Page 56 of Shattered Hearts

Everyone seems as captivated as we are. Eyes scanning the room, they land on Reid who pulls a face. It seems as though he was equally as unaware of our brother’s skill as I was. Sawyer is grinning wide, and I’m guessing he had some sort of knowledge about his twin.

As soon as the song finishes, the applause is deafening. Nodding shyly, Holden takes his guitar and tramples back over to the booth. Taking Laynie’s hand in mine, I guide her back over to my family congratulating Holden with slaps on his back and praises.

“Thanks for coming,” Holden grumbles. My grin broadens as Macie gives him a big hug, bubbling with excitement.

“I’m so glad we didn’t miss it.” She looks back at all of us before adding, “Besides, I don’t think we would have believed it if we didn’t see it ourselves.”

Holden just smiles endearingly as Sawyer yanks him into an embrace, hand flopping over his shoulders. “All right, next round is on me.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Laynie

Ilet out a slow breath as I tie my hair up into a knot to keep it out of my face. The last thing I want is it getting in my way while I’m baking.

“All right, I say we shoot that one again,” Macie announces.

Sadie nods beside her.

I put my hands on my hips and sigh. “Really? This is the fifth time already. Can’t we just move on?”

“Nope, we need this to be perfect, otherwise why would people want to come in?”

“Because of my baking?” I suggest with a dumbfounded look.

Macie mulls it over for a moment before nodding. “Okay, point taken, but still. It needs to look good if you want it to gain traction.”

“Fine…” I mumble, placing the rhubarb pie back in the oven and stepping to the side. “Roll it again.”

Macie sticks me a thumbs up. I walk over to the oven, take the pie out, and face the camera, breathing in the scent before smiling.

“Okay, great. Take number six is the one.”

“Finally…” I mumble, placing the pan on the cooling rack and slipping off my gloves. “Please tell me we’re almost finished.”

Macie is busy looking at my phone.

Sadie nods. “I think so. They all look good.”

“Some of the takes you were blocking the oven too much. It was a bit distracting.”

I frown. “How am I distracting?”

“How are you not, hot mumma,” Macie chimes, shooting me a wink.

My mouth ticks sideways as I pull my light blue apron off and lean against the stainless-steel bench. “All right, what is next?”

“Actually, you have an interview in…” Sadie pauses to look at the clock on the wall. “Eight minutes.”

“I better get ready then. Who is coming in today?”

Sadie gives me a run down as I wash my hands in the sink. “Her name is Marigold. She lives in Hollow Grove, has one year of baking experience in a bakery there before the owners retired. Aged twenty-three. Drives her own car.”

“Sounds promising,” I state.

“Should I wait out the front for when she comes in?” Sadie offers, taking the papers with her.

I nod. “Yeah, and if she wants something, give it to her on the house.”