Fall for You by Susan Behon

want to mess up her work rhythm. He had his own work to do anyway. Then again, she might need a break.
    “ Keep looking back there and you'll hurt your neck.”
    Reed turned back to Ben. “My neck's fine.”
    “ I'm good here. Go see her.”
    At that moment, Sophie came out with a small tray of chocolate chip cookies and four single serve cartons of milk. “Hey guys. I thought you might want abreak. These just came straight from the oven.”
    She was worried about them?
    They stopped working and headed for the counter in record time. Ben smiled a thank you and snatched two cookies at once. He took a bite then closed his eyes in bliss. Between cookies he mumbled, “Good.”
    Reed grabbed two as well, then one more, just in case Ben got greedy. His cookie was still warm so the chocolate meltedon his tongue. It was chewy and sweet with a hint of crispiness at the edges. “Mmmmm.”
    Smiling, Sophie watched them as they ate. “I'm glad you like them.”
    Reed took a drink of milk and said reverently, “Like them? I love them.”
    Ben nodded in agreement.
    Sophie gestured toward the cookies. “Thank you. Eat up and enjoy.” Reed put a hand on her arm before she headed back to the kitchen. “Stay.You need a break too.”
    Giving a slight shake of her head, Sophie declined. “I can't right now, but maybe later? I have another batch almost ready to come out of the oven.”
    He slowly let go by sliding his hand away. “I'm going to make sure you sit down for at least ten minutes before we leave tonight.”
    Sophie gave a cute little salute and went back to baking.
    “ Guess our break's over, Ben. Backto work.”
    Ben grabbed the cookies. “Get the milk.”
    * * * *
    By the time Reed and Ben packed up for the night, Sophie had hit her stride. She felt tired but upbeat. By midnight, she started to wilt but perked up once she started chugging coffee. At three o'clock, she was feeling punchy but getting by. Four o'clock rolled around and Sophie was ready to push the cookies onto the floor and takea nap right there on the table. By five o'clock, she was on caffeine overload and ready to crash.
    Tracy walked in and Sophie was only half sure she wasn't a caffeine-induced hallucination. Looking wearily at her friend, she asked, “Are you really you?”
    “ Who else would I be? Sophie, take a break, hon.” Tracy eyed her with concern.
    Shaking her head and then getting a little wobbly from it, Sophieheld on to the table for balance. “I can't. If I stop moving, I won't be able to start up again.”
    Turning Sophie toward her, Tracy put her hands on her shoulders. “You're already run down and this insane order just made it worse.” Her friend's eyes narrowed in anger. “That woman had to know what she was doing to you. Get the bail money because I'm going to Google how to hide a body.”
    Sophiewasn't sure if Tracy was kidding or not.
    Tracy led her to the back door and opened it. “It's time to freshen up.” She gave Sophie a once over. “You look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy threw up on you. I picked up some clean clothes when I checked in on Max.” Before Sophie could ask, she told her, “He's fine, by the way. Go on upstairs and take a shower. You'll feel better.” Tracy nudged her outthe door. “Go on, little mama.”
    Sophie took Tracy's advice and had to admit that washing off the coating of flour, sugar and baking whatnot felt wonderful. Scrubbed clean, she turned the water from hot to cold and tried not to yelp. Whether she liked it or not, she stood under the frigid water long enough to wake up. After her frosty shower, Sophie redid her hair and put on a little makeup toconceal the violet smudges under her eyes. No one wanted to buy cookies from the walking dead.
    By the time she came back downstairs, she saw that Tracy had boxed up her cookies and organized the others on display trays.
    Sophie was so touched and tired that tears welled up in her eyes.
    “ There's my girl. How was your shower?”
    Sophie