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Chapter 1
Livie
“Hot cowboy, 12 o’clock. Look alive, Elise.” I grin to myself as I walk around the counter heading for the door of the bakery. It’s been a long and busy day but I’m enjoying my new job at Hearts & Grinds. And I’m really enjoying watching my boss who owns the bakery fall head over heels for a local rancher. The same one that just walked in.
I call over my shoulder, “Remember to lock up,” and wink at her as I exit, her cowboy holding the door for me. Stepping outside, I shove my hands in my coat pockets, the early winter wind making me shiver as I head to my car.
It’s freezing cold when I get in, so I turn on the seat warmer and let the engine warm up a minute before heading to my Grandma Anne’s house. I moved to HeartRiver after graduating from nursing school. I was supposed to start a job back home in Texas at Houston Memorial. But when Grandma Anne fell and broke her arm last month, I knew I needed to take care of her.
Grandpa Joe passed away a few years ago, and although we’ve tried to get her to move to Texas, my Grandma loves Montana and refuses to leave. My parents and my aunt and uncle still work, and I’m the only grandchild. So it just made sense that I would be the one to come.
She tried to refuse to let me come stay with her, but turns out I inherited that same stubborn streak she has. So I won. She’s a tough lady, and she’s already much further along in her physical therapy than I assumed she’d be. In fact, that’s why I got the job at the bakery. She doesn’t want me hovering over her 24/7. So when I saw how busy the owner was in her new bakery I offered to help part-time and she was happy to agree.
I know I can always get a job with my nursing degree later. But time with my grandma is something I can’t count on in the future. So I’ll take it now.
“Hey Grandma Anne, I’m home.” I hurry in the front door of the cozy ranch-style home that she and my grandfather built back in the 70’s.
“Shut the door Livie! You’re lettin’ all the bought air out!” My grandmother’s voice is loud and clear from herperch on the sofa in her den. She says fires in the fireplace are too messy and inefficient so she likes to keep the heat on. And like most grandparents, she keeps it so hot in this house that I need to shed my coat and sweater immediately or I’ll start sweating.
“So how was your day Grandma?” I hang my stuff on the coat rack and walk over to her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
“Boring as hell. When can I come work at the bakery too?” That’s my grandma. She’s always been a firecracker.
“Grandma Anne, you know the doctor wants you to take it easy. Didn’t he say that you’re lucky you didn’t break your hip falling on that ice?”
“Pshaw. That kid’s too young to know what he’s talking about,” she scoffs at me before turning back to the TV, waving her fingers at me. “Now run along Livie, I’m in the middle of watching this program.”
She presses “play” on her remote and an old black-and-white movie starts up. I shake my head at her as I head to my bedroom to shower and get ready for bed. Maybe she didn’t exactly need me to move in for a few months to help her out.
Maybe if I’m honest, I needed a reason to move away from Houston. Move away from my ex-boyfriend, the doctor at the hospital where I did my training. I walked into his office six weeks ago to find another nursing student on her knees in front of him. He tried to explain that it didn’t mean anything, that he was just looking for anoutlet since I wanted to go slow with our relationship.
Well, thank goodness I did! How did I not see what a jerk he was? I suppose I was in love, or maybe I was in love with the idea of being in love. Either way, I’m glad to be away from him. He showed up at my apartment more than once trying to get me back, and I even had to block his number on my phone after he called and texted constantly. So when Grandma Anne fell the next week, a move out of state was exactly what I needed.
****one week later*****
“Earth to Elise, come in Elise.” I snap my fingers at my boss as she daydreams in front of the convection oven. It’s early Saturday morning, and she’s been in her head since we got here.
“Sorry!”
I shake my head as I laugh at her, then go back to icing the cookies I’m decorating for the day. Turns out I’ve got a knack for it. I was always into art in high school. Who knew that would come in handy working at a bakery?
“Damn girl, you’ve got it bad.” I smile as Elise’s gaze drifts off again.
“Huh?”
“That look on your face. That’s called ‘pining’ and that’s exactly what you’re doing. Thinking about that hot older cowboy, aren’t ya? Did you go for aridelast night? Does he like for you to call him ‘daddy’?” Her cheeks turn red, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Livie! Yes.” My jaw drops.
“Wait! I mean NO! I mean, ugh, get back to work.” I can’t help but cackle at how flustered she is. This is fantastic. Elise is definitely one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and I love this for her.
“Yes, ma’am. But I wouldn’t mind finding a hot cowboy of my own. If there are any to spare at his ranch, send them my way, please.” She nods like she’s considering something, but then the timer on the convection oven goes off and we get back to work.
When the morning rush slows down, I’m surprised when Elise hands me a large box of cinnamon rolls. “Livie, would you mind taking these to Rhett’s place? He’s out of town, but he said his guys love these.”
I grin at her, raising an eyebrow. “Oh I see. Trying to get in good with his guys while he’s out of town, huh? Smart girl.”
Elise smiles innocently at me. “I just think they’d appreciate it. Plus these are extras anyway.”
