"Speaking of which, they're talking about doing a Christmas in July event this summer.I hope it brings new visitors."
"That should bring more people in.A lot of people love Christmas."
"Why not enjoy it year-round?"My shoulders lowered."The only problem is that we don't have snow this time of year or that magical feeling you get during the season."
"I don't know.I think there's a place for a Santa in swim trunks."
"I can offer Christmas-themed cakes for that month and bring back gingerbread."We were supposed to offer holiday-themed products year-round and keep the holiday decorations hung.
"How has business been now that we're far from Christmas?"
"I'm insulated from that issue only because people who live nearby will come to the bakery, coffee shop, and now the bookstore regardless of the season.Those are stores you can shop at year-round."
"I suppose that's true."
"I've generated a loyal customer base of people who live nearby, take walks, or stop at a few of the stores.I was worried I'd lose them after the fire, but I put a sign on the bakery door, telling everyone that I'm in the town hall from seven to two."
"That was really smart of you to make that move."
"It was either think of what I could do or dwell on everything I'd lost."
"Have you told your parents about the fire?"Morgan asked.
I let out a breath."No, and I feel bad about that.But I don't want them to tell Tom."
"You think they would?"
"Not intentionally.Maybe by accident."
"I'm sure they'd want to know."
"If I do let them know, I'm not going to tell them you had to rescue me."
Something flashed across his face."Why not?"
"They'd worry.They'd show up here, insisting I rest, and reconsider reopening.That maybe this is a sign that I'm not supposed to be a business owner."
"Why would they say that?"
"I think they'd rather I worked a steady job, one that has health insurance benefits and stock options.Owning a business is risky, and the fire will only prove their point."
"You let them have that kind of control over your life?"
"I don't want to, but they are relentless when they get an idea about something.I just want to be further into the renovation before I talk to them.Then they won't be able to talk me out of it."
"I would hope not.I think you're stronger than that.And anyone who knows you can see that this was what you're meant to do."
It was nice to see that he knew me after such a short time."I think so.But it doesn't stop the ones who love us from trying to keep us safe."
Morgan gave me a face."What fun is that?I took a risk going into business with my brothers, but so far, it's paid off.I make more money than ever, and it's only increasing every day.Each time one of us is successful, it benefits all of us.When Maverick's patio at Belle's bookstore was in that magazine, we were inundated with job requests.Some of them weren't even in the area.Now Maverick designs spaces in faraway places he'll never see."
"That's amazing.I've never thought about something like that.Right now, I have to be the one that bakes.I'm the face of the business."
"You might want to start thinking of ways to make it easier for you in the future.Is there anything you can delegate to make your job easier?If you burn out, you won't be able to create new bakery items to sell.You have to take care of you.You're the business."
"I don't like the sound of burning out."I didn't want to overextend myself.But at the same time, I felt the pressure to come back bigger and stronger than ever.I needed to maintain the same level of production during this period of instability to show everyone that they could depend on me.
Nothing slowed me down.But was I doing too much?I was the only one who could bake.I'd never trusted anyone else to recreate my recipes.Was that something I should look into?
