Page 30 (1/2)

"Ibrought it in with ainst the doorjamb and took a deep breath Guilt was an unaccusto for hiht, but noas not the time A lie that made Ruby question her sanity was better than the truth

"You did Listen, are you all right? You don’t sound like yourself I can come over"

"No," she said quickly Too quickly "I’uess, and the bad dreahed uncoo"

"Want to tell me about the dream?"

"No," Ruby whispered "I’ht" With that she ended the call Zane walked to the front of the house without turning on a single light There he pulled back the curtain to look across the street to Ruby Kincaid’s yellow house

Every light in the house, every light he could see fro roo to find an object she knew had not been in her possession when she’d gone to sleep, had shaken her

"I’m sorry," he whispered to the well-lit house "I wish I could o away" Unfortunately, it was much too late to make Ruby’s troubles disappear

Chapter 3

Five hours of sleep weren’t enough for Ruby She could get by on seven, but she loved to get eight good hours When those five hours were followed by a rude awakening and a questioning of her sanity, it made for a bad day

Fortunately, many of the students who made up her clientele were home for the holidays, and business was slow No businesswoman should hope for business to slack off, but she could use a break, so she was allowed! A couple of her part-time employees were also away and unable to work, but Marielle, the one who had been with her the longest--three full years, noas still in town Marielle was perfectly capable of running the front part of the shop, especially on a slow day like today

Ruby kept herself busy in the kitchen, only occasionally giving in to a yawn She had lots of baking to keep her busy; in addition to the usual cookies, cakes, and pies, she had a special order for three pulanced at the clock often Usually the day flew by, and she was surprised when two o’clock ca clock on the kitchen wall, wondering if tould ever arrive

She wanted to go ho nap

It was just past one thirty when Marielle, ore a huge s and pretty face, stuck her head into the kitchen "Oh my God," she whispered

"Professor Benedict is here to see you"

Ruby’s first thought was, "You’re kidding, right?"

But judging by the awestruck expression on Marielle’s face, there was no joking involved

"I’ her attention to her work "Tell hio away"

Marielle’s blue eyes ide "Come on It’s Professor Benedict, and he wants to talk to you"

Ah, such youthful exuberance The way she said

"Benedict" was so filled with awe she"Johnny Depp"

"I heard you the first ti deal, you talk to him"

Marielle pursed her lips "No wonder you don’t have a social life"

After the door closed, Ruby made a face at the cheesecake "I could have a social life if I wanted one," she whispered

Too soon, the kitchen door swung open again "He said if you don’t co a hairnet just to talk to a stubborn woman even if she is pretty and likely the best baker this side of the Mississippi"

Ruby lifted her head and glared at Marielle "Did he really say that?"

"Yes!"

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly This was a complication she did not need, but she couldn’t ht out"

After Marielle was gone, Ruby washed her hands and removed her chocolate-stained apron She ainst the door and leaving the kitchen that was her do here is filled hite flour and white sugar," she said, pinning her gaze on Zane "You won’t eat any of it"

He lifted the disposable cup of coffee he cradled in his hands, then he s up ar and flour ban for the holidays Your cookies have been a bad influence on me"