Meet Your Baker Read Online Free Page A

audition for one of Lance’s plays.”
    “I think she prefers to run the show,” Mom said as she spilled some melted chocolate on the floor.
    Seeing Mom rattled by Richard worried me. Mom’s usually the town’s sounding board. When someone has a problem they come to Torte. She brings out a batch of fresh scones, some homemade apricot jam, and takes a seat.
    Her secret is that she’s a good listener. She doesn’t say much, mainly nods, leans in, and exudes calm.
    You could pay a psychologist for the same service, or drown your worries at a bar, but most folks around here prefer Mom’s bakeshop wisdom with a side of pie. Maybe it’s not great for the waistline, but people always seem to leave Torte a bit lighter after a visit with Mom.
    I turned Caroline’s comment over in my mind. I guess I never thought about who Mom goes to for support. I’d have to find time to talk to Caroline soon.
    The bell on the front door jingled all afternoon as customers breezed in and out of the shop. I pureed flats of raspberries for jam and mingled with out-of-town visitors and familiar faces from my childhood.
    Andy kept the line for lattes moving and the customers in good spirits. Stephanie, on the other hand, had to be prodded to wipe the permanent scowl from her face. Sullen service seems to be all the rage at swanky coffee shops these days, but I don’t get it.
    As I was about to pull her aside and have a chat about keeping a pleasant demeanor with the clientele, I heard another voice that I’d recognize anywhere.
    Tommy Adams, my high school boyfriend, propped the door open with his foot. He carried a cardboard box filled with white and blue hydrangeas for the tables. Tommy’s family runs A Rose by Any Other Name, the floral shop two doors down.
    “Sorry these are late—” Tommy stopped in mid-sentence when he saw me. I thought he might drop the box. “Juliet?”
    Instinctively, I brought my hand to my heart and gasped. Of course, I knew that I’d run into him sooner or later. It was inevitable in such a small town. I guess I just expected it would have been later.
    “Tommy!” I collected myself and scooted over to him. He looked equally shaken, as he stood holding the flower box awkwardly.
    I grabbed the box from his hands. “These are beautiful. It’s so nice to see you. How long has it been?” I tend to babble when I’m nervous.
    He hesitated and then followed me to the counter. “Way too long. You look great, Juliet.”
    I rested the box on top of the pastry case and removed a vase. “Thanks, you do too. Actually, I go by Jules now.” I twisted my wedding ring again. A small bruise had begun to form under it.
    Tommy laughed and rubbed the golden-brown stubble on his cheeks. In high school he’d played football tight end. He looked like he still maintained a tight training routine. “Well, officially, it’s Deputy Adams, but for old friends like you, I go by Thomas.” He gave me a shy smile.
    “That sounds very dignified.” I teased him, pointing to the police vest he wore. “Looks like you’re official these days, huh?”
    “You know how it goes.” Thomas grabbed a vase of flowers and held it like a torch. He placed his other hand on the gold star on his left chest. “Floral delivery guy by day. Deputy-in-training by night. I do solemnly swear that I’ll keep the streets of Ashland safe, and the window boxes watered.”
    I felt myself relax. I hadn’t expected Thomas to grill me on why I’d returned, but I appreciated his easy manner.
    One of the booths by the window opened up. I motioned to Stephanie to wipe it down. She didn’t notice me or the line of customers growing in front of her. She was caught up in a disagreement with a guy who looked to be about her age.
    “You always were a kidder.” I headed to the empty booth, stacked the dirty dishes, and placed the flowers on the table. “A deputy-in-training. Impressive.”
    Thomas delivered his vase to the next booth and greeted a couple