Page 57 of Shattered Hearts

“Gotcha.”

Macie quickly shows me a couple of videos, along with the content she’s trying to recreate, and I have to admit, she’s really good at this. Even if she makes me take a pie out of the oven six times in fifteen minutes.

“I should go out there. Are you and Sadie fine to look after everything while I interview?”

“Yeah, too easy. Although, if Sadie drops another glass, we might run out.”

Sighing, I tuck hair behind my ear before grabbing my notebook. I find Marigold waiting for me in the corner at a two-seater table. She has a chai latte in front of her.

I smile as I approach. “Hi, you must be Marigold. I’m Laynie, the owner of Golden Hour.”

“Yes, hi, it’s nice to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to interview me.”

Grinning, I sit opposite her and open my notebook to the page of questions I’ve asked the last two people I interviewed for the position. “Thank you for coming in. Now, I’ll start with the position. I will be needing a break from the cafe when I go on maternity leave—”

“Oh my gosh, that’s so exciting!” Marigold lets out joyfully.

I feel my cheeks flush as I drop one hand to cup my expanding stomach. “It is, and I’m needing someone to step in while I’m away. I’ll still come in when I can, but I won’t have time to start early and bake every day.”

Marigold nods. “Understandable.”

“When it comes to baking, we like to create a new menu every season. It keeps people coming in.” I turn and point to Macie, her red hair braided down her back and cheeks wide as she serves a customer. “Macie will be in charge when I’m not in. She’s my best friend and has worked here since I opened the place, so she’s the best person to run it.”

“Awesome.”

“I’ll run through everything in a bit, but maybe you could tell me a little more about you?”

Nodding, she straightens a little and dives right in, telling me where she studied and worked, that she’s been baking since she was a kid with her grandma who used to own the bakery in Hollow Grove that was just sold off to a florist.

“Is that why you’re looking for something new?”

“Yeah,” she answers softly, her gaze drifting down to her hands. “My grandma was finding it harder to handle the place. I was doing most of the baking while she focused on serving people. But then she had a fall, maybe three months ago now.”

My lips tighten. “I’m really sorry to hear that. Is she okay?”

“Not as good as she was before. We had to move her into a home, and because of that, she sold the business.” A sheen of anguish is etched into her edgy features. Shoulder length brown hair, a piercing through her nose, and tattoos dotting her arms. I like her style, but I wouldn’t be able to pull it off, that’s for sure.

“I’m sorry about that. Would you like to have your own business again?”

She dips her chin. “One day. Hopefully in Hollow Grove again, but for now, I’m happy to work anywhere. I’m not really in the position to buy a store right now.”

“Well…” I jot some more notes, grinning. “I think you’ll fit right in here.”

“Really?” A shimmer appears in her deep eyes.

“Yeah. Macie and I aren’t much older than you. And, actually, you’re the same age as my cousin over there. Sadie helps out on her days off, so you should meet her as well.”

Standing, I take her through the cafe and kitchen, giving her a tour and answering her many questions. As soon as she meets Macie and Sadie, she relaxes, blending in a little easier. As I go to get her a contract from the office, I see a message on my phone.

BLONDIE: Just checking in to see how you’re going today.

I smile and quickly grab the forms, slipping my phone into my pocket.

“Marigold, I’ll need you to fill these out, just for your pay and everything. Have a read through and let me know if you have any questions. It will take you about fifteen minutes.”

She nods, sitting back down with her half-drunk chai.

I slip back into my office and pull my phone out, my cheeks flaring with heat.