Page 18 of Save the Dance

If anything, though, I Do Cakes was even more impressive than the flower shop. She breathed in air thick with the tantalizing scents of sugar and yeast. A pair of glassed-in displays beckoned her to try an array of cakes, cookies, and sweets, each more enticing than the next. Through an archway, tables and chairs tempted shoppers to linger over coffee and pastries in a charming room where large picture windows overlooked the tree-lined street.

Despite the hearty breakfast she’d eaten a scant two hours earlier, Tara’s stomach rumbled. She pressed a hand to her midsection as a dark-haired man wearing the traditional chef’s whites topped off by a toque blanche emerged into the front of the shop through swinging doors.

“Nick.” Beside her, Jason extended his hand in greeting. “I’d like you to meet Tara Stewart, from Weddings Today. Tara, this is Nick Bell.”

“On behalf of our staff and all of Heart’s Landing, welcome to I Do Cakes,” the baker said.

So, this was the man Jennifer Longley had married. Tara raised an eyebrow. Mildred and Jason had dropped a few not-so-subtle hints that, like Regina’s, Nick’s wedding hadn’t gone according to plan. Hoping to ferret out the details, she put out her first feeler. “I understand congratulations are in order. I hear your wedding was quite ‘interesting.’” She framed the last word in air quotes.

“There’s never been one like it in the history of Heart’s Landing,” Nick said with a mysterious smile.

That sounded promising. “I’d love to hear more about it,” she prompted, hoping for a juicy tidbit about a wedding gone wrong. “I understand there were quite a few problems leading up to the big day.”

“I prefer to think of them as opportunities.” Nick grinned. “By overcoming each of those challenges, Jenny and I fell deeper and deeper in love.”

“And the ceremony itself?”

Nick’s eyes glazed over. “It couldn’t have been more perfect. The whole town turned out, including a few unexpected guests.”

Hoping to hear about gate-crashers of the worst sort, Tara leaned forward. “Oh?”

“As it turned out, I was marrying into Hollywood royalty—who knew? My wife’s cousin and her new husband put in a surprise appearance. They created quite a stir. Me, though? I only had eyes for Jenny. She was the most beautiful bride I’d ever seen. And, in my work, I’ve seen quite a few.” The baker and Jason shared an amused glance.

Seeing the stars in Nick’s eyes, Tara admitted defeat. Her line of questioning was getting her nowhere. The baker either deserved an award for his acting skills, or he harbored no dark secrets about his wedding. Maybe she’d have better luck with Jenny. She’d make a point of pressing for details the next time they ran into each other. For now, she’d let the matter drop. “Well, congratulations again. I wish you both much happiness.”

“A Heart’s Landing love for the ages, that’s what we have.” Nick nodded. “You’ve met my wife?”

“This morning at the Captain’s Cottage. She sorted through all the details of the weddings scheduled there this week. She was very helpful.”

“That’s my Jenny. I didn’t know what true happiness was until we found each other.” Tilting his head, Nick cast a speculative glance in her direction. “Are you married? Or is there someone special in your life?”

She laughed. Newlyweds. They were so wrapped up in wedded bliss, they thought everyone else should be, too. “I’m afraid I haven’t met my Mr. Right, Nick. Right now, I’m too busy to even look for him.”

The baker’s lips pursed. “Don’t give up. You never know when you’ll run into him.”

She was trying to come up with a dry response when Jason’s quiet laughter caught her attention. She eyed her host for the day. Mirth tugged at his lips. “What am I missing?” she asked.

“Sorry. That’s a little inside joke.” Jason aimed a thumb toward the entrance. “Nick and Jenny met when they literally ran into each other right out there on the sidewalk.”

“Okay, okay!” Nick threw his hands in the air. “I’m sure Tara has a very busy schedule. She doesn’t need to waste her valuable time hearing all about Jenny and me,” he grumbled good-naturedly.

Recognizing her cue, she asked, “So, what do you have for me today, Nick?”

The baker squared his shoulders. He pointed to the display cases. “As you can see, we offer our customers quite the selection of baked goods. Everything is prepared from scratch and baked fresh daily on the premises. Of course, cakes are our specialty, and we provide a full range of services to ensure that each of our brides has the perfect cake for their special day.”

Somewhere in the back of the shop, a motor hummed to life. The air sweetened until Tara bet she’d taste sugar if she stuck out her tongue. “If your cakes are half as good as they smell, your customers must be pleased.”

“We rarely get complaints.” Nick beamed.

She liked the way he said it, as if he were merely acknowledging a fact and not bragging.

“Of course, the best way to prove that is to see for yourself. I have samples of our most popular flavors for you to try. Why don’t you and Jason take a seat, and we’ll have a taste-testing.” He pointed toward a trio of alcoves along one wall. Each had been outfitted with banquettes and tables.

“That sounds great,” she said, looking forward to finding out firsthand if the bakery’s goods were as tasty as the aroma in the air.

Once they were seated on the comfortable cushions, Nick folded his arms across his chest. “I want you to pretend you’re the bride, Tara, and Jason is your fiancé. We’ll start from there and walk through the same process our clients experience when they arrive at I Do Cakes.”

She aimed a doubtful expression at Jason. “Oh, I don’t know about that. I’d need to know a lot more about you before I agree to be your wife. Where will we live? Do you want children? How many?” She couldn’t prevent the teasing lift in her voice.

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