“Cake!” One in a flower print romper tugged on the taller one’s arm. “We have to have a slice.”
Another girl with short pink hair tapped her pencil against her chin. “Picnic. Flowers. I don’t know which to vote for.”
“My grammy says you can never go wrong with pie,” the one with glasses said.
The romper girl nodded. “Pie or cake.”
Garrett leaned toward her. “That’s my cue to get out of the way. See you later.”
The girls giggled and wanted to know about each dessert, so Taryn explained the different types and flavors. “You’re free to take whichever you’d like. And here’s a coupon you can use. I’ll give you an extra one for your family.”
The girls thanked her before walking away.
“I’m voting for this booth,” the one in the romper said. “Nothing beats free—”
“Cake,” the three others said at the same time, and all four burst out laughing.
Oh, to be that young again. Taryn’s smile spread. She hoped the girls made the most of the next few years of high school together. Most of her girlfriends she’d grown up with had moved away from Silver Falls. It was a town to leave. That was why several First Avenue businesses belonged to new people in town. A few had returned after college like Nick, and others had left a second time as Brandt had done. She was grateful to have Callie, Anna, Raine, and now Pippa move to Silver Falls.
“Got everything.” Brecken hurried toward the booth with a box. “Sorry it took so long, but the line is out the gate, so Jayden needed me.”
“No problem.” A line meant sales. “Things have been slowing down here. Restock everything and help out at the bakery. I’ll call if I need you.”
“Sure thing, Boss.” Brecken pulled on gloves and opened the first container of cookies.
She greeted more visitors to the booth. As soon as Brecken refilled one type of dessert, they disappeared. But soon, they caught up.
“I sliced some extra cake and pie.” He pulled off his gloves. “I’ll be a phone call away.”
“Thank you.” The crowd had thinned. Many were at the food trucks and stands or the carnival rides. “Tell Jayden, Carl, and Finley thanks.”
“Will do, Boss.” With that, Brecken headed toward First Avenue.
She straightened the table, even though the judging must end soon.
Anticipation shot to her toes. Taryn lowered her expectation of winning. But any kind of placement, including an honorable mention, would be better when she told her father what happened.
Not that she’d failed.
Taryn ran her fingertips along the fake grass covering the table. She’d succeeded by not giving up.
“Callie told me they’d be announcing the winner soon.” Garrett stood in front of the booth. He peered behind her. “Are you still alone?”
“Brecken brought over more samples, but things are winding down here, so I sent him to the bakery to work there.”
“I’ll help you.” He squeezed through the gap between the table and the tree covering the tent pole. “What do I need to do?”
She gave him some coupons. “Before people walk away, hand them a coupon.”
“Easy-peasy.”
“It is.” She pulled disposable gloves from the box and handed him a pair. “Put these on in case you need to handle any of the plates or samples.”
They worked side by side. More than once, Garrett sweet-talked people to visit Lawson’s with a sales pitch that would have made her grandpa proud. “If being a lawyer doesn’t work, you’d make a great salesperson.”
“Only for something I love.”
“It’s all about the marionberry pie.”
