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CHAPTER THREE
LIVY
Olivia Winters took a batch of cookies out of the oven and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a paper towel. She’d been up since four o’clock working in the kitchen of The Sweet Shoppe, the bakery she owned in Lexington, Virginia with Julie Hampton, her former roommate at the Virginia Culinary Institute.
Julie rushed into the kitchen. “Sorry Livy. I don’t know what happened. Chris’s alarm didn’t go off. As soon as I realized what time it was, I came as quickly as possible.”
Livy’s lips thinned. “This is happening too often. It isn’t fair for me to do most of the baking for our bakery and handle all the business, too. We’re a partnership. Remember?”
“Oh, Livy, you’re right. It hasn’t been fair for a long time. Not since I met Chris. But I have some news. I was talking to him about his gourmet store next door buying us out. We haven’t been happy with the bakery for many months now. What do you say? Are you ready to sell?”
Livy’s breath caught in her throat. “You’d walk away from the business we worked so hard to get up and running and maintain?”
Julie gave her an apologetic look. “Chris has asked me to marry him and I said yes. He and I want to have fun, be able to party at night, not have me rush home to bed because I have to get up early every frickin’ morning.”
Livy sighed. One thing she was sure of. After five years of doing this, she didn’t want to keep running the bakery basically on her own. And after what happened with Wayne, her overbearing ex-boyfriend, she was ready for a change.
Later, when Gran’s invitation came to visit her, Livy knew it was the right decision to sell. She had to think of her future. One that didn’t include a certain Wayne Chesterton.
Her mother, who was already in despair because Livy hadn’t found a suitable husband, had protested both moves but had finally realized how sincere Livy was about the need to change her life. Now, she supported her decisions.
“Gran knows you better than I do,” her mother admitted. “I’ll never understand why you don’t embrace genteel southern ways. You’ve gone from tomboy to kitchen worker.”
Livy raised her eyebrows. “Kitchen worker?”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” Her mother let out a puff of disappointment. “It’s that I thought I’d be a grandmother by now. I can’t wait to have little grandbabies to show off.”
“Just because Maribelle Sutton has two granddaughters to fuss over, it’s no reason for me to try to catch up to SueEllen in that department.” She and SueEllen had been friends and competitors for as long as Livy could remember. The difference was that while SueEllen cared about winning, Livy didn’t. One thing was for sure, Livy wasn’t cut out for frills and silly “yes” conversations with men, just to please them. Talk about old-fashioned nonsense.
“I suppose you’re right,” sighed her mother. “But, darling, time is running out.”
Livy forced a smile. “That’s why it’s a perfect time to head to Gran’s. After working night and day for the bakery, I need a break.”
“I agree with you. It wasn’t fair. You did a lot more work than Julie. But you’ve always been a hard worker. I admire that about you.” Her mother hugged her.
Livy allowed herself to relax in her mother’s embrace for a minute before straightening. She rarely received this much attention from her. “Guess I’d better get things organized for the trip.”
“How long will you be gone?” her mother asked.
“I’m not sure.” Livy couldn’t help smiling as a surge of anticipation raced through her.
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Livy sighed with relief when she pulled her SUV into the driveway for The Sanderling Cove Inn. It had seemed a never-ending trip. She’d had to pull over twice to rest and walk around to shake off the sleepiness and boredom the highway driving had produced. Now, away from the business that had consumed her life, she realized how tired she was. She couldn’t wait to get to her room and lie down. She felt as if she could sleep for days, not hours.
John, Gran’s “special friend” as her mother called him, greeted her as soon as she pulled to a stop in front of the main building.
“Livy, my girl. Glad you’ve arrived.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Your grandmother will be thrilled. Drive on over to her house. She and the others are waiting for you.”
“Others?”
John grinned. “Hasn’t Ellie told you yet?”
“No-o-o-o.”
“The three of you terrors are back together again.”
“Charlie and Brooke are here?” Livy’s voice rose with excitement.
