Oh, right. This was only Garrett’s second time visiting his sister. “The First Avenue Business Association sponsors events throughout the year. The Silver Falls Summer Fair is one of the bigger ones. It starts on Friday afternoon and runs through Sunday in the park. There are booths. Food trucks come in. There are rides and games and entertainment. It’s a big draw with visitors from here and nearby towns.”
“Sounds fun. So your booth is for the bakery.”
She nodded. “Each First Avenue business is given space to showcase their products or services and interact with the public by giving samples or having a giveaway. The association offers a prize for the best booth theme to make sure businesses don’t show up with only a table and pop-up tent.”
“So this is like the Christmas window contest Callie won.”
“Yes. But unlike the Christmas window competition, the public votes for their favorite booth. The winner is announced on Friday evening, so they have bragging rights over the next two days.” Taryn wrung her hands before placing them on her lap. “The prize isn’t as big as what your sister won in December, but a first-place win gets exposure on the town’s website and social media. Winning would get our name out there so we can draw in new customers.”
“And bring back old ones.”
She straightened, fighting the urge to square her shoulders. This wasn’t a battle, even if saving the bakery felt like one. “My focus is on finding new ones.”
He opened his mouth before closing it. His eyebrows furrowed. “Will that be hard in a town this size?”
“Yes, especially since we’ve been in the same location for fifty years. I thought we had a loyal customer base, but I see now they bought here because we were the only bakery nearby. They left for the lower prices in Summit Ridge, not caring the gas money they spend driving there makes the savings a wash.” She grimaced at her harsh tone. But her dad blamed her for the losses, not the competition, even though they’d had their best year ever before the other bakery opened. “Sorry if I sound bitter. But to be honest, I am bitter.”
“Understandable.” He tilted his head, his gaze never leaving hers. “You also sound tired.”
“I am.”
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting loyal customers. That’s how businesses thrive.” Garrett leaned forward, nearly pressing against the table’s edge. “The design looks cool but complicated.”
“There are many pieces, but the yellow highlighted lines are the simplified version.”
“The original looked more like a frame with tree-trunk sides.”
“Yes, I wanted it to be like a painting with a display of samples in the center.” She pointed to a drawing. “The trees are staying, but tulle, garland, fairy lights, and a sign hanging off the pop-up tent’s frame will replace the top portion. It’s simpler but should give the same effect. We’ll add the final layer of decorations, which are baked goods that resemble flowers, animals, and birds, to those. But that won’t happen until the booth is at the park.”
“How much have you redone?”
Her knee bounced. She pressed her unbandaged hand against it. “I ordered the supplies yesterday and picked them up from the hardware store this morning. I was working on the front piece when the hammer met my hand up close and personal.”
He grinned wryly. “Hate when that happens.”
“Me, too.”
Her gaze collided with his, only this time something passed between them. Not tension. Almost a current of some sort. Attraction.
Nope. No way.
Lesson learned. She would not go that route with Garrett again.
His help and good looks wouldn’t sway her.
She swallowed before refocusing on the plans. “Things will make more sense when you see the actual pieces.”
He looked over each of the pages again. “When do you want to start?”
“I’m going home now to work on it. Jayden and my staff are covering for me the next few days until it’s finished.”
Garrett glanced at his phone. “Callie’s hosting a family dinner tonight, but I’m free for a couple of hours this afternoon.”
“That’s fine. Great.” The words flew out of Taryn’s mouth. “I mean, there’s no set schedule, and you’re doing me a favor. Stop by when you have time. If you don’t have as much as you originally thought, no worries. You’re in town to help your sister with the wedding, not build a booth.”
Oh, no.She was rambling.
“I want to help, Taryn. And I will.”
