One Funeral (No Weddings #2)(57)

I remembered he’d said something about how he’d bought his house and refurbished it, creating that gorgeous gourmet kitchen I loved. “I don’t know. The space has potential.”

Stopping in the center of the grass, he pulled me into his arms. “We have another event coming up.”

I sighed, enjoying his solid warmth around me. “Ah, yes. That’s right.”

He nodded. “Kristen and I have been emailing back and forth about it for the last few days. It’s two weeks from tonight and has an enormous cake project. You up for the task?”

Laughing, I nodded. “You know I live and die for cakes. A challenge to boot? Bring it on.”

His lips brushed against my forehead, placing a tender kiss there. “Good. I want you to take your time and enjoy this one.”

I purred, leaning into him. “Oh? What’s the theme?”

He shifted, dropping his head down, burrowing his mouth past my hair until his lips pressed against my ear. I shivered.

His words were the slightest whisper. “The Dragon Boat Festival.”

I jumped back, breaking contact, bouncing and squealing with excitement. “Really? I get to make my dragon cake?” That first day Cade had come to Sweet Dreams, I’d been practicing making sections of my dream creation, experimenting with the shape, perfecting the look of the scales.

He barked out a laugh. “Yes, really. You finally get to create your dragon, Maestro.”

Even in the darkness, I saw amusement and joy sparkling in his eyes. It seemed to reflect the fireworks shooting off in my head.



The next two weeks were amazing. Activity at Sweet Dreams grew busier than ever with school out and shoppers prowling. Backdoor business from restaurants and resorts was booming too, the beginning of summer bringing in a tidal wave of demand for cakes and cupcakes to supply parties and events. Loyal customers also began placing larger orders, needing to regularly satisfy their sweet tooth with gourmet treats.

Cade had been wonderful. He’d dialed the sexual banter way down, but his romantic courting escalated in incremental levels each day. And the gestures and gifts were unlike any I’d ever imagined.

On Wednesday, he’d given me black-and-white photographs of a day he spent in Central Park: horse-drawn carriages, cherry trees in full bloom, and an older couple sitting on a bench, holding hands, pure happiness radiating in their expressions. Yesterday, he gave me a delicate potted orchid. Its lacy ivory flowers looked like pink paint had been splattered on the petals.

I glanced at my silent phone. He’d been MIA all morning. Instead of coming by before hours with coffee, he’d been absent without a word, which was unusual. Although he’d graduated and had all but removed himself from the bar’s responsibilities, he woke early every morning just to bring coffee and spend a little quiet time with me before my hectic workday.

I turned off the mixer, satisfied with the consistency of the frosting when I saw my phone light up on the desk. “Daniel, can you frost that last batch of red velvets?”

“Sure thing, Boss.” He abandoned the inventorying with Chloe in the refrigerator and grabbed the spatula from me.

Wiping my hands on my apron, I walked over to the desk and picked up my phone. I grinned when I saw there were two texts from Cade.



You busy?



A minute later, another text had come through.



If you’re busy, we can come back another time.



Curious about the “we,” I untied my apron from behind my back and pulled it over my head. “Hey, guys, can you cover for me for a bit?” I tossed the apron onto my office chair and shoved my phone into my back jeans pocket.

Chloe popped her head out from behind the refrigerator door. “We got it, Hannah. Go take lunch.”

Rounding the corner, I furrowed my brow when I didn’t see Cade, or anyone else for that matter, in the front lounge area. Then, movement caught my attention through the window.

I gaped, blinking, and stepped closer.

In Cade’s arms was the most adorable black-and-brown puppy on the planet, one ear half cocked up with the tip folded over.

“Awww...” I opened the door, holding my hands out. “So cuuute.”

He chuckled, handing him over. “Thanks. I knew shaving this morning would earn me points.”

I rolled my eyes, snuggling with the furry cutie pie. “Not you, Mr. Ego, the puppy. What is he?”

“She is a German Shepherd.”

As I nuzzled her, I blinked, then looked up at Cade, all amusement fading from my face. “Did you just buy me a puppy?”

He shook his head, hooking a leash into her collar. “Nope. Borrowed one.”

I refused to let go of the soft little bundle in my arms and strolled after Cade when he started walking, the leash hanging loose between us. “How do you borrow a dog, exactly?”

Glancing over his shoulder, he arched a brow and slowed until we caught up. “You visit a pet store and give the employee forty bucks to go walk the best-looking dog in their shop.”

“And they let you take a dog for forty dollars? How did they know you weren’t a dognapper?”

He sighed. “They’re also holding my driver’s license hostage. It’s either her, or the bike.”

I shook my head, laughing. “So we’re walking a dog for today’s surprise?”