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Got Rainbow Cookies?

Aundrea was taking a breather when she heard something that chilled her to the bone. “Oh, my God. Not today.” She slammed her mug down on the counter.

Phyllis poked her head into the kitchen. “Um…”

“I heard him.”

“I know I shouldn’t pry-”

“Then don’t.” Aundrea snapped. She immediately regretted it but she didn’t have time for Phyl’s badgering right now. She took a deep breath and said, “Sorry, Phyl. This is something that’s really hard for me. Okay?”

“Sure kid. What should I tell him?”

“I’ll be out in a minute.” Aundrea headed for the bathroom. She wanted to make sure she was presentable for this. Not because she still felt anything for him.

It was business. Nothing but business.

She washed her hands and inspected herself closely in the mirror. She didn’t want him to see anything but ice cold perfection. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing how it made her feel to this very day.

This was her place. She was the boss. She was the queen. She was the one in charge once he stepped through her doors. He was nothing to her but a dreadful mistake and a regrettable business expense.

Not a hair out of place. Not a speck or a spot on her chef’s tunic. She wasn’t one for makeup but the little she wore was just as she’d applied it. She resisted the urge to touch up her lipstick. She certainly wasn’t going to kiss him.

She peeked out of the bathroom. Nobody here. Good.

She crossed to the wall safe behind the decorative cookie sheet with the words ‘Life Is Sweet’ spelled out in realistic resin cookies. She set the decoration aside so she could get into the safe. She looked over her shoulder. Still nobody here. She stuck her thumb on the biometric pad on the side of the safe behind some file folders. The safe inside the safe popped open and she pulled an envelope of ivory parchment out.

As she sealed the inner and outer safes and replaced the cookie sheet, she squeezed the envelope. She thought of the improvements she could make if she were able to keep this money and reinvest it into her business. It made her heart sink.

Every year.

She slid the envelope into her pocket and smoothed her tunic. ‘Let’s just get this done.’

She walked out of the kitchen with her head down. She wasn’t particularly happy about having to see him again so soon.

“Aundrea.” He said as pleasantly as he ever said anything. His baritone voice seemed to boom even when he spoke barely above a whisper.

‘Oh, my God. I don’t think I can do this.’

“This is such a lovely bakery.” Somehow, even a seemingly heartfelt compliment sounded threatening and sinister coming from him.

She could see his shoes and hers. As if it wasn’t bad enough having him here. She took a deep breath and looked up to face them.

“Mr. Harz.”

“Please, Aundrea. You know you can call me David.”

She pulled the envelope from her pocket and handed it to him. “I suppose I’ll see you this time next year.”

“Yes, I believe you will.”

His companion’s eyes became hateful slits as she looked Aundrea over. “David, we should be going. We’re obviously not welcome here.”

“Hmm, that aroma. It absolutely smells like Christmas, my love. Shouldn’t we grab a bite for the road?”

“Got rainbow cookies?” Claudia looked around like a vulture seeking some roadkill. She was devastatingly beautiful but hostility emanated from her like poisonous radiation.

“I’m sorry. They’re not as popular here as they are in Empire City.”

“Of course, Aundrea. When in Rome, Claudia darling. What would you recommend?”

‘Leaving.’ She looked around for something to appease the out-of-towners. She sucked a pained breath and said, “Peanut butter cookies?”

The door to the bakery opened and her heart sank. Could today go any worse?

“Peanut butter cookies?” Mr. Harz asked, raising a confused eyebrow.

“Hard pass.” Claudia waved a dismissive hand and yanked on her companion’s arm. “Let’s blow.”

He gave her a silent glare of warning before running the envelope under his nose. Aundrea cringed ever so slightly. That brought a wicked smile to his face.

The couple turned as he slid the envelope into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. One headache was about to end right as another began.

She watched carefully to ensure that Mr. Harz and his friend actually left. She hoped that Mr. Harz wouldn’t take particular notice of Jeb.

They were finally gone and she looked for Phyl as she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Out of the frying pan and into the fire?”

“Not funny, Phyl.”

“Well, at least Jeb’s business is less of a problem. He’s got some salad utensils to add to the display.”

“Is that all he wants?”

“Said he wanted to apologize.”

“I can’t deal with that right now. Tell him I’ll see him at church tomorrow.”

“What’s all this about peanut butter cookies?”

“What?”

“As soon as he walked in the door, you practically yelled ‘peanut butter cookies’ in their faces.”

“Oh, that. I made a batch for Jeb before church last week. I warmed up the leftover cookies and added a fresh batch of peanut butter.”

“That was very considerate.”

“I thought so but he wasn’t paying me any attention. I must have totally misread the situation. And you stood me up. I was freaking out.”

“Sorry, honey. I really meant to come but I was having one of my migraines. I think that’s what he wanted to apologize for.”

“For what?”

“He had to throw the cookies away.”

“He threw them away?”

“Whoa! Deep breath, kid. He had a very good reason.”

“I’ll just bet.”

“Gonna let him tell you or are you going to keep being a blockhead?”

“Whose side are you on here?”

“I’m on your side, Aundrea. Always. Give the poor guy a chance.”

“Look. I just can’t do this right now. Take his pieces and write him a receipt. We’ll see how church goes tomorrow.”