The festivalfor this weekend is in full swing, and the bakery is more popular than any other festival this season.
I glance across the bakery from the front door to Dutton, standing behind the register talking with Mrs. Buckley and Mrs. Vans. Whatever he’s saying to them has them both laughing. Mrs. Vans is even brave enough to reach out and grab his arms for a moment. It makes her blush, and it makes me laugh.
Who knew that redeeming his reputation and offering to help me out today so that I can simply just mingle and not use my hand would mean he’s the hit of the weekend?
Given the way this town has taken to him in the last month and a half, there’s no way his father won’t choose him to run the lodge.
I take a moment to look around the bakery.
Well, shit, this place is packed with women right now.
Dutton himself is like a walking advertisement as he steals another bite of the cookie he’s been eating.
I don’t normally just let my employees eat whatever they want on shift, but he’s not my employee and this isn’t your typical workday.
It’s a festival, and I want everyone to enjoy the day, so I’d set a plate of goodies on the back counter for employees to snack on.
I might start making it a regular thing for them.
“He’s basically a free advertisement for this place,” a soft voice says next to me. Wren is standing there, her long hair curled down her back. She’s wearing a cutoff top that exposes her entire stomach and a pair of leggings. It’s 100 percent something I would wear, and I love it.
“I should just have him eat breakfast out front once a week.”
Wren laughs. “He’d do it for you, if you ask him.”
I smile and sigh.
Yes, he would.
I’m learning very quickly that Dutton would do just about anything for me.
As if he knows his sister and I are speaking about him, he lifts his head, and his eyes meet mine. The sparkle in them leaves me blushing as I look away.
One look from him twists my insides in the best way, but not in a way that the public needs to witness.
“I’m happy that you two worked out whatever feud you had. I’ve been home for only a few days, but this might be my favorite version of my oldest brother.”
She rubs my back quickly and then walks out before I can think of a response. Maybe she didn’t need one.
I survey the inside of the bakery one more time, noting that everything is good, then move outside, where I've added tables for today.
The sun is bright, and the heat of the day feels good on my skin. I step off the sidewalk to look at the front of the store.Someday, I’ll replace the wood framing with a white and silver brick mix, and I’ll replace the single front door with a double one. I’ll add bigger windows with flower trellises, and there will be tables that stay outside permanently, with lights strung from umbrella to umbrella.
My smile fades a little.
You know, the day when I can get a loan and this whole super shitty “Mom stole my identity” thing blows over.
I sigh. I just want to do the fun parts of the bakery stuff, not the office and business side. That part just brings me down.
“Books,” Dutton rushes outside. “What are you doing?”
Is something about to happen? I look side to side. I don’t see anything but the faces of those whose attention Dutton captured when he sprinted out the door.
“I’m daydreaming a little of what this place will look like one day. Do you need me inside?” I start to head inside, but he reaches a hand out, his palm flat to my belly as he pulls me close.
“No.” He lets out a breath. “I just didn't want you wandering around without me. There are a lot of people here today, and I …”
He doesn't have to finish that sentence. I can put it together.
