Excerpt

After the restless night’s sleep, Sam dragged himself into the bakery to start setting up for the day—his first full day alone. Having not taken care of the morning customers in such a long time, he didn’t know their usual orders, but they didn’t mind waiting.

He surprised himself by holding conversations with everyone who entered. If only Carrie could see me. When asked about her, he either avoided the answer or outright lied.

As the day wore on, it became excruciatingly painful to his heart to discover how much he needed her. Not just as an employee, but as a friend. She had only been gone one day, but he couldn’t even imagine how long it would take to get over her if she didn’t come back.

Sam filled the pans with fruitcake batter, remembering how much his wife had loved his recipe. He had brought one home that Christmas Eve, to set out as one of their snacks while they watched their son open his presents. His mind wandered to Carrie—how she’d comforted him that night and several weeks that followed. Twenty-twenty hindsight can be devastating. I never saw the love she had for me. Hell…I’m just now realizing the love I have for her. I’m such a fool.

He imagined coming home to her and their child after work. He didn’t see her working at the bakery, which was a bit strange. Yet he clearly saw her gentle hourglass figure unchanged by the introduction of a child. The thought brought a smile to his lips, but it quickly disappeared when reality interfered in the form of the ringing bell.

After serving the customer, he went back to the office to call the newspaper. He lifted the receiver but set it back down before dialing. An idea flashed through his head. I know how to win her back.