“At least that last one had big windows, even if they looked out on an alley with dumpsters,” Dani mutters, looking around critically. “And we only saw the one rat.”
This one is in a basement and the windows are only about a foot tall. There’s not really any natural light, and the damp, musty smell is unpleasant. It’s right on the main street in Kingston and would get lots of ferry traffic and tourist traffic, but still…there is no way I can even remotely make this into the shop I saw in my vision. It just feels…wrong.
“I don’t think this is going to work for us, Dawn,” I admit reluctantly.
She looks disappointed but nods. “Okay, we’ll keep looking. Maybe something will pop up.” But her tone lacks conviction. I have a feeling I’m looking for a unicorn—a shop on the main street of a small, touristy town with loads of charm and a rental price tag I can afford. I say a little prayer and try not to feel discouraged. I believe my vision will come true. If I have faith and the courage to work hard, I’m sure everything is going to turn out the way it’s supposed to. Right?
* * *
“Bad news, kid.Your pipe caused more damage than we thought.”
Walt greets me with these ominous words when I step in the door of the shop after getting back from the disappointing trip toKingston with Dani. He’s wearing a Chicago Cubs cap backward and chewing gum. His face is grim.
“Oh no.” I massage my forehead. This is not my favorite day. “Lay it on me. How bad is it?”
“We’re gonna need to replace the carpet like we talked about, but also part of the subfloor underneath, at least around the bathroom,” Walt tells me. “It’s rotted out.” I shudder. All I can see are dollar signs, but we have no choice. We have to repair the damage.
“Okay, do what you need to do,” I tell him wearily. I’m tired from staying up all hours of the night juggling paperwork and bills and the details of life along with my chocolate-making experiments. Ideas are coming to me thick and fast, and I’m flying through my duties after Gus goes to bed, eager to get back into the kitchen and create new flavor combinations. Currently I’m working on a peach ginger bonbon that is particularly promising. It’s exhilarating, but I’m sleeping fewer hours than ever. I’ve been staying up until at least one a.m. every night, experimenting and watching reruns ofSavor, with only Henry on the screen for company.
Now staring down at the rotted wood, I’m struck with a horrible thought. “If we tear up the carpeting, does that mean we have to empty out the entire store?” I glance around the cluttered space with alarm. Walt follows my eyes.
“Yup,” he confirms. “You’re gonna have to pack up everything, clear out all the shelves. This place has got to be empty.”
I bite back a groan. So much work. So much time with the shop closed, which means even more lost income. Then another thought comes to me. Henry. Specifically, Henry’s desire to film an episode forSavorabout our shop. Henry is lining up everything with his production team and hasn’t yet gotten back to me about when we will film the episode, but he’s definitely going toshoot some footage inside the store, and we can’t have it all torn up. Right now, except for the bathroom, everything looks pretty normal, if a little soggy underfoot. But for Walt and Jakob to fix the floor, it’s going to be a huge pain to empty the space, replace the rotted part of the subfloor, lay carpet, and then put everything back the way it was.
I heave a sigh, looking around. This was once a cute space, years ago before it got shabby. It’s got huge windows and great light, high ceilings, and actually a lot of good vintage character hidden under layers of white paint. With a little effort and elbow grease, I bet this place could look adorable again. I try to envision it with different flooring and better décor, but I find it’s hard to think of it as anything other than the fudge shop where I grew up.
“Can you focus on the bathroom for now?” I ask. “I’ll talk to Henry and get back to you about how soon we can start emptying the store to replace the flooring.” I need to know what he’s thinking about filming footage of store forSavor.
“Sure thing, boss.” Walt snaps his gum. “We’re already working on replacing all the old pipes, and we’ll put in a new toilet tomorrow. Just say the word and we can get this floor repair going.”
I call Henry as soon as I step out the door. When I explain the situation, he promptly offers to start filming in a few days. He has a friend, a former cameraman, who lives on Bainbridge Island and has agreed to film the episode for us. Apparently Henry’s friend is the one who told him about Poulsbo in the first place. And Henry’s producer is going to fly in from LA for the few days we will film to help everything go smoothly.
“If you’re ready, we can plan to start filming on Monday,” Henry tells me. “We can get all the inside shots we need of the fudge shop and do most of the interviews that day. We’ll get the shots of the chocolate shop once you find the space you want torent. No rush there. When you are ready, we can get some footage as you prepare to open your new shop, and we’ll finish the segment with some footage of your grand opening day. How does that sound?”
It sounds amazing. It also sounds like a lot. Thinking of being filmed, shooting this episode knowing millions of people will see it, is a little daunting. And the fact that I haven’t yet found the right space feels like extra pressure.
“Perfect!” I tell Henry, masking my nerves with chipper energy. I reach my car and linger outside, looking across the parking lot at Liberty Bay. There’s a strong breeze, and a few sailboats are gliding across the water.
“Excellent. I’ll be in touch once I’ve had a chance to chat with my producer about the specifics,” Henry tells me. “This is going to be great, Emmie. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
“Me too! See you Monday.” I disconnect the call and lean back against my car, trying to breathe deeply. I don’t have time to be nervous. There’s a lot to do. Monday is coming soon.
* * *
“What in theworld is he doing here so early?” I blink, a little bleary-eyed as I reach the front door of the store and see the lights on inside and Jakob Kristensen vacuuming the carpet while Metallica blares from a radio by the door. It’s a little after eight on Monday morning. We are supposed to start filming in an hour, and I came in early hoping to find a little peace and quiet before what promises to be a very full day. So much for that idea.
I sigh, sipping my usual double-shot hometown honey latte from Byrdie’s, and linger on the sidewalk for a moment, taking my peace and quiet where I can find it. The town is just stirring to life. It’s a sunny day (hallelujah!) and a few early-morning folksare walking dogs or exercising in our adorably scenic downtown. Two silver-haired ladies pass by, jogging very slowly. I’d bet a dollar they’re headed to the senior center just a few blocks away. It’s housed in a cream building with gingerbread trim and a steeply pitched gable with a charming antique clockface embedded in it. The senior citizens of Poulsbo are a timely lot, apparently.
I take another sip of my latte and check the time on my phone. Henry and the cameraman are coming at nine, and we will be filming footage of the candy shop and downtown Poulsbo until the early afternoon. Then we’ll jump right in to packing up the store around dinnertime, readying the space to start replacing the subfloor tomorrow. It’s going to be a huge amount of work to pack up the entire store tonight, but Walt is eager to get going so we can open as soon as possible. For now though, I need to focus on the filming.
Everything is in motion, but I’m feeling jangly with nerves, equal parts eager and apprehensive. My Honda is packed with outfit changes, hair spray, and my makeup kit. Mom will come as soon as she and Dot drop Gus off at school. Deciding I’ve loitered on the sidewalk long enough, I head inside.
“Good morning!” I yell to Jakob.
He looks up, surprised, and turns off the vacuum. I switch off the radio and enjoy the blissful moment of peace.
“What are you doing here so early? Aren’t you supposed to be at the bakery?” I take a sip of my latte.
