He turned to go."I'd better get back to work.Let me know if you have any problems with the truck."
"I'm sure I won't.Thanks again," I called after him.
I didn't know Cooper that well.He usually hung around the Sterlings.If he was right, Morgan was working late so that he could work on my bakery, and he wasn't avoiding me like I thought.
I could relax and enjoy a day of baking.Humming now that I had a vehicle, I gathered my ingredients and stacked them in the bed of the truck.I drove into town, stopping at Meg's for a latte.
As soon as I came inside, Meg walked around the counter, her arms stretched out for a hug."How are you?"
"I'm doing better.I have a truck."I pointed out the window at the red truck with the lettering Sterling Brothers Contracting on it.
Meg whistled."A house and a truck.You're leveling up."
I laughed."I'd rather have my apartment and the bakery than be in this situation.But I'll be okay."
She hugged me tight."I know you will.You're strong."
I let out a breath."I don't feel like it sometimes."
She moved behind the counter."Let me get you a latte, and then you can bake."
I touched my chest and smiled."My happy place."
She grinned."Yours is baking, and mine is brewing.Although I think your job requires more skill."
"I don't know about that," I said with a smile as she moved around the counter, preparing my favorite latte.
"How is it living with the last standing Sterling bachelor?"she asked.
I wrinkled my nose."He's not there much, so it's been fine."
She turned and raised her brow at me."He was half naked the day I was there."
I looked over my shoulder as the bell above the door rang out, and a new customer walked inside."That was a one-time thing."
"So you say."
"He's been working long hours to get his other jobs done, so that he can work on the bakery."
She set the cup on the counter."You know when that will be?"
"We're still waiting on the fire investigation to be completed, but I hope it's soon."I took the cup and sipped the hot drink."Thank you for this.How much do I owe you?"
She shook her head."It's on me.Your bakery burned down.Just bake me something good today."
I grinned."I'll bring you a box later today.I'm sure I'll want a break at some point."
She waved a dismissive hand."Get your bake on."
I laughed at her familiar joke.
She turned to help the next customer, and I waved to her as I left.It was a beautiful sunny day, and I felt a little better until I passed the bakery.The windows were covered in cardboard, not because they were damaged, but because people were curious about the damage inside.I wasn't prepared to deal with all the questions.
I put my head down and kept walking.The night of the fire was coming back to me.How I'd woken up to Morgan screaming my name, so much smoke, and panic.I couldn't breathe.But then Morgan was lifting me and refusing to hand me off to the firefighters.I got a tingle whenever I thought about how he'd rescued me and held my hand while the paramedics took my vitals and gave me oxygen.I hadn't told anyone how I'd felt in that moment, protected and cared for, and I'd liked it.
There was no question that he'd been there for me.When he was holding my hand, it hadn't felt like a guy helping out his best friend's sister.It seemed like we had a connection.But maybe that was how anyone felt when you rescued someone.There was an invisible string that tied you together.And it had nothing to do with attraction.
I opened the door to the town hall and made my way to the kitchen in the basement.There was a temporary sign over the door that read Sweet Dreams Bakery, bringing tears to my eyes.
