Read Online How Sweet It Is by Melissa Brayden - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Melissa Brayden
Ads: Link
it wasn’t just about creating a new menu item to grace the display case; this was about finding a signature item that could put Flour Child on the confectionary map. This was about saving the store, her family’s legacy, and for the first time in a long time, she thought she stood a chance at doing just that.
With the right marketing, that is.
She closed her eyes and sent a silent “thank you” Cassie’s way. But then she paused in recognition. Because it wasn’t Cassie who was responsible for the breakthrough, was it?
Jordan was the one who’d sent her down the path to success, and she was the one Molly should be thanking.
And she would.
In that moment, the hour late and her guard completely down, her thoughts floated to their exchange earlier. The image of Jordan smiling and tasting the chocolate bubbled to the surface, and a jolt moved through her. A powerful hit of something she didn’t care to name. Interesting. Where had that come from? It was an odd and very unexpected reaction that she refused to analyze any further.
But it had been there all the same.
Moving quickly past it, she split the remaining truffles into two separate stacks and packed them in the bakeshop’s signature pink box with a white ribbon. Knowing she would need to be back at work in less than five hours to prepare the next day’s menu items, she headed home for some much needed sleep.
Chapter Six
“I don’t care what the stupid doctor says; I don’t want that flavorless stuff masquerading as food in the dining hall.” Jack O’Brien stared hard at Molly, his arms folded across his chest in a manner suggesting he wasn’t going to budge. Her father was generally a pretty easygoing guy, but the stricter diet his doctor had him on was beginning to wear thin, as was his patience.
“So what exactly are you planning to eat instead?” It was close to lunchtime and she’d set aside time for them to eat together on her short break.
“I’ve ordered a pizza. It should be here any minute.”
She sighed. “A pizza? Dad, that’s hardly within the realm of the list of foods your cardiologist outlined for us.”
Maybe it was the worried expression on her face, or the fragile tone of her voice, but in that moment, he seemed to soften considerably. In fact, he even looked a little sad, which broke her heart for a whole separate reason. “I’ll just have one slice then. And maybe a little salad and fruit from the dining room.”
He was trying to make her happy, even in the midst of his frustration. Molly met his eyes and took in his labored breathing. It seemed worse today. “I guess one piece wouldn’t hurt. Maybe some rest after that though, don’t you think?”
He nodded quietly, resolute now. “Maybe so.”
In attempt to elevate the mood, she changed the subject. “So I think you’re going to be proud of me. Or at least, I’m hoping so.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “Explain yourself, child of mine.”
“Well, you know how you always taught me to never give up when it came to generating new recipes? Keep those creative fires burning. Give up sleep if you have to.”
That earned a partial smile. “Of course I remember. Never stop working at it, until it’s just right. That’s our motto.”
“Exactly. Well, I did a little of that. I listened to your advice and it took a little time, but I came up with this.” From her bag on the floor, she produced the small pink box. “Try one of these.”
He gently tore the ribbon and took a small bite of the truffle. She waited, almost ready to come out of her skin in anticipation of what he might say. “So? What’s the verdict?” she asked nervously. Her heart was racing now because his opinion mattered to her more than anyone else’s. It just did. He wasn’t just her father, he was her mentor. He taught her everything she knew, and if he was underwhelmed, it was probable that she’d missed the mark she thought she’d hit and…well, that would be quite a blow.
With the right marketing, that is.
She closed her eyes and sent a silent “thank you” Cassie’s way. But then she paused in recognition. Because it wasn’t Cassie who was responsible for the breakthrough, was it?
Jordan was the one who’d sent her down the path to success, and she was the one Molly should be thanking.
And she would.
In that moment, the hour late and her guard completely down, her thoughts floated to their exchange earlier. The image of Jordan smiling and tasting the chocolate bubbled to the surface, and a jolt moved through her. A powerful hit of something she didn’t care to name. Interesting. Where had that come from? It was an odd and very unexpected reaction that she refused to analyze any further.
But it had been there all the same.
Moving quickly past it, she split the remaining truffles into two separate stacks and packed them in the bakeshop’s signature pink box with a white ribbon. Knowing she would need to be back at work in less than five hours to prepare the next day’s menu items, she headed home for some much needed sleep.
Chapter Six
“I don’t care what the stupid doctor says; I don’t want that flavorless stuff masquerading as food in the dining hall.” Jack O’Brien stared hard at Molly, his arms folded across his chest in a manner suggesting he wasn’t going to budge. Her father was generally a pretty easygoing guy, but the stricter diet his doctor had him on was beginning to wear thin, as was his patience.
“So what exactly are you planning to eat instead?” It was close to lunchtime and she’d set aside time for them to eat together on her short break.
“I’ve ordered a pizza. It should be here any minute.”
She sighed. “A pizza? Dad, that’s hardly within the realm of the list of foods your cardiologist outlined for us.”
Maybe it was the worried expression on her face, or the fragile tone of her voice, but in that moment, he seemed to soften considerably. In fact, he even looked a little sad, which broke her heart for a whole separate reason. “I’ll just have one slice then. And maybe a little salad and fruit from the dining room.”
He was trying to make her happy, even in the midst of his frustration. Molly met his eyes and took in his labored breathing. It seemed worse today. “I guess one piece wouldn’t hurt. Maybe some rest after that though, don’t you think?”
He nodded quietly, resolute now. “Maybe so.”
In attempt to elevate the mood, she changed the subject. “So I think you’re going to be proud of me. Or at least, I’m hoping so.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “Explain yourself, child of mine.”
“Well, you know how you always taught me to never give up when it came to generating new recipes? Keep those creative fires burning. Give up sleep if you have to.”
That earned a partial smile. “Of course I remember. Never stop working at it, until it’s just right. That’s our motto.”
“Exactly. Well, I did a little of that. I listened to your advice and it took a little time, but I came up with this.” From her bag on the floor, she produced the small pink box. “Try one of these.”
He gently tore the ribbon and took a small bite of the truffle. She waited, almost ready to come out of her skin in anticipation of what he might say. “So? What’s the verdict?” she asked nervously. Her heart was racing now because his opinion mattered to her more than anyone else’s. It just did. He wasn’t just her father, he was her mentor. He taught her everything she knew, and if he was underwhelmed, it was probable that she’d missed the mark she thought she’d hit and…well, that would be quite a blow.
Similar Books
