Mattie's Meltaways - Mattie and Tyler

Oh, I'm so sad this is the last day of our visits, Mary! I can hardly imagine how you must feel with the series coming to an end. I have so enjoyed spending time with the whole cast of this series (not to mention enjoying a morning coffee and treat with you and them). Well, since this is the crown jewel I suppose we ought to get started.

"Morning ladies, I'm sorry but Tyler can't be here this morning. He was helping at a fire in the next town over for most of the night."

"Oh, I hope everyone's okay."

She nodded. "Yeah, they think it was kids smoking in an old barn. It's sad how little attention some parents pay to their kids. Oh well." Mattie pointed to the corner. "Your favorite table's ready and your waitress will be out in a minute."

I look to Mary for a second. "Really, you don't need to wait on us. We know you're all busy--"

"Just sit."

I raised my eyebrows and sat along with Mary. "Can tell she's the mama bear of the clan," I whispered.

"I heard that," she said without even turning around. She whispered something else but I missed it. Then a pint sized waitress stepped out from behind the counter carrying a tray of muffins. "Mattie said you like the blueberry ones best so she made some special for you."

"Oh, thank you sweetie. You must be Jess."

She nodded.

"Would you like to have one with us?"

Jess stared over her shoulder.

"You can have a piece, then you have to get ready for school," Mattie answered with a smile as she set the coffee cups down on the table and poured what smelled like heavenly hazelnut.

I glanced down at Jess as she climbed up on the chair. "Do you remember how your dad and Mattie met?"

Jess nodded and peeked at Mattie. "Um hmmm. Daddy saved Mattie and she made me a chocolate cake."

Mattie laughed. "Okay, let's not give away any more secrets. And it's time to get you to the bus."

She brushed her hands together over the plate then wiped her mouth with a napkin when she finished chewing. "Nice to meet you. Come back soon," she said with a wave as she stepped out the door holding Mattie's hand.

We both sighed. "Well, I guess that's it, Mary. It's been a pleasure getting together here at the bakery and meeting your special friends. I hope to see you again soon."

And I'm sure we will!

Here's the blurb to the last of the Sweet Treats Bakery stories:

Mattie Spencer has spent the last decade raising her three younger and grooming Sweet Treats Bakery into a thriving business. Over the years, she's watched her sisters grow into beautiful women and find the men of their dreams. Now it's her turn, but, at thirty-five, she feels too old to dream of a husband and children of her own. Tyler Jacobs, a firefighter in the small town of Mount Ridge, keeps busy raising his seven-year-old daughter. The death of his wife during three years ago still haunts him, but morning stops into Sweet Treats, along with a dose of conversation and a handful of Mattie's delicious mint meltaways, kindle a desire he thought was extinguished forever. Now Tyler has just one goal--to convince Mattie that love knows no age.

Excerpt:

“One muffin, or two this morning?”

“Make it two, both to go. I’m running a bit late. Jessie forgot her reading book at the house, and we had to rush back for it.” He pulled a paper napkin from the dispenser on the counter. “And then we realized Nibbles—”

“Jessie’s new hamster, right?”

“That’s right.” He rolled his eyes and grinned. “Well, Nibbles escaped from his cage, so we had to launch a search and rescue.”

Mattie laughed. “Was the mission successful?”

“Barely. Fluffy had him cornered in the laundry room.”

“Oh, no. Not the cat.”

“Yes, the cat.” Tyler loosened the zipper on his leather jacket and tugged the collar from his neck. “Anyway, after I calmed Jessie, she insisted on giving Nibbles a good talking to, then Fluffy, too, before we could leave again. Then we were a few blocks from the house when—”

“Let me guess…you realized you forgot the reading book, again.”

“Right.” He groaned and ran a hand across the crown of his head. “I think I have a few new gray hairs.”

“You look fine to me.” Better than fine. Mattie turned her attention to the display case. “But that was some way to start a morning. Sounds like you’ve earned your breakfast.”

“You can say that again.” He sighed and propped his elbows on the counter, leaning in. “And I’ve been looking forward to your apple-cinnamon muffins. Nothing better to quell my appetite.”

“Coming right up.” Mattie reached for a foam cup, poured a robust house blend. Her hands shook as Tyler trained his gaze on her, his deep brown eyes like rich, chocolate coins, and a bit of the cloudy brew splashed onto the hot burner, hissed and spat.

“You OK?” Tyler bolted around the counter and took the carafe from her. He set it back on the burner and reached for her hand. His long fingers grazed her palm, her wrist. “Did it burn you?”

“No. I’m fine.” She waited while he lifted her hand for a closer inspection. Her breath came in small gasps as his fingers gently skimmed hers.

“Well…it looks OK.” He nodded and let her fingers slip from his. “What’s got you so jittery this morning, Mat?”

“Nothing.” Mattie shrugged and brushed damp palms across her apron. The coffee hadn’t burned, but his touch sure had. She turned from his gaze and trembled as the rich brew filled the shop with the aroma of hazelnut and vanilla. With a quivering voice she diverted his attention to something—anything—else.

Review:

Oh, how sweet to watch the love of a father, wanting only what's best for his child- and it comes naturally to Mattie to be a bit of a mother figure to her, too. After all, she's had plenty of experience with it.

But her feelings aren't just for the child. When Tyler saves the bakery, he secures a place in her heart, a place she hadn't even realized was empty until he filled it.

Once again, Ms. Manners has done a wonderful job of drawing us in to the lives of this warm family. How wonderful to see them all finally settled, and how sad to see the end of this series. Thank you for sharing them with us! It's been very sweet!

Mary Manners is an award-winning author of inspirational romance who lives in the beautiful foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband and teen-aged daughter. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Smoky Mountain Romance Writers.

During the school year, she teaches middle-schoolers reading and Algebra. In her free time, she likes to garden, take long walks with her husband, and read romance novels in a hammock beneath century-old shade trees.

Visit Mary at www.marymannersromance.com