The Baker's Touch Read Online Free Page A

Braille, honey,” he said. “Where’d you find it?”
    “Taped to the wall in the office.”
    “Maybe your parents had one of the employees put it up.”
    She shook her head. “This sounds like a love note or something.”
    “A love note?”
    She could practically hear the smile vibrating in his voice. “Don’t get any ideas. I have no one to send me love notes.” The man she was going steady with dumped her or rather she dumped him New Year’s Eve.
    “What does it say?”
    She huffed.
    “C’mon, P. What’s it say?”
    “As much as you type up notes for me, you still haven’t learned?”
    He laughed, a warm throaty chuckle which reminded her of tempered chocolate. She wanted to hear that wonderful sound all day. He threaded her hand through the crook of his arm and led her back the way she came.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Checking to see if there are any more notes hanging on the walls. So spill. What does it say?”
    “You are my everything.”
    “That’s a lovely sentiment.”
    “It is, but from whom?”
    Avery paused. Paper rattled. “There’s a rather crude drawing of a sandwich on the bottom.” He grabbed her hand and placed it over the lines. “Looks like peanut butter and jelly.”
    She giggled.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “That’s a nickname my grandfather gave me as a kid and shortened it to P.” She shook her head. A smile twisted her lips while her heart softened at the memory. She loved that gruff old man, now sitting on an island somewhere ordering his nurse to bring him whatever the local flavor was. “He’s way past retirement and urged my parents to turn the shop over to me. I know he didn’t leave this note.”
    “Then you have a secret admirer.”
    “I doubt that.”
    “Why? It’s the perfect time of year for it.”
    She shook her head and pursed her lips. There was no secret admirer for her. After the way things ended with Sam, she didn’t want to think about anyone wooing her. Her ego hadn’t quite recovered from the dent, even if her heart had.
    “C’mon, P. You’re the first one of us to celebrate the holiday. You love the idea of love.”
    “Didn’t you get the memo? Valentine’s is canceled this year due to a missing heart.”
    He chuckled. “That’s funny. I’ll have to use that sometime.”
    “I’m serious.”
    “I know.” He pressed the paper into her hand. “Someone thinks you’re everything to them. That’s all that matters.” A soft click filled the silence. “I don’t see anything else. Maybe I should check the other rooms.”
    “I don’t think that’s necessary.” She turned, reached out and grasped only air.
    “Nothing here, P.” His voice was farther away and the three other doors opened and closed. A moment later he returned to her side.
    She shook her head. “After everything that’s happened, it’s just strange to find it in here.”
    “I’ll keep an eye out for any other love notes and alert the staff.”
    She could just imagine what her employees would say about a secret admirer. At least she wouldn’t catch any speculative looks. Being blind did have its perks. “Maybe not the staff.” She touched his sleeve. “They don’t need to know.”
    “Whatever you say, P.”
    She went still as he leaned close. The subtle scent of his cologne enveloped her as easily as his heat.
    “You’re cute when you blush.”
    A faint breeze brushed her cheek, followed by fading footfalls. He was gone. Was he flirting with her? She had half a mind to call him back, but then what? If she were wrong, she’d make a total fool of herself and she’d had enough of that for the year.
     

Chapter Three
     
    They didn’t open for business, but Penelope had the bakers stay. They still had orders to fulfill even if they weren’t waiting on customers. The door was slowly being repaired and the only heat in the building came from the bank of ovens. Every now and then cold air swirled through the room nipping at her ankles and toes.
    She