Page 81 of Fragile Sanctuary

My eyes flew open. That was a dangerous game. Better to think about whatever bakery treats I was about to indulge in.Muchsafer to everything except my cholesterol. Cracking the window, I turned off my engine and hopped out in front of the newly painted sign forThe Mix Up.

The new owner had taken over less than a month ago but had already turned the place upside down in the best way. The previous owner had done a decent job with the baked goods, but the décor hadn’t been anything special. Sutton had taken everything to the next level.

There were homemade breads, pastries, and treats on top of breakfast and lunch offerings. But her specialty was cupcakes. The creations she concocted were unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Everything from unicorns to monsters in every imaginable color.

But I wasn’t looking for a sugar coma, just a pick-me-up to get me through the first few hours of work. The bell over the door tinkled as I stepped inside, the incredible smells wrapping around me. The space had white walls with dark, exposed beams overhead. Shabby-chic chandeliers hung, giving the place a feminine feel. And the accents of teal in the banquette seating and counter gave it a vibrant energy.

A woman with piercing, almost turquoise eyes smiled widely at me. “Morning, Rho.”

“Morning. It smells amazing in here,” I greeted as I made my waytoward the counter. There were only two other patrons, both of whom were enjoying breakfast and their papers, so you could hear the soft strains of country music coming through the speakers.

“Always love hearing that,” Sutton said, her eyes lighting. “What are you thinking this morning?”

I glanced up at the chalkboard behind the counter. The antique frame and curlicue writing only added to the charm of it all. My gaze landed on a new addition. An egg sandwich with caramelized onions and fresh greens. “Oooooh, I want the special to go.”

“Perfect choice.”

“I’m a sucker for anything with caramelized onions.”

“It’s the whole salty-sweet thing. What about to drink?” Sutton asked.

“I’ll do a hazelnut latte.”

“You’ve got it,” Sutton said, turning toward the kitchen. “One special.”

“Coming right up,” an older voice called.

Sutton set to work on my coffee as I tapped my credit card against the reader. Then I moved down to the bakery case to admire some of her work. I just shook my head as I took it all in. There were cupcakes that looked like adorable buckets of popcorn, ones with strawberries cut to look like flowers, a few penguins, and her signature rainbow unicorns.

“I can’t believe you can make all this,” I muttered.

Sutton chuckled. “It’s kind of an addiction. I love coming up with new ideas.”

“Well, I’d say you have a gift.”

“Moooom,” a little boy called as he charged out of the kitchen.

Sutton gaped at him as he skidded to a stop in front of her. “Did you eat some of the frosting I was working on?”

The little boy’s eyes shifted to the side. It would’ve been a dead giveaway of guilt if blue stains weren’t already all over his face.

“Luca.”

He grinned up at her. His teeth were blue, too. “The blue’s the best kind.”

Sutton shook her head. “Go wash your face in the bathroom. We need to head to school, and I can’t take you looking like you’re about to audition for The Blue Man Group.”

His face scrunched. “What’s blue man group?”

She ruffled his hair. “Musicians who dunk themselves in blue paint before every performance.”

Luca looked thoughtful for a moment. “I’d try out if they dunked me in bluefrostingbefore every performance.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Me, too. Blue is the best.”

He grinned at me. “Mom’s working on the cookie monster cupcakes right now. She’ll give you one if you ask real nice.”

“Thanks for the tip.” I winked at him, and he charged for the bathroom. “How did you make such a cute kid?”

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