Page 4 of Cookie
“Ohhh, now I’m interested. Describe him.”
“Big muscles, tattoos on one forearm. Dark blond hair that’s a little too long for him to be a corporate douche. Blue eyes filled with mischief. Sexy smile.”
Nina giggles. “Sounds like you got areal goodlook at him.”
“Yeah. Well, he was offering to marry me and that doesn’t happen much. So I paid attention. Even though it was a joke.”
“Pretty cruel joke if you ask me.” She was back to hating on him.
I shrug it off. “Only if you believe it—which I didn’t.”But I was tempted to believe.“I reckon he’s in town for the New Years celebrations then he’ll be gone like every other tourist, never to be seen again.”
“Still, it doesn’t matter how hot you are, you shouldn’t go around trying to convince girls you want to run away with them.”
“Better than acting interested in me to get the cookie recipes out of me like that coffee house guy last month.”
“That was awful. Probably why I’m so bent out of shape over this guy.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, he didn’t even want a cookie, he wanted a sandwich.”
“Ugh. Now I just think he’s stupid.”
Laughing, I put my work to the side and dust off my hands as the bell sounds above the shop door, signaling a customer. “I don’t think he’s stupid,” I say as I head back out. “He’s just a man who knows what he wants.”If only it really was me…
Baxter
“No? What do you mean, no?” Dad’s voice is understandably grumpier than usual. I’ve just told him I won’t be convincing Annie to part with her recipes.
“It’s personal, Dad. Something has come up.”
“What’s more personal than the company you’re due to inherit?”
“Oh, come now, Dad. You’re too stubborn to ever die, so we both know that’s never going to happen,” I tease. He just grumbles in response. “I’ll see you in the new year.”
“The new year? You’re not coming straight back?”
“I told you: something personal has come up.”
“Baxt—”
I disconnect, ending the conversation before we talk in circles. He’s a stubborn man, my father. When he goes after something, he’s not easy to sway in the opposite direction. I guess that’s something we have in common because I won’t be giving up until Annie is mine.
I’ve done a bunch of research since getting to my rented cabin this afternoon. She’s been offered deals in the millions since winning that award, but she’s turned every one of them away. My contacts at Wholefoods and Starbucks both said she refused because the original recipe belonged to her family and she wouldn’t part with it. I had to admire that. My dad and I may not always see eye to eye, but I’ll defend that old bastard till my dying breath. He can’t have Annie’s recipes though. I don’t care that he’s my blood; I look at Annie and see my future, the mother of my children. That kind of bond is even stronger, so if she needs to keep her recipe a secret, I’ll standby and protect that right until the cookie vultures give up or find some other baker to throw their money at. Now I need to figure out how to claim her without her thinking I’m trying to trick her out of her secrets. If only my name wouldn’t give me away…
Annie
“There’s a party in my mouth and everyone’s invited,” Nina yells with her arms above her head and a firework cookie going off inside her cheeks. She looks like a squirrel hiding her nuts. “You’ve outdone yourself, Annie. These are to die for.”
“Why, thank you,” I say, tasting a bite of cookie myself. The recipe is similar to my gooey choc-chip, but with pop rocks mixed into the chocolate chunks and the pop rock cream filling to boot. They satisfy that cookie craving while giving you an explosive surprise. Perfect for my stall at the New Year's Eve festival at the lake. “I think they really capture the holiday.”
“Definitely. Bake twice as much as you think you’ll need. You ran out halfway through last year.”
“I’ll be baking night and day if I do that.”
“I don’t see how that’s any different to what you do normally.” She pops another bite into her mouth and giggles.
Smiling, I pick up a piece of cookie and throw it at her. “Are you saying I’m obsessed?”
“With baking?” She picks the piece up and adds it to her already full cheeks. “Absolutely. You need to get out more. Meet people.” I squint in an attempt to dodge the crumbs flying from her mouth as she speaks.
