Return to Me (Blue Harbor Book 5) by Olivia Miles (most popular ebook readers .TXT) 📕

home, but I can’t be sure that Candy wouldn’t be trailing us,” Kyle whispered, and Brooke burst out laughing, loudly, too loudly, enough to probably catch Amelia’s attention from the kitchen.

Enough to make something catch in Kyle’s eye.

She felt her smile slip and something in her heart tug. Six years ago when they’d sat in this very restaurant, they never could have imagined that this was where they’d be today.

And that was why it was time to go home and clear her head, maybe do a little planning for tomorrow, think about her real life, the one she’d built for herself without Kyle.

9

Brooke could have put money on the fact that Candy would be her first customer of the day, and she wasn’t the least surprised to see her future aunt push through the shop door within minutes of Brooke turning the sign in the window.

She held up a bakery bag and said, “I brought you a little breakfast. My specialty. No pressure.”

Brooke wasn’t so sure about that. Still, she took the bag and set it on her desk. “Thank you.”

Candy eyed her quietly, her gaze darting back to the bag in a meaningful way.

Brooke politely lifted the bag again and looked inside to discover some small biscuits that were still warm and had the distinct aroma of cheddar.

“These smell delicious,” she said, eliciting a beam from Candy.

“Just something I whipped up.” When Brooke still didn’t reach for one, Candy was sure to add, “They’re actually my famous cheese biscuits. Amelia has them on the menu now, daily.”

Brooke licked her bottom lip to hide her smile. What Candy lacked in modesty and discretion, she made up for in warmth, and Brooke could see how her uncle was revived by this woman. She was energetic, if a little eccentric, and she certainly added a welcome distraction to Brooke’s morning.

Besides, she was getting used to seeing familiar faces, looked forward to it even.

Even when she shouldn’t, she thought, pulling her thoughts from Kyle.

She grinned at Candy. “Well then, I don’t see how I can resist.”

It was a far cry from her usual breakfast of a poached egg with a single slice of toast, or a piece of fruit sliced onto yogurt. Still, when she took a bite, under Candy’s scrutiny, she knew that she’d better not make a habit of letting Candy stop by at this hour. These were too good to resist.

“I can see why Amelia hired you!” She polished off one of the biscuits while Candy smiled gaily.

“It was only supposed to be temporary, but then, so was my contract with Denny!” Candy honked in laughter, and despite herself, Brooke joined in.

It was just what she needed—well, other than the extra calories—to get her mind off Kyle and onto lighter, easier thoughts. Still, as Candy continued to watch her carefully, she had the uneasy sensation that the woman was waiting for an opportunity to bring up Brooke’s so-called date last night.

Instead, Brooke focused on Candy, not just because she was marrying into the family, but because it might help her have a better sense of direction for the wedding dress design and what kind of day Candy pictured.

“I heard about my uncle’s fall last year,” Brooke said, recalling the slip off the ladder that had resulted in two broken bones, and a caregiver who offered more than anyone had expected.

“At the orchard.” Candy clucked. “He’s fine now, thanks to a little tender loving care.” She waggled her eyebrows. “But I think it’s for the best that Britt took over the place. Plus, it leaves more time for Denny and me to…get to know each other better.”

Oh, boy.

“I wondered how my uncle would manage when my father retired,” Brooke said on a sigh. “None of us were ever quite as attached to the orchard as my cousins. Britt is definitely the best person to take it over, and I hear that she’s doing a fine job.”

“With the help of Robbie Bradford, of course. If Denny hadn’t fallen off the ladder, I’m not sure Britt would have come back. And if she hadn’t come back, she wouldn’t have been reunited with her first love. It’s funny how sometimes one event can alter the course of so many things.”

Brooke raised her eyebrows. “I couldn’t agree more. If I hadn’t lost my job, I doubt I ever would have moved back to Blue Harbor.”

“And aren’t you glad you did?” Candy looked at her hopefully, but Brooke knew better than to take the bait. Instead, she shifted the conversation back to her cousin. “Britt seems very happy running the orchard, and it was very clever of my uncle to hire Robbie…”

Candy laughed. “Oh, no, he’s not the matchmaker in the family. He’s too practical for that sort of thing. Besides, I think he’d given up all hope of Britt moving back before his fall. No, I can’t say that dear Denny is responsible for getting those two back together. I think it’s just good old-fashioned fate.”

“Fate?” Brooke was sure she looked as skeptical as she felt.

“Oh, I’m sure you hear that word a lot in here,” Candy said, brushing a hand in the air. Her gaze, however, had turned up a notch in its intensity. “When two people are meant to be together, they find a way.”

Brooke pulled in a breath. Sure enough. Though Amelia wasn’t one to gossip, Brooke would bet money on the fact that Candy had managed to get the bare-bone facts out of her before the door of the café was locked last night.

“Robbie and Britt were meant to be. They went their different ways and life brought them back together. Older. Wiser.” Candy looked around the empty shop in case anyone might overhear, and stage whispered, “If you ask me, it won’t