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“It’s likely they didn’t know. It came about late yesterday when Tate stopped in to speak to my dad. Then this morning, he and Spencer came in and installed it. They were only here around an hour.”
“It appears you’re getting to know them pretty well.”
“Not really. And don’t get any big ideas.”
Shianne giggled. “Okay, put me to work.”
“Sadly, I was just about to mop the floors. It’ll probably take two or three washes to get all the flour off the floor.”
“I’m your girl. I’m a great mopper.”
“Thank you, Shianne. I’ll get into the kitchen and begin making the bread dough so it can rise overnight. I’ve already mopped and cleaned the entire kitchen.”
“You poor dear. Didn’t anyone come and help you?”
“My mom isn’t feeling well again, and Dad had his meeting so...”
“What’s your mom’s ailment this time?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. Once again, Dad won’t say a word.”
“Oh boy.” Shianne clapped her hands once more. “I’m here now. You go do what you do—bake. I’ll clean up the sales floor.”
“Will do.”
Shianne picked up the bucket she’d used to mop the kitchen and headed toward the sink in the utility room. “What are you wearing to the Bourbon Ball? You haven’t come in yet for your dress.”
“I don’t know if I’m going. With all of this going on, I’ll be extending my hours to make up for the expense of all of this until my insurance checks get to me.”
“You have to go, Lara. We’ve never missed a year.”
“Who are you going with? You haven’t said.”
She shrugged her shoulder. “I don’t think I have a date this year.”
“What?” She poked her head out of the kitchen and looked across the hall at the utility room, where Shianne filled the mop bucket with water.
“I know. It’s getting kind of bad here. I know nearly every male in town and I’m not interested in any of them. I’ve either graduated with the eligibles, or I’ve known them my entire life. Or, they’re my parents’ age.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“So what does this Tate look like?”
Lara stared at her friend, and the feeling of jealousy knotted her stomach faster than she cared to admit. “He’s handsome. Tall and muscular. His hair rolls up in the back and touches his collar. It looks soft. He has a pleasant smile and dark brown eyes. He has a sexy voice, too.”
Shianne laughed out loud. “For such a nonchalant response to your meeting, you sure noticed a lot about him.”
Lara inhaled a deep breath, then smiled at her friend. “Mop.” She re-entered the kitchen and mentally planned what she needed to make first. First, she’d make some cookies and while they cooled, she’d get her bread started, then she’d plan her muffins and pastries. But, before any of that could be done, she needed to get more flour, sugar, and other ingredients, thanks to the BRR. Man, she was sick of them.
She pulled her phone from her back pocket and opened the app for Paxton’s General Store. It had been a tiny mom-and-pop shop back in the day, but since their son had taken over, they’d modernized. Somewhat. Hopefully, they’d still deliver today.
She filled out her order and held her breath when she sent it in. A message came back to her they would deliver her order in an hour. Letting out an enormous sigh of relief, she pulled out the ingredients she had on hand and prepared as much as she could until her order arrived.
Just as she lifted the sugar she’d hidden behind boxes on the bottom shelf, she heard the gunning of an engine outside and dread filled her body as she associated the sounds of trouble coming.
Chapter7
The brief pit stop at Lara’s Delights to install the security system was a nice way to get back into working. They’d been off for four days, mostly to make the move here to Glen Hollow. And to get themselves situated before they got busy working around the clock at the construction site. But they weren’t the resting kind, and he found the time off stressed him out more than revived and invigorated him. Note to self: four days off is too many. Thank goodness he’d had some distractions, like getting shot at, though that wasn’t a pleasant distraction. And installing a security system at Lara’s Delights.
