18. Maeve

EIGHTEEN

MAEVE

It's been nearly a week since JW turned my world upside down in the best possible way. I mean, sure, my business is still slower than slow, and I'm trying my hardest not to freak out. It's hard, though. Whisked Away is my baby. Watching it slow down to basically a complete standstill has freaking sucked. I'm slowly starting to lose steam with remaining optimistic, and while JW has been keeping a close eye on me, it seems he's rallied the troops to come in every day. Earlier this week, Catherine and Case came in to make cookies most of the day. The next day, Tully came over requesting croissants, which obviously I hadn't made, so she sat down and had two cups of coffee while I made a few to bring back to the ranch with me. Then I got the bright idea to make a huge batch of cinnamon rolls for JW. Going back to his place with a packed bag and two huge boxes of cinnamon rolls, well, let's just say I was pleasantly rewarded.

JW met me at my car, a low groan left the back of his throat, and then he was on me. Our mouths fused together, his hands on my waist lifting me up until my legs wrapped around his torso, and we went hot and heavy against my car. When our make-out session was over, he grabbed my bags, the boxes, and shut down my car mainly due to the fact he had my door open and me out of it before I turned the engine off. We celebrated with him taking me up against the front door, well, once we were inside. JW is not big on sharing me in any way. No one gets so much as a hint of me when he's around. His words, not mine. He's honestly ridiculously protective and, well, it's really freaking hot.

"Just a minute." I hold my finger up when my sisters appear at the door. JW is going so far as to drop me off in the morning and pick me up in the afternoon when I close for the day. He asked me to yield to him on the plan, even when I explained it's an awful lot of driving back and forth when he could work straight through instead of taking a break after his morning work. He didn't care. He held firm, and I relented. Therefore, he walks me inside Whisked Away, unarms the alarm, does a walk-through while I stand near the back door, and once he gives it the all-clear, he kisses me senseless, smacks my ass, and tells me to lock up. He even waits by the back door until he hears the beeping of the alarm before leaving.

"Aunt Mae-Mae, hurry, please. I'm starving," Ryan says through the glass door. I hit the unlock control on the alarm. Dad was insistent on there being a disable, enable, and a panic button by the cash register.

"Is your mom not feeding my favorite niece again?" She rushes into the bakery, going straight toward the display case.

"I'm your only niece…um, what in the world? There's basically nothing in here," Ryan states the obvious.

"Well, kiddo, your Aunt Mae has had a rough patch," Maddie tells my niece for her. I'd have rather she not come until I'm back in business, but I'd never deny her the opportunity to visit.

"What, why?" Ryan spins around, hands on her hips and utterly astonished.

"It's only for a little bit. We can make whatever you want, though," I offer instead. I've already gotten my weekly orders done and dropped off to the local restaurants. There's been a stop on website holds because, well, whoever the fuck this nincompoop is hacked my website and now I'm locked out. Yeah, it's gone from bad to worse. JW promises that Fletch is close and that it shouldn't be too much longer. The not knowing is what's the hardest. He's reassured me between Fletcher's police department and Arrowleaf's police department working together, they're just buttoning up a few pieces, which is bringing Fletch and his wife, Delilah, here tomorrow.

"Yes! But can I have a snack to hold me over?" I nod. Ryan darts off to my office, where she knows there's granola bars, fruits, yogurt, chips, and even a few candy bars. Before all this mess, there were times when I couldn't get away from the bakery and would need sustenance. Now, the same goes, except I'm so slow that I sit around for a few hours after I get everything done and stare out into space. JW said he'd pick me up whenever, but guilt eats at me to call him when I know he's working at the ranch.

I wait until Ryan is around the corner and out of earshot. "This is a pleasant surprise. Were you in the area, or did JW call you all, too?" I ask. This whole week, it's been Grand Central Station. Truth be told, I love having people here, and I know why JW rallied the team. It's that protective part inside of him.

"Actually, it wasn't JW. There's more coming," Michelle says. A look of confusion must come over me because she says, "Well…" before her words trail off.

"Surprise!" Birdie calls, walking in with Tully, Juni, and Sienna. Juniper, who hasn't been here this week, turns around and locks the door right away. Someone has been well informed; I'd say Lawson and JW have had many talks.

"This is the best gift ever, really. Boredom is never any fun. Do you all want to bake something?" My hands are itching to be in a dough of some sort and to let my creativity flow. Then I can pile them up with boxes to take home.

"Umm, duh. When do we come here not to bake?" Maddie states. It's the middle of the workday. Everyone should be doing their own thing, except they're here, for me.

"Well, let's get started. You all know where the coffee and drinks are, so help yourself." I rub my hands together.

"Hey, lady, how you been holding up?" Tully comes up to give me a hug.

"Hanging in there. How's the clinic doing?" If things ever settle down, I'm going to her office to look for a pet of my own.

"Really well. There are a few puppies we just rescued last week." Tallulah winks as if reading my mind, then saunters off to the drink cooler.

"They should rename her the animal whisperer," Sienna says, coming up beside me to take Tully's place.

"From what I hear, you should be, too." Amos, Sienna's brother, was pissed as hell when she came back from college and wanted to help with their farm. She told him to shut up; it's hers, too. An argument ensued, and it's obvious she won.

"Maybe. I know it's not really any of my business, but maybe you could offer mommy and me or daddy and me baking classes. Heck, even adults would love to learn some of what you do." Sienna went to school for more than just working on her family farm. It's clear she has a keen eye for business, and what she's suggesting is a really great idea.

"I love that idea. Mrs. Catherine and Case were here, and it was a lot of fun. I'm definitely going to think about it." I pull her in for a hug. She's a couple of years older than me, getting out of high school when I was entering. Still, everyone knew how amazing Amos did raising her after they lost their parents.

"Now, can you to tell me how JW finally wised up to go after what he wants?" It's been a known fact to everyone that Trey Johnson has the hots for his best friend Amos' younger sister.

"Girl." I exaggerate the l. "I feel like it's been years in the making. What I will say is JW Johnson is as stubborn as a mule." I barely get the words out when the girls chime in.

"They all are," Juniper states. "Lawson may have been the worst out of the bunch."

"Mine is, too. I mean, he pushed me to go away to college. Catherine had to push him in my direction," Birdie chimes in.

"Well, we kind of hid our relationship because of that old coot veterinarian who once owned the clinic, but yes. They're all stubborn in one way or the other," Tully says.

"See, there you have it," I tell Sienna. I'm shocked Maddie hasn't inserted something in the mix. Which means she's keeping some kind of secret from me, and I'll bet it has to do with a certain male lawyer in her office. I loop my arm with Sienna's, leading her into the foray of women. Today started great with JW waking me up with his head between my legs, then it tapered off into boredom, and now it's even better. A girl needs her girl gang, and I've got the best gang of all.