I Only Have Pies for You (Pumpkin Spice Life 1)

He chuckled. “The Pumpkin Queen is the title given to the winner of the fall bake off. The winner gets to ride in the pumpkin parade, light the first bonfire of fall, and take home a golden pumpkin statue.”

“Sounds adorable.”

“Oh, it is when I’m not involved. Mom’s the reigning champ, and she’s not about to let a pesky thing like a broken ankle ruin the Bulley winning streak. Never mind the tiny detail about how I can’t bake to save my life.” He shook his head. Propped up on their elbows, they faced one another in the dimly lit room.

“Sounds like you might need private lessons. I know a baker who comes highly recommended.”

“Cruel woman, teasing me when I’m in baking hell. You saw what happens when we’re in a kitchen together. Those are the only lessons I’m interested in from you, sassy.” Grabbing her, he rolled her onto her back and tickled her neck with his beard.

“All right. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” she huffed.

Laughing, they settled in for the night. As he drifted off, he couldn’t help but like the feel of her head on his chest and the length of her body pressed against his a little too much. He was tumbling head over heels for her at an alarming rate, and he couldn’t bring himself to slow the process.

Chapter Seven

Rosaleen

Sifting through the reports, she cringed. The numbers were going down. It wasn’t the direction she wanted to see. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her eyelids and fought off the headache that threatened as she tried not to panic.

“Are you ready to close up shop?” Stephanie appeared in the doorframe of the office. “What’s wrong?”

“Business is slowing. The article and the auction helped, but the boost was temporary.” Rosaleen shook her head. “I know it takes time to become a part of the community, but bills don’t slow during the getting-to-know-you process.”

“Have you thought of entering the Pumpkin Queen Bake Off?”

“Alaric mentioned that.”

Stephanie snickered. “He would. His mother locked in the title a while back and since then has refused to let it go.”

“That’s pretty much what he said.” Rosaleen smiled, thinking of the night they’d spent together earlier in the week.

“Well now that she’s out of commission, bless her heart, you’d be a shoo-in.”

“Oh, no.” Rosaleen shook her head. “She’s coaching Alaric to take her place.”

Steph’s jaw dropped. “She didn’t.”

“Oh, but she did. Imagine his shock when she informed him. He’s a stellar cook, but baking ...” She cringed. “Not so much.”

“You saw what happened the last time you participated in a town event. This would really help.”

Rosaleen shifted in her seat. “It feels like a double-cross.”

“Why? He’s been with you from day one, and I can’t imagine him not understanding why this is important for you to do. The sign up is tomorrow. You’ve got the rest of the evening to think about it.”

Things had been going well with her and her hero after the bumps in the road, thanks to Ryan. She didn’t want to derail them. Yet, sacrificing my dreams for another has never been my style.

“There’s nothing wrong with a bit of competition. Seriously consider this. In the comfort of your own home, in cozy pajamas, with something warm to drink. You’ve worked all day long, and you can’t run

a successful business if you burn out.”

“You’re right.” She smiled as she forced herself to get out of her own head. Pushing away from the desk, she stretched her arms above her head. This would require a second opinion from her childhood bestie, Julie. The petite fireball had always told her exactly what she thought, whether she asked her opinion or not. Shutting down the computer, she quickly stored the reports in the filing cabinet under her desk.

“Ready to drop the deposit envelope and put the till in the safe? Everything’s balanced and accounted for.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Steph.” Kneeling, she opened the safe and took the till Steph handed her.

“That’s why you made me assistant manager, isn’t it?” Steph winked. “Besides, you kept me from going insane. With both boys in school full time now I was itching to get back into the workforce. Having it be a position I trained for was the icing on the cupcake.”