Page 39 of The Fake Girlfriend's Billionaire Match
Perhaps the most romantic thing Winnie had ever heard, and he’d said it as he looked at her. At first, she thought he was really speaking to her, but she’d read too much into it. She’d even wondered aloud that she didn’t think it would be bad to stay in Caprock Canyon, but he’d been sweet and let her down easy. He wanted her to go back to San Antonio because he wasn’t ready for something more serious than the temporary relationship they had.
Her heart had physically ached for hours after, but it was okay. She’d used the time to draft an email detailing the things she wanted the contractor to do. Then she’d spent some time with the floorplan and finding the best table and chairs to fit the type of atmosphere she was looking for. In all, everything was coming along well.
The smell of dough burning broke through her thoughts, and she hurried to pull the rolls out of the oven. When was the last time she’d burned anything? She needed to pay attention, or there’d be no rolls later. She set them on top of the oven and groaned. “Oh, they’re ruined.”
Reagan ran into the kitchen and slid to a stop, and her eyes widened. “What happened?”
“I was distracted. I’m sorry.” Winnie sighed and hung her head.
“It’s just dough. We’ll make some more.” Reagan picked up the bowl they’d washed and set aside to dry. “I make these almost every morning. It’s really not that big of a deal to make some more.”
Winnie used the spatula and tried to find even one cinnamon roll she could taste test. In the middle, under all the charred edges, was a soft piece that didn’t look too bad. She pinched off a piece and tried it. “Oh, this isn’t too bad.” She pinched off another piece and offered it to Reagan.
“No, I think that’s perfect.” Reagan looked at the notes from the last batch. “I think we’ve got it. All we have to do now is bake some tonight.” She held up her hand to give Winnie a high-five.
Winnie tapped her palm against Reagan’s and laughed. “Whew.”
“Look at it this way, we won’t be too sick to enjoy them tonight. A few more of these things, and I would have been done.”
“Me too.”
“What is that smell?” asked King as he walked into the kitchen to refill his coffee mug.
Winnie raised her hand. “I kind of got distracted, and the last batch of rolls burned.”
“Well, better now than later, I guess.”
He walked to Reagan, giving her a one-arm hug, and then did the same to Winnie. “We appreciate the two of you doing this.”
Winnie really loved this family. She could see King in Bear. The way his dad treated Caroline was sweet and loving. It was like they were kids most of the time.
“You’re welcome,” Winnie said. “I’m just sorry the house smells like burned bread.”
“Aw, it’ll clear out soon enough.” He set his mug down. “You two go have some coffee and relax. I’ll clean up.”
Reagan smiled. “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“I know, and I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to. Now shoo. I’ve got this.”
Grabbing a cup from the cabinet, Reagan filled it with coffee and handed it to Winnie. “Want to sit outside a little while? Enjoy the snow?”
“Sure.”
“Are you going to have some coffee, Reagan?” asked King.
Waving him off, she said, “No, I’m good.”
A tiny smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “All right.”
On the way out, they put on their coats and then parked themselves each in a chair on the front porch. The smell of snow in the air coupled with the hot coffee was heavenly.
“This is nice.” Winnie looked at Reagan. “And it was fun cooking with you.”
“You are seriously talented, girl. That idea to add the little bit of orange peel was brilliant. I would never have thought of that because I don’t even really taste the orange in it, but that’s exactly what was missing.”
“Well, your coffee could run circles around mine, and I thought mine was good.” Winnie chuckled and took a sip of her coffee. “So, so good.”
Reagan grinned and shrugged. “Thanks.”
