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My gaze went all goo-goo-ga-ga as I stared into her beautiful blue eyes. “Who would possibly give up this little angel?”

“I don’t know, but their loss is our gain.”

I held Clementine close, and she snuggled up against my chest with her soft baby coat. “You got me another kitten?”

He smiled wide and proud. “I did. I thought the only thing better than one cat pooping in my shoes is two.”

I let out a huge belly laugh, and Clementine startled in my arms. I apologized to her softly, trying to contain my laughter.

“But seriously, now Winston has a little sister he can blame it on.” Rex knelt to pet Winston between his ears, and the older kitty seemed to perk up.

I set the kitten down in front of them and let the two sniff at each other. “See, Winston, Rex brought you a baby sister.”

Rex wrapped his arms around my waist and brought me in for a warm, sweet kiss. “What do you say we let these kids play while we go check out the bedroom upstairs.”

My lips curled against his, my happiness complete. “Mm, sounds sexy, Rexy.”

SOPHIE

I’d just putthe finishing touches on a cake for Rex and Abigail’s housewarming party when footsteps alerted me to someone’s presence. “We’re closed!” I called out cheerily, secretly annoyed that someone had ignored the sign. I could’ve sworn I’d locked the door.

“I let him in, Soph,” one of my baristas said, a nineteen-year-old girl with a soft voice who reminded me of me when I was her age. A little too willing to bend when other people made demands.

Which is how I assumed the blond, smiling, devious man beside her had convinced her to let him into my business.

I folded my arms as he approached. “Yes?”

He extended his hand over the bakery counter. “I’m Theo Sinclair.”

“I know who you are.” I did not return his handshake offer.

“I’m sure you do.” His handfell, and he glanced around my business like he was casing the place for a robbery. “Listen, I know I’m not winning any popularity contests around New Elwood, but I have a proposition for you.”

That made me frown. “For me?”

“Yes, you, Sophie.” There was something about the way he said my name that set off a sensation in my body. But I couldn’t quite figure out what it meant. He smiled, and the way he looked at me made me feel like the two of us were in on a secret. That’s probably how he got people to hand over their fortunes to him. Well—he might’ve heard that I was a people pleaser and I’d love to do his bidding, but he’d soon find out that my reputation wasn’t exactly accurate. I was friendly; I wasn’t spineless. But the man on the other side of the corner just smiled. “As far as I’m concerned, Magnolia Café is the best bakery in town.”

Oh, I knew what this was about. He wanted to have his claws in everything—wine, hotels, now pastries. No, he wasn’t coming anywhere near my café. “I’m not selling, if that’s where this is going.”

“What? No.” He huffed a laugh. “Where did you get that idea?”

“Oh, just a wild guess—since you’ve been trying to purchase and destroy everything that everyone loves about this town.”

“Destroy is a little strong. Look at the vineyard. It’s thriving because of me.”

Maybe it was, but I would be damned if I acknowledged that to his face. “Well, whatever it is. I’m not interested.”

“But you haven’t even heard my proposal. I want to give you business, not take it away.”

Whatever he had to give, I didn’t need it. I certainly didn’tneed his business. But that didn’t stop me from narrowing my eyes and asking, “What do you mean?”

“I’ll be hosting a big charity event here in a couple of weeks, and I’d like to hire you to cater the baked goods. Those cardamom buns you make are incredible. I need to have them at my event.” His smile widened, like he knew he was buttering me up as thoroughly as he would my cardamom buns.

Oh, so he was trying to turn up the charm. Good luck. I narrowed my eyes. “What’s the charity?”

“It’s called Vino for Vet Care.”

Rocking back on my heels, I tried to hide my shock. “Vino for Vet Care?”

“Yes, it’s a?—”

“I know what it is. I volunteer at the animal shelter.” And thanks to charities like that, we were able to afford medical procedures for the animals in need. That money also went to pay for pet surgeries for underprivileged families—saving who knows how many animal family members. But Sinclair was hosting it. He had to have an angle. There had to be a catch.

“I didn’t realize. Then perhaps you could join the committee,” he said, seeming pleased.

There was no way in hell I was joining any committee of his. He’d tried to buy up half the town, including the Monticello that Charlie loved. He thought money could be used to bully us all, but he was wrong. I crossed my arms. “I?—”

Words stuck in my gullet. His money wasn’t just for buying up property in town—he ran Vino for Vet Care. If I tossed him out, would he get his charity to pull their support for the shelter? If I didn’t agree to cater his little event, what would he do?

The light in Sinclair’s eyes told me he knew exactly wheremy thoughts had turned. His smile was thoroughly evil as he said, “What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”