The Trouble with Cupcakes

By Kristi Ahlers

Heather Ryan is the proud owner of Cupcakes on Royal. It’s a thriving business, but if she wants to put her cupcakery on the map, she needs to win the coveted Krewe of Bacchus after-party contract. When she finds out who’s leading the Krewe, Heather realizes she’s about to get a second chance with her first true but unrequited love, Alec Carlisle.

Alex is a successful New Orleans lawyer. As the leader of the Krewe of Bacchus, it’s up to him to put together the top caterers from around the city to cater the Krewe’s Fat Tuesday event. He has few regrets in life, but missing a chance with a woman from long ago is one he plans on rectifying when he finds out Heather is the baker behind Cupcakes on Royal. It won’t be an easy task, there are a lot of years behind them, but Heather is worth fighting for. His ex, Lila, who’s also vying for the contract, has her eyes on winning the contract at all costs. She also makes it clear she wants Alec back.

Will Heather and Alec find forgiveness of the past and be able to get past Lila’s obstacles to find the sweet ending they both deserve?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
• Release date: Aug 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476452685

Kristi Ahlers

Kristi Ahlers is a California girl! She grew up in Northern California in a small city called Yuba City. Since then she’s lived in Brussels, Belgium, and England along with a myriad of other locations. A former flight attendant, she was able to continue to feed her love of travel. This has greatly influenced her writing, allowing her to pen stories about places she’s managed to visit and things she’s experienced. Kristi loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at [e-mail] or visit her at her virtual home at www.kristiahlers.com

Book preview

Heather Ryan is the proud owner of Cupcakes on Royal. It’s a thriving business, but if she wants to put her cupcakery on the map, she needs to win the coveted Krewe of Bacchus after-party contract. When she finds out who’s leading the Krewe, Heather realizes she’s about to get a second chance with her first true but unrequited love, Alec Carlisle.

Alex is a successful New Orleans lawyer. As the leader of the Krewe of Bacchus, it’s up to him to put together the top caterers from around the city to cater the Krewe’s Fat Tuesday event. He has few regrets in life, but missing a chance with a woman from long ago is one he plans on rectifying when he finds out Heather is the baker behind Cupcakes on Royal. It won’t be an easy task, there are a lot of years behind them, but Heather is worth fighting for. His ex, Lila, who’s also vying for the contract, has her eyes on winning the contract at all costs. She also makes it clear she wants Alec back.

Will Heather and Alec find forgiveness of the past and be able to get past Lila’s obstacles to find the sweet ending he and Heather both deserve?

THE TROUBLE WITH CUPCAKES

The Trouble Series

{book four}

Kristi Ahlers

Published by Tirgearr Publishing

Smashwords Edition

Author Copyright 2012 Kristi Ahlers (http://kristiahlers.blogspot.com)

Covert Art: Amanda Stephanie (http://www.tirgearrdesign.com)

Editor: Kemberlee Shortland (http://www.kemberlee.com)

Proofreader: R. L. McCoy (http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com)

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please log into the publisher’s website and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

DEDICATION

Thanks to the wonderful ladies at Cupcakes by the Beach, located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida {http://www.cupcakesbythebeach.com}. Y’all are great! And don’t get me started on your yummy cupcakes. Research has never been so much fun, or tasty!

Special thanks to mom for sharing her recipes with me. Love you!

CHAPTER 1

911 what’s your emergency?

Yes, my name is Heather Ryan. I need to cancel the fire trucks that are on their way to 218 Royal Street—Cupcakes on Royal. It’s a false alarm.

Heather waited for the space of a heartbeat while she wiped cake batter off her face before looking at the mess dripping from the wall and yes, she noted, the ceiling fan. Perhaps she was going to have to rethink this whole brilliant idea of her cupcakery.

Dark smoke billowed out of the industrial oven. She waved a potholder ineffectively, trying to clear the air. The pan of burnt cupcakes rested on the stainless steel counter, mocking her and once again proving she wasn’t a baker.

You want to cancel the alarm? The dispatcher asked, incredulous. I’m sorry, ma’am. Once the trucks roll, we can’t cancel them.

Damn, Heather muttered to herself as she walked through the black lacquered doors into the main room of the cupcakery, looking though the large windows into the predawn morning looking for the trucks. This was going to make the third time the fire department had come to her little shop and she really hoped the crew who showed up this time was not the same one from last time. The lieutenant had been old and cranky and swore he’d fine her the next time.

Was it her fault she got so caught up in something she lost track of all the other things needing to be done? Well, duh, Heather, yeah it is, she muttered to herself as the trucks pulled up. Please, God, if you’re listening, don’t let Lt. Grump be on this crew. Heather tried figuring out their schedule—yeah, sadly, she’d gotten to know her local fire department that well and she wanted to avoid talking to Lt. Marcus.

Lights flashing, the fire truck pulled up to the building. Please God, don’t let him be on that truck. She squeezed eyes shut before letting out a resigned sigh then moved to unlock the front door. She didn’t need the New Orleans Fire Department breaking the door or window in their attempt to save her from herself.

A sigh of relief escaped her as she watched Garret step down from the rig and walk toward the shop. Heather nibbled on her batter coated thumb; fear and nerves made her shake. If the sweet batter was anything to judge by, she may have gotten the recipe right. Finally! However, that was secondary to the mess she had to clean up and the sweet talking she was going to have to do in order to avoid a hefty false alarm bill.

Quickly, she grabbed a damp cloth and began wiping the remnants of blackberry cupcake batter off her face.

Heather, darlin, you’ve got to do something about your alarms. One more false alarm and we’re going to have to fine you. Well, the parish will fine you.

"I know, Garret, but I swear I don’t know what