“Dad says he wants us to both create a ten-year business plan to present to him, and that will be a part of mine.”
Wow. She knows where she wants to be ten years from now with the lodge.
I can't even get to tomorrow without a hurdle jumping in my way.
Unless …
Grace’s phone begins to ring. She pulls it out and stands quickly.
“I need to take this. Will you send out a text for a girls’ night on Thursday? I can do that night if everyone else can.”
“Yep,” I say, giving her a quick hug.
I don’t have much time to dwell on her successful career before Sadie walks in. She’s holding her laptop to her chest, her sister-in-law and one of my new friends, Ruby, right behind her.
“Hi.” I hug them both. “Are you here to get some work done?”
“I’m just grabbing a coffee before I go next door to the bookstore. I need to get my calendar squared away since I’ve got multiple signings booked for the next year and a half.”
Her eyes go wide, as if she can’t believe those words just fell from her mouth.
“And I’m going to use the silence of the bookstore to get ahead on some graphic work,” Ruby says with a big smile.
My smile isn’t forced, but my jealousy of more friends reaching their career goals is heavy.
“That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for both of you.”
Daisy appears, handing a coffee to Sadie and another to Ruby.
Sadie gives her some cash, and both women turn for the door. Ruby walks out, but Sadie suddenly stops to face me.
“You know, if you hadn’t taken this place over, I’m not sure this would be happening for me.”
“Oh”—I wave a hand—“you would have made it work somehow. That bookstore has always been your dream.”
“Yes, but having someone like you to step in to help make it happen changed everything for me. When you’re ready to buy this place, let me know and it’s yours.”
I simply smile. I’m not about to reveal my predicament and bring the mood down.
“I’m serious, Brooke. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I wave as she leaves.
As I head to the office in the back, I notice the filled tables throughout the bakery and the way Daisy easily interacts with them all. It’s not surprising, since she’s been here since Sadie ran the place, but what hits me the most is how regulars keep coming back.
How I’ve managed to keep this place as somewhere people feel at home and want to return to.
And if I didn't know it before, I sure know it now.
I want this place to be mine.
The right thing todo would be to stop at the front desk and let someone know that I'm here to see Dutton. But having Grace as a best friend means I know my way around this place like the back of my hand. It also means I know exactly where Dutton's office is. I walk through the main lobby, giving a polite wave, and continue down the hallway that leads to most of the offices.
As soon as I spot Dutton's door, I pause.
I'm doing this.
I'm going to do this.
