“But it’s my bakery,” I whine.
“And do you want it to remain operational?” she asks and arches a wiry eyebrow.
“Fine,” I whisper and maneuver around her to get to the back, where I’m positive Rafe kept a cookie or two aside for me.
“Well, whenever you decide to paint, I’m your…” Mav fades off and stares out the window, squinting and leaning forward as if trying to see across the street.
“Everything okay?” I ask and peer around him to see if I can figure out what has caught his attention.
“Yeah. No, I thought I saw someone I haven’t seen in a long time.” He steps closer to the window, and I follow him, curious and nosy as I am. By the time we get there, the sidewalk has cleared of everyone except Mrs. Kilmer.
“Oh, no. I’m out,” Mav says and bolts for the door to the kitchen. He’ll go out the back and escape, but as for the rest of us…wait…I’m alone. I glance around and realize everyone disappeared to the back, leaving me to face our mayor’s wife alone. I might as well get used to it again, especially if I’m going to be taking over one of the most established shops on the street.
Beside her, Bethany carries a clipboard and a wide smile. It can’t be all bad if she’s smiling.
I check my hair in a mirror hanging on the wall, wipe some flour from my cheek, and plaster on a smile when the two enter the front door. Just when I think I’m going to have to manage whatever she throws at me on my own, I feel Rafe’s hand settle on my back. I relax and breathe out, knowing he’s willing to tackle anything with me, even whatever is about to be assigned to us from that clipboard.
“Good morning, Luna! Rafe!” Mrs. Kilmer’s excitement is boundless this morning.
“Good morning, you two. What can we do for you?” I ask.
“Well, just a cup of coffee would be lovely, thanks,” Mrs. Kilmer says. “Bethany and I are just going over the final details for the summer parade and we needed a boost.”
“That…that’s all?” I ask, glancing up at Rafe.
“Oh yes, and would you be a dear and make it to go?”
“Absolutely, Mrs. Kilmer. Bethany, can I get you anything?”
“The same and a slice of cinnamon toast, please.”
Rafe and I work in tandem to fill their order while they chat at the counter. I feel a little bad that I was so worried they’d give me more work to do, so I throw in an extra couple slices of Miss Rose’s famous bread. Once they’re sent on their way, Rafe and I exchange a glance.
“That could have been a disaster,” he says and chuckles.
“For sure, but is it weird that I’m almost disappointed she didn’t rope us into something?”
“Ha! Have you forgotten the things that woman has made us do? You were a cheerleader, Luna. How many times have you tossed those pom poms in parades? Hung up literal miles of lights and garland? Hidden hundreds of dozens of easter eggs for kids?”
I laugh as we reminisce for just a moment about growing up in this small town.
And then…as if she forgot something…Mrs. Kilmer stops in the middle of the street and makes a complete turn, headed back for Sweet and Salty.
“Run.” Rafe grabs my hand and jerks me toward the kitchen door. We fly through it, pass Mav and Miss Rose chatting, pass his uncle getting supplies ready for some deliveries, and even pass his mother walking through the back door.
“What in the—”
“Can’t talk now. Busy, busy, busy!” Rafe says and makes the turn toward the back set of stairs leading to the upper part of the bakery. I have a good feeling I know where we’re headed. I should say no, remind him that we need to be responsible business owners and commit to making sure our hometown is the best in the world, but I can’t muster the motivation. I’d rather kiss him in our secret hiding place.
At the top of the stairs, he rounds the banister and pushes a pocket door aside, then pulls up the little hatch door few people know about. It leads into a sort of storage room you can barely stand up inside, but it’s cozy in theI want to be near yousort of way. I definitely want to be near him, but a little guilt sinks in.
“Should we be grown-ups and manage Mrs. Kilmer?”
“Nope,” Rafe says and yanks me inside the room with him.
Another day.
We’ll be grown-ups tomorrow. Today? I’m going to kiss my fiancé and think about how lucky we are to have found each other again.
