The Bake-Off by Beth Kendrick Read Free Book Online Page A

“Whatever happened to your daughter the doctor?” had shamed them into seclusion.) Purebred Irish terriers were rare and expensive, and Rhodes came pedigreed with an impressive bloodline and a formal AKC name: Blarneystone’s Rhodes Scholar.
    Fortunately, the rare and expensive Rhodes had now been placated to the point that Amy could finally hear her mother on the other end of the phone line.
    â€œWe have an announcement.” Mom’s voice quavered with anticipation. “Wait till you hear. Pick up the phone, Jim,” she hollered. “It’s Amy!”
    Two seconds later, Amy’s father clicked on. “Hi, sweet pea. I’m so glad you called. Did you tell her yet, Linda?”
    â€œNot yet,” Mom said. “I wanted to wait for you.”
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Amy brightened. “Sounds like good news.”
    â€œ Great news,” her father corrected. “Listen, is there any chance you might be able to take a few days of vacation time in May?”
    Amy did a quick flip-through of her mental daily planner. “I’m sure we can work something out. What’s up? Are you coming up for a visit?”
    â€œActually, we were hoping you might be able to come down here,” her mother said. “Rhodes is going for his UDX.”
    Amy turned her car into the day-care center parking lot. “UDX?”
    â€œIt’s the canine equivalent of a PhD.” Her father made no effort to conceal his pride. “Only the best and the brightest make it through the testing process.”
    â€œAnd most of the dogs that do pass are herding and working breeds: Border collies, German shepherds,” her mother added. “Terriers aren’t generally considered good candidates.”
    â€œBut Rhodes is one in a million,” Dad said.
    â€œOne in a billion.” Her mother laughed. “Moving down here to train with Shawna was absolutely the right decision.”
    After Rhodes had triumphantly completed his UD title (the canine equivalent of a master’s degree) last year, her parents had hosted a family weekend in the little dog’s honor, complete with a professional photographer, tearful toasts, and an elaborate boneshaped cake. Grammy, Amy, and Brandon had all put on their Sunday best and played along. Linnie hadn’t even bothered to RSVP.
    â€œWell. That sounds pretty exciting. I’ll check with Brandon and get back to you,” Amy hedged. “Anyway, Mom, I just called to say—”
    â€œOh, that’s the other line.” Her father’s voice went tense. “It’s Linnie.”
    â€œLinnie?” Her mother’s entire demeanor changed. “We’d better take it.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll let you go, but I wanted to say happy birth—”
    Click. Dial tone.
    Amy dropped her phone on the dashboard and sat back in her seat for a moment, staring out her windshield at the heavy gray winter sky.
    Two decades later, the sting of coming in second still hadn’t worn off.

Chapter 3
    â€œ I have good news and bad news.” Grammy Syl greeted Amy at the door with a warm smile and a slice of apple szarlotka.
    â€œOh boy.” Amy pivoted on her stack-heeled boot and stepped back into the hallway. “Maybe I’ll come back later.”
    Grammy grabbed her elbow and tugged her inside the condo, or “casita,” as it was described in the promotional literature for the Willow Court Senior Living Community. “Don’t be silly, dearest. Take off your coat and give me a hug.”
    Amy obliged, glancing over Grammy’s shoulder, on high alert for anything amiss. But the cozy little living room was tidy as usual, full of framed family photos and mismatched antique furniture.
    â€œThe suspense is killing me,” Amy said when Grammy released her. “Hit me with the bad news and get it over with.”
    Grammy handed the plate of pie to Amy and toyed with the double