Free Seducing the Baker (At First Sight) by Janet Lane-Walters

she stand with Jules at the rehearsal and for the ceremony knowing any chance to receive his love had vanished? She clenched her jaw. She could. This time he would be the one to regret walking away.
    She heated some of the remains from last night’s dinner and ate. As she planned her day anger pulsed her thoughts. She shook her head. He wouldn’t ruin her day. Like a whirlwind she vacuumed rugs, changed the sheets on the bed, started a load of laundry and cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms. She showered and dressed.
    When she left the house she drove to the bakery for the box of cupcakes for the tasting. She stepped into the office and picked up the laptop. Tonight she would work on the books.
    After putting the laptop on the floor and the cupcakes on the passenger’s seat she drove to the group home. After parking on the street, she left the van. By the time she rounded the vehicle Charlene had opened the passenger’s door.
    “You’re a liar,” Charlene whined. “I knew you had more.”
    “Do not touch that box. I’m delivering them for a tasting.” She reached around Charlene and slammed the door and locked the van.
    “You almost smashed my fingers,” Charlene spat.
    “They were where they didn’t belong.”
    “You’re selfish.”
    Grace ran up the walk to the kitchen door. “And you’re greedy.” She knocked and opened the door. “Hi,” she called.
    Mrs. Paton looked up. “About time you got here. Charlene has good news that calls for one of your chocolate cakes.”
    Grace washed her hands. “I can’t stay that long. I have an appointment. Lauren wants a cupcake tower instead of a wedding cake.”
    Mrs. Paton scowled. “Is that more important that doing something for me?”
    “It’s business.” Grace seasoned the chickens. “You have the recipe for my cake. That’s all you need.”
    “She’s selfish,” Charlene said. “Will you bake a cake for my wedding? Cupcakes aren’t sophisticated at all. The man I’m marrying is very rich.”
    Grace turned. “Really. Who could that be?”
    Charlene ignored her. “Mama, on Monday morning Mr. Grumble is serving him with papers for back child support. More than nine years. I’ll have a lot of money.”
    “What if he won’t pay?” Mrs. Paton asked.
    “No way he’s wiggling out of this.” Charlene laughed. “If he wants to pay less he’ll marry me. I’ll be out of this dump and living in his New York City penthouse.”
    Grace frowned. “What are you talking about? Did Derek rob a bank?”
    Charlene’s laughter cut like a wire. “Derek’s a fool. I told you who my baby’s daddy was years ago.”
    Grace knew Charlene lied but she kept her mouth shut. How could the bleached blonde forget how Jules had avoided her?
    “Just because he stopped by your shop and pretended not to know me doesn’t mean he didn’t come to my place for a grand reunion.”
    “Didn’t happen.”
    “How would you know?”
    “He came to the shop to discuss a feature for Good Eatin’. We spent the evening discussing the contract. He talked about the past. Your name never came up.”
    Charlene stepped closer. “Stay out of this. Don’t ruin things for my folks and me. You owe us big time.”
    Grace bet her tongue. For years she’d believed she owed the Patons for her care. For that reason she came on Sundays to cook. She covered the chickens with foil and put them in the large oven. “A half hour before they’re done, remove the foil so the skin will brown.” She removed the apron.
    “Where are you going?” Mrs. Paton asked. “What about the potatoes, gravy and vegetables. You also need to bake the cake.”
    Grace fisted her hands. She’d been an easy mark. What had been an act of kindness had become a demanded duty. “I have an appointment. I told Charlene to pass the message along.” Though she would arrive at Lauren’s and Tony’s house early, they wouldn’t mind, especially when she told them about Charlene’s plans.
    A sneer curved