Page 51 of House of Royals

“Mmm,” she says in delight. Her accent is heavily Southern Belle. “It all smells heavenly. How about a cinnamon roll?”

“Excellent choice,” I say as I scoop one out for her onto a little glass plate. “That’ll be two dollars.”

The woman digs around in her bag and pulls out a wallet. When she opens it, I see different bills folded in different ways. Smart. She hands me a five and I make change for her.

“Thank you, my dear,” she says as I take her plate to one of the tables and guide her to it. “I just moved in to the edge of town and hoped I might find somewhere comparable to my old regular. Y’all are very sweet here.”

“I haven’t been in Silent Bend too long myself,” I say, sitting at the table for a minute because I don’t have much else to do in the back at the moment.

“That right?” she says with a smile and manages to fork some of the roll off.

“I’ve only been here at Fred’s for a week,” I say. It’s nice, having a normal conversation.

“How do you like the town so far?” she asks.

“It’s…” How the hell do I answer that question? Dark. Manipulated. Totally crazy. “It’s a town that will keep you on your toes.”

“Good to know,” she says.

“Well, I better get back to work,” I say, standing from the table. “You have a nice day.”

“You too, Miss…?” she asks.

“Alivia, Alivia Ryan.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Daphne, and I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more of me.”

“I hope so,” I respond politely. Fred calls for me from the back, and I go to help him.

Flour. Sugar. Eggs. Chocolate. Berries.

All of this is normal. And when I have my headphones in, listening to my old playlist, it’s like I’m back in Colorado and life is what it used to be.

Until just after eight, Fred comes in the back where I’m putting the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies in the oven. “Ian Ward is at the counter askin’ for you. You two even know each other?”

I blush, even though Fred has no idea of the truth. Boy, do we… “Yeah,” I say instead, tucking my hair behind my ear. Fred takes over, and I walk out to the counter.

There are two ladies drinking coffee in one corner and enjoying scones. And standing at the counter, hands in the pockets of his EMT uniform, easy as always, is Ian.

“I have to admit, I didn’t really believe Rath when he told me you’d gotten a job at Fred’s,” he says with the classic Ian smile. “This seems too mundane and normal for you.”

“Well, this girl doesn’t have bills to pay like some people,” I say, recalling the conversation we had that first day we met. “But I needed something to keep me busy and from going crazy.”

Ian just nods with a smile and studies me for a moment. “You look good.”

And he means it. Which is a surprise, since I’m wearing a maroon apron covered in flour, my hair is in a crazy, messy bun on top of my head, and I probably have foodstuff on my face somewhere.

“Thanks,” I say with a blush. “You just get off work?”

Ian nods and I instantly notice the tiredness in his eyes. “Yep, should be my only graveyard shift this week, though. Worked the last six days straight. I’m going home now to catch a few hours of sleep, but…maybe I can come by later this evening?”

He looks hopeful, like he isn’t sure what my answer is going to be. Which is incredibly adorable. And I’d almost never use that word in relation to Ian. Strong? Yes. Assertive? Yes. Adorable…?

“Yeah,” I answer with a smile as another customer walks through the door. “I think you can.”

He just laughs and his eyes grow brighter. “Well, how about three scones for the family while I’m here? Lula loves Fred’s heart-stopping pastries.”

“You got it.”

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