Garrett’s lips parted. “What did you say?”
“Honestly?” Taryn half laughed, but that was only to hide the ache in her heart. “I was too stunned to reply. But what could I say? The bakery belongs to him. He’s free to do what he wants with it.”
“Yet, you’re killing yourself to create a winning booth for this weekend’s fair and must have spent hours building the new patio.” He rubbed his chin. “Why?”
“That’s part of running a business. I know I can make the bakery more profitable. But my dad hates the patio. He called it an enormous waste of time and money and scheduled a cruise to fall during the grand opening. But it’s the only thing bringing in sales right now. I hope to use the patio and winning the booth competition to turn things around before my parents get home. All I’ve ever wanted was to run Lawson’s Bakery, and I’ve worked my entire life to do that. I’m not giving up.”
“Don’t. Is there anything I can do?” His tone was warm and caring.
Flutters erupted in her stomach. “You’re doing plenty by helping with the booth, but thanks for asking.”
“Happy to help.” Garrett reached toward her before he pulled back his hand. “You’re the queen of organization and planning, but do you know what you’ll do if he sells the bakery?”
“I only know how to bake and run a bakery.” Saying the words left her feeling hollowed out, but she forced herself not to slouch. “I guess I’d try to get a job with whoever bought Lawson’s.”
“You’d want to do that?”
Her stomach tightened. “It makes the most sense, but the reality might be harder to live with.”
“Try impossible.”
He was probably right.
She drank, hoping to wash the dryness from her throat. “The other option is to start my own bakery, but a town the size of Silver Falls couldn’t support two with a third one a short drive away. I’ve prayed each night it won’t come to that.”
He stared over the lip of his glass, keeping the eye contact steady. “I hope it doesn’t.”
“I’m trying to stay positive about it and don’t want to spoil the fun today. At least I’ve had fun.”
“Me, too. We should get back out there.” He pushed away from the table. “Finishing isn’t only about winning the competition. This is for you, too. So you can show your dad he’s wrong.”
Joy and gratitude overflowed. He got it. Sure, she had Jayden, but that was at work. Here, now, she didn’t feel so all alone. Maybe with Garrett’s help, her run of bad luck was about to change.
She crossed her fingers. “T-thank you.”
Chapter Nine
The afternoon sunbeat down. Garrett had drunk half a case of water today. Possibly more. A shower sounded like heaven, but he wasn’t leaving Taryn’s backyard. As he sat on a tarp, he held a box cutter in one hand and a pool noodle in the other.
“Looking good.” The front panel could easily be used on stage duringA Midsummer Night’s Dream, but he also meant her.
“Thanks.” Taryn’s face was flushed. Her skin glowed from a layer of sweat. A streak of green paint was on her right cheek, and there were streaks on her hands and T-shirt, too.
He’d never seen her look more beautiful. But it was more than physical.
She pushed sweat-damp strands of hair off her face. “I’m almost finished.”
“Me, too.”
Taryn had impressed him in December with her dedication to the bakery. He’d assumed she was the owner. Not that he’d asked. But she hadn’t blown off her responsibilities to spend time with him, even if that would have made seeing her easier. But his respect shot even higher today, after learning what she’d been going through with her father and not giving up. If anything, she worked harder. The man had to be blind not to realize his daughter’s work ethic and loyalty to the bakery and him.
Garrett couldn’t imagine many kids—no matter what age—putting up with that kind of treatment from their fathers. He’d been there himself and hadn’t returned to his father’s law firm for another summer internship. That, however, was in his past. The situation with the bakery was Taryn’s present and future.
“There’s not much left to do,” he said. “What if we grab dinner while the pieces dry?”
“As long as I can shower first.” She held up her hands, palms facing him. “I have paint on my paint spots.”
“I could use one, too.” He tried to remember the restaurants in town. “Margot likes the Fall Café.”
