“Thanks, Kelly. Let me help you with those.” He lifted the seven-layer cake from the cart and moved it to the empty cake stand on the counter. In his signature Main Street Cafe short-sleeved T-shirt and khakis, he looked more like he owned the hardware store than the cafe, but everyone knew and loved CB McIntyre. CB stood for cornbread – a nickname he’d gotten in college in Northern Virginia, and it had stuck. “They look perfect. As always.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”

“I was thinking about throwing a surprise party for your mother on Valentine’s Day.”

But I’ll be gone. Unless I get eliminated in the first round. That would be awful. “Why then?”

“It’s the anniversary of our very first I Love You’s.”

“Dad, are you getting sentimental in your old age?”

He looked insulted. “Are you calling me old?”

“Well, older…ish.” She’d heard the story a million times; just her luck Dad would go all mushy when she wouldn’t be in town, and it wasn’t like she could tell him either.

“What do you think about me renting the gazebo in Town Square?” he continued with excitement.

“It might be cold.”

“Good point.”

“You know everyone will have their own plans on Valentine’s Day, and there’s the steak dinner the night before. I’m not sure it’s great timing.”

“That could present a problem.”

Thank goodness. Besides, I don’t want to miss something like that.

“It would be a bigger surprise if you did it another time. Plus, you know hard she is to surprise.”

“That’s true. We need to come up with a better plan.”

Mom walked into the room. “What do you two have your heads together about?”

“Talking about you.” Kelly stated the obvious, hoping it would work like reverse psychology.

“Yeah, yeah. Like I believe that,” Mom said.

Dad busied himself with the cakes and then pulled money out of the cash drawer for her. “Here you go. We’ll need an extra red velvet cake tomorrow.”

“I’ll add it to the list.” She would add some decorative hearts and Cupid to help remind guys that Valentine’s Day was just around the corner. It’d give her an excuse to practice something unique for the bake-off too.

Her mom leaned in close. “Do you have any special Valentine’s plans this year, Kelly?”

“Well.” She widened her stance, hoping her knees wouldn’t buckle. “Actually, I have some news.”

Her heart river-danced in her chest. “I have the chance to go on an RBA Road Trip event.” She swallowed, trying to keep from blowing her own cover.

“The Retail Bakers Association trips? That’s wonderful.”