What's Life Without the Sprinkles - By Misty Simon Page 0,77

in a long time. She felt free from the past, in the present, and for the future.

Chapter Eleven

After wiping her eyes and doing her best to repair herself, Claudia walked out to the front of Decadence, zeroing in on Nate, right outside the front window, adjusting that tool belt that made her mouth water and her legs quiver. He raised a hand and smiled at her just as the front door opened and the bride came in with her mother in tow.

The timing could be better, but Claudia’s first duty was to her work right now. Nate—and fantasies about him—would just have to wait a little while longer. She had cake tasting of her own to look forward to, and the freedom to truly enjoy it without the threat of Peter hanging over her head any longer. She hadn’t realized how much his presence in town had weighed on her and how much she had feared he would want visitation rights. The thought of sharing her son with his father when she’d never had to do that before had ridden her like a nightmare. But now it was gone.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Claudia said as she took a hand of each. “It’s so good to see you again.” This was another bride who had been here with all of her female relatives a few short weeks ago. She had been in for flowers since then, but the cake decision had been put off for a while longer. With the wedding only weeks away, Claudia should have been frantically calling her to reschedule, but honestly, with all the turmoil recently she had forgotten until an e-mail from the bride came in this morning, requesting the meeting.

“I just love this place,” Penny Plinks said, twirling round in a circle for a second. She was at least forty even if she was acting like one of those teenage girls the ten-year-old Claudia had followed around looking for tidbits about boys all those years ago.

“We’re glad you do, Penny,” Claudia said. “We’ve really enjoyed working with you for this special event. You’re going to be stunning in your dress.” Claudia’s smile was genuine, but it widened when she caught Nate waving at her from the front window. She discreetly flicked her fingers at him behind her back and then returned her attention to the people in front of her.

Leading them over to a small café table, Claudia seated both ladies on tall, cushy chairs, then brought out seven plates, each with a different cake she had made this morning.

“I shouldn’t eat too much.” The bride, Penny, eyed the cake plates like a cat after the canary.

“Oh, these samples are calorie-free,” Claudia said, smiling at the nervous woman. “May and I have an agreement that any cake tasted in here doesn’t go anywhere near hips or butts. It’s forbidden.”

Picking up the fork, Penny hovered the utensil over each individual plate while licking her lips. “Before I try it, I have a question.”

“Hopefully I have an answer.” Claudia smiled at the mom and then the bride, while inside she braced herself for a request for a cake shaped like a particular continent or an outline of the bride and groom. Both had happened in the past and were more of a challenge than an inconvenience.

“Do you have anything with sprinkles?”

Claudia had heard stranger questions but couldn’t name any at the moment. “I could add sprinkles, if you want. May I ask why?”

“Oh, Penny, I thought we had discussed this. A proper wedding cake does not have sprinkles, my dear.” Betty Plinks patted Penny’s hand and turned to Claudia. “She has this thing about sprinkles. It’s lovely but silly.”

“I’d be interested in hearing it.” Claudia smiled. “We like to know our clients and what’s important to them for their special day.”

“Thank you, Claudia. You came very highly recommended by a friend. And that’s one of the reasons I insisted we come to you. Your attention to detail.” She turned to Betty. “And it’s not silly, Mother, it’s true.” Penny, her brown hair shining and her lightly lined face glowing, faced Claudia, her hands clasped at her chest. “I want sprinkles because they symbolize the way I feel about my Matt. I was a plain cake kind of girl for so many years, and then he walked in the door at my parents’ hardware store and introduced me to sprinkles.”

Her brown eyes had gone dreamy, and Claudia waited for the gushing to start about how strong he was and