Sweet Dreams Read online

  His older brother radar went into full alert mode.

  Chapter Two

  Kelsey peeked into the back room where all the magic happened and sighed at how clean it was. Luci made magic here daily, but never left without ensuring it was spotless. Offering her the position in her store had been brilliant. Not only was she a Storm, a family well-thought of in this town, but she baked like a dream. A sweet dream.

  When people heard Luci had taken the baker job, Kelsey had an immediate clientele. Most notably, Luci’s family. Her very large extended family. Luci’s husband was one of three brothers who owned Storm Electric, a company that bought dozens of baked goods every morning for their office staff, but the brothers had ten children between them. She’d lost count of how many of the kids had gotten married and had children, but it was enough that Sweet Dreams could stay afloat with little more than their patronage. Her excellent pastry and goodies guaranteed even more customers.

  With the old-fashioned candy and country store feel to the other side of the business, Kelsey could easily pay the rent on the storefront, plus her apartment upstairs. It wouldn’t have been possible without the money she’d gotten from her mom’s accident though. That always soured her happy thoughts.

  Yet, her mom would have wanted her to use the money to do something useful. Maybe candy and pastry wasn’t the healthiest thing in the world, but it sure brought joy to so many faces.

  The bell above the door tinkled, and she swiveled to see who had come in. It was a little after three. The school crowd usually showed up around now. Except with the Boy Scouts selling hot cocoa to the skaters in the town green, some of her customer base had dwindled. She was fine with it, though, since December profits always went way up.

  A tall man stood slowly spinning, taking in the interior decor. It was the reaction she got from so many, especially people who had been in here when it was previously the country store. She’d kept the wooden shelves and half wooden barrels on one side. The other side had been updated with fancy cases to showcase Luci’s delicious wares. A few bistro sets sat in the afternoon sun near the front window.

  The man tugged his wool beanie off, and the soft auburn color of his hair made her straighten up and clench her teeth. Why was Zachary Donahue here? Only one day after Kristan had mentioned he was coming to town. Coincidence? Knowing her friend, not likely.

  “Can I help you?”

  When he finally faced her, Kelsey froze. God, this man had aged like a fine wine. The few lines on his forehead and around his eyes only accented how beautiful he was. The small slash on his cheek reminded her of the dimple that used to make her squirm. It wasn’t fair for anyone to age that well.

  “Kelsey?” His eyes narrowed, and he glanced back out the window toward The Inn. “I didn’t realize you worked here.”

  “Your sister didn’t mention it? You just happened to pop in here on your own accord? What can I get you?”

  His perfect lips curled up, and he chuckled. “Oh, Kris knew exactly what she was doing. She wanted me to pick up some apple strudel for Mom for breakfast tomorrow.”

  Wiping her hands on her apron, Kelsey stepped closer to the display cases and picked up a box. As she folded it, she asked, “How many did you want?”

  He gave her a once over, then studied the selection. She should be mad, but she’d checked him out as well.

  “How about three? No, four. Yeah, four, but I want a few other things, too. Word is you’ve got Luci Storm in the back room.” His eyes roamed hungrily over the baked goods.

  “That’s the word, but she’s not there now. She often watches her grandson, Ryan, after school. He’s only ten. Not quite ready for staying home by himself for any length of time.”

  “Ten, huh? Greg’s younger than me, and he’s already got a ten-year-old.”

  “He’s only a year younger. Did you hear he’s getting married again in a few weeks?” Kelsey had met Alandra, Greg’s intended, and really liked her.

  “Good for him. At The Inn?”

  “Yes, since it’s a second marriage for both, they’re keeping it small. The reception is all Kristan’s.”

  Zack grinned. “She is good at that.”

  “Oh, your sister’s good at a lot of things.” Like meddling in her friends’ lives. This friend anyway.

  After Zack pointed out a few more items, Kelsey wrapped up the pastry box and tied a string around it. Zack stared into the display case and tapped on it. “Can I get one of those red velvet cupcakes to eat here? No one needs to know, right?”

  Laughing, Kelsey scooped the desert and handed it over. Before she’d rung up the sale, Zack had the delectable item half gone.

  “I might need some milk to go with this. And throw in another one, please. I didn’t have lunch today.”

  Kelsey rang it up, then took the twenty Zack handed her. “Go, sit. I’ll bring your milk and other cupcake along with your change.”

  Within minutes, she’d deposited his drink, second dessert, and change on the table. Settling into the chair across from him, she stared as he ate. He was enjoying every last crumb.

  “You know what your sister is doing, right?” Kelsey had to get this out now, so her friend didn’t attempt any more snowplow maneuvers.

  “Running The Inn?”

  “Sending you over here to see me.”

  Zack ripped a few napkins from the holder and wiped his mouth, then took another swig of milk. “Actually, she told me to talk to the owner since they’ll give us a discount. I forgot.”

  “Talk to the owner? Who were you expecting to talk to?”

  He shrugged and finished off the milk. “Don’t know. She never said. Who owns this place now?”

  Kelsey leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms. “I do. And she sent you right over to hang out with me.”

  “You own this place? Wow.”

  Kelsey tensed. “Wow? Because you can’t imagine me being capable enough to run a business?”

  His mouth puckered. “No, wow, because this place is amazing. You kept the old-fashioned feel to the candy store with the wooden barrels, metal scoops, and small paper bags that you weigh on the hanging scales. I’ve always loved stores with that kind of vibe. But to get Luci Storm working for you, that’s a key decision to make your success a reality.”

  Kelsey hadn’t expected the praise he’d come up with, and she didn’t have a snappy comeback. She settled for, “Thank you.”

  “So, what’s this about my sister? Why did she send me over here? Other than to pick up apple strudel for our mom?”

  “Now that Kris is one half of a happy couple, she thinks it’s her job to play matchmaker. She’s been hinting to me about your return for a few weeks.”

  Zack closed one eye and tipped his head. “Weird. There are times you wouldn’t even talk to me.”

  “Because you always tell me I’m dating a loser.”

  Zack lowered his head, almost looking remorseful. “I’m sorry. I promise not to trash talk whatever miscreant you’re seeing now.”

  Maybe Kris hadn’t been plugging her to Zack. Yet. She would.

  “Easy due to the fact I’m not dating. Exactly why your sister sent you over here today. And will keep trying to throw us together throughout your trip here.”

  Zack sat back and studied her. What was he thinking? She hated not knowing what was happening in his strange little mind.

  “I will admit Kris likes to get her way. If she wants us together—”

  “She does. I know it. She’s tenacious when she wants something, but we need to hold firm and make sure she knows we don’t want to date.”

  A sudden gleam came into Zack’s eyes, and he smirked. “Or we could just give her what she wants to shut her up.”

  “Wait? What? You want to go out with me?” She must have hit her head on something. Or else he had.

  “Kris wants us together. She’ll keep throwing us into situations where we’re in the same place. Probably to the point she won’t be able to focus on he
r own wedding. Let’s make it look like we’ve started dating, and she can enjoy her wedding.”

  “That’s…kind of crazy, but she will hyperfocus on us if we don’t do something.”

  “If we give everyone something to talk about, then Kris is happy, and I don’t get all the single ladies tripping over themselves while I’m home. Like last year.”

  Kelsey barked out a laugh. “Oh, you poor thing. Having women drape themselves all over you. Such a hardship. What that must do to your fragile ego.”

  “Oh, please, you’re telling me you don’t have townspeople trying to match you up regularly?”

  “Not really. I mean, look at me.” She wiped a streak of flour from her face and dabbed at a blob of chocolate on her apron.

  “I’m looking.” That stupid dimple appeared. “I think it’s kind of cute. Seriously? No one?”

  Letting out a huge breath of air, she sat back. “There might be a few ladies who come in here every Tuesday after their morning Bingo game to get coffee and cinnamon rolls. They each talk up their grandsons like these guys are Zeus himself.”

  Zack grimaced. “Not sure I can compete with Zeus.”

  “Oh, you have nothing to worry about. They’ve paraded said grandsons in here time and again. Women might respond with an ‘Oh, god,’ but not in any good way, believe me.”

  Elbows on the table, he pressed closer. “So I might have a chance with you?”

  The eye roll couldn’t be stopped. “Like you’ve ever wanted a chance with me.”

  He threw her a side eye. “How do you know that?”

  “Please. I’ve known you since we were little. Putting snakes in our sleeping bags doesn’t win women over.”

  “I’ll have you know, for little boys, that’s a sign of love. I wouldn’t share my snake with just anyone. And you weren’t even afraid of it.”

  “I liked frogs and snakes and digging in the mud. What can I say?”

  Zack shook his head. “I still don’t know how you and Kris came to be friends.”

  “She never told you? Just like her to downplay her heroics.”

  “She rescued you from a foe? Do tell?” He stared at her intently.

  “Well, I’ve never been super girly, as you well know.” She ran her fingers through her short hair and swiped the bangs back from her eyes. “There were two little pukes who were making fun of me and the fact I’d spilled chocolate milk on my dress on picture day.”

  An exaggerated frown appeared on Zack’s face. His fists clenched comically. It certainly hadn’t been funny when she’d been seven facing two of the popular girls.

  “Did she punch them for you?”

  Kelsey had to laugh. “Kristan? Punch someone? No, she threw back her shoulders, marched over, and proceeded to point out each flaw in the obviously second-hand dresses their mothers had bought from the discount bin. Their faces turned the color of your sister’s hair, and they never bothered me again. She was my favorite person after that. I’d do anything for her.”

  “Except date me,” he said, winking.

  “She’ll keep pushing. I have no doubt. Maybe you’re right. If we pretend to start a relationship, she’ll be so happy and worry free and will be able to enjoy her wedding so much more.”

  Zack glanced around at the empty shop, then up at her. “So, let’s put this plan into action.”

  “You’re sure you don’t mind I invited a friend over for dinner, Mom?”

  Zack timed his question for the exact moment his sister walked in the front door and was within hearing range. The tap tap of her heels silenced. Peeking over his shoulder, he chuckled at the frown on her face.

  “Of course not, dear,” Mom answered. “I always enjoyed having your friends over when you were younger.”

  “I appreciate it. I know she does, too. When I mentioned you were making Shepard’s Pie, she almost drooled.”

  Mom laughed as she wedged the oven door open to check the casserole. “Are you sure she wasn’t drooling over you, Zachary? You’re looking quite fit and trim with all the boat work you’ve been doing. The fresh air obviously agrees with you.”

  Kristan’s shoes tapped against the floor again.

  “You invited a friend to dinner? A female friend?” She had her business face on, but her rigid posture told him she was upset.

  Zack twisted his lips to the side. “Yes. Is there a problem with that?”

  “An old girlfriend?” A muscle in his sister’s jaw twitched. God, it was beautiful seeing her get worked up.

  “She’s a girl, and she’s a friend, so I suppose that’s a yes, also.”

  Kristan’s eyes narrowed and her fiancé, Mark, took her hand and squeezed. Then, he dropped her hand and held it out. “Good to see you again, Zack. Krissy tells me you’re here for at least five weeks.”

  He loved how Mark got away with calling his sister Krissy when she’d skewer anyone else who tried. “Yeah, it’ll be nice to visit with family and old friends again.”

  One of Kristan’s eyebrows rose. “Like this friend you invited tonight?”

  Zack smirked as he snitched a roll his mother had just placed on the center island. “Yes, like her. I haven’t seen her in a few years, but we used to hang around quite a bit.”

  After shrugging her coat off and handing it to Mark, Kristan planted her hands on her hips. “Who is this woman? Someone we know?”

  Zack pursed his lips and stared at the ceiling. “Uh, I think you knew her.” Let’s see how long he could keep his sister dancing.

  Before he could tease her with anything else, a knock sounded on the front door. He pivoted toward the hallway. “That’s probably her. She was coming over as soon as she changed from work.”

  The click of his sister’s heels followed him. He tugged on the front door and made sure to stand in Kristan’s way so she couldn’t see. “Hi, so glad you could make it. Come on in. I believe you know my sister, Kristan.”

  Then, he stood aside, and Kelsey stepped in. The expression on Kristan’s face was priceless. Like she was mad and overjoyed at the same time.

  “Kelsey? I didn’t realize Zack had invited you for dinner.” Kristan tipped her head.

  Zack took Kelsey’s coat and closed the front door. As he hung it on the peg in the front entryway, he said, “You sent me to get apple strudel today, and I ran into her at Sweet Dreams. We got to talking, and I mentioned Mom was making Shepard’s Pie tonight. She said she hadn’t had it in forever and had such a wistful look on her face, I had to invite her.”

  Kelsey tucked her hand around his elbow and smiled up at him. Then, she glanced at Kristan. “You don’t mind, Kris, do you? You mentioned only yesterday how I should stop by some night to catch up with Zack.”

  Kristan looked suspicious so Zack pasted on an innocent smile. “Dinner is just about ready.” He escorted her down the hall to the kitchen. His mom wiped her hands on a dish towel and rushed over to hug Kelsey.

  “I haven’t seen you in months, sweetie. How’ve you’ve been? Is the store doing okay?”

  Kelsey nodded firmly. “It’s lovely to see you, Mrs. Donahue. It’s getting to be the busy season so business has picked up more than usual. I always have a steady stream for an hour or two in the morning. Everyone wants Luci’s baked goods. Speaking of which, I brought you some cinnamon rolls. They’re her specialty.”

  Mom’s eyes lit up, and she accepted the bag that had been hanging from Kelsey’s arm. “Cinnamon rolls and apple strudel. I’ll need to be dieting next week.”

  Kelsey laughed. “It’s soon to be Christmas, so enjoy it all now and diet after the New Year.”

  Mom set the bag on the counter and sighed. “I’ve got a mother-of-the-bride dress to fit into in a month. But I suppose I can have a few pastries, then go skating in the town green a few more times than I’d planned.”

  “I love skating in the green. It’s so much fun, and there’re always so many people you haven’t seen in a while to chat with. Luckily, I get to stay in touch with many people w
ho pop in, but when it’s busy, I really don’t have time to catch up.”

  Mark rested his hand on Kristan’s shoulder. “I even managed to get Krissy to go skating with me a few times this year already. Of course, we have special memories of skating in the town center.”

  Everyone grabbed a dish or platter and quickly filled the table with food. His dad came in from the back porch with an armful of firewood. He tossed a few more logs into the wood stove in the corner of the kitchen, washed his hands, then joined them. Once food was passed around and thanks were given, they all dug in.

  Man, Zack had missed his mom’s cooking. Even something as simple as Shepard’s Pie. It was nice having a stable place to cook. He shared a small apartment in South Carolina with a few of the guys he worked with since they alternated days off. But it had never felt like home since he’d never taken the time to put anything meaningful in it.

  This house had lots of meaning in every little picture on the wall or knick knack on the tables. Not that he wanted to live at home with his parents. He was thirty-three, for Pete’s sake. Much too old to live with his parents. But certainly old enough to have a place of his own that he called home. That was hard to do when he lived on a boat most days.

  Glancing around the table at the conversation happening, he suddenly felt like he was missing something. What, he didn’t know. Maybe during his time home this month, he could figure it out.

  Kelsey laughed at something Dad said, and Zack set his attention on her. He’d always thought she was cute. Her short, bouncy, dark hair called out for a man to run his fingers through it. Just to test if it was as silky as it looked. He hated to admit how often he’d wanted to do that as a teenager.

  He’d known Kelsey since she was very young and used to hang out with Kristan. It wasn’t until he’d become a teen, and started being interested in girls, that he suddenly realized how adorable she was. Great, bubbly personality along with a pretty face and trim body. As she’d grown up, other parts of her had grown out. Ones Zack felt guilty noticing. But he had.