I enter the bakery and let the aroma envelope me like a warm hug. It smells amazing. I offer a small wave to the men working behind the counter. Dylan is laser focused on piping a cake. The others are rolling out dough and cutting something that lookslike heart shaped shortbread cookies. I understand the appeal of an all-male run bakery when you get to watch them work.
I place my order and look around for an open seat. I’m more comfortable in Valentine now. It’s only been a couple of days but everyone is so kind and welcoming. I pick up my slice of quiche and settle in for an hour of sketching.
I come up for air when a stranger asks to share the table with me. We chat about the festival for a bit. They’re taking a bird watching excursion later on. They tell me about their equipment and the weather. The combo makes me feel better about my indoor choice. After a brief talk they head out. Since it’ll be a long afternoon, I decide to grab a mint tea and a palmier. I have about an hour until I have to be anywhere. I’m happily munching on the sugary treat when Jake and Charlotte enter the bakery. Charlotte is wearing a big, orange puffer coat that makes her look like a walking traffic cone. Jake is flustered, hurrying the two of them straight to the back.
I watch as he chats with several of the guys. His dashing smile slips a little after each conversation. He’s holding Charlotte when he reaches the front counter. I see recognition flash across his face and I can’t help but grin as he walks towards me.
“I thought you had some big plans today,” Jake says as he sits Charlotte down. She comes to my side of the table to peek at my open sketchbook.
“Not quite yet. Figured I could kill some time. I assumed you’d be working today.”
“I am, unfortunately the daycare has a situation and is closed for the day. My sitter is sick and we’re swamped so she can’t hide out in between my deliveries. Nor can I take her with me because of the ice. I’ll have to drive and she gets carsick.” Jake groans as he looks at his watch. “Sorry, didn’t mean to dump that all on you. It’s just been a weird couple of days.”
It’s almost noon and I need to leave for my big singles activity but for some reason I feel the urge to help. Before I can even think it through my mouth is moving faster than my brain can comprehend.
“I can watch Charlotte,” I clear my mouth, “if you need someone. I babysat all through high school. I know we get along and I did tell her that I’d make her waffles.” Charlotte starts to plead with her dad to let me make her waffles for lunch.
“I’m not done until five,” Jake skims over the fact that I admitted I haven’t taken care of a child for ten years.
“We can stay busy. Can’t we?” I direct my question to Charlotte who adds that we can watch a princess movie, have a tea party, and make a snowman.
“That sounds like you’d be busy,” Jake sighs. “Are you sure? Don’t you have big plans for today?”
I swallow thickly. I do have big plans. Singles events that could help me find perfect how to date, possibly even be partnered with the future Mr. Right. Or activities that I can text Lucy and Selena about how silly it was to send me to Montana. But all those points fall to the side the longer I stare into Jake’s green eyes.
“Consider it brownie points with a guy who can ask the baker to add maple syrup to the mille-feuille for next week.” I wink and he chuckles.
“Then it’s settled. Can I give you my house keys and text you my address? I’ll leave you with some cash too.” He pulls out his wallet and hands me two twenties. “I know you said waffles, but Charlotte changes her mind at least three times a day on food and we normally have pizza on Friday nights so she missed out.”
“Sure thing,” I turn to Charlotte. “Ready for a girls’ day?” she nods enthusiastically as Jake watches the exchange between the two of us. He’s hesitant to leave, he hovers as he taps his fingerson the wooden table. He tells Charlotte to be good and listen to me. Then he reminds me he’ll be home around five.
“Thanks Mal, I owe you one.” He stands and then lightly kisses my forehead. It surprises me but somehow also feels natural. Weird.
“Maple syrup Jake,” I remind him. He laughs as he gives Charlotte a hug, tells her he loves her, and says goodbye. I watch him head to the back of the bakery.
I turn to face Charlotte. “Did you still want waffles for lunch? Or should we grab a pizza on the way to your house?”
“I like pepperoni pizza.”
“Perfect, grab your coat kiddo.”
I help her with the coat and her hat. Then I take her hand and we head down the street to the pizza place I’ve been wanting to try. It’s been a while since I’ve spent a long period of time with a kid, but it can’t be that much different.
Charlotte and I order a large pepperoni pizza and garlic knots to go. While we wait, she tells me about the kids in her daycare and her favorite doll at home. I pull the address up on my phone and navigate the short walk. Jake and Charlotte live two blocks behind the bakery.
The one-story ranch home is a dark, cinnamon brick much like the bakery. The shutters are a light orange and the roof is a dark brown. It looks like the perfect size for a small family.
I wonder what happened to Charlotte’s mom.
Charlotte guides me inside and we remove our snow gear at the front entryway. The inside is just as warm and inviting as the inside. It’s a mix of modern and mid-century decoration and furniture. The walls are a light blue with white baseboards. There are dozens of picture frames on the walls. Everywhere I look I see a smiling face, either just of Charlotte or the two of them together. Those sparkling green eyes featured in every shot.
The kitchen is large with light grey cabinets and expansive counter space in a large L-shape. In the middle is a massive stone topped island. The tile backsplash is a rich navy color while the floor is a spotless white and grey tile combo. I spy a stark, white, stand mixer next to a bowl of fruit. I set the pizza and garlic knots down on the island and ask Charlotte about plates and paper towels. She points to different places and we grab everything we need.
I ask about the dining room but she asks if we can eat at the tv and I agree after I find the paper towels. We settle in on the grey couch with our plates and start a movie. Time seems to fly by. We make it halfway through the movie, grab some strawberries out of the fridge to snack on, and she shows me all of her dolls in her bedroom. The cute pink room has everything a little girl would love, a canopy above the bed, a small table and chairs set up for tea parties, and a big box of dress up stuff. She even shows me her sports stuff for warm weather.
Adorable.
Every activity we do together makes me start to question my future plans. I’ve spent the past decade of my life solely focused on my career. And I don’t regret it all. But the blur of relationships and lack of someone to come home to is starting to weigh heavily on me. Maybe I could find a job and have a better work life balance when I get back to Canada.
