My brow furrowed as I considered the suggestion. Teddy had made a good impression, but I hadn’t spent much time getting to know him. All I really knew about him was that he and Waylon were friends and he’d helped Waylon run back to the shop for more stock when we were so busy neither Lacey nor I could get away.
“Waylon, I appreciate the thought, but I’m not sure Teddy’s the right fit for this,” I said hesitantly. “Do you think he’d be able to handle such a big project?”
“Trust me,” Waylon replied earnestly, his blue eyes meeting mine. “Teddy’s a loyal friend and incredibly dedicated to his work. He might be introverted, but that doesn’t mean he can’t handle a big project like this. Actually, the way he works to incorporate modern touches while respecting the history of a building is one of his best qualities.”
“Waylon’s right,” Jasper chimed in. “Teddy did the renovations at my salon last year, remember? The place looked amazing when he was done. I couldn’t have been happier with the results.”
I glanced between them, still feeling uncertain. Expanding my bakery was a huge financial risk, and hiring someone who wasn’t the right fit could potentially cost me more in the long run. Whatever I did, I wanted to keep the rustic, eclectic vibe I’d built in my current space.
“Look, Shiloh,” Waylon said, sensing my hesitation. “How about you just meet with Teddy? Talk about your plans, see if you feel comfortable with him taking on the job. There’s no harm in having a conversation.”
“Waylon’s right,” Jasper agreed. “If you talk to him, I’m sure you’ll see what we’re talking about. I’m still not sure how he managed to stay under budget with everything I wanted.”
That made me laugh. I loved Jasper to death but he was what some would call high-maintenance. If there was anyone who personified champagne taste with a beer budget, it was him.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. They had a point; there was no harm in chatting with Teddy to discuss the potential renovation. Maybe after speaking with him, I’d have a better sense of whether he was the right person for the job.
“All right,” I conceded. “I’ll see what he has to say. Thanks for looking out for me, guys. I appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Waylon smiled, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We just want to help you succeed. And if Teddy can make that happen, then all the better.”
“Absolutely,” Jasper agreed. “We’re here for you, sweetie.”
Who knew? Maybe Teddy would be the key to unlocking the future I’d been dreaming of for Shiloh’s Sweets and I’d eventually have to look into moving into an even bigger location.
A guy could dream…
“I’ll still have to look into how much everything’s going to cost,” I told them. “Him being a good guy won’t do a damn thing if remodeling out of my price range.”
I watched as Waylon’s gaze shifted from the cupcakes in the display case to meet my questioning eyes. Without him having to ask, I pulled out the last red velvet cupcake and set it on a plate. I was surprised he hadn’t caved sooner.
“Trust me, Shiloh,” he said with a confident nod and a smile. I waited patiently as he took a bite of the cupcake. Jasper reached over, wiping a glob of frosting from the corner of his mouth. “Teddy’s rates are more than reasonable for the quality of work he does. Plus, his expertise will save you money in the long run because he knows how to avoid those costly mistakes that can really add up. And because he’s a friend, he won’t try to nickel and dime you, either.”
As Waylon spoke, I couldn’t help but think back to the salon renovation Jasper had mentioned. The place did look fantastic, and if Teddy was responsible for that, maybe he could do the same for my bakery.
“All right, you don’t have to keep trying to sell me on talking to him,” I teased, finally allowing myself to feel a glimmer of hope. “If you can help me get in touch with Teddy, we’ll chat. If everything works out and it’s not going to break the bank, I’ll think about it.”
Waylon’s eyes lit up, and he clapped me on the back. “That’s the spirit! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”
Jasper nodded in agreement, his eyes flicking back to the pecan sticky buns. “And when you’re all settled into your shiny new space, we’ll be here to celebrate with you, trying out all the new delicious treats you’ll have on display. Or, you know, the ones you’re not sure are any good. I’ll test those and tell you if they’re fit for public consumption.”
I laughed, feeling a warmth spread through me at their support. “Thanks, guys. It means the world to me that you have my back.”
As they walked to the cash register to pay for their selections, I couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of determination. Yes, expansion was a big risk, but it was one I had to take if I wanted Shiloh’s Sweets to continue growing. And with the help of my friends and Teddy’s expertise, maybe it wouldn’t be as scary as I initially thought.
After they left, I returned to my work, my mind racing with possibilities. A larger space meant more room for seating, more space for baking, and maybe even a chance to hire additional staff. I could bring in new equipment and offer a wider range of baked goods, reaching even more customers than before. I might even be able to get a booth at the farmer’s market on Wednesday nights with the expanded capacity.
As I thought about the future, I felt my heart swell with pride, not only for my accomplishments thus far but for my grandmother’s recipes that had inspired it all. She had passed her love for baking down to me, and now I was making a name for myself, sharing her concoctions with a town I was beginning to think of as home.
With a deep breath, I picked up the piping bag again, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. Each swirl of frosting felt like a step closer to my dreams, and I knew that as long as I kept pushing forward, I would make my grandmother proud.
And maybe, just maybe, Shiloh’s Sweets would become a legacy of its own.
* * *
I had been pacingmy small bungalow for what felt like an eternity, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. I knew I needed to make this call, but every time I started to dial, my nerves got the better of me. Despite the support from Waylon, Jasper, and the potential help from Teddy, I still needed to hear from the one person whose opinion mattered the most to me: my dad.
Taking a deep breath, I finally pressed the call button and listened to the phone ring. After a few seconds, my dad’s gruff voice answered.
