Read My Sweetheart for Free Online Page B

Tate glared at the girl and then looked back at Jane. “Sorry Jane. Alea is . . . a friend of mine. She still has a lot to learn about manners,” he said direly. “I’ll see you around,” he said and took the woman by her arm and marched off.
                  Jane frowned after them wondering why Alea had taken such a dislike to her. She got in her car and drove home, her mind racing back and forth over everything that had happened that night. But no matter where her thoughts took her, they always came back to point A. Tate Matafeo .
     

Chapter 4 – Adapting
                 
                 
                  Jane spent the next few days working hard. She and Kit had to take up the slack left by Layla. Even though Julie came in every day to bake pies, they still had to make the regular desserts that Layla loved to put out. Kit slid in a tray of cream puffs and glared at the oven.
                  “Jane, I’m going to hire a new baker. I’m going to put an ad in the paper this week. We’re both going crazy trying to do everything,” she said in irritation and slipped off her oven mitts to take a drink of water.
                  Jane sighed tiredly and walked over to wash her hands at the sink. “Layla will be back in a week and a half. I know this isn’t fun Kit, but we can handle it for a little while longer.”
                  Kit frowned at Jane and leaned her hip against the counter as she studied her little sister. “Jane, after I get married, I won’t be doing the bread anymore. I’ll be living on Vashon Island with Hunter and there’s no way I’ll make it here by four every morning. We’re going to have to train a new bread maker. I’ll come in part time, but Hunter and I were talking and we both think it’s important that I paint more. He wants to buy me my own little art gallery.”
                  Jane stared at her sister in surprise. “Wow Kit. That’s amazing, but . . . but that changes everything. I mean, it’s been us. Sisters . Bringing in someone new will make everything so weird,” she said, looking away and wanting to cry for some reason.
                  Kit bit her lip and walked over, touching Jane on the arm. “Sweetie, life is nothing but change. I know we’ve had a great time working together, but I’m going to be a wife now and I have to make compromises. Hunter and my marriage have to come first. I know Layla will need to make adjustments too. Layla has a family now; she won’t be able to keep up this schedule. We need to plan ahead so we’re not left in the lurch.”
                  Jane covered her eyes with her hands for a moment as her happy reality suddenly turned gray and horrible. Moving to Fircrest and working and living with her sisters had been the happiest time of her entire life. And now it looked like it was over.
                  “Stop looking like it’s the end of the world Jane. Me and Layla will still be at the bakery every day. We’ll be here with you. Just not all the time.”
                  Jane looked up, trying to smile for her sister. “You’re right. It’ll be fine. Why don’t you put in the ad and we can do the interviews later in the week,” she said watching Kit smile in relief.
                  “You’re the best Jane. I’ve already got the ad typed up. I’ll go ahead and post it,” she said and hurried over to the laptop.
                  Jane frowned and pretended that she needed to look at something in the store. The truth was, she just needed a few moments to herself. She stood at the front door and stared out at the busy street. Why did happiness never last?
                  She stared unseeing at the cars driving past and closed her eyes for a few moments before she straightened her shoulders and turned around to get back to work. Life was about adapting.