Page 12 of Autumn Wishes and Pumpkin Kisses

Silence hangs between the three of us. I watch as a steady stream of people filter in and out of the bakery. Business isn’t bad, but it’s certainly not booming like it used to. Finally, Keefer says, “Teaganne is right. It’d be good for business and it’s overdue. It doesn’t have to be major but just a little something here and there. It’ll change the atmosphere, like she said curious people will come in and before you know it, you’ve got new customers. Plus, with the website I’m going to build. Fran won’t know what hit her.”

“You’re going to build her a website?” I ask Keefer.

He nods his head while chewing his donut. “Yeah, that’s my specialty and it’s the best way I can help Warbee.”

“I’m going to go talk to Bee.” I stand up and head towards the counter. Capri notices me and nods her head asking what’s up? “I need to talk to Warbee. May I come around?”

“Sure, she’s in the kitchen with the little ones.”

I rush behind Capri and Jolie towards the swinging doors of the kitchen. Laughter can be heard the closer I get and when I open the door, I see Warbee, Silas and Seraphina covered in flour and batter. “What in the world?” Chuckles come from behind me and when I look over my shoulder, I see Rocker and Keefer have followed me. Keefer is so close I can smell the woodsy cologne he’s always used. For a moment, I forget what I’m doing. Memories flood back once more, but I quickly regain my composure when Seraphina picks up a handful of flour and attempts to toss it at me. Her black and white outfit is whiter now than anything, but I can’t help but laugh. Pulling my phone from the pocket of my jacket, I snap a few photos.

Rocker steps forward, unphased by the messy kids. “Why don’t you two heathens come with me so we can get you cleaned up?”

Seraphina easily hops into Rocker’s arms and Silas takes his hand and they disappear further into the kitchen area. “What’s going on?” Warbee asks.

“Oh, you know me. I couldn't wait until you would start talking so I went and found out for myself what was going on.”

Warbee sighs. “Teaganne.”

I hold up my hand to silence her. “We’ve come up with a plan. First, Keefer is going to get you an awesome website. Second, I’m going to give the interior of the bakery a little refresh with your consent, of course. Third, we are going to advertise like crazy. There’s no way in hell Fran with the dumbly named restaurant is going to outdo you.”

Unshed tears shine in Warbee’s eyes. “Y’all don’t have to do that.”

“Well, we are,” Keefer says. He strides forward and I curse under my breath, because it should be illegal to look as good as he does. The open flannel shirt hugs his arms, the black t-shirt underneath and his jeans hug the rest of his body in all the right places. The backwards baseball cap was always a weakness of mine for some reason and no one wore it better than the man standing in front of me now. I sigh and try to pull my head out of la-la land.

Warbee crosses her arms over her chest in defiance. “Then I’m paying y’all.”

“The hell you are,” I blurt out.

“Yes, I am. You are already insisting on making my wedding dress.”

I laugh. “Yes, because that’s what I do.”

“For free!” Warbee throws her hands up in frustration.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Yes, because it’s my wedding gift. By accepting you made my life easier because we all know how badly I suck at picking out a gift. This I can rock at. I’m going to freshen up the bakery because I have nothing else to do right now. My entire life is in transition with the divorce and what not. I have no inspiration for clothing aside from your wedding dress. This project will probably help my creative juices to get flowing again. I need this just as badly as you do, Bee.”

Warbee studies Keefer and me. Her eyes dart back and forth between us multiple times before she finally agrees. “Fine, but I’m only agreeing because my oven is about to beep. I want the website and the interior of the bakery to match, so I want y’all to work together.” Keefer and I quickly look at each other and then look away. “Is that going to be a problem?”

I should say yes. I should grab my kids and run in the other direction because I’m pretty sure my confused and tattered heart can’t take any more time with Keefer than it already has, but Keefer answers first. “No problem at all. The whole gang is back together at this point.”

My mouth and mind are a jumbled mess. I can’t let on how badly this is bugging me if he is okay with it. Clearly, things aren’t bothering him, so I’m going to have to suck it up and put my big girl panties on. “Yeah, just like old times.” My voice doesn’t sound as forced as I feel right now. I’m thankful for that.

Rocker reappears with my kids, both as clean as can be, considering the mess they just were. “I got to get to work. I’ll see y’all at little league and I’ll see you back at home darlin’.” He kisses Warbee on the cheek and my heart aches. I always wanted that. I had that with Keefer, but I ran away and created a bigger mess. Now, look at me.

After Rocker leaves, I collect my kids and tell Warbee I’ll be back later to discuss the update, pay for all the items I had Capri box up and head out to Warbee’s Jeep. Keefer catches me. “Teag!” I stop at the sound of my old nickname coming from his mouth. My heart skids to a stop in my chest. I turn around and he rushes forward to take the boxes of bakery goods that I’m trying to juggle along with Seraphina. “Cody called me. Your SUV is ready.”

“Oh, thanks. Can you let him know I’ll pick it up as soon as Warbee has a free moment?”

He nods his head but I can see something going on inside that head of his. “Or I can take you.”

“Oh no, I can’t ask you to do that.” I turn away and start to buckle Seraphina into her car seat.

Keefer chuckles. “You didn’t ask. I offered.”

“I don't’ think you want to spend an hour in the car with my kids.” Nice job Teaganne. Blame it on the kids when really, it’s you.

He looks at the kids and makes a goofy face. “I think we can manage, but if you’re that worried my mom would be more than happy to babysit for a bit.”

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