Read Online Sweet Baklava by Debby Mayne - Free Book Online Page B

something for me to do around here."
    "I'll have lunch ready when you get there."
    After Mama left, he thought about what she'd said. Maybe she was right. And even if she wasn't, what would it hurt to have a heart-to-heart with Paula about where they stood?
    He'd still have to wait a couple of days. Paula was adamant about keeping your word, and she'd had enough promises broken.

    Paula walked into Paula's Natural Soap and Candle Shop, flipping on the lights as she passed through. Rather than one large, intruding light overhead, she used softer lighting throughout the store to add to the ambience. Her regular customers often came in just to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. For them, she kept a pot of tea on the hot plate in the back room.
    She'd just gotten the store ready for opening and signed on to her register when the bell tinkled at the door. "Hey, Steph."
    "Back atcha. So what's going on between you and Nick?"
    "Have you talked to him lately?"
    Steph laughed. "Not since yesterday. But I heard his mother and mine had a powwow about him moving."
    "Everyone wants a piece of Nick."
    "Yep. Seems everyone does but you." She lifted an eyebrow. "Or do you?"
    Paula's hand stilled over the counter as her breath caught in her throat. She didn't have anything to say, but the air was heavy with a question.
    "That's a moot point, Steph. He's going back to his Army base in Texas and—"
    "Air Force base."
    Paula closed her eyes and shook her head. "Okay, Air Force base—what does it matter? He's leaving, and I'm still here."
    "It doesn't have to stay that way."
    "C'mon, Steph, not now, okay?"
    Steph held her hands up in surrender and stepped back. "Okay, okay, I'm just sayin'."
    "So are you working today?"
    "Yeah, Mama has me scheduled at the bakery this afternoon, and Aunt Phoebe asked if I could play hostess tonight at Apollo's."
    "I might stop by after work," Paula said. "What time will you be there?"
    "That's what I came to talk to you about. Uncle Apollo said to come see if you wanted to have dinner with me there before I start my shift."
    Paula knew she was up to something, but she couldn't turn down a meal at her favorite restaurant in Tarpon Springs. "Isn't it moussaka night?"
    Steph tilted her head back and howled. "When it comes to food, you have the memory of an elephant."
    "Yeah, and I'll have a body like one if I don't get a grip on my appetite."
    "That's okay. Greek men like a little meat on their women's bones."

7
    G o unpack, Nick. And bring me your nicest pants and shirt so I can make sure they don't have wrinkles."
    Nick grinned. "I'm a grown man, Mama. I can take care of my own clothes."
    "Indulge me, son. I miss having my boy around."
    "So why do I need to worry about wrinkles anyway? Am I going somewhere?"
    "We're going to Apollo's." She glanced down and picked up a pillow that apparently had some invisible lint. As she picked at it, she chattered about how much everyone in the family missed him while he stood there staring at her. When she finally slowed down, he stepped closer and placed his hand on her shoulder.
    "Mama, what's going on?"
    She looked him in the eye for a split second then smiled. "The family sure could use you around here. If you don't want to go out on the sponge boats, you can help out in the stores. Your father and his brothers have to move stuff all the time, and it would be nice—"
    "What's really going on?"
    Her shoulders slumped, and she sighed. "Nick, just bring me what you're wearing tonight. I've already said too much."
    His mother seemed to have shrunk since he'd last seen her. "Mama, have you had a vacation lately?"
    "I can't get your father to go away. He's been so busy."
    "But you can take some time off and just relax. Do things you miss, like . . ." He tried to remember what she used to do for fun, but he couldn't think of anything besides baking. What kind of vacation would that be for a bakery owner?
    She placed her hand on his and patted it. "I'll be fine, my