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She looked at him. “Sorry, I pace when I’m upset.”
“What do you need to relax? To get your mind off things?”
“I need to bake.”
* * *
“I don’t havemuch kitchen stuff.”
Gemma waved a hand at Boone as she opened the cupboard doors and drawers. “I don’t need fancy stuff.”
She pulled out a chipped mixing bowl. She’d already found flour, sugar, milk, eggs, and a few other things she could use.
“I’m going to make cookies and a cake.”
Atlas, who was sitting nearby, straightened. Gemma frowned at the dog.
“Not sure they’re good for you, boy.” She tapped a finger against her chin. “I need to do a little research on dog-friendly baking. Can I borrow your laptop?”
“Sure.” Boone eyed his dog. “But a human-friendly cake is first priority.”
She grinned at him. “Don’t worry, big guy. Chocolate or vanilla?”
“Chocolate.” His answer was instantaneous.
Her grin widened. Boone Hendrix liked chocolate. She felt a pop of warmth for his enthusiasm.
Her mom and dad never wanted to eat any cake, or cookies, or pie. They were always on some healthy eating plan with their personal trainers.
“My grandmother used to bake. It’s one of those clear memories, me as a little girl and her letting me stir the mixture in this giant bowl.” Gemma started putting ingredients in the bowl in front of her. She cracked an egg. “Who made you chocolate cake when you were little?”
A strange look crossed his face. “No one.”
She stilled. “No one?”
He looked away. “My parents died in a car accident when I was twelve. My uncle raised me. He wasn’t much for baking.”
Gemma’s heart clenched. Her parents didn’t understand her, often disappointed her, and they didn’t hide that she disappointed them constantly. But they loved her in their own way. Her childhood had held plenty of good memories and privilege.
And her grandmother had been a soft, bright refuge from her workaholic parents.
She tried to picture a young Boone, which was kind of hard. It was tough to imagine him as anything other than tall with broad shoulders. But then her brain conjured up a tall, gangly boy. A young Boone raised by a bachelor uncle.
Had there been love in his house? Anything soft and sweet?
Well, today, she could give him soft and sweet.
“Prepare yourself for some chocolate cake.”
Atlas made a whining sound.
“Right. And some awesome doggie treats. Let me get this cake in the oven, and then I’ll find some treat recipes to blow your doggie mind, Atlas.”
Gemma finished mixing all the ingredients. The oven was old, but functional, and she found one pan she could use. It was the only pan.
“Boone, can you give me a hand?”
“Sure.” He circled around behind her, and she handed him the bowl.
