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First, my husband behaves like an utter ass toward you, and then I
dredge up painful memories in the worst possible way.
 It s okay, Leah said.  I like that you remember the good things
about them. So few people do.
Zorah wrapped her arms around Leah and hugged her tightly.  If
you don t mind my asking, why are you making so many cupcakes?
Will answered.  Jaden needs them for her jazz troupe party
tonight. She called this morning crying because she forgot to tell
Erika.
 Is Gavin taking Jaden tonight?
Will shrugged.  Someone is coming by in a couple of hours to
pick these up. I assumed Erika would swing by on her way home
from the airport.
Zorah rolled up her sleeves.  What can I do to help?
Mr. Dannaker returned to find the three of them industriously
engaged in the various stages of the making of kitten cupcakes.  I
guess we re staying, he said.
 These are for your granddaughter s jazz troupe party. Leah s
parents owned Keen Creations. You remember it. They sold the kitten
cupcakes that Erika loved all those years ago. It seems Leah was
behind that invention. She has graciously agreed to provide them for
Jaden and her friends. The least we can do is to help her.
Mr. Dannaker thought for a minute.  Keen Creations? Keenan! Of
course. Why have I not put that together before now?
 Because you re not that bright, Will said.
Crimes of the Heart 121
 Will, don t start, Zorah admonished.  You didn t put it together
either. You used to love to go there. I bet you ve even met Leah
before. You would have been there every Saturday when I used to
bring in Tommy, William, and Erika?
 Sometimes, Leah admitted.  I usually worked in the back. I
didn t like dealing with customers, so my parents didn t make me
leave the kitchen unless it was an emergency. My sister, Cecelia,
usually worked out front. You probably saw her. We look a lot alike.
Will snapped his fingers.  That s right. Tommy had a crush on the
girl who worked the counter there.
 So, Leah probably made some of our orders. Do you remember
our name, dear?
Mr. Dannaker snorted and ate a piece of candy meant for an eye.
 She d be insane if she didn t. She s worked for me for how many
years?
 Six.
 Only six?
 Only six, Mr. Dannaker.
Zorah slapped his hand when he reached for another piece of
candy.  I meant from when she worked at Keen Creations. And call
him Thomas, dear.
 I can t do that.
 I ve asked her to call me Tom for years, Mr. Dannaker said.
 She refuses.
Leah smiled at Zorah.  I don t remember your name from back
then, she said.  I didn t pay attention to the names, only the  to-do
list I had to get through before I could go hang out with my friends.
 Why won t you call him Thomas?
 It clearly defines our relationship and delineates the boundaries
between us.
 But you may be our daughter-in-law one day, Zorah said.  That
would ruin all of your definitions and boundaries anyway.
122 Debora Ryan
 Not if Mr. Dannaker has anything to say about it. Leah
wondered if she was the only one who knew that Mr. Dannaker had
not let go of his earlier objections.
 Don t you start, too, dear. Will, you re not being a good
influence on Leah. She threw an apron and a warning look to her
husband, who had the good sense to not respond.
When the doorbell rang an hour later, the four workers jumped. A
bundle of energy burst into the room. Jaden was small for a seven-
year-old, but she made up for it in exuberance.  Grandma! Grandpa! I
didn t know you were going to be here. Long, dark brown braids
wrapped around her head, threaded through with beads and tiny fresh
flowers that continued into her pink-dominated outfit.
Jaden spied the few cupcakes that had not been boxed up for the
move.  Oh, Uncle Will, they look fabulous. They look even better
than Mom s. Don t tell her I said that, okay?
Will laughed.  They are better than your mom s. These are the
originals. I searched the whole world over, and I found the person
who invented these. I flew to where she was, and I begged and
pleaded with her. I said,  The most wonderful little girl in the whole
entire world needs these cupcakes. Please, oh, please can you come
out of retirement and make them. And the beautiful lady thought and
thought. After many minutes of deliberation, she finally consented.
Jaden wrinkled her nose at Will.  Uncle Will, you are strange.
 But I m serious. He turned Jaden toward Leah.  Jaden, this is
Leah. She is the person who invented the very kitten cupcakes that
your mother used to love when she was young. She made these.
Grandma, Grandpa, and I just helped her.
Her eyes widened.  You were serious, she whispered.  Where
did you find her?
 She was sitting right next to me.
Jaden gave Will a puzzled look, and then she turned to Leah.
 Thank you for making me all these cupcakes.
Leah smiled gently.  You re welcome.
Crimes of the Heart 123
 Jaden, come here and give your grandma a hug, Zorah said.
A tall, handsome, thickly-muscled, man strode through the door.
 Sorry I m late. Or, rather, sorry Jaden is early. She didn t wait for me
and I had to catch another elevator.
Will shook hands with the man.  Gavin. Good to see you.
 Likewise. He adjusted his tie and looked around the kitchen.
Leah, who was only average height, suddenly felt diminutive. Jaden
was the only person in the room smaller than her. Given her genetics,
Leah wondered how long that would last.
 Daddy, Uncle Will s new girlfriend made all of these. You have
to see them. They re awesome.
Gavin seemed to notice Leah for the first time. He stuck out his
hand.  I m Gavin, he said.  I assume you re Leah?
Leah shook his hand.  I am.
 It s nice to meet you. He glanced at the counter quickly, then
again for a longer look.  These are incredible. Look at that detail.
Thanks for doing this. We really appreciate it.
 You re welcome, she said. She crossed her arms uncertainly
over her chest. She hated this part. This is why she refused to work [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]