Read Online The Doctor's Runaway Fiancée by Cindy Kirk - Free Book Online Page B

so blasted hot? “We’re done here.”
    Andrew shot her a bland smile. “If there’s anything I can do to help...”
    â€œThanks. I’ve got this under control.” As she brushed past him and the electricity crackled, she only wished it were true.

Chapter Seven
    S ylvie rose extra early the next day to bake. Since it was Labor Day, most of the restaurants, cafés and coffee shops she had contracts with had ordered extra of the cakes and pastries they normally requested. In addition, she made up little cake bites and decorated them with the Star Wars characters that were so popular now.
    As Andrew hadn’t made an appearance by the time the baked goods were ready to be delivered, Sylvie loaded up Ethel with bakery boxes and began her deliveries.
    She wondered what had delayed him. Did it have something to do with the phone call he’d received last evening? As the Sweet Adelines event was winding down, he’d received a call from a patient back in Boston.
    Sylvie told herself to relax and enjoy the morning solitude, but her thoughts kept drifting to how he’d looked at the piano, fingers flying over the keys. Then there was that “almost” kiss in the alcove...
    Her thoughts were on anything but business as she made her final delivery to a local coffee shop. Hill of Beans in Jackson Hole was the only store in the coffee empire begun by Cole Lassiter where you could often find the man himself working the counter.
    From what she’d heard, Cole was a local boy who’d left town with nothing but a high school education and had returned home a success. As Sylvie opened the side door, she spotted him behind the counter, coaching an obviously new employee on the fine art of making the perfect cup of cappuccino.
    Cole looked up when the bells chimed. He smiled and lifted a hand in greeting. In many ways he reminded her of Andrew. Both had lean, athletic builds, dark hair and similarly shaped eyes. But there was a wariness and a hardness in Cole’s eyes that said he’d survived the worst life had to offer.
    Sylvie recognized the look because when she gazed into the mirror every morning, she saw that same wariness, yet Cole had climbed that steep mountain and was now happily on the other side. He was married and had two children with his wife, Meg, a physical therapist.
    Sylvie had gotten to know Meg fairly well. She was one of the owners of Body Harmony Inc., the multitherapy specialty clinic where Josie worked as a massage therapist.
    Setting the tray of scones, cinnamon rolls and other goodies on the counter, Sylvie smiled at the teenage employee Cole was coaching.
    Something in the girl’s eyes told Sylvie this was another person who’d had a rough start in life. Sylvie wasn’t surprised Cole had hired her. He was known for giving others a helping hand up.
    He’d done that for her, for her business. When she’d stopped in to discuss providing the treats people loved to have with their coffee, they’d sat and talked for the longest time, simply getting acquainted. Despite the fact that she’d had bills to pay and no income at that moment, Sylvie had tried not to let her desperation show.
    She remembered the strong shake of his hand when they’d come to an agreement. His kindness and faith in her were something she planned to pay forward one day.
    Cole’s gaze skimmed the tray’s contents. He gave a nod of approval. “These look great, Sylvie.”
    The girl—Amber, according to her name tag—stepped forward, her brown eyes widening at the sight of all the goodies, settling on the minicakes. “You made these?”
    Sylvie nodded.
    â€œHow’d you know what to do?”
    She understood the puzzled look. Her mother hadn’t been handy in the kitchen, either.
    â€œI taught myself. YouTube videos, online tutorials, sites dedicated to baking. You name it, I watched or read it. I experimented. I learned