How Cassie Got Her Grind Back(Divine Creek Ranch 23)(105)

“Brrr!” Toby, Seth’s son, chirped from the crook of his arm as they followed the ladies in. “Cold outside, Daddy!”

“Yes, it is. We need cocoa, don’t we?” Seth asked, grinning at the preschooler as he unwound the colorful knitted scarf from his little ears and head.

“Cocoa!” Toby crowed and clapped his hands.

Pulling out her order pad, Cassie giggled and made a mark. “One cocoa for little Toby. I just finished a fresh batch of apple fritters,” she added enticingly.

Seth made a yummy growly sound when Cassie pointed at the apple fritters she’d placed into the bakery case. Toby’s eyes got big, and Seth grinned and said, “Fritters for everyone, Cassie, and I’ll take a tall black coffee.”

“I’ll have a cocoa, too,” Jayne said as she pulled off her mittens.

Cassie came around the counter and greeted Grandma Kate with a proper hug. “Kate, it’s so good to see you again.”

“Same here, honey. I thought I’d come for a quick holiday visit to see everyone and wound up staying a few days.”

“I like the sound of that. What can I get you to drink?”

After taking everyone’s drink orders, she followed Kate to the bakery case as she pointed at the freshly glazed fritters. “Those look positively mouth-watering. Since I brought some of your apple fritters home with me on my last visit, Adam and Henry have been pining for more, so you’d better package me up a bunch to take home with me this afternoon.”

“Coming right up, Grandma Kate. I’ll even package up a separate box for Henry so he can have a snack before he flies you home in that fancy chopper. How have you been?”

“I’ll be honest with you, sweetheart. There were some very tense moments a few weeks ago, but like I always say, things worked out the way they were meant to be. You know Veronica’s sister, Addison, has settled permanently in Lusty? She’s found her heart’s desire in a couple of strong and caring men—and this time, I’m not ashamed to say I did have a bit of a hand at matchmaking there.” Kate sighed. “It does my heart good to see that girl smiling now, and happy, not only because she’s in love but because she’s found her best destiny helping her brothers with ranch work and studying to be a member of an equine therapy team.”

“I remember Addison from Veronica’s wedding,” Cassie said, winking at Veronica, who grinned back. Cassie knew the two sisters had a complicated relationship, but if Addison had moved to Lusty, then her life had to have improved. “So have you been enjoying your visit with all your adopted grandkids today?”

Grandma Kate chuckled and said, “I sure have! Seth took off from work yesterday and drove us out to Lost Maples. I’d never been there in time to see the maples turning, and it was lovely. Good thing the windy cold and damp held off until today.”

“Although I hope it doesn’t make for a rough trip back,” Cassie said as she handed the order for beverages off to Marissa and got out the tray of fritters from the glass case.

Kate raised a finger, and when she had Cassie’s attention, she whispered, “If you have time, dear, I’d love to chat with you in private before we leave. It won’t take but a moment, I promise.”

“Of course.”

Just as her friends turned to go take a seat, a burst of cold air from the front door heralded Bill’s arrival. With dark eyebrows drawn together as he flicked ice crystals from the shoulders of his heavy black wool overcoat, he brushed past their group, nearly knocking shoulders with Seth, who was still toting little Toby. And typical for Bill, he didn’t even spare them a glance as he strode up with a large paper-swaddled bundle in the crook of one arm. Grandma Kate turned and scrutinized Bill while Seth helped Jayne into the booth.

“You mind telling me what this is about?” Bill snapped as he placed a house key on the counter with a loud, metallic pop.

“Lower your voice,” she murmured, casting a gaze around the shop. “I’m surprised you’re only just now asking. After your last completely inappropriate visit, I had the locks changed. What is that?” she pointed at the object he was carrying.

With a disgruntled sound, Bill placed the package on the counter and tore off the tissue with a dramatic flourish. The lush branches of a Christmas cactus, heavily festooned with coral-red flowers sprang out onto the counter, drawing a gasp from her.

“I was driving by Merritt’s and saw it in their display window and remembered you liked these. I was planning to deliver it to your house as a surprise—but that’s obviously not gonna happen. I couldn’t leave it on your porch because it’s freezing outside and wasn’t sure what time you’d get home.”