Some traditions were worth keeping.
Even when everything else changed.
Chapter 12
Friday arrived with heavy gray clouds and Lucy's stomach in knots.
Today was the day. The official signing. The moment The Bread Basket stopped being hers and became someone else's future.
She woke at 4:45 AM as usual, but this time Jake was already awake beside her, watching her.
"How long have you been awake?" Lucy asked.
"About an hour. Didn't want to wake you."
"Couldn't sleep?"
"Just thinking." Jake pulled her closer. "Today's a big day."
"Don't remind me."
They lay there in the pre-dawn darkness, holding each other, both knowing that after today, nothing would be quite the same.
At 5:30, Lucy forced herself out of bed and headed downstairs to the bakery. Jake followed, making coffee while Lucy started her morning prep.
"You don't have to stay," Lucy said, watching him measure out beans for the espresso machine like he'd been doing it for years instead of weeks.
"I want to. Besides, this is part of our routine now. Wednesday mornings and Friday coffee-making."
Lucy smiled despite her nerves. They'd fallen into this pattern over the past few days—Jake coming down early, making coffee, keeping her company during the quiet pre-opening hours. It felt natural. Right. Like they'd been doing this forever.
By 8 AM, the morning rush was in full swing. Word had spread about the signing today, and customers kept stopping by to wish Lucy well. Some still seemed uncertain about the change, but most were supportive.
Mrs. Henderson came in at 8:30 with a card signed by the entire Knitting Circle. "We're proud of you, dear. Your grandmother would be too."
Mr. Peterson brought flowers. "For your new adventure. Don't forget about us when you're fancy and French."
Lucy laughed through tears. "I could never forget you. You've been ordering the same bran muffin for forty years."
"Forty-two, actually. I started coming here before you were born."
At 11 AM, Mae took over the counter. "Go. Get ready. I've got this."
Lucy went upstairs and changed into the navy blazer and dress pants she'd bought specifically for today. Professional. Capable. Like someone who knew what she was doing.
Jake was waiting in her apartment, wearing a dark suit that made him look unfairly handsome.
"You clean up nice," Lucy said.
"So do you. Ready?"
"No. But let's do this anyway."
The signing was at the offices of Barrett Development, about twenty minutes outside Timber Falls. Shayna had offered to come to Lucy, but Lucy wanted to go to them—felt like it made the whole thing more official, more real.
Jake drove, his hand finding Lucy's across the center console.
"You okay?"
