“I do.”
“That would be great.” Jules absently touched the edge of the plate. “I wish she’d just go ahead and leave. If I thought it would get her to go sooner, I’d even tell her she can keep the Book of Cakes. It would be worth it.”
“Wow. You really want her gone, don’t you?”
“Desperately. I can see he’s falling for her.” Jules shook her head. “I know you said to let them be and that Gray will figure things out, but… Mom, what if he doesn’t?”
“Then we’ll have to be there for him when that happens. That’s all we can do.”
Jules’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not good at the whole ‘let them find out they’re making a mistake’ portion of parenting. I want to get in there and fix everything.” She grimaced. “Liam used to make fun of me for it.”
“You’re a mother. Mothers want to protect their children. It’s a fact as old as time.”
“I guess so.” She absently picked up the scone and took a bite. The second her lips closed around it, she closed her eyes. “Oh my gosh. So. Good.”
Yes, it was. Angela picked up her half and tasted it, chewing slowly so the melty deliciousness would stay in her mouth for as long as possible. Oh, Ella, no one understands a scone the way you do.
“These are amazing,” Jules said, taking another bite. “Aunt Jo is a terrific baker. I should order some for the Moonlight. I—” She laughed, having to cover her mouth and swallow before she could continue. “I have a confession to make.”
“Oh?” Here it came, an Ella memory.
“Do you remember when Aunt Jo first started baking desserts for the Moonlight? You and Dad ordered pies, cakes, cookies, brownies—just about everything from her.” Jules’s gaze softened and Angela knew she was seeing all of those desserts as if she’d gone back in time. “Mom, I lived for those. I loved them so much that I stole one once in a while. You and Dad never knew.”
Angela smiled. “You hid under the desk in the office and ate them when we were busy during the lunch rush.”
Jules’s eyes widened. “You knew?”
“There was always an order form with those desserts. Aunt Jo was really good about that.” Angela remembered all the times she and Don had hidden around the corner, trying not to laugh as they waited for Jules to finish whatever cookie or brownie she’d snuck off with. “Your dad and I thought it was a fair payment for spending all that time at the café with us. You helped a lot, even back then.”
Jules gave a wry smile, popping another bite of scone into her mouth. “All this time, I thought I was so smart.”
“You were young. We never realize how much we don’t know until we’re too old to admit it.”
Jules laughed and licked some butter off one finger. “I loved those times in the café kitchen when it was just you, Dad, and me. It felt like our own private world, and no one else belonged there but us.”
Angela had to smile. “Do you remember when the pipe broke in that big sink in the back?”
“I do! Dad jammed a broom handle into the pipe to stop the water until the plumber came. It worked for about three minutes and then the pressure shot that broom like a water cannon into the ceiling.” She laughed. “Oh, the language Dad used. And you wouldn’t stop laughing either, which just made him madder.”
“I couldn’t help it. His face was so red! Those were good times.” Angela finished her scone and pushed her plate away, memories flitting across her mind like clouds being chased through the sky by a storm. Oh, Ella, your desserts always remind me how much I’ve forgotten.
Jules sighed and looked at the empty plate. “That was delicious. Aunt Jo is talented.”
Angela nodded, unwilling to ruin the moment by admitting the scones had been made by Ella. “Your dad and I were always glad Aunt Jo never opened her own restaurant. She’s the only person who could have run the Moonlight out of business.”
“You loved the Moonlight, didn’t you?”
“I did, but not as much as I love you.”
“Thank you. That’s nice to hear.” Jules pulled a napkin from the holder in the middle of the table and wiped her fingers. “Mom, how am I supposed to handle watching Gray head off the Ella cliff? I can’t seem to keep my mouth shut. I worry about him so, what with his anxiety and the way he feels things so deeply.”
“He has his life under control. He has for a long, long time. You just don’t see it. But maybe it’s time you did.”
“I know. But I can’t stop remembering how difficult life used to be for him. I just want to protect him.”
“So does Mark. You both need to give Gray some room.”
Jules sighed. “They were so young when Liam died. Losing their father changed them both, but in different ways. Gray came away quiet and anxious, but Mark went in an entirely different direction. I can tell he feels responsible for both me and Gray.”
“Your stepfather noticed that very thing,” Angela said. “John used to say that Mark was trying to fill his dad’s shoes but they were too big for a boy his age.”
“John was right.” Jules sent Angela a regretful look. “I should have spent more time with him. With both of you.”
Oh my gosh. John, did you hear that? You always said she’d come around. To keep her tears at bay, Angela dusted imaginary crumbs off the table in front of her. “I can’t promise you much, Jules, but I can promise you one thing—Gray’s going to be just fine, whatever happens with Ella.”
“I hope you’re right.” Jules sank a little in her chair. “Have you seen how many fans Ella has on social media? All day, every day, thousands of people are telling her how awesome she is and how her baking is the best they’ve ever had and how she’s so this and so that….” Jules made a face. “It’s hard to see that and know how she’s treated Gray and probably others, too.”
“Social media is a waste of time. That stuff is all fake.”
“Yeah, well, the bake-off has already sold out and the committee needed an overflow area. So I offered up the café.”
“I suppose that’ll be good publicity for us.”
Jules nodded. “Which is why I also volunteered to judge. If the festival is successful, it’ll be due to Ella’s influence, which I hate. Still, it could bump up our fall revenue to new levels. I just wish Gray weren’t here.”
“He’ll be fine.” Angela reached over and captured Jules’s hand and held it tightly. “Stop worrying so much about Gray and Ella and spend more time worrying about yourself. You have important things to do without wasting your time thinking about her.”
Jules gave a reluctant smile. “You’re right, of course.” She put her other hand over Angela’s. “I don’t know if I’ve said this enough, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“So am I. I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here. It… it was more than I expected.” Or deserved. Angela cut Jules a side glance. “Jules, it’s been a long time since Liam passed. Have you ever thought about dating?” She waited, holding her breath. Come on, Jules. Share your feelings. You aren’t alone. I’m right here.