Stealing Taffy (Bigler, North Carolina #3) - Susan Donovan Page 0,90

her days? Would she ever leave Bigler? Was there anything better out there for her, and if so, would she be brave enough to go looking for it?

Tanyalee touched her forehead to the cool glass, smiling to herself. Of course she was brave enough! In fact, now that she knew just how resourceful and honest she could be, she could do anything she set her mind to. True, Granddaddy had offered to help her financially, which she greatly appreciated, but Tanyalee knew the time had come to do it on her own, without the help of a granddaddy or sugar daddy.

But … what would she do about Dante?

She checked her phone. He had called already this morning but left no message. Tanyalee decided that once the grand opening was done, she would call him back. They could talk things out, clarify what they were doing with each other and what they wanted from each other. Because, really, Tanyalee didn’t quite know how to label their strange and powerful connection. Dante was only supposed to be a one-time thing, a quick fling before she went home to the business of living a new life.

And now here they were, months later, and Dante had become a part of her new life.

It suddenly dawned on Tanyalee why she hadn’t been able to understand their relationship—it was because it was an alien experience. For the first time in her life she was frighteningly attracted to a man who seemed to have her best interests at heart. She wanted to be with a man because of who he was and how he made her feel, not what he could do for her.

And more importantly, it suddenly occurred to her she was being ridiculous! How could she refuse to forgive Dante because he had withheld details from her? She’d just gone around seeking forgiveness from half the town!

Tanyalee heard herself gasp. Lord love a duck! What am I waiting for?

She stepped out onto the sidewalk and called him. It had been two long weeks—two weeks without seeing him, touching him, smelling him—and she couldn’t bear it anymore. As the phone rang she tapped her foot on the sidewalk, suddenly aware of the bite of autumn in the air.

What? She got his darned voice mail?

“Hello. This is Tanyalee and I am calling you back,” she said into the phone, rather snippily. “I was hoping you would pick up since I do believe we have a few things to—”

“Can’t talk.” Dante’s deep voice was hushed and hurried, but it was enough to send a little thrill through her belly. “See you later at the bakery.” Click.

Tanyalee stared at the silent phone. Well, I never!

* * *

The hours raced by in a blur of credit cards and cash, chitchat, refilling coffee dispensers, and keeping Fern on point.

“These people are mowing through food like they ain’t eaten since the Fourth of July!” Fern made this observation as she carried a tray of dirty plates, cups, and flatware back to the kitchen.

Though the festivities were scheduled from noon to three P.M., by two-thirty the place was still packed with people. It seemed everyone in Bigler had stopped by. Tanyalee visited with people she hadn’t spoken to in years—a whole slew of Viv’s neighbors; the entire newspaper employee roster; Turner’s mother, brother, and nephew; and Candy’s mother, Jacinta, and her new boyfriend from the senior home, Hugo Stevens. She had a chance to visit with her probation officer and his pretty but shy wife, Laureen. It was clear that they’d patched things up, and Temple Smathers winked at Tanyalee as they walked off with their croissants and herbal tea.

Of course, Tanyalee encountered a few men she’d dated in the past, and was kind to every one of them. Poor Buddy McGreevy, who owned that car repair shop just down the street, seemed a little shocked at the sight of Tanyalee behind the counter. She was sweet as pie with him, which seemed to confuse him even more.

And speaking of pie, Tanyalee had already filled out the paperwork for thirty-four advance holiday orders, Christmas cakes and pastries and Thanksgiving pies and dinner rolls. This caused Candy to squeal with happiness.

Cheri had arrived quite early so she could help out wherever needed. The first thing she did was hug Tanyalee and tell her how happy she was to see her. The second thing she did was jump up and down with Candy and kiss Turner’s cheek. Of course, J.J. didn’t show up early with