Page 21 of A Gingerbread Romance

“And Brett and Elaine are good with the plans?”

“Yes, they actually approved it this morning.”

Jonathan already knew about some of this, since Berg had filled him in, but he wanted to hear about it from Greta. He’d been prepared to argue in her favor with Brett and Elaine if they hadn’t liked the idea. “That’s great. You’re really turning things around—and quickly.” Even more quickly than he’d hoped.

“Thanks. Yes, things are happening fast, and it was like this consultant appeared out of nowhere. I don’t know where I’d be right now without him.”

Jonathan warmed at the change in Greta since just last week when the sale had been announced. “I’m so glad to hear it.” Now, that was money well spent. She’d easily make the increased rent in March when it went up, the numbers for which Brett and Elaine had just about finalized.

They reached city hall. “Hey, I’ll stop in with you,” said Jonathan. “I need to drop into the city planner’s office for a few minutes, anyway. Should I wait for you in the lobby when I’m done?”

She looked surprised but not averse to the idea. “Uh, sure. Okay.”

When Greta returned twenty minutes later, they left the building and headed back outside. Jonathan stopped in front of a sandwich shop a few doors down. He still didn’t want to pressure her, but he wanted more time with her. “I’m going to drop in here and grab a bite for lunch. You’re welcome to join if you like.” The door opened just then as a customer exited, releasing the delicious aromas of baking bread, melted cheese, and fresh deli meats. His stomach grumbled. “Just as friends, of course.”

The tantalizing smells seemed to have the same effect on Greta. Her lips compressed. “Well, I am starving.” She shrugged. “Sure, let’s go.”

He held the door for her, and they walked inside and ordered at the counter, then found a booth. Jonathan was careful not to offer to pay for her meal or to treat her differently than he might treat any other friend, as much as he wanted to. Luckily, Greta seemed satisfied with his actions, or lack thereof.

“So, do you have any leads on chairs and tables for the bakery?” Their sandwiches were dropped off, and Jonathan dug into his warm turkey and Swiss.

She frowned. “Actually, I don’t. I’ve been looking online, but everything’s so pricey compared to residential furniture. I don’t know if I can afford to get what I’d like without sacrificing some quality.”

He swallowed his food. “Have you only been looking at brand new furniture?”

“Yes.” She sighed, then took a bite of her tuna on rye. “And I’ve gotten nowhere with it.”

“I know of a few places that resell used items for business, some of them at a big discount. About an hour from here, outside Baltimore.”

“Really?” She set down her sandwich and wiped her mouth on a napkin. “A discount would be really helpful. And the pieces are usually in good shape?”

He nodded. “Almost like new, give or take.”

She nodded. “Wow, I had no idea those kinds of places existed.”

Why did it make him so happy to see her smile?

“Hmm,” she said, continuing to mull it over. “I should head out there and take a look around. You said it’s about an hour away?”

She looked a bit concerned, maybe over the effort it would take not only to find the place but to find the right kinds of pieces she needed. He could almost see the calculations buzzing around in her head.

“What if I went with you? I could probably borrow my brother’s truck.”

Her brow rose as she tucked a long strand of golden hair behind an ear, then sipped from her glass of ice water. “That’s very generous of you, but I couldn’t ask you to do that for me.”

Discount places weren’t for the fainthearted, and he’d feel better if he could help her out. “It wouldn’t be any trouble at all. Besides, I often send clients to these places. It would be good to see who’s got decent inventory lately, so I know what I’m recommending.” He meant it.

“Well, in that case, sure, I guess so,” she said warily. “I was hoping to nail this down quickly, though. Does tomorrow work?”

The corner of Jonathan’s lip tugged upward. “Tomorrow should be perfect. Let me just check with my brother.”

* * *

Thursday arrived with snow flurries.It wasn’t supposed to be a storm, though, just an inch or two, so they hadn’t canceled their plans.

Greta watched from the back of the counter as Jonathan pulled a truck into one of the diagonal parking spots in front of the bakery. She’d texted him to keep the motor running and that she’d come out when she saw him, so she offered a little wave.

She’d never expected him to take her on such an outing, but he did seem to know what to look for and where to find it, and she’d honestly appreciate any help she could get. She could hardly say no.

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