“Thank you,” I manage to say, my voice thick with emotion. “I…This means so much to me. I don’t know anyone who knew Mom back then. You’ve given me an amazing gift.”
Catherine dabs at her eyes with her sleeve, giving me a warm smile. “I’m happy to share memories of Elena anytime you want, sweetheart. But enough of the emotional stuff. Tell me about this position you’re looking to fill.”
We spend the next twenty minutes discussing the job details—hours, pay, what kinds of baked goods she’d make, and how we’d handle special orders. By the time we’re done, I’m already imagining the display case filled with her creations, and I can’t wait to get started.
After Catherine leaves, I find myself lost in thought, staring at Mom’s sign.
“Hey, you okay?” Felix’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to see him standing at the counter, his empty cup in hand. The girls are still at their table, drawing with crayons I keep behind the counter for young customers.
“Yeah, I just…” I gesture vaguely at the sign. “She was my mom’s best friend growing up. It’s kind of overwhelming to meet someone who knew her back then.”
Felix’s expression softens with understanding. “I couldn’t help overhearing some of it. That’s quite something, finding a connection to your mom here.”
“It feels like one of those moments in a romance novel,” I say. “You know, those magical coincidences that seem too perfect to be real life.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Felix grins. “I actually write romance novels. Well, I’m trying to. When I’m not chasing after these two or designing book covers.”
“Really?” I perk up, gesturing at the reading nook I’m setting up. “I’m planning to have a romance section over there. Mom loved them. Especially queer romance.”
“Your mom sounds amazing,” Felix says softly. “And hey, if you’re looking for suggestions for your romance section, I read a lot of indie authors. I’d love to see some of my favorites on local shelves.”
I feel tears prickling in my eyes again, but this time, they’re accompanied by gratitude. “Thanks, Felix. That means a lot.”
“Anytime,” he says, then glances at his watch. “We should get going. But I’ll definitely be back. The coffee here is way better than Old Mac’s, and it looks like you could use a friend who’s also new in town.”
I smile as I watch Felix gather up his daughters. Between meeting Catherine and making a new friend, maybe today is exactly what I needed—a reminder that sometimes the best connections happen when you least expect them.
After Felix and the girls leave, I spend the next hour serving the occasional customer and cleaning everything. The afternoon sun streams through the large windows, catching dust motes in its golden light, and I can’t help but feel content. Even with the emotional roller coaster of meeting Catherine, there’s something right about being here.
I wrap a big slice of Catherine’s maple cake carefully. Olivia needs to try this—she’s got quite the sweet tooth, and I owe her for all her help with getting the shop ready.
Once everything is spotless and prepped for tomorrow’s soft opening, I lock up and head next door to the craft store. The bell jingles as I enter, and I find Olivia arranging a display of hand-knitted scarves.
“I come bearing gifts,” I announce, holding up the cake box.
Olivia’s eyes light up. She brings the wrapped cake to her nose and inhales deeply. “This is Catherine’s maple cake. I’d know this smell anywhere.”
I laugh. “I do love a girl that knows her cakes. So, what do you think?”
“I’ll tell you a secret. Mac mentioned Catherine might apply. But I’m not lying when I say I’d recognize her cakes anywhere. She’s an amazing baker, and I’m not even going to wait until I get home.”
She goes to her backroom and returns with a plate and a fork.
While Olivia eats most of the slice, I tell her about meeting Catherine and her connection to my mom. By the time I finish the story, she’s shaking her head in wonder.
“Only in Maplewood,” she says, licking frosting off her fork. “And speaking of small-town magic, are you ready for your spot at the Winter Festival?”
I nearly choke on air. “Is it confirmed?”
Olivia grins wickedly. “It sure is. We couldn’t get you by the Wishing Tree, but Special Blend has a vendor spot in the perfect location, right where people will be entering the park and close to the amphitheater. It’s going to be packed—the local choir is performing, and there’ll be an amazing folk band from Burlington.”
“Olivia! You’re amazing. Thank you so much.” I hug her with such excitement that she almost drops the rest of the cake. Thankfully, we manage to save it in time.
“You’re welcome, sweetie. Just wait until you see the crowd numbers,” she says with a wink. “But don’t worry. We’ll all help out. That’s what makes Maplewood special.”
As I walk home in the growing darkness, snow starting to fall again, I think about how much has changed in just a few weeks. Mom would have loved this—the shop, meeting Olivia, Catherine, being part of a community that feels more like family with each passing day.
And if I happen to think about a certain tall, handsome forest product technician who lives next door… Well, that’s just another dash of magic in my new life.
