Kate's Kisses (Sweet Treats Bakery) Read Online Free

them all.”
    “Wait,” Kate called after him. “About tonight—”
    He turned to glance over his shoulder. “I’ll pick you up at six-thirty, and I promise not to keep you out too late. Don’t worry, because Mattie gave me directions to your place.”
    “She…what?” Kate groaned inside. The traitor.
    He winked. “See you later, Katie.”
     
    ****
     
    Logan filled a paper cup with ice water from one of the coolers as he watched Kate talk with his mom. The two had always gotten along well, from the first time he brought Katie by the restaurant when they were in the fifth grade to share a platter of cheesy fries and lay the groundwork together for a science fair project. And, from what he understood, they still enjoyed each other’s company from time to time, whenever Kate stopped into the restaurant for a meal.
    He drained the cup, turned to refill it, and nearly stumbled into Tessa.
    “Fancy meeting you here.” She reached for a chocolate kiss, tossed it into her mouth and gave him a sidelong glance. “I thought you hated Mount Ridge.”
    “Hey, Tess.” He guzzled the water as she gathered her hair and twisted it into a knot, then secured it with an elastic band. Tessa had never been one to mince words. Being the youngest of the four sisters, he knew she was used to getting her way, and she made no bones concerning what she wanted. “Hate’s a strong word.”
    “So you say.” She shrugged and a few strands of hair fluttered around her neck. “But you sure high-tailed it from here like your pants were on fire—hurt my sister bad, you know.”
    Logan turned to face her, and was surprised to find she now reached his shoulder. Of course, the spike-heeled sandals added quite a bit of height. What had happened to the scrawny, pig-tailed kid who ran around in faded blue jeans and T-shirts, without a care in the world or hint of makeup?
    He nodded and answered quietly, “I know.”
    “You’re not gonna deny it, huh?”
    He shook his head. “Why should I?”
    “Points for you, then, I guess.” She kept a close eye on the towheaded kid at her side as she spoke. He scrambled along the dirt with a toy dump truck, mimicking the sounds of the heavy equipment. “Did Kate hurt you, too?”
    The question took him by surprise. He nodded and sucked down a breath as the memory jolted. “Yes, she did.”
    “Thought so. That’s usually how it goes. I don’t know why, but adults always seem to mess up a good thing somehow. I guess I’ll find out why, since I’m about to enter that realm.” She turned. “Hey, Adam, don’t wander too far. And get out of the dirt unless you want to take another bath.”
    “Cute kid.” Logan reached for one of the cherries. “He’s not yours, is he?”
    “No way. I haven’t even finished high school yet,” she sputtered, and then laughed. “A kid’s certainly not on my agenda. That little guy belongs to Grace. She had a rough night, so I’m picking up the slack. Goes with the territory.”
    “Rough night?” Concern flooded him. “Why? Is everything OK?”
    Her honey gaze leveled with his and she lifted one shoulder in a flippant little shrug. “Boy, you really are out of the loop. So what are you doing back here in Mount Ridge…besides overseeing the library project, I mean?”
    “Isn’t that enough?”
    “You tell me.”
    He shrugged. Maybe she’d grown up on the outside, but she was still the nosy and pretty much annoying kid sister he remembered. “I’m not sure I get your meaning.”
    “You still have a thing for Kate, don’t you?”
    “I don’t think that’s any of your business, Tess.”
    “Maybe not…unless you hurt her again.” She propped a hand on her hip and lifted her chin in a defiant pout. “Then it becomes my business—fast. Get my drift?”
    “Got it.” Inside he grinned. She wasn’t even eighteen, yet she seemed to have no qualms about going toe to toe with him. He had to admire her spunk—and her family loyalty. Loyalty—and