Page 24

Perhaps Aisling’s heart had been in danger before she’d understood what Brook’s idea of a Midsummer market fling was. But surely there was no reason to worry now.

Surely.

“What shall we do first?” Brook asked as she leaned against the counter lazily. Back in her regular leathers, her long hair cascading down her back, she looked every bit as beautiful as she had in her fancy suit last night.

Aisling smiled at the sight of her; any thought of telling Brook to go away flew from her mind in an instant. And if her heart did flutter a little, well, that was just attraction. It didn’t mean anything.

“We?” Aisling teased.

Brook grinned. “There, you’re looking much better tonight, pretty baker. I was worried last night.”

“I think I was just overwhelmed.” It wasn’t a lie, anyhow.

Brook nodded. “Happens to me regularly. Hence the disappearing act. Still, it’s nice to see your smile back in place and your cheeks all pink.”

Aisling finished wiping down the counter from the day’s sales. “I sold out again today, so I’m closing up early. But I really must work on my bakes for tomorrow’s competition. And do all the fillings for regular sales.”

“That’s why I came,” Brook said easily. “I know, I know, usually it’s to drag you away and flirt with you, but I’m very good at improvisation. I can flirt and help you bake.”

“You are quite a flirt,” Aisling said with a chuckle.

“I’m a flirt? You gave me cake!” Brook raised an eyebrow. “You know what they say about hearts and stomachs!”

“No.”

“Oh.” Brook paused. “Maybe it’s an Emberleigh thing. Anyhow, the cake was very alluring.”

This was the thing—there was just no way to be angry with Brook. She was just being, well. Brook. Aisling shook her head, still laughing. “I can’t deny it is. But I give cake to everyone.”

“Ah, but everyone else has to pay for it. You gave it to me for free.”

“Well, you are my intended. It’d look odd if I made you pay.”

“Funny, because I don’t think anyone was there to see it.” Brook pursed her pretty, dark lips invitingly.

Sad but very true. Aisling decided to change the subject back to safer territory before she said something pathetic, though. “You’re paying me in labor tonight, then?”

“Oh no, that’s just a gift! But yes, I’ve come to help you bake, I promise, not to distract.”

“Help me bake?”

“Sure. I can—I don’t know. Stir? Put things into the oven? Take them out again? While you work on…” She waved her hand vaguely. “Fillings?”

In spite of herself, Aisling laughed. “But I’d lose track of the timing if I was working on fillings while you ran the oven. How’s your internal timer?” As if she didn’t already know the answer.

“Shit,” Brook replied, sure enough. “But—I know a place with some very good multi-timers, now you mention it. And it’s not too late.”

“Multi-timer?”

“Little clockwork device, keeps track of several different things at once. Brilliant thing, and I’ve always wanted an excuse to get one.” Brook pushed off the counter as if she was about to walk away. Then paused. “Wait. You keep track of everything that goes on in there” –she waved at the oven—“with your internal timer?”

Aisling nodded. Of course she knew of timer devices, and she kept a pocketwatch herself. She just rarely needed it, was the thing.

Brook laughed out loud. “You’re truly a genius, Ash, you know that? Sadly, I am not, so I’ll be right back—you just get things ready to go into the oven, and I’ll work it for you, right?”

And without waiting for a reply, Brook stalked away on her mission.

Aisling stared after her, thinking how unfair it was that Brook should be this kind, this gallant, this charming and attractive…