Melodies of the Heart: A Pinewood Grove Sweet Romance by Sarah Paisley Page B

bunch of flavors to choose from, though not nearly what was available at the big box store up the street.
    “At least our ingredients are fresh and local,” her father would tell people when they said that ShopMart had a wider selection. “And we don’t add all those preservatives so that the food could withstand a nuclear attack.”
    Being fresh and local was a source of pride for the family, though it did mean higher prices. Her parents wouldn’t budge on the subject, and Kassidy knew she would keep up the tradition when the time came for her to take over.
    For a bagel, Kassidy went with a smoked jalapeno whole grain bagel and toasted it for Levi before she smothered it in plain cream cheese. The muffin, which she suggested he tried as a dessert for his bagel, was a strawberry cheesecake muffin.
    “It’s certainly not healthy,” she laughed with him as she put it in a little brown bag for him. “But it tastes amazing.” Then she added, “And I absolutely love strawberries.”
    “Me too,” he told her and for no reason at all, Kassidy found herself blushing all over again. She couldn’t help herself when he talked to her, though from the lightness in his dark brown eyes, she had a feeling he enjoyed seeing her cheeks flush different shades of pink and red.
    “So look,” he said as he paid for his early-afternoon breakfast. “I heard from that mechanic that it’ll be another couple days for a new muffler for my bike to show up and I’m kind of clueless as to what there is to do in this town. Maybe you could join me for dinner, maybe show me what’s good?”
    “Sure,” Kassidy said, her heart near bursting, but then she crashed again. “Oh, wait, do you mean tonight?”
    “Of course,” he said, laughing lightly.
    “I can’t,” she said, and his face fell.
    “Is everything okay?” he asked, concern flashed in his eyes as he studied her.
    “Oh, yes, of course,” she told him. “It’s just that on Saturdays I help Mary Alice at Shady Pines, the retirement home across the street. We run bingo together for the residents, and I already confirmed I’d be there this week. I’m really sorry.”
    “Don’t be,” he assured her. “That’s really cool of you. How about tomorrow? Brunch maybe?”
    “It’s Sunday,” she reminded him, and then had the realisation that he wasn’t like everyone else in Pinewood Grove. “Church in the morning,” she informed him. “But you’re welcome to come with me, if you’d like.”
    “Oh,” he said, and by the look on his face she knew she’d said the wrong thing.
    “You don’t have to,” she cut in. “I just wanted to be polite and let you know you were welcome. Please don’t feel obligated.”
    “Don’t worry about it,” he assured her, though the conflicted look never left his face. “How about after church? Unless you have to come back and work.”
    “No, we’re closed on Sundays,” she assured him as she tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear. “But, um, I’d really like that.”
    “Cool,” he said, relaxing some. “I’ll let you get back to work. What time should you be free?”
    “I should be home around one,” she told him. “We just walk over from the chapel, it’s not that far.”
    “One it is,” he told her and then he picked up his bags to leave. “I’m looking forward to it.”
    Kassidy’s mouth went dry and all she could do was nod her agreement. She was still young, and she was not as experienced in dating as her friends, but she knew what he meant by that.
    It wasn’t until he walked out the door that she managed to whisper, “Me too,” at the now empty bakery.

Chapter Eight
     

     
    For the first time in years, Kassidy ached for church to end. Their pastor – a middle aged man named Greg Smythe – was an excellent orator and told great stories, but Kassidy couldn’t force herself to pay attention. All she could think about was seeing Levi after the sermon let out.
    She’d worn her Sunday best – a