Val had just gotten home when the doorbell rang. A delivery boy stood there with a gift basket topped with a big red ribbon.

"You sure this is the right place?" Even if it was less than a week to his birthday, Val couldn't think of anyone who would send him a basket of chocolate chip muffins.

The young man read off the name and address, so Val tipped him and carried the goodies over to his kitchen counter, which blocked off one corner of the open loft space. They were freshly ...