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Sophie looked at Kendall, who giggled. “Not really.”
I shook my head and stretched my arms over the back of the couch. Kendall was on one side, Sophie on the other. “You two are lucky I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Daddy,” Kendall said, snuggling into my side.
When was the last time Kendall said she loved me? It was usually written on a hand-drawn picture or note or said over the phone. In person was so much more rewarding. I’d cherish this time I’d get with her, watching her grow into a teen and then an adult. I was grateful for everything I had.
My chest was warm, my heart overflowing with contentment. I loved both of them so much.
After traveling all over, I’d finally found the place my heart belonged—here in Annapolis, with Kendall and Sophie.
ChapterTwenty-Four
SOPHIE
With the help of Cade’s construction crew that showed up the morning of the break-in, the bakery was put back together quickly. It took a few more days for the new tools and supplies to be delivered.
As much as I wanted to be involved in the smaller details of fixing the bakery, I needed to focus on Ethan and Savannah’s wedding. It was the first wedding I was involved in with Gia, Abby, and Lily, and everyone wanted it to be perfect. Not only because the bride and groom were our friends, but because we were motivated to ensure Gia’s wedding planning business was a success. It benefitted all our businesses, including the town and other stores and restaurants in the area.
Weddings would draw more customers and tourists to Annapolis. The pressure was immense, but all I needed to deliver was one perfect wedding cake.
To ease my nerves, I baked and decorated a smaller-tiered replica so I could ease my mind.
“It’s perfect,” Mark said, licking icing off his finger.
“Are you sure?” My stomach twisted with nerves.
Mark came around the counter and put his arm around my shoulders. “You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. You know how to bake a cake.”
“Yeah, but—” I wasn’t sure where this anxiety was coming from. The stakes seemed bigger than usual. It was like my entire future hinged on the success of this one wedding.
“And it’s gorgeous.”
I’d painstakingly decorated it to match what Savannah envisioned. I’d even gone a little overboard with the cascading flowers. There was nothing wrong with delivering more than the bride asked for. But my shoulders and back ached with the hours I’d spent hunched over the sample cake.
He guided me out of the kitchen and toward my office. “You need to relax.”
I raised a brow. “And you know just how to do that?”
He smirked. “I do, actually.”
Thinking he had plans for the sofa in my office, I shivered, my skin tingling with anticipation. I turned to face him, expecting him to draw me close for a kiss. Instead, he merely raised a brow.
“What?” I asked as I looked around the office.
My beat-up desk, couch, and old shelves were cleared out, and in its place was a beautiful desk, one wall of shelves, and black leather chairs—a swivel one for my desk and two others for guests. “What did you do?”
Mark smiled big. “I made you new furniture. I bought the chairs.”
“You made this?” I moved closer, admiring the natural wood stain on the desk and the bronzed hardware, and ran my fingers over the intricate detail on the front.
“You deserve everything. Not just a beautiful store, but an amazing kitchen and a relaxing place to work.”
“This is incredible. I can’t believe you did this for me.” I ran my palm across the smooth top of the wood.
“I wasn’t sure I could do it, but Ethan helped with the design and answered all my questions. Colton helped me move your old stuff out and set up the new things.”
“You’re incredibly talented.” I could make something out of flour and sugar, but this was something else entirely.
