feel of Cole’s arms around her last night. “Yes. We just danced.”
“Well, he must be a damn good dancer, if your face looks like that.” Her eyes narrowed. “You sure you didn’t do more than dance? Not even a kiss?”
“Nope. Just danced. For, like, ever.” Jess smiled. “It was really sweet. He was really sweet.”
After his poser comment—which of course he’d made completely innocently—he’d seemed to sense her sudden change in mood, and he’d scooped her up and spun her till she was dizzy. They’d slow-danced for another hour, laughing and talking, and then he’d walked her to her cabin in the moonlight. She’d braced herself for the conflicting emotions that always accompanied a first-kiss moment, but at her steps, he’d simply squeezed her hand, said good night, and then hugged her tightly.
She still wasn’t sure what to make of it. Had he not wanted to kiss her? Had he maybe just not wanted to risk changing what was—in her opinion, anyway—an already perfect night? Last time he’d looked like he might kiss her, she’d backed up like a scared deer, after all. Who could blame him for not even trying this time?
Jess joined Kyla on the sidewalk outside the Heaven Scent Bakery, feeling her mouth water as the warm scent of yeast rolls wafted out the screen door. “Oh, no. I forgot about Jenny’s rolls. I’m about to gain five pounds just standing here, aren’t I?”
“Ten if you sniff her cupcakes.”
“If she starts making bagels, I’m going to have to move out here for real.”
Kyla opened the door, motioning her through, and Jess smiled as she headed for the display cases, inhaling the potpourri of sweet scents. In Jenny’s cases were doughnuts of all shapes and sizes, loaves of bread, platters of yeast rolls, and a small display of birthday cakes done up with fondant and swirls.
“Does she do all of this decorating by herself?”
Kyla nodded. “Sure does. I think she’s looking for an assistant to start doing some of the breads, but she’s been out straight with wedding cakes and other special occasion stuff since last summer. People are ordering from thirty miles away.”
Jess tapped her finger on the case. “Can we just take one of everything?”
“Absolutely!” A tiny woman dressed in white blasted around the corner from the back kitchen. “In fact, I have a one-of-everything special today!” She wiped flour-dusted hands on her apron.
“Hey, Jenny. How’s Hayley’s cake coming?” Kyla leaned in confidentially. “We’re here for a sneak peek at the design.”
Jenny shook her head, smiling widely. “Sorry. Can’t do that. But rest assured. It’s my best yet.”
“Better than mine?” Kyla pretended to pout.
“Different from yours. Not better.” Jenny turned to Jess. “Welcome back to town, Jess! Have the gals convinced you to move out here yet?”
Jess laughed. “They’re trying.”
“Well, let me help them out.” Jenny reached into one of the display cases and took out a giant cinnamon roll. She wrapped waxed paper around half of it, then handed it to Jess. “One bite of this, and you’ll be packing your bags.”
Jess held it under her nose, practically tasting the cinnamon before she took a bite. “You play dirty, girl.”
“Absolutely. I have no pride.”
Jess took a bite, and layers of taste sensation filled her mouth. Yeasty dough, cinnamon, apple, nutmeg, and the tiniest wisp of ginger worked together to create a light, chewy nirvana unlike anything she’d ever tasted.
“Good?” Jenny’s eyebrows were up.
“Oh, God,” was all Jess could manage to say.
“Told you.” Jenny turned her attention back to Kyla. “Well, that’s figured out. She’ll be out here apartment-hunting within a month. What can I do for you?”
Kyla scanned the case while Jess took another bite. “Can I get a dozen of those cookies there? And maybe a dozen of these ones in front with the sprinkles? We’ve got a herd of kids this week.”
“You got it.” Jenny opened a big white bakery box and started filling it. “How about some peanut butter ones for the boys?”
“Of course. As long as Ma doesn’t find out you’re still sneaking them out to the ranch.”
Jess laughed. “Who are you sneaking cookies to?”
“Cole and Decker. But officially, it’s Dad who serves as courier. I just hand him the bag in the morning.”
“Aha. So that’s why Roscoe makes a point of visiting the barn when he delivers Ma’s breads every morning?”
Jenny made a lip-zipping motion. “I know nothing. I’m just the baker.” She stood on tiptoe to look at Jess’s now empty hands. “Are they not feeding you at Whisper