Already Home by Susan Mallery

sold two of the most expensive mixers in the store, an entire set of pots and three Keurig coffeemakers.
    The two women Beth was speaking to each sampled a cookie. Their tiny, polite bites were followed by moans that made Jenna feel all quivery inside. She loved it when people appreciated her food.
    The smell of chocolate drifted through the store, the resultof her morning baking combined with the sweet scent of the berries she’d pureed earlier. Fruit and chocolate was always a winning combination.
    She had the sudden urge to work with crepes. Chocolate with an unexpected bite. Or maybe rolled chocolate, like a cannoli, filled with a fruit and cream mixture.
    â€œIs there a recipe?” the taller woman asked, bringing Jenna back to the moment.
    â€œYes.” Beth leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Even better—there are bags by the register with all the dry ingredients already measured. You only have to add eggs and butter at home. Isn’t that the best? You could make these tonight. I know I’m going to. My husband loves them.”
    The two women turned and looked at Jenna. She finished with her customer, then held up the bags.
    â€œWere you talking about these?” she asked innocently. “The cookies? We’re having trouble keeping the ingredients in stock.”
    â€œI’ll take three,” the shorter woman said firmly. “I have my grandchildren coming by next week.”
    Jenna rang up their purchases, then glanced at the clock. It was nearly six. When the women left, she walked to the door and turned the sign, then locked it.
    â€œAnd we’re done.”
    Beth carried the tray to the kitchen and set it on the counter. “Aren’t you exhausted? I don’t know how you do this all day.”
    â€œIt’s not that much harder than working in a restaurant.”
    â€œIt feels hard. You were busy and you didn’t even have a class today. You’re going to have to hire some part-time help.”
    â€œI know.” The thought pleased her. After that first disastrous week she’d been afraid she couldn’t sell enough to paythe light bill, let alone the rent. Now she was actually scrambling to get everyone taken care of. Her store was making it.
    â€œHaving all these customers is what the self-help gurus would call a quality problem.”
    Beth laughed. “The only kind to have.” Her gaze turned speculative. “Tell me about Violet’s date.”
    â€œThere’s not much to tell. It’s a first date. He works in finance. She’s a little nervous because he’s not her usual type. Apparently Violet prefers bad boys to nice guys.”
    â€œA lot of women fall into that trap. But she’s getting out there, trying something new.” Beth put the leftover cookies into baggies. “You could go on a date.”
    Jenna wasn’t even surprised. “I’m impressed. I’ve been home nearly three months and this is the first time you’ve mentioned me dating.”
    â€œI wanted to give you time.”
    â€œWhich has run out.”
    Her mother’s mouth twitched. “Yes, it has. There are several very nice young men working in your father’s bank. Or if you don’t want to date someone who reports to him, which I understand, there are customers. Single men with good prospects.”
    Jenna crossed to Beth and took her face in her hands. “I love you. Stay out of my love life.”
    â€œSomeone has to do something. You’re spending all your time working.”
    â€œMy business is all of forty seconds old. Let me get it going before I get distracted.”
    â€œYou need to get out there, have a life. You don’t have to get serious, but you need to start dating. Aaron was a charmer, that’s for sure but, as my grandmother would say,when you met him, you led your ducks to a dry pond. Find a better pond.”
    Jenna dropped her hands and thought of Violet’s