“I overheard what Raine said about that. Don’t take this on, too.”
“You’re right.” And he was. “Thanks.”
“Any ideas for the name yet?”
Taryn shook her head. “Still hoping inspiration hits.”
“Paint the sign and see what happens.”
She raised a brow. “The egotistical attorney is getting bossy.”
He winked. “Whatever it takes to finish.”
On time was unspoken but implied.
Taryn picked up her paintbrush. “Whatever it takes.”
*
As the sunsank toward the horizon, Taryn sat, stifling another yawn. The tarp didn’t provide any cushion for her knees, but it was better than nothing. Her body yearned for sleep—even a nap would do—but so many items remained on her to-do list. This last night before the fair began was crunch time.
“Looks good,” he said.
“Thanks.” She added the final coat of paint to the sign’s frame. A cute yet catchy booth name eluded her. It appeared “Summer Picnic” would win by default.
Not surprising when she was running on fumes. Raine’s iced coffee had kept Taryn going, but she needed more caffeine.
“It’s coming together,” he said.
Not trusting her voice—which was becoming a habit—she nodded.
They had worked all day. Her tiredness coupled with the growing stress was catching up to her.
She lowered her paintbrush. Would all this work be for nothing?
Push through it.
The three words became her mantra. If she didn’t do that, she would regret it.
Sleep would come. Not until Sunday night when the fair was over, but that was okay.
So much was at stake. She needed to keep the bakery going. It was her grandparents’ legacy. Her parents’, too.
Would it be hers?
Probably best not to think about that when she could erupt into tears at any moment.
Taryn could do this.
No, shewoulddo this, and she wasn’t alone.
She glanced at Garrett, who’d worked by her side all day. Okay, sometimes he’d been across the yard, but having him there kept her going as had her friends. Raine with the drinks and Callie, who’d delivered a dinner from the Falls Café before going to Margot’s house to make wedding favors with her mom. And Jayden had left cookies on her doorstep on his break. Thank goodness for her friends, or Taryn might lose it.
She’d been on the verge since last night.
Push through it.
That was all she could do.
