Page 23 of A Gingerbread Romance

SEVEN

Jonathan offered Greta a firm nod. She’d regained her faith in the future of the store and in herself—and he was thrilled. Andhe’dregained her trust—at least some of it.

He should tell her about his part in the business consulting matter right now, shouldn’t he? She’d warmed up to him a lot since last week, and maybe she’d be open to the idea that he was just trying to help? She’d accepted his help today, after all.

Also, wouldn’t it be better if she heard it from him rather than from her grandmother?

“You know, I want to apologize, Jonathan.” She pinned him with a stare across the truck’s cabin, interrupting his thoughts.

He glanced over and back out the window again, where snowflakes fell gently as the blades wiped them away. “Apologize? For what?”

“For misjudging you. I had you pegged as a liar and as someone who was out just for himself.” Her voice was laced with understanding. “But I can see now that you’re really not a bad guy at all. You’ve been very honest, in fact. I’m sorry I got so angry at the meeting.”

Jonathan’s heart fell, and he swallowed. “Thank you for saying that, but listen, Greta…” He hesitated for a few seconds, then forged ahead. “There’s something I should tell you.”

Greta’s brows knitted together. He glanced away again as she spoke. “What is it?”

Just then, the GPS app on Jonathan’s phone interrupted again. “Turn right in eight hundred feet, then stay in the left turning lane.”

Shoot, what timing, but he needed to pay attention to the directions, or they’d wind up lost in rural Pennsylvania in the snow. Not a good combination. “Uh, sorry, hold on one second.” He turned as instructed.

“Of course,” said Greta, checking the app on the dashboard with him. “Oh, look.” A strip mall of sorts came into view, containing several warehouse-sized furniture stores. “This must be it.” She looked intrigued.

He pulled in and parked, then climbed out under the still snowy skies, and she joined him on the sidewalk.

She was so excited about the progress she was making with the store—it was obvious. What if she refused to listen to any more of Berg’s ideas if Jonathan told her he’d been behind the whole thing? And what if she got angry at him again right now?

Then this whole trip would’ve been for nothing, and Greta might not find the furniture she needed today, and he’d be responsible for slowing her progress.

It was decided, then. He would give her and Henry Berg more time to make the changes at the bakery before he burst her bubble and revealed the part he’d played in the progress.

He pressed a hand casually to her back. “Come on, it’s cold. Let’s get you inside.”

She shivered, nodding with a grin, then wrapped her arms around herself and followed. He sighed with relief. She’d forgotten about what he’d said. At least for now.

* * *

Two and a halfhours and three stores later, Jonathan and Greta emerged with a vintage inspired buffet that would hold the creamers and sugars, napkins, lids, and other items that customers would use for their coffee and tea. The piece would pair well with the décor and wall art already in the bakery. Greta was delighted.

They’d also purchased six sets of square cafe tables in black with wooden tabletops containing two matching chairs for each, all at a fifty percent discount. The furniture was used but still in great shape and would be delivered on Saturday after the bakery closed.

One of the guys from the kitchen helped Jonathan load the buffet into the truck, and he covered it with the tarp, then secured it. Greta couldn’t help but notice the way Jonathan’s snug cashmere sweater wrapped his chest like a glove. She directed her glance away.

Fortunately, the snow had finally stopped falling, and the snow plows had been through, making the roads perfectly passable.

They stopped at the next exit for a drive-thru burger shop, laughing and chatting as they’d done for the past several hours. Today had started to feel like a date. Would it be so bad if it were? He’d been doing his best, she could tell, not to treat it like one, but he seemed to be struggling with that as much as she was.

Thank goodness she’d given him another chance because Greta was having a wonderful time, regardless. Abby had been right. She could do this.

She sighed. Would it be so bad if they were more than friends once the building sale went through, though? Because the heat she felt when she looked at him today was enough to melt the snow off of the windshield.

She gazed at him as he turned to accept the bag of burgers and fries from the clerk at the window. His toned shoulders. His scruffy, chiseled jaw. His strong, capable hands.

But it had only been a few days since she’d asked him forfriendship. She couldn’t go changing her mind on him again.

Still, a sophisticated city boy like Jonathan wasn’t going to settle down for a woman who lived in small-town Pennsylvania and owned a bakery.

She’d only get hurt.

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