The Ruse that Bounds

gging stoles. Sweet Crumbs had always been a refuge, what seemed to be a place of peace. The rich aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, and butter in it made everything see

my apron tightly and tied the strings behind my back. It was pending scones to be baked, loaded bread from the ov

ould slip through my fingers realizing that the beloved haunt was no longer just mine-it had grown into s

l happened so quickly? I hadn't even been given the chance to fight for it. I'd spent years growing Sweet Crumbs fro

gly wiping flour off the counter and gathering ingredients for the next batch of cook

ine, with her bright purple scarf wrapped around her neck like a flag. She always looked like she had

can I get you today?" I ask

favorite, the raspberry tart. As I packed it into a box, she rai

eard the ne

box. I had a sinking feeling I knew

I asked, feign

field. They say he plans to raze the whole bakery to th

ething I'd feared ever since I'd first heard Alexander Westfie

call them? A corporate coffee chain, I think. Probably going

my chest, and I feel the sharpness of panic coming up in me as if i

le unsteady in voice as I had wanted.

ng to work unless I did

o something about it, dear. This town needs Sweet Crumbs. It

egulars who stopped by each morning for their coffee, families who picked up pies for their Sunday dinners, and tourists who had stumbled

ion was pressed down on my head, making me feel more hopeless than befor

e: wild, absurd, and altogether impulsive, but

r and quickly dialed Emma's number. She was my best fr

ings, Emma pick

but I could tell she was in the middle of

me. Something big," I said with

on the telephone. "What's going

t a rumor. A big one. Enough to get everyone's attention-from Dal

ilence on the othe

t last, her disbelief

's why he's buying up Sweet Crumbs-to keep it as a romantic gesture for his fiancée." I let out a shaky breath. "I know it's

e spoke again, her voice soaked in doubt. "Are you abs

y. "If I don't do something rig

voice. But finally, she spoke again, but more asser