“Do you want to come in for some coffee and a bit of cake? And before you think I’ve been cheating on you with another bakery, I was cleaning out my deep freeze yesterday and found a bag of last summer’s rhubarb, so I decided to whip up a batch of rhubarb cake.”

“Oh, well, I should really get back to the bakery,” Charlie said. Still, she found herself stepping inside, Jake’s camera still in hand.

“I have a fresh pot on. I insist,” Faye said. “A little hospitality is the least I can offer you, considering how kind you always are to me.”

In the small, sun-filled kitchen with yellow gingham curtained windows—windows that faced the distant peaks the town was known for—Faye filled a mug (#1 Grandma) from a mismatched collection on a shelf.

“My Jake gave me that when he was just a little boy,” Faye told her. “He’d be embarrassed for me to tell you that, of course. I think he’s taken a shine to you, young lady. He’d be embarrassed by that, too, but he’s not here, is he?”

Charlie forced a smile she hoped wasn’t too wobbly. “Same here,” she said. “I enjoy our friendship very much.”

Faye poured herself a coffee, then walked over to the kitchen table and beckoned for Charlie to join her. “ ‘Friendship,’ ” Faye said. “You have seen the way he’s been looking at you lately, right? I’ll be honest, I’d been hoping for a match even though, yes, I am aware, you were supposedly engaged to that Realtor.” The way she said Realtor, Charlie immediately gathered that Faye was not a fan of Brett’s. Join the club, she wanted to say.

“But then I heard through the grapevine . . . Well, I don’t have to tell you. So I started to hope.” She shrugged, smiled. “I know I’m being quite direct here, but when you get to be my age, direct is really all you have time for.”

“Faye,” Charlie said. “I hate to disappoint you, I really do, but there’s nothing going on between us. We enjoy each other’s company.”

“Ah, well, I suppose I should allow you young people to take all the time you need, despite my own selfish wishes. And my grandson probably does need time to heal, after that mess in Colorado. The custody battle really took its toll on him. And Nadia . . . well. Let’s just say, she is nothing like you, Cass.”

Nadia. So that was her name. But, custody battle? Charlie needed a minute to process that. Except, of course, if she really was Jake’s good friend, she should know all about a custody battle. She nodded her head, hoping she appeared sage and knowing. “Indeed,” she said. “It really has been hard on him. It certainly isn’t the time for him to be jumping into any new relationships.”

Faye’s bright blue eyes held hers. “Cassie, on hard days, you’ve told me your doubts about Brett. And remember what I said? The only way out is through. You’re tough enough to do it, I know you are.” Then Faye stood, and clapped her hands together. “But enough serious talk. Let me cut you some of that cake I promised,” she said, her back now turned. “If I can get Cass Goodwin’s approval in the kitchen, then I’ll know I’ve really arrived.”