Sprinkled with Love

He swallowed hard. “I have to make it pretty too?”

She smiled and nodded. “It is a competition.”

“But I thought pie was served with a scoop of ice cream on top.”

“Yes, you can do it that way. Or you can slice the pie carefully and let your hard work speak for itself by not hiding it under the ice cream.”

“All right. You’re the boss.”

She shook her head. “Not the boss. Just the mentor. In the end, it’s your pie to do as you see fit.”

At this point, he said good night. This evening had gone far better than he’d hoped. It made him optimistic for the future—their future. But before he could make a serious play for Jillian, he needed to have his life sorted.

His thoughts drifted back to buying the ranch. He’d given the idea of taking on a partner some serious thought. It couldn’t be just anyone. Time and again, he thought of Blake, who respected the land and animals like he did.

Chapter Seventeen

She couldn’t get behind. Not today.

Wednesday afternoon arrived quickly. Jillian had been pushing herself all day to stay on top of things. There were emails to answer, supply orders to place, and a special order necklace to make. It all had to be completed by the end of the day. And she couldn’t fall behind.

Tonight was her next baking lesson with Avery. And not only did they have to go over making a decorative pie top, but she also had to show him how to finish it with a caramel glaze. She would have to see if she could find a fluted pastry cutter on the way home. A lattice top for this type of pie was risky since it was unusual, but she felt it would really set it apart.

Suzanna glanced up from where she was working on a new figurine. “And what has you smiling?”

“Nothing in particular.”

“Uh-huh. I’ve never seen you smile like that for me.”

Jillian schooled her features into a serious expression, even though inside she was still smiling. “Who says that I’m smiling about someone?”

“I do. I’ve known you since we were in

kindergarten. And something is up, so out with it.”

“It’s no big deal.” That was a lie. It was a great big deal. “I’ve decided that I’ve let the town’s gossip dictate too much of my life and from now on I’m doing what I please with whom I please and they can say whatever they want.”

Suzanna smiled. “Well, it’s about time.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That I’ve watched you over the years shy away from things you want because you’re afraid that it’ll upset your mother or get the gossips started. As one person who has recently been the highlight of the town gossip, I can tell you that what they say means nothing. Most of the time they have their facts all wrong.”

Jillian remembered everything Suzanna had to endure after she got stood up at the altar. That had been such a tragic time in Suzanna’s life. It was still only less than a year ago, but Suzanna seemed to have worked through most of it, although she was still leery of dating.

“I’m sorry you had to go through all of that,” Jillian said.

Suzanna shrugged. “I guess it could have been worse.”

“How’s that?”

“He could have married me.”

“That’s true.” Jillian couldn’t imagine getting married to someone who didn’t love her back. “I’m sure you’ll find a really great guy who will deserve you and treat you like a queen.”

Suzanna laughed. “I don’t know about that. First, we have to get you all situated.”

“Situated? What’s that supposed to mean?”