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“No, because it’s a stupid spirit walk. Why would I want to spend a week walking trails of some small national park when I can do the same thing here?”
“A change of scenery might do you some good.” She glanced in Kate’s direction and smiled. “Even if it includes another girl.”
I groaned, then hid my face in my hands.
“It’s okay, dear,” Mrs. Parks said while placing her hand on mine. “I won’t tell if you don’t.” She got up, accepted her two cupcakes and a small slice of apple pie from Kate, then sat back down. “I’m supposed to be cutting back, but after coming here for so many years, there’s no way I can say no.”
“To who?”
“My wolf, of course.”
“And here I thought I was the only one with a sweet tooth.”
“If only. Unfortunately, I carry the same burden you do. It does get better, though.”
“It does?”
“Mm-hmm. You just need to find the right one to make you whole.”
Mrs. Parks didn’t say anything after that, and as soon as she finished with her sweets, she pushed out her chair and left. No doubt she’d call my folks as soon as she got home. Once she did that, my entire plan would unravel.
So much for having a week to myself.
* * *
Much to my surprise, my folks never called. So after fretting the entire night and never hearing from my family, I finally relaxed and went in to see Kate during her normal business hours.
“Hey. You left in a hurry yesterday. Is everything all right?” Kate asked once I reached the counter.
“Yeah. I just had some things I needed to do.” It was a lie and a terrible one at that. One of which Kate called me out on as soon as I finished.
“I saw Mrs. Parks sitting at your table.”
“She likes to pry, so I figured I’d be better off at home. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bail on you.”
“It’s okay. I get it, you know?”
I nodded, then ordered a slice of pie and sat down. Considering how bad yesterday went, I probably should’ve taken my things to go. But as Kate worked her way through the line of customers, I couldn’t help noticing how happy they all were.
Maybe it was because of the sugar, or maybe it was because of what Mrs. Parks had said to me the day before. Regardless of the reason, by the time there was a break in the crowd, I wanted to do whatever I could for her. For Kate. For the bright light that had suddenly appeared in our small town.
“Let me take you out,” I said when she came to see how I was doing.
“Liv, I–”
“Not right now,” I said before she could finish. “Tonight after you’re done work. There’s a beautiful garden up the way with water fountains that light up at night. You’re stuck in here all day, and while you make everyone happy with their sweets and caffeine, I feel like we should do something for you.”
“By asking me out on a date.”
“Not a date. As friends.” We could do that, right? Go as friends?
“And if I told you I’ve been there before?”
“Then there are plenty of other places we can go. Unless you have plans, of course.”
“All I do when I leave here is go to Nora’s and crash on the couch.” Kate glanced out the bakery windows, then met my gaze again. “Going out does sound kind of nice. I could use the fresh air as well.”
“And we can stop at one of the food trucks along the way.”
“I close at five. If you promise to come around then to help me clean, then you’ve got yourself a deal.”
“I’ll be here.”
