The Red Door Inn Read Online Free PDF Page B

disappearing into the back room again. “I’ll be right back. Just a second.” Suddenly a loud groan accompanied the ringing, followed by the sound of several metal cookie sheets falling onto wire racks.
    A few moments later she slunk around the corner, smile gone, carrying a plate piled with dark brown rolls. “I’m trying a new recipe, and I think I overcooked these cinnamon rolls.” Her blue eyes moved between the stack of treats and a garbage can. Then they lifted to meet Marie’s gaze. “Would you mind trying one? They’re overdone, but we could pick off the overcooked parts and you could tell me what you think of the flavor.”
    Marie glanced over her shoulder and around the empty room, sure that the woman must be speaking to someone else. But there was no one else there. Tucking her finger around the chain at her neck, she twisted it several times, wanting to accept the offer as much as she knew she had to decline.
    The other woman didn’t bother to wait for a response, wrapping one of the steaming sweets in a napkin and holding it out. Marie hesitated for a beat before taking it and holding it close to her chin with both hands.
    â€œAre you visiting or new to the area? I haven’t seen you around before.”
    Marie nodded before picking a bite off the roll and popping it in her mouth. Flavors exploded across her tongue—cinnamon and nutmeg mingled with the sugar of the cakey bread, like a coffee cake in roll form. Her smile returned, and she pointed at the roll, too consumed with experiencing it to make any sound except a sigh of pleasure.
    â€œReally? You think it’s okay?” The chef extraordinaire took her own and nibbled on a corner, her lips pursing and dimples disappearing as she analyzed it. “It’s all right.”
    Marie shook her head. “It’s so much better than all right. It’s amazing and delectable. Light and spicy. It’s like an L. M. Montgomery story in edible form.”
    This made the other girl laugh. “No one has ever compared my baking to any author, let alone Maud Montgomery. This deserves a cup of hot cocoa on the house.” She pulled a paper mug from beside a silver machine and pressed a lever, filling it to the brim before holding it out. When Marie took her cup of deliciously hot chocolate, the other woman filled her own. “To Maud, then.” They held out their drinks in a toast, then sipped carefully.
    The heat coated Marie’s stomach, warming her toes and fingers and every bit in between. With tingles and pricks, feeling returned to her nose, and she blew into her cocoa just to watch the steam rise. After several minutes of eating in silence, Marie glanced up, warm, renewed, and ready to find the illusive antique shop.
    â€œI was told there’s an antique shop close by. Can you tell me how to get to it?”
    â€œSure. It’s just down the street. About five minutes.”
    â€œHow many miles—I mean, kilometers—is it?”
    The woman’s laugh was as rich as her cinnamon roll. “I’mfrom the island. We only know it by time. But it’s very close. In fact, if you walk it, I can give you a shortcut.”
    Marie nodded quickly, paying closer attention to the directions than she had when Jack told her how to get there.
    â€œThank you so much. You’ve been so kind . . . and I don’t even know your name.”
    â€œCaden Holt.”
    â€œMarie Carrington.”
    â€œHow long are you in town?”
    Marie shrugged, not sure how to even begin answering that question. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”
    Caden leaned over the counter and whispered, “Watch out or the island will lure you in. You’ll never want to leave.”
    The facial muscles that hadn’t had a workout in months bunched again, Marie’s smile growing wide. With views like the Rustico Harbor and people like Jack and Caden offering