slightly better on the romance front,” George said. He folded his arms. “She’s not as strong as she looks.”

Cal turned to face him head on and sighed. “I know,” she said. “She’s told me a bit about her background. I can see that she might find relationships difficult given that she’s lacking in good role models. And I know that you’re worried about her. I can only tell you that I will absolutely do my best to look after her. Whatever happens, I don’t want to hurt her.”

“But you don’t want to marry her either,” George said. It wasn’t a question.

Cal shrugged. “A week ago I’d have said no. Now, I honestly don’t know. I can’t answer that question. But I get what you’re getting at. Lucy’s looking for something long term. It is something she and I have talked about. She’s aware that long term… might not be my thing. I’ve hidden nothing from her.”

George sniffed again. “A woman of integrity, huh?”

Was there something hidden there? A poke? A sly reference to what had come before? She wasn’t stupid enough to think that George wouldn’t know about her past by now. But he was smiling a little and his eyes were clear and blue and Cal decided to take him at face value. “I try.”

“Fair enough,” George said. “So, how about I walk you through the bakery and then you can get back to things. I appreciate you doing me the favor.”

“Even if Lucy forced you to ask me?” Cal asked.

George laughed. “Let’s say she instigated things. But I’m glad you’re here now. And also, you should know that Lucy very often gets what she wants. She can be a big old bully and isn’t afraid of taking advantage of your weaknesses.”

“Oh yeah? Like how?”

He leaned closer. “Like pretending that there’s a mouse in the kitchen so you don’t go in and notice that she hasn’t done the dishes like she’d promised.”

“Noted,” Cal said gravely. “I’ll be sure to keep my greatest weakness a secret.”

“Oooo, you can tell me though, right?” George said.

Cal was really starting to like him. His cheekiness, his smile, his need to look after Lucy. She gave a fake sigh. “Fine. But it’s our secret. I can’t take tickling.”

George gave a serious nod. “I’ll be sure to report that back to Lucy. I mean, NOT report that back to Lucy.” He giggled. “Alright, come on then, come behind the counter and let’s get started.”

IT TOOK TEN minutes to get the lay of the land in the bakery. The till system was one Cal had used before, and the ovens were literally just for heating things up.

“Of course, when Pen’s here, things are different,” George said, as he finished showing her the kitchen. “This place smells amazing when Pen’s baking.”

“Have you heard anything from them at all?” Cal asked politely.

“Not a peep,” grinned George. “But I hope they’re busy honeymooning and not picking out babies.”

“Picking out babies?” asked Cal, confused.

“Lucy’s convinced they’ve gone to South America to adopt, remember? I think that’s just wishful thinking though,” George said.

A deep tinkling bell sounded.

“Uh, that’s a customer at the bookshop,” said George. He looked around the bakery.

“Don’t worry,” said Cal. “I’ll keep an eye on things in here, you go deal with the books. I’ve got to wait for Lucy anyway, and it’ll be good practice for Friday.”

“Thanks,” said George gratefully.

He disappeared through the connecting door and Cal took herself off behind the counter and wondered if she could do something like this. Not a bakery, of course, but some kind of shop. Or a cafe maybe?

She was good with people, good at serving people, and she had plenty of experience. Maybe she should sell her mother’s house and get herself started in her own business. She sighed to herself. Her world was changing, that much was clear. She just didn’t quite have a handle on what she was supposed to change to.

The only thing she knew for sure was that she wanted Lucy involved. Probably. No, definitely.

“Good morning,” a woman said cheerily as she opened the door. She came in, followed by two, no three small children, like little ducklings.

Her face was familiar and Cal placed her as Moira Hadley after a little thought.

“Oh,” Moira said, stopping when she saw Cal standing behind the counter.

“Just standing in for George, helping out,” Cal said as neutrally as she could manage.

Moira bit her lip then must have decided that there was no harm in smiling. “That’s kind,” she said. The shop bell rang again as one of Moira’s kids went out and then came back in again. “Sorry about that, she’s got a thing about playing shop right now. She’s getting on my last nerve.”

“Not a problem,” Cal said with a smile. “What can I get you?”

“A large loaf please,” Moira said.

“And a biscuit,” piped up the youngest of the three children as the oldest came in and out of the door again, making the bell ring like crazy.

“They don’t have any biscuits,” Moira said, looking at the display.

“Actually, I think there’s some in the back,” said Cal, lowering her voice so the child couldn’t hear. “If you want some?” She was sure George had pointed out a tray cooling in the oven.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” said Moira.

Cal went into the back and opened the oven, finding it still quite warm though the biscuits looked done. The shop bell rang again as the door opened or closed. It ended up taking her a little longer than she’d thought to get warm biscuits from the oven and find a bag to put them in and all the rest. But finally she marched out, biscuit bag in hand.

“Lovely,” Moira said. “Oh, by the way—” She was interrupted by a wailing from the street outside.

“Oh dear,” Cal said.

Moira put a handful of change down on the counter. “Sorry, I’d better…”

“Right,” Cal said, scooping the change into her hand.

“Oh, and Elspeth,” began Moira. But the wailing outside got louder, like a police siren. Moira’s face paled and she rushed out.

“What was all that racket about?” George asked, coming back through the connecting door.

“Moira Hadley,” Cal said.

George shook his head. “I’ve no idea how she handles all those kids. Thanks for the help though, and sorry that took longer than I thought. Had to make a few recommendations.”

“Not a problem,” said Cal as the bell rang again and Lucy came in. “In fact, you’re bang on time.”

“Time for lunch,” said Lucy.

“If you’re heading out, can you take the cash bag for me?” George asked. “Just drop it in at the bank, you don’t need to wait, they’ll know it’s from us.”

“Probably because you and Pen sneak biscuits in there for the bank teller,” Lucy said. “But sure, just hurry it up, I’m starving.”

She turned to Cal. “Successful morning?” she asked as George opened the cash register.

“Average morning,” Cal said. “Or it was, right up until you walked in.” She smiled and was about to go up on tiptoes to kiss Lucy when George swore.

“What is it?” Lucy asked.

George looked up, cheeks flaming red. “There was sixty pounds in here,” he said. “Two twenties and two tens, right here under the insert.” He stared at Cal. “It’s gone.”

Cal’s heart pounded in her chest, beating harder and harder until she saw Lucy turning to her, looking at her, a question in her eyes. And then her heart stopped beating altogether.