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Kai and his parents joined us as my parents and Evie’s parents arrived. After the introductions we gather in the great room with a drink of choice and pass out presents.

“Kai , you go first.”

Kai gets a small box from under the tree and hands it to Jessi. She unwraps it. Inside is a clue. The clue leads her to the hallway. Another box and another clue. Four clues later she’sbeen all over the house and is back with a big box that was under the tree. She opens it to find a pair of my old muck boots. She tosses them out and starts to dig through the box when something catches her eye. There’s another small box inside the boots.

She rips open the paper and opens it to find a small velvet box inside. She raises her hand to her mouth. I can see tears gathering in the corners. Kai takes the velvet box from her hand and gets down on one knee.

“Jessi from the moment I met you, you’ve invaded my thoughts. You’re the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing I think of when I go to bed. I want to spend the rest of my life waking up beside you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

“Yes,” she gasps. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Everyone cheers. The grandmas immediately demand to see the ring. The next few minutes are a whirlwind of congratulations.

My phone rings before we can pass out any more gifts. It’s my work phone.

“Sheriff, this is Boyd. The bakery’s on fire.”

Chapter 35

Ruby

What a beautiful proposal. Tears prick at the corner of my eyes as I watch the happy couple. I’m thrilled for them. I decide as soon as we’re done with presents, I’ll offer to make their wedding cake. I haven’t made one for ages. I love making wedding cakes.

When I was married to Roger, I made wedding cakes for my family and their friends. I did it for the cost of the ingredients to help people save money. The labor was my gift to them. I would’ve given the entire cake, but Roger refused to pay for the ingredients. When I paid for them out of my allowance, he threw a fit.

He said it was beneath a Buffet to bake cakes for poor people. I should have asked if it would be alright if I baked cakes for rich people. But I never did. Instead, I asked the bride, groom, or family to pay for the ingredients and I made them beautiful cakes. I have photos of all of them.

After the congratulations, Effrem’s phone rings. I can’t tell what’s being said on the other end of the line, but it’s not good. Effrem tensed beside me.

“We’ll be right there.”

He hangs up the phone. A serious look on his face.

“Ruby, we have to go. Your bakery is on fire.”

“Oh, God, no.” I say jumping to my feet.

Effrem has my hand. We’re racing out to his truck. The bakery had a complete inspection. It can’t be wiring. I don’t understand. How could this be happening? It’s not until we’re blasting downthe drive with the lights and sirens on that I realize Xavier and Dalton were with us.

Effrem takes one of my hands into his much larger one.

“We’ll get through this, no matter how bad it is.”

“Do you have insurance?” Xavier asks.

I nod my head numbly. “Yes, I have a good policy. I’m covered for everything but setting it on fire myself. We all know that didn’t happen.”

Effrem squeezes my hand. “I assume all you’re up to date on inspections.

“All fresh and certified last week.”

“When’s the last time you were at the bakery?” Xavier asks.

I’m thankful for the questions. They’re keeping me from having a panic attack.

“Two days ago when I was attacked. I haven’t used the equipment in several days. I know everything was off.”

“I did a walk through before I left, Ruby. Everything was off. I locked up after the police were finished.”