Free On Thin Ice by Bernadette Marie Page A

to take over as soon as I walk out that door, but”—she adjusted her attention toward Malory—“she’ll keep my best interest and financial stability in mind.”
    Christopher looked at Malory and just smiled. Then he looked back at Esther. “These are for you.”
    Esther’s face crinkled up in confusion. “For me?”
    “Yeah. They’re a congratulations on your semiretirement.”
    Esther laughed and took the flowers. “You always were such a sweet talker.” Esther cradled the flowers in the crook of her arm. “I’m going to finish up. Thanks for the flowers.”
    “My pleasure.” Christopher gave her a nod as Malory walked toward him. “C’mon, I have something in the truck for you.”
    Malory grabbed her coat from the rack and followed him outside to the pickup.
    Christopher opened the door to his truck then turned and pulled her into his arms. He planted a long, warm kiss on her lips that made her knees go weak. He pressed his forehead to hers as he released her from a kiss that had made her dizzy.
    “I sure like doing that.”
    “I’ll admit I like when you do it too.” She pulled back and smiled. “So what do you have for me?”
    Christopher turned to reach for the item in the truck. “I have reservations at the Brown Palace for Saturday night.” He held up a miniscule duffel bag. “This is all you can pack in.”
    “Chris, this will hardly hold my toothbrush and comb. You expect me to . . .” She saw the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Oh, I see. I’m not really supposed to pack anything?”
    “You always were a smart girl.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “I have to get back.”
    “How long will you be there tonight?”
    “Late. Want to come sit with me and watch hockey practice?”
    She dropped her shoulders and let out a sigh. This was how it would always be, she realized. Their schedules would always keep them apart. “I told Esther I’d be here at four in the morning. I’d better go home and get some rest.”
    He nodded. “Yeah, you’d better. How’s it going?”
    “We meet with the lawyers the day after Thanksgiving.”
    “That’s next week.”
    “I know that.” She slapped him on the arm. “And I’m pretty sure Esther will run out the door too.” Her stomach did an uncomfortable jump. “Oh, I’m going to own this bakery in a week. Well, a third of it.”
    Christopher smoothed his hand over her hair. “You’ll be the owner. You’re going to be doing all the work. You’ll do great. You’ve never failed at anything.”
    That gave her a very uncomfortable feeling as if she’d swallowed a roll of bread dough and it had landed in her stomach. He had no idea how she’d failed.
    “I have to go design a dinosaur. I’ll see you on Saturday then.”
    “I’ll come out and pick you up around three.”
    “I’ll be ready.”
    “Oh, I’m already ready.” He gave her a wink, climbed up into the truck. “Hey, Wil,” he called after her as she turned to go back into the bakery carrying the duffle bag. “I’m glad you came home.”
    Malory watched him drive away. How could she have let it go so far? Who was she kidding? She couldn’t help herself. She’d always had a soft spot in her heart for Christopher, and nothing had changed.
     
    Esther had gone home and Malory wandered the empty bakery.
    She took out a piece of paper and began to sketch out her thoughts for the front of the store. On the side, she started a list of items she’d like to bring in. The display case was nice, but she’d had nicer in California. When profits warranted it, she’d get a better case and she’d begin to carry more pastries.
    Esther’s business, she’d come to find, was more breads, muffins, and specialty items that were ordered or delivered. Malory’s visions were much broader. She wanted to be a part of the community around her. She wanted people to gather to eat what she made. And maybe that would mean adding some deli specialties to the list. She wanted to be more