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This excerpt is bought to you by permission of the author, Shauna Glenn
Heaping Spoonful Will Make You Believe in the Power of Starting Over
"HeapingSpoonful is a simple story overflowing with meaning. Claire is a brave, young woman -- a lot braver than she gives herself credit for -- who faces her fears and follows her heart, even when she is unsure where either will lead her. Shauna Glenn's ability to tell a story in a truly candid voice makes her characters as real as your next-door neighbor. Glenn is a lively, creative storyteller -- and funny! "Full of honest emotion, Heaping Spoonful makes you believe in the power of starting over." Enjoy an excerpt from Heaping Spoonful…
The door chimed and I got up from my desk and headed to the front. Standing at the counter was a handsome man I’d never seen before. He was wearing a beautiful black suit (if I had to guess I’d say it was Zegna—Bryan owned several just like this one) and Gucci loafers—definitely Gucci. His hair was dark and had just enough gray to make him look distinguished—not old. When he noticed me, he smiled. I asked, “Can I help you?” “Yes. I’m here to pick up an order for my grandmother and I was given specific instructions to only talk to Claire.” “You must be Mrs. Sugarman’s grandson.” “Claire?” He asked. “Guilty.” I tried not to sound too desperate or too ridiculous. He stuck out his hand to shake mine. “Henry Sugarman.” “It’s nice to meet you.” I took my hand from his and wiped it on my apron. Why did I do that? He saw me do it too. I was so embarrassed. What was wrong with me? The moment became suddenly awkward. And then there was silence. Neither one of us said anything for what seemed like minutes—even though it had only been a few seconds. “Oh,” I finally said. “Your grandmother’s order is ready. Let me get it.” I disappeared to the back and gave myself a talking to. Pull yourself together, you lunatic! I grabbed her order and carried it to the front. I handed him the box and when I did, our hands touched. I was afraid I might start giggling. He was really handsome—and definitely not in his twenties. I tried to be charming. “Please tell your grandmother I hope she feels better.” He seemed confused. “Grandmother? She’s fine. She’s sailing on the lake today.” Why that little faker. “Oh, is she now? I must have misunderstood. Well, send her my best.” Henry turned to leave. “I will. Thank you again.” “Goodbye. Come back anytime.” Could I sound more pathetic? “I will. I never knew this place was here before. I like it. It’s very charming.” And he waved as he walked out the door. I stood there for a minute watching him walk to his car. “What a loser.” Lucy said from behind me. I turned towards her and snapped, “He’s not a loser.” “I was talking about you. You have absolutely no game,” Lucy said as she shook her head at me. “Excuse me, but I’m out of practice. We don’t all have as much experience as you.” “That’s true,” she said as she began filling the case with more sugar cookies. “But by the way you were acting you might have had better luck with him if you’d taken off your shirt and flashed your boobs.” I grabbed a towel and began wiping down the counter. “Don’t be so vulgar, Lucy. It’s not easy for me. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to be single and putting myself out there. I was married—happily married. Nothing about this is what I wanted. So excuse me if I don’t exactly know what the hell I’m doing.” She picked up the last cookie from the sheet and popped it in her mouth. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I guess it didn’t help that I kissed your boyfriend. Oh wait!—that was you.” I stopped wiping, threw the towel on the ground and ran towards her. She let out a scream and started running. I chased her around the store until I caught her—the whole time she was laughing and squealing. Ben and the others came to the front and watched as the two of us ran around like ten year olds. I finally caught Lucy, tackled her to the ground and lay on top of her, tickling her silly. The front door opened just then and we stopped, looked up and saw Henry Sugarman standing over us. I tried to get off the floor gracefully, but really, how was that possible? He seemed a little surprised to find us on the floor. I’d never been so embarrassed—well, except for a few minutes ago when he was in here the first time. “Hi again,” he said. I’m sorry to interrupt you while you’re…um, obviously very busy… but I was driving around the block trying to get up the nerve to invite you to dinner.” My heart did a back flip. I smoothed my hair back and tried my best not to gush. “Sure—that would be great.” Lucy was still standing there so Henry extended his hand and introduced himself. I’m sure it was awkward for him—asking me out in front of an audience. The others went back inside the kitchen. Then Lucy, still shaking his hand, said to Henry, “Would you excuse us for just a minute? I need to borrow Claire.” I gave Lucy a questioning look and then smiled at Henry. “I’ll be right back.” I followed Lucy to the kitchen. Everyone had gone back to what they were doing before all the excitement. “What is it, Lucy?” She was beginning to irritate me. Henry was standing out there waiting for me. I had to get back before he changed his mind about wanting to take me to dinner. “I think you should play hard to get,” she said, obviously trying not to laugh. And then she added, “oh, and don’t sleep with him until after he’s paid the check.” Great. Now I was getting dating advice from the world’s oldest adolescent. I turned and stomped out of the kitchen, but not before yelling, “Idiot!” in her direction. I found Henry at the counter, sampling the chocolate chess tartlets we’d put out. “Mmmm. These are really delicious.” He said as he grabbed another one. “Thank you. Take as many as you like.” So he did just that. He stood there, paying no attention to me, eating tartlet after tartlet. Someone had to say something. “So you were saying something about dinner?” Henry turned to me like he just remembered why he was there. “Yes, sorry.” He licked the chocolate from his fingers. “Is Friday good for you?” “Friday’s great.” I wrote my address on a piece of paper and handed it to him. “Seven o’clock okay?” He asked, still eyeing the tartlets. “Seven’s fine,” I said. He seemed to be quite taken with the sweets. “Would you like some of those to go?” He turned to me and smiled. “Yes, I’d love some.”
Heaping Spoonful by Shauna Glenn is available : UK To find about more about Shauna: |
When Claire Hamilton lost her husband to cancer, her self-image shattered overnight. Once a happily married and financially secure mother of two, Claire suddenly finds herself a single parent trying tokeep her small bakery running smoothly. While she manages to continue her daily duties as mom, boss, sister and daughter, Claire's anger and inability to moveon have her emotionally crippled. Luckily for Claire, the people who love her refuse to stop pushing her to learn to really live --- and love --- again. Claire's family is impossible to ignore: Lucy, Claire's man-crazy younger sister and employee, prides herself on being blunt and brash, but amazingly loveable. Claire's father is an ex-high school principal who, though he is a great help with the business and his grandchildren, can still make her feel like ateenager. Claire's mother, a southern belle suffering from Alzheimer's, helps Claire most of all by providing her with a surprising gift from her own past.