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Holley did a double take. “Where did you come from?”
“We came through the back. Margaret Miyazaki is on the warpath with the mayor in Main Street and we wanted to watch without being seen.” Saylor grinned. “She’s mad the box hedges in the park got some caterpillar infestation or something like that.”
“And the mayor hasn’t sorted it yet,” Kinsley finished, walking over and sitting next to Josh. “He tried telling her that it wasn’t his main priority and he’s arranging for them to be sprayed.”
“And that really set her off,” Saylor continued. “Apparently she doesn’t want him spraying pesticides because it’ll kill the wildlife.”
“I’m assuming she’s failed to see the contradictions there, hm?” I raised my eyebrows.
“You assume correctly. Is there food left? We got too distracted and didn’t get anything.” Kinsley leaned over. “Yum.”
Maverick blinked and looked between us all. “This town might be the craziest place I’ve ever been.”
I grinned. “There’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure.”
“So why are we having a random meeting in the bookstore?” Kinsley asked. “Did someone die?”
“No, but Mabel might if Grandma doesn’t cheer up,” Josh said dryly.
Saylor groaned. “Oh, Jesus. What’s she done this time?”
For the third time today, I launched into the story, this time with the added information that Mabel was Saylor’s grandma for Maverick’s benefit.
Saylor sighed. “Shit, I’m so sorry. Vicki shouldn’t have to put up with her behavior. I’ll head down there later and speak to someone about it. I don’t know what I can do about a garden, but at the very least, I can talk to Grandma and try and get rid of the rooster.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I replied.
“No, I do. I might be the only person she’ll actually listen to. Failing that, I can probably get management to lie and say the fees are going up because of the rooster.” A wicked grin flashed across her face. “Given how much that place charges, it’ll start a mutiny.”
“That’s genius,” Maverick offered. “Are you sure you’re not secretly a superhero villain?”
She shrugged. “I have a thing for the bad guys in books. If I were in one, I’d probably be the bad guy myself.”
I wasn’t going to argue that.
“Thanks, Say.”
“No problem. The garden argument might be a bit tough, but they have enough land that I don’t see why they can’t make that happen.”
“Because they’re lazy and nobody wants to dig out a flowerbed?” Holley suggested. “The simplest explanation is usually the right one.”
Saylor finished the bit of cake she’d been eating and got up. “I’m going to head over there now. I think Sandra is there this afternoon, so I’ll see what I can do.”
A customer came in right as she left, and Holley got behind the register.
“I need to go back to work,” Josh said, kissing Kinsley. “Let me know if Saylor has any luck, Piper. I’ll see if there are any spare pallets lying around on our current job—I might be able to make Grandma a couple of planters so she can plant something at least.”
“Good idea.” I smiled. “I’ll clean up here and head back to the bakery to get started on the bread dough for tomorrow.”
“Mind if I join you?” Maverick asked. “I’ve hit a bit of a wall and could use a change of scenery.”
“Sure.” I smiled. “Here. Have this last bit of cake before I do.”
CHAPTER SEVEN – PIPER
RULE SEVEN: IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, GET THE HOT GUY OUT OF YOUR KITCHEN.
I put the ingredients for the zucchini bread into the mixer and glanced at Maverick. He’d set himself up in the same spot as yesterday morning.
“So your neighbors, huh?”
“Mm.” He met my gaze. “They’re a nightmare. I’m looking at a house tomorrow morning.”
“To buy?”
“No, to rent. I drew the short straw in the neighbor pool this time around, and I really need peace and quiet to work and focus.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Sometimes a change of scenery works, but when I find a good writing spot, I like to stay there.”
“Well, you’re welcome to write at the bakery. If you really need somewhere alone, my apartment is always empty since I’m here.”
He blinked at me. “I can’t use your apartment.”
I pointed at the ceiling. “It’s right up there. I’m not using it, am I?”
“That’s… a weirdly sweet offer. Thanks, Piper.”
“Anytime.” I set three mixers going and turned my attention to some cupcakes that needed icing to go out.
“Is that all the same bread?”
“In the mixers? No. all different.”
“How do you know what’s where?”
“They’re all labeled,” I explained. “And I always use the same mixer for a certain bread.”
He shook his head. “That’s genius. No wonder you’re so efficient.”
Laughing, I pulled a tray of cooled chocolate cupcakes toward me. They were going to have a salted caramel frosting, and that was already sitting in the fridge waiting for me. I grabbed it out along with the necessary piping bag and went back to the cupcakes.
