“I get by on five hours.” That much was true.
“If you want me to take more shifts…”
“You work enough. Unless you need the money, I’ll ask someone else.”
“Rachelle would prefer me at home on her days off.”
“You can cut your hours.” That would save Taryn money. She didn’t need to be paid overtime on top of what she regularly earned working there.
“I’m happy the way things are. I enjoy running things here. You know, Rachelle is in charge of our family.”
Taryn laughed. It was true, but that worked for them.
“Well, you’re the best assistant manager an owner could ask for.” She meant every word and wanted to give him a raise once the bakery was back on track. “I have no idea how I ended up hiring an all-male staff, but you’re better with the other guys than me.”
“You do great with everyone, but your baking skills intimidate them.”
“I’m as intimidating as a ladybug.”
“A ladybug who carries a machete,” he joked.
“You mean a spatula.”
“Let’s just say you set the bar high for people who work here.”
Her shoulders drooped. “Not that quality matters to customers if they can save money at the place in Summit Ridge.”
Jayden added bagels to the tray. “They’ve gone overboard with loss leaders.”
Loss leaders on what had been her top-selling products. Maybe that was their plan to bring in customers, but each time she created a new product, they did, too. It felt personal. “I don’t know how they are making money.”
“They can’t keep it up for much longer, or they’ll go out of business.” Jayden grabbed another tray from the tall rolling cart filled with trays of baked goods. “People will be back.”
She nodded, trying not to get discouraged. “I keep waiting for someone else to quit and go to work there.”
“Stop worrying. Those who wanted to leave took the offers. The rest of us didn’t.”
Jayden’s package had included benefits and the title of manager. Part of her thought he should have taken it, but she was relieved he hadn’t. “Thanks for staying.”
“We’re a team.” He bumped his shoulder against hers. “The others who are still here feel the same way. Things will turn around when the newness of the other place wears off, and they raise prices.”
“I hope so.”
If not, and if the outdoor patio and exposure from the summer fair didn’t bring in more business, Taryn had no idea what she would do.
Chapter Two
After flying intoSeattle and driving to Silver Falls, Garrett Andrews rolled his suitcase into Margot Winslow’s charming two-story house. The wood molding, built-ins, and bright quilts hanging like tapestries provided character. So did her dogs. The pair jumped on his legs, panting and acting as if he were a giant piece of bacon.
A small, tan pup barked.
The sharp sound bounced off the hardwood floor and echoed through the entryway before the door shut with a thud. That didn’t quiet…
Sadie and Angus.
Those were their names, but he couldn’t remember if Sadie was the smaller, barking dog or if she was the quieter, medium-sized, black and gray one. Whoever was who, they were as loud and as energetic as when he’d visited in December.
The little one placed his front paws on Garrett and barked again. The larger sniffed his shoes before examining his suitcase.
