“Yes,” Maisie says. “We’re going to make pancakes.”
Mom smiles. “We sure are.”
“That’s his favorite,” Maisie stage-whispers, jerking her thumb at me.
Mom winks. “I know.”
I clear my throat. “I’ll pick her up tomorrow morning. Are you sure about this?”
Mom waves a hand. “We’ll be fine. Go do your… talking.” She says it in a loaded way that makes my ears warm.
“Grandma,” Maisie says. “Daddy likes Charlotte.”
Mom’s smile widens. “Does he now?”
“Okay,” I interrupt. “And we are done here.”
Mom just laughs. “Drive safe.”
I leave them on the porch, no doubt conspiring against me, and head to the bakery.
The morning rush is already going when I arrive. Mark is humming along to music while shaping dough. Chris is in the corner piping frosting onto cupcakes with ridiculous precision. Henry is manning the counter, and charming the regulars like always.
I jump in, and for a while, I manage not to think about anything but baking, customers, and the endless repetition of small tasks that keep the place running.
But Charlotte is coming in today to check on final details for the festival booths. I know her schedule. I know roughly when she likes to grab coffee. I know which table she gravitates toward.
I also know I’m not waiting for her to come to me. Around late morning, once the main rush slows, I pull Henry aside.
“I need to step out for a bit later,” I tell him.
He raises an eyebrow. “Bakery-related?”
“Festival-related,” I say.
“Ah.” He grins. “The festival coordinator.”
“Don’t start.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You thought it.”
“That’s true,” he admits.
I clean my hands, grab my jacket, and glance at Mark. “Are you good for an hour?”
“We will survive,” he says. “If the oven mutinies, I will text you.”
“Please do not joke about that.”
He laughs, and I head out.
The inn where Charlotte is staying is a few blocks from the bakery. I’ve delivered pastries here for weekend brunch enough times that the walk is automatic.
My stomach tightens the entire way.
I hate this feeling of being vulnerable and off balance, it’s like I’m about to walk into an exam I haven’t studied for.
