Page 79 of Make Mine Sweet
“I don’t know anyone that irresponsible with their money.” I have some savings, but not nearly the amount it would take to get an entire bakery off the ground. And I could never throw it all into a business anyway. Rainy day funds are for emergencies, not fantasies.
“You’re not a bad investment, angel,” he says softly.
As intensely as he’s watching me, I don’t think he’s only talking about my business. It’s hard to believe someone could see me like that when I literally had a man run away from commitment with me. But Ian’s not running. He’s being patient, letting me inch closer to him.
Honestly, that makes me nervous, too.
“I don’t know if I’m ready,” I finally say. I don’t think I’m only talking about my business, either.
“You’ll know what to do when you are.”
Right. Take a little risk. Not my strong suit on any front.
“I got some good news today,” he says after a minute. “I’m an uncle.”
I lay down my knife on the cutting board. “For the first time?”
He nods, turns off the burner under the seasoned meat, and pulls his phone from his pocket. Swiping it open, he turns it toward me, revealing a small pink bundle, eyes shut tight, the fingers of one little hand splayed across their face.
“Ophelia James. My oldest brother, Pierce, is out of his head with happiness.” Glancing at the picture, his expression softens before he tucks his phone away again.
“That’s a lot of hair. August was a little cueball.”
He chuckles. “They’re trying to contain their disappointment she didn’t inherit our red hair.”
Oh, no. I can’t start imagining sweet little redheaded babies. I’ll want to do a whole lot more thaninchtoward him if I get that idea stuck in my brain.
“She’s beautiful,” I tell him.
“I should probably send a gift, right? I don’t know what’s appropriate for a newborn.”
“You’ve never had a friend have a baby before?”
“I’m not sure any of my friends are ready for that.” He catches my incredulous stare. “What?”
“You’re almost forty.”
His mouth thins. “I’m thirty-six, angel.”
Lovingthis new nickname.
“And your brother is…?”
He seems to concede the point. “Forty-five. But he’s not an irresponsible playboy or anything like that. He was preoccupied with our business before Bonnie came along and changed his priorities.”
A braver woman would dive in and ask what Ian’s priorities are. But I’m skilled at keeping my feet on dry land. “If you need help with baby presents, I have some suggestions of places to shop in town.”
“I welcome any and all suggestions.”
“The Painted Daisywould be my first stop. It’s the gift shop right next door to the bakery. My friend, Hope, sells all sorts of handmade things there. She usually has a good selection of baby stuff.”
“Baby stuff like…?”
I can tell his mind is spinning with everything from diapers to pacifiers. It’s kind of cute that he has no clue. He wants to learn, at least.
I rest my hand on his warm, delightfully firm shoulder. “How about I help you pick some things out one day this week?”
He breathes a sigh of relief. “This is why you’re an angel.”
