As Waylon made his way to the door, he turned and offered one last piece of advice. “Just give it some thought. You never know what life has in store for you.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling. With each stroke of the sandpaper, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was more to life than I’d allowed myself to believe. And perhaps, despite my stubborn insistence to the contrary, it was time to entertain the possibility of embracing something new.
* * *
Days turned into a full week,and I found myself thinking about Waylon’s words more often than I’d like to admit. My workshop seemed to grow smaller and more confining with each passing day, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing out on something important, something that could potentially change the course of my life.
Frustration bubbled inside me as I lined up pieces of wood I’d cut down to try my hand at making a cutting board. It had been a quiet week on the fix-it front, which gave me time to play around more in the workshop. The problem was, it seemed every time I got into a rhythm, my mind drifted to Shiloh and his bakery. I considered myself lucky I hadn’t cut off a finger by now.
A few days later, I found myself wandering down Main Street, the cool breeze carrying the scent of spring blossoms and warm sugar and vanilla wafting from the vents of the bakery. I paused outside Shiloh’s Sweets, peering through the window at the inviting space inside.
Shiloh was there, of course, his brow furrowed in concentration as he decorated a cake. I watched him work, admiring his steady hands and the practiced ease with which he piped intricate designs onto the smooth, white surface.
If I did work on the remodel, I’d encourage him to add a window where he people could watch him work up-close. There used to be a pizza place like that in Pineville, and kids begged their parents to take them there. The bonus for the parents was the kids were entertained, allowing them to have a peaceful conversation.
My gaze drifted to the chunky, dark wood trim. That had to be original to the building. I appreciated the fact Shiloh hadn’t painted the trim like so many others would have. That spoke of a man who appreciated the finer details. If we opened up the wall that had been erected to divide the space into two units, the bakery dining area could be even more beautiful.
As I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the window, the tired lines around my eyes and the gray flecks in my beard serving as a stark reminder of the passage of time. How much longer could I afford to hide away in my workshop, avoiding the world and all its challenges? Making jewelry boxes and cutting boards was great, helping people with home repairs put money in the bank, but when was the last time I did anything that truly made me feel alive?
I didn’t have an answer, but I knew I couldn’t keep running from the possibility of change forever. If I wanted to truly live my life, to feel alive and vibrant once more, I would have to face my fears and take a chance on something new.
For now, though, I’d continue to weigh the pros and cons, to consider what it would mean to work with someone like Shiloh, and to face the challenges that came with forging a new path.
But someday soon, I knew I’d have to make a decision—one that could alter the course of my life in ways I couldn’t even begin to imagine. And when that day came, I could only hope that I’d find the courage to embrace the unknown and see where the journey led.
4
SHILOH
I stoodon the other side of the half-wall partition, kneading dough for the next batch of bread, when Waylon and Jasper walked in. I couldn’t help but smile at their entrance. They were such a striking pair: Waylon, tall and broad-shouldered with salt-and-pepper hair; Jasper, younger and lither with tattoos peeking out from under his sleeves. Together, they radiated warmth and love.
“Hey,” Waylon greeted me as they approached the counter. “We have some news.”
“Hey, you two.” I wiped my flour-covered hands on my apron. “What’s going on?”
“Teddy’s agreed to help with the renovations,” Jasper announced, his eyes shining with excitement.
I hesitated, my heart squeezing at the thought of taking on more debt. Now that I knew the size of my dreams, I was back to wondering if it was the right time. “I appreciate that, but I’m still not sure it’s the right time financially. Besides, what happened to the two of us sitting down to discuss what I’d like to do and whether my checkbook agrees with my dreams?”
“Shiloh, listen,” Jasper leaned against the counter, his expression earnest. “When I first moved back, I struggled to fit in. I was afraid of asking for help because I was sure everyone would think I wasn’t capable of running my own place.
“But then I realized that Harmony Grove is all about community. Somehow, I’d missed that as a kid. I’d been so focused on trying to fly under the radar that I didn’t give anyone enough credit. People here want to see each other succeed, and they’re willing to lend a hand. Of course, you get the final say but whatever you want to do, he’ll do it. And we’ll all chip in whenever we can to help you keep the costs down. It’s the same as Waylon and his friends did for me when we worked on remodeling the salon.”
Waylon nodded in agreement. “Jasper’s right, even if he is getting ahead of himself. His judgment’s been clouded by the taste-testing you mentioned the other day. He wants you to have a bigger kitchen so he can gorge on sugar, even if he likes to suggest I’m the one with a dangerous sweet tooth. You’ve already built something amazing here. Just think of what you could accomplish with Teddy’s expertise and a little bit of help.”
I stared down at the dough beneath my hands, considering their words. My bakery had become so much more than just a business to me; it had transformed into a sanctuary where I felt truly valued and appreciated. The idea of expanding and reaching even greater heights was tantalizing, but the fear of failure loomed large. Harmony Grove wasn’t a big city. Could it support a bakery double the size of my current space?
“Shiloh?” Jasper prompted gently, sensing my hesitation.
“Give Teddy my number and we’ll talk about it,” I sighed, finally giving in to their encouragement. “But remember, there’s still a chance I won’t be able to swing the price tag.”
“Trust me, you won’t regret it,” Waylon assured me with a grin. “Teddy’s got a gift for bringing out the best in everything he touches. You two are going to make magic happen here.”
“Magic, huh?” I laughed, feeling a spark of real excitement for the first time. “Well, I guess we’ll see about that.”
The following day, I noticed Teddy at the front windows again. He’d been there a few times now, but I pretended like I didn’t see him. I watched him watching me, wondering what was going through his head.
A few days after that, I was about ready to lock up when I heard the bells jingle against the front door. Teddy approached with none of his earlier signs of reluctance present. This was a man ready to get down to business.
