“So what are you working on over there? Business or pleasure?” Landon asked, looking at her notebook.
“Yukon Cider. It’s hard for me to turn my brain off when I’m not at the lab. The ideas keep flowing, so I always carry a notebook around with me.”
“Anything interesting?”
“You could say that.” She pushed the notebook toward him so he could take a look.
Landon turned the notebook so he could read what she’d written for a few moments. He studied her notes, impressed by how creative her flavor pairings were. “These are great,” he said. “I’m loving the razzle-dazzle one, raspberry and lime.”
“That’s my favorite so far. I know we came up with a bunch of flavors, but I really want this holiday line to pop. After all, it’ll be in Hattie’s honor.”
Bailey was a perfectionist, which he knew a little something about. As a scientist he was the same way. He’d beenknown to spend countless hours in the laboratory, conducting experiments and deeply engrossed in his work.
“Can I admit something?” Bailey asked, biting her lip.
“Of course you can. I’ve done my fair share of unloading on you.” He splayed his hands on the table. “I’m all ears.”
Bailey flipped a few pages in her notebook before turning the book in his direction. She tapped the page. “Don’t laugh, but I have a dream of creating my own line at Yukon Cider based on the flavors I loved growing up here in Moose Falls.”
“Why would I laugh at that?” Landon asked. “I think it’s amazing.”
He watched as Bailey let out a deep breath. “I know I’m being silly, but telling you about my aspirations is a bit unnerving.”
“Because Hattie’s my grandmother?” He totally understood. If he was in her shoes, Landon imagined he would feel the same way.
“Yeah, and it feels like I’m reaching for the stars with this whole idea,” Bailey confessed. “I’m used to having my feet planted firmly on the ground.”
“It’s better to reach for them than to give up on our dreams, Bailey. That way at least you know that you tried.” Although he was talking to Bailey, the words applied to himself as well and to his goal of righting the lab’s wrongs. “Dreams are worth reaching for.”
A little smile sat on Bailey’s face. “One hundred percent.”
“By the time you leave this café, you’re going to establish a firm plan to get your idea for this line in front of Joann and Hattie,” Landon told her.
Bailey nodded, curls bouncing around her shoulders. “That’s exactly what I need to do in order to move forward with this concept. No more putting it off.”
He drummed his fingers on the table. “Now tell me about your ideas for this line,” Landon said. “I want you to describe the flavors so well that I can taste it.”
