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“A bone?” I wasn’t following.
“I want to be as welcoming as possible.”
“You want them to accept you.”But why?
“It’s silly, I know.”
“No.” I reached out and placed my hand on her arm before she could throw away the few cookies that were left. “It isn’t that at all. We don’t get a lot of new faces around here, so the way you feel is understandable.”
“It is?”
“Sure. We were all new once, it’s just that some folks will take longer to remember.”
“Nora says I’m trying too hard.” Kate paused, then placed the tray of cookies beside the register.
“Look, the way I see it is this. You’re in a place you don’t know with people you’ve never met. So wanting to fit in or show that you’re accepting of them is normal.”
“Even for someone who isn’t sticking around for very long?” There was a slight hitch in her voice.
“You’re Nora’s goddaughter, right? Who’s to say you won’t come and visit us again?”
“My mom. I don’t have my own car and can’t afford the bus fare between my hours at school.”
“A future visit, then. There’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing here. You wanted to do something inclusive, and you have, and I honestly think the bakery will be better for it.”
“You really are her best customer, aren’t you?”
“I can be.”But I’m also yours.
“Do you think she’ll keep the recipe once I’m gone?” Hearing the worry in her voice was almost too much for my wolf.
“Once she sees the faces of those you’ve touched and hears what everyone has to say about them, she’ll have no choice but to keep them on the list.”
“Not much room left on it, I’m afraid,” Kate said as she glanced at the board of items behind her.
“Then we’ll make room.”
“We will?”
Nodding, I stepped closer to the register, and with her permission, I opened the printer for the receipts so I could get a piece of paper. Then, in big bubble letters, I wroteKate’s Puppy Bites.
“Puppy bites?” Kate asked once she saw what I’d written.
“I wasn’t sure what to call them, but because they’re mostly for kids, I figured it was a good start. Then, all we have to do is tape it to the bottom of the board. And if you add some color to it, there’s no way folks won’t notice it.”
That got a smile out of her!
“You see?” I said as she taped it under the board. “There’s plenty of room.”
“Thank you.”
“You gave me a free cookie.”
“And your little pep talk has given me the confidence I needed. I might seem all bubbly and full of energy, but between you and me, I think it’s the sugar.” Kate tried to keep a straight face, but seconds later, her smile gave her away.
“I don’t think I’d do any better,” I said as I looked over our handiwork. “I’m terrible and can be a little awkward around other people.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
