Raspberry Kisses (The Bakery Romance Series Book 1) Read Online Free

the day with Candy, showing her things that needed to be done since she’d be in charge of the bakery for the next couple of days.
    Raven would not give her the loan until after the retreat. How was she supposed to have a good time? She’d be spending most of her days worrying about old Leonard lurking outside her apartment, using his master key to unlock her door. She could imagine him throwing her stuff onto the street, changing the locks, leaving her homeless.
    She pushed the ugly thoughts of her landlord out of her mind, determined to endure the next couple of days. If she concentrated hard enough, maybe she could forget her bakery, her financial troubles, and her grief, and have a good time. No way was that ever going to happen. She couldn’t imagine herself letting loose, laughing while mingling with others.
    Approaching the main building, she stopped at a bench, sat, bowed her head, and closed her eyes. Lord, I feel burdened. Did I do the right thing, accepting Raven’s loan offer? Please help me during this retreat, and please be with Raven as she heals. My sister almost died the last time she was in the hospital. Lord, please show me what I can do to help her. Amen.
    She stood, pulling her suitcase behind her, entering the main building. After checking in and getting her room key, she pulled her wheeled suitcase on the sidewalk, glanced around the resort, still sniffing the wonderful-smelling food. Her stomach again growled with hunger.
    Rustic, cabin-styled buildings dotted the large resort. Pansies, marigolds, and roses bloomed from sectional flower gardens. She stopped at a bush bursting with vivid yellow roses. Placing her nose in front of the bush she sniffed, relishing the sweet scent of the blossoms.
    Strong memories swept into her mind, and she closed her eyes recalling sitting in the backyard with Stan. The church parish where they’d lived held a profusion of rose bushes. How she missed those roses! Stan would clip a rose from a bush, presenting it to her, again telling her how much he loved her. He’d then kiss her, his blond hair gleaming in the weakening sunlight.
    Opening her eyes, she gasped, blinking. Salty wetness slid down her cheek. A woman walked by, gawking at her. Why couldn’t she let her pain go? Why did she keep remembering Stan and the deep love they’d shared? Oh, Lord, please help me with this pain.
    Walking slowly, still pulling her suitcase, she arrived at her cabin. After wiping her face, she took a deep breath and unlocked the door, pushing it open.
    Two women sat on the bed, their heads bent over a piece of paper, talking softly. Both of them glanced at Rhea. The one sitting closest to the wall glared at Rhea before pushing the paper into her Bible. She stood up from the bed, placing her Bible into a drawer, slamming it shut. Strange.
    “Hi, I’m Rhea.”
    The striking woman, who’d just slammed the drawer, glanced at Rhea and frowned. “I’m Zora.” She then walked over to her dresser and pulled her hair back into a tight bun.
    “I’m Desiree,” said the short, chunky, dark-skinned woman who still sat on the bed. She stood up, giving Rhea a warm smile and offering her hand. Rhea shook her hand, assessing the room.
    The tangy scents of lemon oil and pine filled the space and three twin beds rested against the wall. Charming, multi-colored quilts covered the mattresses and a crystal vase, holding one yellow rose, sat in the middle of the wooden coffee table.
    Rhea hoisted her suitcase onto the bed.
    “So, where are you from, Rhea?” Desiree asked.
    Rhea eyed Zora, who continued to stare at her own reflection in the mirror. “I live in a small town called Maple Grove. I own a bakery—”
    “Why are you here?” Zora interrupted.
    Rhea glared at her. “Excuse me?”
    “Why’d you come to this retreat?”
    “What do you mean?” There was no reason for her to explain why she was there. “I’ve been going through a lot lately. I need some time to think and this