Lucy woke at 4:45 AM—her body refusing to acknowledge that today was supposed to be her day off—and lay in bed staring at the ceiling. She'd barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Jake's face when she'd told him they might not really know each other.
The hurt. The way he'd tried to hide it.
She'd texted him last night asking to talk today, and he'd agreed. But his response had been so unlike him—short, distant. Like he was already pulling away.
Maybe that was for the best. Maybe she was saving them both from a bigger heartbreak down the road.
Lucy's phone buzzed at 5:30. Not Jake. Uncle Walter.
Uncle Walter:The Gazette published an article about the bakery sale. You should probably read it before you go out today.
Lucy's stomach sank. She pulled up the Timber Falls Gazette website and found the article immediately.
LOCAL INSTITUTION THE BREAD BASKET TO BE SOLD TO OUT-OF-TOWN DEVELOPERS
After 43 years of family ownership, The Bread Basket will be sold to Barrett Development, a regional company specializing in restaurant expansion. Owner Lucy Chen, granddaughter of founder Margaret Chen, confirmed the sale Friday.
"My grandmother built something incredible," Chen said. "I believe this sale will allow her legacy to reach more people."
But not everyone in Timber Falls agrees. Several longtime customers expressed disappointment with the decision.
"Margaret Chen poured her heart into this bakery," said Patricia Henderson, a Timber Falls resident of 40 years. "It's heartbreaking to see it sold to outsiders who don't understand what it means to this community."
The article went on for three more paragraphs—quotes from the Knitting Circle, from Tom and Jerry, from Mr. Peterson. All of them expressing disappointment. All of them making Lucy sound like a traitor.
Barrett Development plans to open two additional locations in Burlington and Stowe, while keeping the original Timber Falls location as their flagship. They've offered Chen a consulting position, though she has not yet decided whether to accept.
"Change is never easy," said Mayor Robert Coleman. "But we hope Barrett Development will honor the legacy Margaret Chen built and maintain the quality and character that made The Bread Basket a Timber Falls treasure."
Lucy set down her phone and felt tears start.
The whole town knew. And the whole town was disappointed in her.
She should stay in bed. Should hide in her apartment until this blew over. But she had to open the bakery—she'd promised Mae she'd take the morning shift today so Mae could study for finals.
Lucy forced herself to shower and dress. She pulled her hair into its usual bun, put on her flour-covered work jeans and a Bread Basket t-shirt. Armor. Protection against the world.
At 6 AM, she walked downstairs to the bakery and started her morning prep.
The first batch of pork buns went into the steamer. Lucy watched them cook and thought about Jake—three years of Wednesday mornings, always the same order, always that quiet "thanks" that had somehow become the most reliable part of her week.
And she'd pushed him away.
At 7 AM, Mae arrived with coffee and a sympathetic expression.
"Read the article?"
"Everyone in town has probably read it by now."
"Yeah." Mae set down the coffee. "For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing."
"You're the only one."
"That's not true. Uncle Walter supports you. Rei supports you. Jake supports you—"
"I told Jake I needed space."
Mae's eyes went wide. "Lucy. Why?"
