“Oh! I think it worked!” My grin is instant.
Melissa’s been with me all morning. We’ve gone through the bakery process, kitchen guidelines, food handling, and hygiene. She’s absorbed everything like a sponge, and somehow, we already click like we’ve known each other for years, not mere hours.
“I haven’t used these newer systems much”—she taps a few more buttons—“but it’s pretty straightforward.”
And just like that, the screen settles into the home menu. Ready for opening day.
“Thank you,” I breathe out. One less thing on my list. Opening is only days away, and my nerves are a tangled mess. Having Melissa here now makes everything feel a little less impossible, though.
“Of course! I’m so excited. And the smells in here…” She fans herself dramatically. “I’m going to gain ten pounds just by working near your pastries.”
I laugh. It feels good. Light. I haven’t had many real friends. Sure, there were girls at school, women at church, coworkers, but in Whispers, it’s different. I get to start over. Like people here won’t judge me before they know me.
Like Griffin.
He’s been away all week, and every night, I’ve found myself rolling his business card between my fingers like a worry stone. Two mornings ago, I woke with it still in my hand. The urge to call him is stronger than it should be.
“Do you think you’ll stay open every day once the baby comes?”
I nod without hesitation. “I want to. But I’m trying to be realistic. I could be recovering for weeks… or maybe I’ll bounce back in a few days. I honestly don’t know.”
That’s the part keeping me up at night. I need the bakery running before the baby arrives. I need income. I need to prove to my family, and to myself, that I can do this. That I can raise a beautiful human and still chase my dreams.
“I noticed the freezer is stocked.” Melissa gestures in that direction, seemingly impressed.
“I’m baking extra every day. Freezing what I can. Just in case.”
“That’s a great idea. And once you give birth, I’m happy to come in and serve. I can’t bake like you, but if you’ve got the supply, I can sell it.”
Warmth spreads through me. “I’d love that.”
I shift to stand, but wince, rubbing my belly.
Melissa’s face softens. “Sit. Please. I’ll finish wiping down the windows.”
I hate feeling useless, but I lower myself onto the stool and watch her grab the cleaning spray as the front door chimes.
“Hello?” Tanner’s wife, Victoria’s, voice carries through the shop. I look up, smiling immediately as she walks in with Annabelle and Daisy, the new friends I made at the birthday party last week.
“Oh, hi!” I push off the stool and meet them at the counter.
“Wow.” Daisy spins slowly. “This looks incredible.” Daisy owns the yoga studio down the street and is the longtime girlfriend to Connor Whiteman. Co-owner of Whiteman’s Distillery and Tanner’s son.
“It’s changed a bit since I took it over,” I say with a laugh. “There were cobwebs older than me in here.”
“It’s beautiful,” Annabelle adds. “You’ve done an amazing job.” Annabelle’s an amazing woman who owns an organic soap business here in town, and with a few kids of her own, she knows all about the juggling of tasks it takes to open a business with kids. She’s also married to Sawyer, the local lawyer, so their business is not only super successful but also managed really well.
I smile at their reactions. “Thank you. We’re almost ready.”
Victoria waves at Melissa, who waves back before slipping into the kitchen to give us space.
“Griffin did a great job with the carpentry,” Victoria says. “I’m not surprised. He’s the best in the country.”
I hum, my stomach fluttering at the thought of him and how much work he’s put into this place for me. “I was lucky Tanner arranged for him to help. I still don’t know how to repay you all.”
“Oh stop,” Victoria says, brushing it off. “My husband eats a loaf of bread a day. Supporting you is basically self-preservation.”
“You and me both; I walk past a bakery and I gain weight.” Daisy rolls her eyes at herself, and we all laugh, the sound warm and easy. Something I’ve missed in my life before and something I hope continues to grow.
