The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck Read Free Book Online Page A

on the river. The predicament was both exhilarating and terrifying. Either way, she would not let go. She’d made up her mind. Given her word.
    Marching up the back steps, Cora reached for the door. “It’s good to see you, Birch.”
    “Who do you recommend for a fella who might be looking?”
    “For Pete’s sake, Birch, you can figure that out for yourself.”
    “You thought you saw Rufus St. Claire, didn’t you?”
    She started inside, but Birch gently gripped her wrist. “I don’t see how it’s your business.”
    “Am I wrong?”
    Cora regarded him for a moment, reading his eyes, his expression. “You disapprove?”
    She wished the question back. Because if he did, it would bother her. She didn’t like Birch’s disapproval. It was enough she had Mama’s.
    Birch had been there for the family during the ’14 bank panic when Daddy disappeared for a while. Helped out her brother, Ernest Jr., with things around the house.
    Then in ’18 he came home from the war when EJ didn’t. Came around the house almost every evening to see how Cora, Mama, and Daddy were doing.
    “I don’t like that he hurts you.”
    “He’s not hurting me.”
    “Then why the blinding run? The dark expression? The panic?”
    The slam of car doors popped the air and Cora peeked inside the shop. Mama was waving her in. “Birch, I’ve got to go. My customers have arrived.”
    “What about your pastries?”
    “We’ll have to do without. Odelia brought in her cinnamon rolls.”
    “Those rocks?” He made a face and Cora pressed her hand to her lips to hide her laugh. “Surely you can’t offer your special customers, all the way up from Birmingham, Odelia’s cinnamon buns.”
    “She is so proud of them.”
    “Maybe so, but ole Dr. Walsh is out of town fishing, so if they break a tooth—”
    Through the open windows Cora heard the Victrola and Mama’s sweet, “Welcome to The Wedding Shop. Welcome.”
    “What would your aunt Jane say?” Birch whispered.
    “She’d say just serve tea and coffee and forget the pastries.”
    “No, about you pining for that no-good riverboat captain.”
    “She’d have said, ‘Follow your heart, Cora Beth.’ ” Her old aunt regretted choosing work over love and marriage. She died an old maid. Cora refused to follow her fate. “She would want me to be happy.”
    “I’m sure she would. But with a man who was true.” Birch backed away. “I’ll pick up your order. I assume it’s at Haven’s.”
    “Cora!” Mama appeared at the door. “Why are you dawdling? They’re here. Morning, Birch.”
    He tipped his cap. “Mrs. Scott.”
    “Darling, where are the pastries?” Mama gestured at Cora’s arms, her eyes wide and wild. “Mrs. Dunlap is about to spend a small fortune on her daughter’s trousseau, and the least we can do is offer her a cup of tea and a petit four. Otherwise, Odelia will offer her buns, and we don’t need an emergency trip to the dentist. I think the doc’s out fishing.”
    Cora rolled her eyes, peering at Birch. “Did you two arrange this conversation? Fine, Birch, will you fetch the pastries. Charge them to my account. Bring them around back. Mama will be setting up tea and coffee in the pantry.”
    “What about the kisses?” Mama said. “We’re out.”
    “Kisses?” Birch echoed, a chuckle in his tone. “Yeah, how can I help with the kisses?”
    “Oh, you,” Mama said with a naughty giggle, turning away and heading inside.
    “Mama means Hershey’s chocolate kisses, Birch,” Cora said. Goodness, were they children, giggling over the word kisses ? “You can get a tin at Kidwells.”
    “Kisses?” he said again, his grin taking on a teasing swagger. “For a wedding shop? A bit on the nose.”
    “Go on now. For a farmer, Birch, you’re acting mighty highbrow.”
    Cora started inside, but he reached for her, gently holding her arm. His nearness stole her breath and filled her with a sudden and disarming sensation. She swallowed, pressing her hand to