Her Christmas Pregnancy Surprise

He knew he should hurry. He didn’t have that much time to get out of the city and to his country estate, where the big Christmas celebration was taking place. But he didn’t move a muscle as he stood there watching Pepper do her thing. Each golden caramel corkscrew was then placed atop a cupcake. They looked too good to eat.

When Pepper had finished with all the cupcakes, she straightened, glanced at him and blinked, as though she’d forgotten that he was still there waiting to talk to her. And then her gaze moved to the clock above his head.

“I have to hurry.” Her beautiful face creased with worry lines.

“What happens if you don’t finish these?” He knew the stakes were high, but he wondered how high they were.

Pepper shook her head as she boxed up the cupcakes. “That can’t happen.”

He moved next to her, placing a lid on the full box. “Pepper, stop for just a moment.”

She turned to him. “Simon, I’m sorry. I just don’t have time to talk. I have a very important party.”

“That’s the thing.”

“What’s the thing?”

His gaze met hers. “The party. It’s mine.”

“Yours?” She shook her head. “I spoke with a woman. Elaine something or other. I have her full name written on the order. And this party is in Connecticut.”

He nodded. “Elaine Haskins is my assistant and the party is at my country home.”

Pepper’s face creased with lines of frustration. She didn’t say a word as she digested the information.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “This is my fault. Everyone was so impressed with you at the office party that Elaine added you to our catering list. After what happened between us, I forgot to say anything to her. I totally understand you wanting to cancel—”

“Cancel?” Her shoulders straightened and she lifted her chin slightly. “I’m not canceling.”

“You’re not?” He was so confused.

“We have a contract. I expect you to keep your end of it.”

“But why? I mean, why would you want to cater a party for me?”

“Because this is business. It’s not personal. I can’t believe I have to explain this to you.”

And then he thought of the empty bakery and the overabundance of unsold goods. Something had happened to her business, and he wondered if it had anything to do with the paparazzi fuss when they’d caught on to their night together. His jaw tightened. He was so used to it that he hadn’t stopped to consider how it might affect Pepper.

“And you don’t mind working this party, even though it’s for me.”

She straightened her shoulders and there was a slight tilt to her chin. “I’m a professional. I can do this job. There won’t be any problems.”

“I know you are and I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” He couldn’t shake the thought of the baked goods going to waste in her display cases. “I’ll throw in extra if you include everything in your cases.”

Her mouth gaped. She quickly regained her composure. “Why would you do that? If you want a cherry turnover that bad, all you have to do is ask.”

He would make sure and set those aside for himself. “I have some extra guests,” he said, which was the truth, but just part of it. “I want to make sure there’s enough for everyone.”

“Oh. Okay. I’ll get them boxed up.”

He glanced around. “Are you the only one here?”

She nodded. “Don’t worry. I have a couple employees meeting me at your estate.”

“Let me give you a hand.” He slipped off his coat.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Sure I do. I’m the one who insisted on the extra items. The least I can do is give you a hand boxing them up.” He didn’t mention that he’d noticed the dark smudges under her eyes. She was working too hard and not getting enough sleep. At least he hoped that’s all it was.

They worked together, packing up all the delicious treats. Simon snagged one of the cherry turnovers. He couldn’t wait until later. His palate had been in withdrawal for weeks now. He was only so strong.

“Look at the time.” There was mild panic in Pepper’s voice. “With the traffic, I’m going to be late.”

“Not if you leave now.”

“But there’s still all of this to load in the van.”

“I’ll help you.”

This time she didn’t argue. They moved the baked goods on carts out to the delivery van painted in white with big black polka dots all over it and the logo for the Polka Dotted Bakery painted in bubblegum pink and lime green. He couldn’t help but smile. It was unique, just like its owner.

The truck was quite full when they were done and Simon wasn’t sure what he was going to do with all the extra food, but he would deal with that problem later.

He climbed out of the back of the van. “You’re good to go.”

She stood frowning.

“What’s the matter?”

“I forgot something.” And then her eyes widened. “My backpack. It’s on the counter.”

When she went to turn and rush back inside, he reached out to her. “You stay here. Close up the van and I’ll grab your stuff.”

She nodded.

He ran back inside the bakery. The only problem was that there were a lot of counters. His gaze moved around the kitchen in a counter clockwise manner. And then he spotted her red and white backpack as well as the digital tablet next to the stove. He rushed over and grabbed them.

He moved too quickly and the backpack knocked over a tall stack of business cards, as well as some papers. A frustrated groan formed deep in his throat. He rushed to clean up the mess. He guessed that Pepper meant to take the business cards with her to hand out at the party. He took most of them and her backpack. He flipped off the lights, exited the building and, using the keys Pepper had placed in the door earlier, locked it.

She was in the back of the van, doing something with one of the boxes.

“I’ve got it,” he called out.

“Okay. This is all set.” She climbed out, closed the door and turned to him. “I just have to set the alarm system.”

She rushed back inside. He checked the time. It was most definitely late, and it was his fault for insisting on taking her extra pastries. He owed it to Pepper to make sure she arrived on time. He called his driver to tell him to head to Connecticut without him. Simon had just hung up when she returned.