Chapter 7

"I'm not trained, but I've made some cakes for friends and things." Her head felt funny, and she watched from almost outside herself as she related to Gladys all of her recent days and the reason she was out on the road and so far from home. She seemed to be helpless about spilling everything, but it was probably because Gladys was friendly, and she'd really needed to talk to someone. "So, I can't go back to Lymburn, and all my plans are toasted, but I'm going to keep going until I find somewhere new."

"That's brave of you dear." Gladys cleared the empty mugs away. "Looks like the rain's stopped so I'll close up and walk you on over to the inn and introduce you to Steven. He runs the inn and he'll take good care of you. Come back and see me tomorrow and I'll see about your skills."

"This is too good to be true." Siana stood up and followed Gladys across the square and down one of the side streets to another Victorian house. This one was bright purple and the gingerbread on the eaves and porch was snow white, practically glowing in the darkness. It had one light on, and it glowed yellow like a single eye.

Gladys stepped across the porch and pushed the door open unceremoniously before beckoning Siana who was still staring at the single yellow light. There was something sort of menacing about it and she felt like it was staring at her. "Come along dear, let's get you tucked up in a warm room for the night."

Siana broke her one-sided staring contest and sidled up to the porch, walking into the house and shivering as the cold air met her still wet head. There was a tall, dark, well-built man behind the desk who came around and swept Gladys up in a brief hug like he hadn't seen her in forever. "Hello Granny, who did you bring us?"

"This is Siana, she's from Lymburn and just may be our new baker." Gladys gestured Siana forward. "Siana dear, this is Steven, he runs the inn. He'll take good care of you for tonight and I'll see you in the morning."

"Thank you, Gladys." Siana watched as the older woman bustled away before turning back to Steven. "Sorry to drop in so late, I know I'm probably being a huge inconvenience and I appreciate you staying up for me."

"It's no problem, come with me, miss?" Steven raised one eyebrow at her.

"It's Siana Price," she forced herself to stop there. Steven was incredibly handsome and had that slow voice that got her every time. She was also feeling unaccountably babbly, like she wanted to tell everyone everything. But she wasn't going to do that, she was going to start guarding her heart better, after all, look where being open and trusting had gotten her.

She followed Steven down a hallway and to a room that he unlocked and pushed open for her. "Here we are, sleep well."

Before she could say thank you, Steven was back off down the hallway, probably to find his own bed, again. Siana just walked through the door to sit on the bed and look down at her feet. Maybe here was where she was supposed to be? She just had to wait until morning to find out.