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

“The universe saw fit to bless us both, I think.” Rosaleen closed the safe and stood.

“Are you going to be okay? I can stay a bit longer if you need to talk.”

Rosaleen shook her head. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for checking in on me.”

“Of course. I know you’re my boss, but we’re friends, too.”

With the money locked away, Rosaleen walked Steph up to the front and unlocked the door.

“I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”

“Yes, ma’am. Evening.”

“Night, Rosaleen.”

Closing and locking the door behind her, Rosaleen turned out all the lights, except for the one in the window display and trudged up the stairs, grateful for the eight o’clock closing. She didn’t miss the late hours her previous positions came with. Half the time her work hours left her feeling like she existed on an alternate plane from the rest of her family and friends.

Stripping down inside of her apartment, she put the claw-footed porcelain bathtub in her aqua-themed bathroom to good use with a lavender bubble bar. Up to her neck in decadent bath care, she leaned her head back against the bath pillow and closed her eyes. Willing the stress away, she let her muscles relax one at a time. The intense regime of her previous job had led to ulcers and high anxiety levels. This new lifestyle meant leaving the majority of work stress at the door as much as possible. Remaining until she was pruney and her brain was less cluttered, she dried off, lotioned up, and put on her pumpkin-themed nightgown and slipped into bed. It was nine-thirty. Early enough for a chat, yet late enough for Julie’s little ones to be in bed. Curling up beneath her purple velvet throw, she dialed the familiar number.

“Hey, boss lady. What’s going on?”

Rosaleen laughed. “I’m good. How are the cutest littles in the world?”

“Adorable. Now that they’re asleep,” Julie dead-panned.

“Rough day?”

“Rough month? Nothing serious, just adjusting to being back in school full time. I think we’re all missing the summer freedom. Enough about me, tell me how the shop is doing, Ms. Entrepreneur.”

Rosaleen sighed as some of the joy leeched away. “Not as well I’d like. The sales are dwindling. I saw a spike with opening week and a few following the auction and the press from the local paper. It’s been a steady decline since then, though.”

“Folks are still playing the outsider card?” Julie asked.

“I think so. I have a chance to get in good with the locals again.”

“Huh. Why am I sensing a but?” Julie said.

“It might complicate things with Alaric,” Rosaleen admitted.

“Captain America? How?” She laughed at the nickname her friend had given hero due to his uncanny resemblance to a certain Avengers actor.

“There’s a pumpkin bake off. It’s a popular fall event.”

“You have to do it, dude.”

“His mother is the reigning champion.”

She heard Julie cringe. “Oh, that does make for an awkward situation. Are you still keeping the relationship on the low?”

“Yeah. The worst part is, she’s adopted him as her fill-in since she broke her ankle and needs to take it easy.”

“Did you ask him about it?” Julie inquired.

“No. I hadn’t even considered entering until Steph mentioned it to me an hour ago.”

“Okay. I’ll ask you a question, and you have to answer honestly with the first thing that comes to mind.”

Rosaleen exhaled. “Shoot.”