I stare at her, speechless, my mind going blank. “You want me to make desserts for your friend’s cafe?” My mind starts going a million miles a minute. If I get enough weekly orders, I could quit that dreaded bakery job I hate.
“I do,” she smiles. “She’s going to be absolutely thrilled when I tell her about you.”
As much as I want this break, I know it’s impossible right now to branch out on my own. I don’t have a kitchen big enough for orders on a larger scale or a way to even get them to her. It’s not like I can carry them on the bus with me.
“I’m really flattered that you love my desserts, and I appreciate the offer more than you could possibly know, but…”
“She would be happy to get in touch with your friend,”Clara says, interrupting me and swinging the door open, clearly listening in on the conversation.
I stare at her wide-eyed, but she just winks and grins at me.
“Perfect! Oh, she will be so surprised when I tell her!” Meaghan says excitedly. “Here, put your number into my phone. I’m sure she will want to reach out to you next week.” She hands me her phone, and I take it, still unsure what Clara is thinking. She knows my situation with my tiny apartment and having to take the bus everywhere.
I type in my phone number and add my name to her contacts before handing it back to her.
“Thanks, Lyla.” Her smile is so genuine and warm that I find myself smiling back. “I can’t wait to hear what you and Laura come up with! She’ll have people lined up outside her cafe for your desserts.” I blush at her compliment and am taken aback when she pulls me into a hug.
“I have a good feeling about you,” she whispers. “You’re what is missing in Blue Haven.” Her lavender scent surrounds me, and I find myself hugging her back and sinking into that motherly comfort I so badly crave. I can’t help but wonder how different my life would have been if I had a mother like her growing up—someone who made me feel safe and loved. I quickly shake the thought away, knowing it only hurts to remember the past. It can’t be changed, no matter how bad I wish it would have been.
“Well, I better get back out there. There's no telling what my boys are up to by now. Thank God two of them have settled down with amazing women. It’s much easier keeping an eye on two than four,” she laughs. I can tell by the way her eyes light up at the mention of her children just how much she loves them.
“They are lucky to have you,” I find myself saying, unable to stop the words.
“I’m the lucky one, love. My kids are my world, and now Ihave three beautiful grandchildren to love as well.” She studies me briefly until I look away, avoiding her grey eyes before they search too deep. “There’s something about you, Lyla,” she murmurs. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I feel like we were supposed to meet tonight, and it has nothing to do with desserts.” She shakes her head as if she’s coming out of a trance. “God, you must think I’m nuts. I’m leaving now before I ruin it for my friend, and you run away because of me,” she laughs. “I hope we meet again, Lyla,” she smiles at me before walking away.
“What were you thinking, Clara?” I whip my head to look at her as soon as Meaghan is gone. “You know I can’t take this job.”
“Why?” She looks at me like it’s the easiest decision in the world.
“You know why. For starters, I don’t even have a business to be hired on in the first place. Then I’ll need a kitchen and a way to get the orders to her. Do you want me to keep going because I have a lot more reasons?”
“You can work under my business until you start your own if she can’t pay you in cash. As long as I don’t need my kitchen for an event, you are welcome to use it anytime. As far as transportation, my catering vans are there if you need them.” She holds up a hand when I start to speak. “And before you say how you can’t accept my help, I want to do this for you. You have a talent, and it’s about time other people start to see it. I know you want to have your own bakery one day, and this is one step closer to making it happen. I want to help you with this and won’t take no for an answer.”
I stare at her, not quite believing what I’m hearing. “I’ve only been working for you for six months. Why would you do this for me?”
Clara’s face softens as she takes my hand. “Haven’t you ever had someone help you just because they wanted to?”
“Not without paying a price.” The words come out so quietly that I’m surprised when she answers.
“There’s no price here, dear. I think it’s time you lean a little on someone else for a change. You don’t have to walk this life alone anymore.” She pats my hand and walks through the door to the kitchen.
Maybe it’s time I learn to trust others again. I guess it won’t hurt to see what Laura says before I make my decision. Getting back to work, I start to feel something weave its way in. Something that I had lost a long time ago…hope.
I putthe last catering bin in the truck and shut the door. The reception has been over for the last two hours, and everything is cleaned and packed away. I’m exhausted as I return to the kitchen to grab my things.
“Someone left this for you.” Clara hands me a white envelope with my name on the front as she gets her purse from under the counter.
“Who’s it from?”
“I have no clue. Darren handed it to me to give to you. I didn’t think to ask him. Come on, I’ll give you a ride home. It’s a thirty-minute drive and will cost you a fortune with an Uber.”
“You are too good to me, Clara,” I sigh, taking the big bag of food she packed up for me. “I’m too tired to argue with you tonight, so thank you.”
“You’re welcome, even though arguing would have gotten you nowhere,” she grins and pushes open the door to the outside. I stuff the envelope in my purse and follow her.
I can barely keep my eyes open as she pulls up to my apartment building half an hour later.
“Are you sure it’s safe to walk to your apartment this late at night?” She peers out the window at the run-down building Ilive in. It’s not the best part of town, but it’s cheap and a place to sleep.
