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“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. All right, I’ll let you get back to it.” I make my way down the street to Baked Inn Love. I’m going to at least get a coffee I can stomach, and I’ll grab one for Paige, too. A peace offering.
Before I get to the bakery, my phone rings. I slide the button and answer immediately. “Evan.”
“Benny and Eden are coming.” He sounds panicked. “We’re at the hospital. Is the offer to look after things at the inn still on?”
“I’ll head there right after work. Good luck!”
“Evan!” Beth calls in the background.
“Thanks, man,” he says and disconnects the call.
A blast of air conditioning hits me as I enter the bakery. I find Allie behind the counter, wiping down the walls. “What are you doing?”
“Stress cleaning! I’m about to become an aunt. But more than that, I’m nervous for Beth.” She pulls off her gloves.
“It’ll be okay.”
“I know. Beth is the strongest person I know.” We’re quiet for a moment, and I know we’re thinking the same thing. How Beth was a mother before and lived through a horrible tragedy. How she came to Freedom Valley and made a new family. We don’t talk about it, though. The knowing glance we share says it all.
“What can I get you?” she asks.
“Whatever you put in Paige’s secret thermos and my usual large black for me. And two cinnamon rolls to go, please.”
“Sure thing,” she says, looking guilty.
I fake a stern tone when I tell her, “Yes, I know all about your thermos trick.”
She laughs. “All right, all right. Coffee’s on me today. I deserve that.” She sheepishly slides my cup over to me.
I shake my head and grin. I can’t stay mad at her. “Looks like things are going great for you. Look how far you’ve come.” I stuff cash in her tip jar on the counter.
“Things are going great. I’m really happy here, and Caleb is, too. Thanks to you.” She smiles at me and puts the lids on the coffee.
“Heard anything from your ex lately?” I ask.
“Not a peep. After the judge ruled, they dropped it and moved on, sadly. Their loss. In fact, Logan and I have been talking about asking them to let Logan officially adopt Kase.”
“Wow, you think they’ll do it?” I ask.
“Yes, I asked a few months back, and he agreed it was probably for the best. I might talk to you about that when things calm down around here.”
“Sure. Just let me know when you’re ready. And also, when do things actually calm down around here? People are busy having babies, auctions, and opening businesses,” I say with a grin.
“So true. But it’s all good things, so I’ll take it,” she says.
“Fair. Good to see you happy.”
“You know who else I’d love to see happy?” she asks innocently.
I stand and give her a deadpan look.
“You and Paige,” she says innocently as she wipes down a counter, not meeting my eyes.
“All right, well, see you later. Theo and I are coming tonight to stay for a few days and look after things for Evan,” I say, changing the subject.
I head back to the office, thinking about what Allie said. Paige and me. I don’t know if I can see it, but man, I feel it. I love being with her. Too bad she seems to hate my guts. When I open the door, I notice Paige does not seem to have moved from her desk. She doesn’t even look away from her computer screen. All she says is, “Please say one of those is for me.” Now she gives me her full attention. “And that you didn’t poison it. Preston, I can’t do poison today.”
“Unlikeyou, I don’t tamper with coffee. That’s a ridiculous waste. Especially when it’s great coffee.”
