Free Sweet Dreams (The Bakery Romance Series Book 3) by Cecelia Dowdy Page B

mother went to the tap and poured herself a glass of water, gazing out the window. “Child, who is that cute young man walking up our driveway?”
    “Oh, my goodness! I forgot about Sterling. He’s Adrian’s neighbor and he drove me over here.” Misty ran into the living room and met him at the door. “I’m sorry for just leaving you out there. I wanted to see Jennifer.”
    He chuckled and touched her face. His dark eyes twinkled when he smiled at her. Her heart skittered and she backed away. His smile faltered. “That’s okay. I knew you were anxious to see your daughter.”
    Her mom joined her at the front door. “Misty, aren’t you going to introduce me to your…your friend?”
    “Mom, like I said, this is Sterling. He’s Adrian’s neighbor and he drove me over here since I wasn’t feeling well.”
    Embarrassment filled Misty’s soul as her mother eyed Sterling from head to toe before shaking his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
    “Nice to meet you too, Ms. Stewart.”
    They retreated to the kitchen and the room filled with awkward silence. Misty wondered why her mother seemed at a loss for words since she was always so talkative.
    Jennifer shied behind Misty when she spotted Sterling.
    He grinned, giving Jennifer a playful wink. “What’s your name?” Jennifer didn’t respond, continuing to stare.
    He glanced around the spotless kitchen. “Where are your toys?” She remained silent but Sterling continued to smile, coaxing her to come forward. “I won’t bite.”
    Soon, Jennifer chuckled and approached him. “I have a doll.”
    “You do? Where is she?”
    Jennifer ran out of the kitchen, soon returned with her small brown doll and a little white bottle. She shoved both items into his arms, giggling. “She wants lunch.”
    Misty’s heart fluttered as he held the small doll and bottle in his brown, muscular arms, playing with her daughter. She blinked, wondering why the scene made her so emotional. She figured it was just lingering remnants of her illness. As Sterling continued to play with Jennifer, she wondered what it would be like to have him around to help her with Jennifer. He’d certainly be a better father-figure than Nate. She imagined both her and Jennifer spending more time with Sterling, bonding. She shook the thought away. She couldn’t allow herself to fantasize about something that would probably never happen. Her mother cleared her throat. “Misty, you should’ve told me you were bringing company. I would’ve cooked dinner.”
    He shook his head. “That’s okay. Since we have a long drive back, I’d rather get on the road.”
    Misty’s mother shook her head, studied him holding the doll. “I can’t send you guys back on the road until I’ve fed you.” She gestured toward the adjoining bedroom. “Misty, go in there and get my purse.”
    Misty obeyed, returning with her mother’s worn black handbag. “I’ll give you some money and you and Sterling can run over to Willie’s Chicken Shack. Get a bucket of fried chicken and some rolls. I already have some potato salad in the fridge. Take your time showing him where it is. Maybe show him around the town a bit.” Misty accepted the money, frowning, wondering why her mother wanted her to show Sterling around Lehigh Acres. Wasn’t her mother glad to see her after all this time?
    Sterling furrowed his brow, setting the doll aside. She wondered what he was thinking.
    Pushing her thoughts away, she lifted Jennifer, kissing her cheek. “We’ll take Jennifer with us.”
    Her mother shook her head before Misty could barely get the request out of her mouth. “No, leave Jennifer here.”
    “Mom…”
    “Look, Honey. You’ll be taking away my only granddaughter and I don’t know when I’ll be seeing her again. Since I don’t have a car I don’t know when I’ll be taking off to come down and visit you.”
    Misty sighed. “Okay.”
    “Are you going bye-bye again, Mommy?” asked Jennifer.
    Misty touched her