“You might be exaggerating a little, Maggie.” Cassie smiled, glowing under the praise.
“Nonsense! I’ve never seen the bakery more crowded with eager customers. And I hope it was only the first successful morning of many more to come.”
Cassie’s smile wavered. “Your offer is incredibly generous, but I—”
Maggie held up her hand. “You don’t have to decide right this minute.” Rising to her feet, she added, “If you two wouldn’t mind clearing the table, I’ll slice the mulberry pie and we can eat dessert in front of the fire.”
Luke stood and began stacking the plates as his mother disappeared into the kitchen, but he wasn’t willing to let the topic drop just yet. Over the sound of clinking dishware, he asked, “So, whatdoyou think about working at the bakery?”
Cassie’s lips parted, but before she could answer, the shockingly loud call of a cuckoo bird reverberated throughout the house.
They both jolted in surprise, and Luke almost dropped his armload of dishes.
Cassie threw her head back and laughed until tears ran down her cheeks.
Luke couldn’t help a chuckle himself.
Catching her breath, Cassie flashed a sheepish grin. “Saved by the bird.”
* * *
After generous slices of mouth-watering mulberry pie, Maggie brought out two mugs of piping-hot apple cider and handed them to Luke and Cassie on the couch.
“You’re not having any?” Cassie asked, accepting the ceramic mug shaped like a snowman.
“It’s long past my bedtime,” Maggie said with a twinkling smile. “But you kids stay up and enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Luke wanted to leap from the couch and engulf his mother in a grateful hug. But he kept his cool in front of Cassie, taking a casual sip of cider instead.
After bidding them goodnight, Maggie shuffled down the hall, leaving Luke and Cassie alone with little more than the crackling fire and ticking cuckoo clock to fill the heavy silence.
Cassie stared into her mug as if searching for conversation topics in the amber liquid.
Luke wondered if her rosy blush meant she saw right through his mother’s ploy to give them time alone. Either way, Luke cleared his throat, intent on not squandering the opportunity. “So, what do you think of Mom’s offer? Do you think you’ll take it?”
Keeping her head lowered, Cassie ran her finger along the rim of the mug. “I’m not sure.”
“Didn’t you say there’s not much keeping you in San Francisco? In Poppy Creek you’d have a home, a job, and people who care about you.”
“It’s not that simple.”
Luke searched her face, feeling his chest tighten. All of the puzzle pieces were coming neatly together. Why couldn’t Cassie see it?
“Why not?” he pressed. “What’s getting in the way? Is it the mysterious job offer Ben mentioned last night?” The question left a sour taste in his mouth and he tightened his grip on the mug, waiting for Cassie to dismiss the suggestion.
But she merely shrugged, setting her cider on the coffee table. “Maybe.”
Luke winced and swallowed hard. He could sense her slipping away. Setting down his own mug, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitated pulse. “Can you tell me about it?”
For a brief moment, her gaze flickered to meet his. But just as quickly she looked away. “Not tonight. It’s getting late. I should head home.” Without waiting for a response, she rose from the couch and strode toward the door.
Springing to his feet, Luke followed her. “You called the cottagehome, Cassie. Doesn’t that mean something?”
“It’s an expression, Luke. It doesn’t mean anything.” Avoiding his gaze, Cassie shrugged on her coat.
“That’s not true and you know it.”
“We’ll talk about this later, okay?” Cassie flung open the front door, letting in a rush of cold air.
