Adams Grove 03-Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes Read Online Free PDF Page A

history.
    Connor stepped between the solid columns that flanked the extra-tall doors and walked inside the office he now shared with Carolanne.
    Across the long solid-wood counter that used to be the teller space, Carolanne stood with her back to him, filing.
    He watched quietly for just a moment as the sunlight from the front window cast a gold-and-auburn shimmer through the tight braid in her hair—a contrast to the darker brown it had looked hanging down her back this morning.
    “Got time for a snack break?” He raised the bakery box for her to see.
    Her eyes seemed to survey his running gear, followed by one of those looks, the kind mothers usually dole out. “Are you not working today?”
    He plopped the box down. “You need to ease up. You’re not in New York City anymore, in case you’ve forgotten.”
    “How could I forget with you reminding me daily?”
    He liked the familiar sparring with her. “Maybe these will sweeten your disposition.” He pushed the box across the counter. “I had a few important things to take care of this morning, like picking these up from Mac’s.”
    She walked closer, then paused. “You are so bad. Mac’s bear claws? I can smell them from here.” She took two quick steps to his side and lifted the top of the box. “What’s the occasion?”
    “It’s not every day a guy meets Cinderella.” He waved one of the pastries under her nose. “Pretend this is your glass slipper.”
    “Too many of these and it won’t fit!” She eyed the pastry. “If this is what they’re arming Prince Charming with these days, it’s not fair…but I like it. Good thing I’m not in the market for a man or I’d be a goner.”
    “You could use a little more meat on those bones of yours.”
    “Lucky me.” She leaned forward and took a bite of the pastry, and then took it from his hands. “Mmm, that’s good. Thanks. What’s in the other box?”
    “Something for later.” Why did I even buy those cupcakes? One horny morning and I’m suddenly falling for sappy old wives’ tales to get laid? Somehow, “Hey, baby, want a cupcake?” sounded a little perverted.
    “They’re still warm.” Carolanne wiped the sticky sugar from her fingers.
    Connor took the other bear claw from the box, but hesitated before taking a bite. “Question for you. Have you met a brunette named Anita from Hale’s Vineyard? She was in the bakery this morning.”
    “If it’s the same one I’m thinking of, she teaches a mean hot yoga class. I heard she’s going to be teaching here in town once they finish the renovation on the storefront down on the first block.”
    “That’s one of Mac’s buildings, isn’t it?”
    “You’d know better than me. I’d had no idea he owned half the buildings on Main Street until you told me.”
    “Has to be the same lady. I think she and Mac are a couple. They seemed pretty chummy, but I’m surprised no one’s been talking about it.”
    “I heard she was a widow. Good for Mac. She seems really sweet.”
    He bit into the bear claw. “I ran into Scott down at the bakery, too. Someone pulled the chain down at the Dixon farm again. I told him I’d go secure it and look into upgrading the entrance with a pole gate.”
    “The way that property is all grown up, I’m surprised anyone can even find it anymore.”
    He walked over to one of the locked filing cabinets and got the keys to the property gate. “Guess I’ll go get that knocked out.” Connor headed for the door. “I’ll see you later,” he said as he turned to go upstairs to change out of his running clothes.

    Dressed for the day, he took the back stairs down to the alley. Teddy Hardy was carrying a box of clippings from the florist out to the dumpster.
    Connor waved to Teddy, then opened the door to the storage shed behind the building. He grabbed a small toolbox, put it in the trunk of his car, then pulled his blue Mercedes onto Main Street.
    He drove past the airport and Malloy’s Construction, then pulled