"So tell me, how did this bakery get started?"
"My grandmother owned this place. I spent every summer here as a kid, learning from her. When she got sick ten years ago, I took over."
"And Zale, how did you come to work here?"
My story was pretty simple. "I got off a bus at the end of last year with nothing but a duffel bag and saw the 'Help Wanted' sign.” My palms were sweating buckets and I glanced at my mate for support. “I ummm needed a job and yeah Hawthorn needed help. It was meant to be." I was so nervous and hoped the audience at home understood what I was saying.
"That’s so romantic and now you’re going to be parents. That's quite a love story. Congratulations."
"That’s why we’re doing this… you know the charity bake-a-thon instead of a traditional ummm baby shower." If I said ummm one more time, I was going to cry.
Annabel asked whose idea it was.
"Mine," I admitted. I took a deep breath, hoping to calm my nerves. "This town has given us so much love and support. We wanted to give something back." I paused to catch my breath. "And there are families here whose kids need school supplies, toiletries, clothing, bedding and food. If we can use the bakery to make a difference, that's what we want to do."
Hawthorn squeezed my hand. He’d told me a hundred times how proud he was of me.
"That's beautiful." Annabel continued, "And I understand the whole town has gotten involved?"
"Everyone's been amazing," Hawthorn added. “Our friends have been here since four this morning helping us bake and people have been donating ingredients. Our customers have been incredibly generous and we are very grateful for their support.”
As if on cue, Mrs. Trent appeared with a tray of fresh cookies. "These just came out so they’re still warm!" She offered Annabel and the camera guy one and we introduced our friend to the TV audience.
Annabel took a bite of her cookie and declared it delicious. "Can we get a shot of the operation?"
The camera panned across the bakery at the baked goods, our volunteers and the line of customers that was now around the block. Benjamin waved from his station and Marg grinned and held up a perfectly frosted cupcake.
"What does it mean to you both to have this kind of community support?" Sarah asked.
I looked at Hawthorn but he encouraged me to answer.
"Everything," I said. My voice cracked and I didn't try to hide it."I didn’t grow up with community support. Coming here, finding Hawthorn, and being welcomed by this town, it showed me what family and community really means. Our baby is going to grow up surrounded by people who care. That's the greatest gift we could ever give them." I did it. I managed to get it all out without tripping over the words.
Hawthorn pulled me close and kissed the top of my head.
"And Hawthorn, what would your grandmother think of all this?" Sarah asked gently.
"She'd love it. She always said the bakery was supposed to bring people together and nourish the community. That's what we're trying to do. Honoring her legacy and building something good for our little one.”
Sarah wrapped up the interview with information about the Youth Fund and how people could donate. When the camera finally turned off, I sagged against my mate
"That was terrifying," I muttered. “I could never be on camera all day."
"You were great and no one would guess you’d never done this before.” He kissed my temple. "And I was scared too. I’m not used to talking about personal stuff." He draped an arm round me. "Now will you please sit down for a few minutes?"
I was about to argue when the baby kicked hard enough to make me gasp. "Okay, fine. Five minutes."
He settled me on a stool behind the counter with a cup of tea and a cookie. Through the window, I could see the news van outside and people were still lined up despite the cold.
Mrs. Trent came over. She wiped her eyes with a tissue. "That was beautiful, what you said."
"I spoke from the heart." She sat on a stool beside me "You've all been so good to us."
“We love you and Hawthorn and the baby,” she told me. "This whole town is going to spoil your little one rotten."
I laughed through tears and she handed me the tissues. "I'm counting on it."
The afternoon flew by. Our interview aired during the evening broadcast and the line got even longer. By the time we finally closed at eight, we were exhausted but triumphant.
