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“Of course,” she said, flipping donuts with drum sticks. She might not play the drums, but she could work those sticks like an expert when it came to fried pastries. “I have a lot more donuts to go. I’ll be here when you get back.”
Mel and I grabbed our coats and threw them on before we stepped out into the cold morning air.
“Oh yeah, winter is coming,” Mel said, huddling in her coat. “The season of sore feet and hands,” she said with laughter.
Mel had rheumatoid arthritis in her feet, and it was often so bad that she couldn’t work. She was doing better after she had Noel, though. The doctors had changed her medication to safer ones for pregnancy, and the end result was better control of the disease.
“Snow is coming, which is why we have to get the yard done this weekend. We’re too busy next week to even think about it and we need it done before it snows.”
“That would certainly be easier,” she agreed. “I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with for the yard.”
I shrugged slightly and sighed. “Don’t get too excited. Michelle’s idea was simplistic, and we aren’t sure if it’s because she didn’t have time to finish it or if she just wanted it simple this year. She signed the page, which Lance said meant she had completed the design, but even he thought it was unusually simple for her.”
“Maybe she just knew she had to get it done quickly.”
“Most likely,” I agreed, sticking my hands under my armpits to warm them. “But I think Lance has a plan to keep it simple and make it stand out at the same time. I’ll follow his lead. Mostly.”
“Mostly?” she asked with a brow raised.
“I kind of bought something to go on the display and I hope it doesn’t upset him, but we’ll see. It would be perfect, but if he doesn’t like it, I’ll take it back. Never mind. I’m stupid. I’ll just take it back.”
“Stop,” Mel said, grabbing my coat and holding me in place. “First of all, no one said you were stupid. Second of all, if you think it’s something that would look nice with the display, then you should at least show it to him and decide together.”
I swallowed nervously and stared over her shoulder. “I don’t have a say in this, Mel. It’s a tradition that he and his mom started. I’m just the helper. I should stay in my lane.”
“Indigo, stop and remember that he needs to make a new tradition now. He can use his mom’s influence, but he will have to make it his own this year. Be patient with him but don’t be afraid to make suggestions. You have an eye for displays and he knows it.”
“Right. Make suggestions. I can do that,” I agreed, finishing our walk to the diner.
“Make suggestions, but don’t be hurt if he doesn’t take them all,” she said, holding the door open to the diner.
Since the man we were discussing was in the kitchen preparing for the breakfast crowd, I didn’t respond other than to wave at him from the dining room. He walked to the cut-out window and leaned on it, a grin on his handsome face. “If it isn’t the two baker women. Are you hungry? I can whip you up some French toast.”
I glanced at Mel with a brow raised and we answered in unison. “Yes, please!”
Lance pumped a fist in the air and gave a whoop of laughter. “The diner is open for business! Have a seat and get ready for the ride of your life.”
We were laughing as we fell into a booth and shrugged off our coats. I loved nothing more than sitting in one of these booths with a friend and sharing food together as we laughed. It reminded me that I don’t have to be the person my family thinks I am. I can be the person I actually am.
“I heard there were bakers in the house,” Ivy said as she came through the swinging doors. Her eyes were bright, and she wore smile, which told me she was feeling better about life again after the other day.
We motioned her over and she scooted in next to Mel.
“We came over to talk to you about Friday, but then Lance offered French toast and I’m here for it,” Mel explained.
“Oh, French toast! We need coffee!” Ivy exclaimed, jumping up and starting a pot to brew while Lance cooked. After she joined us again, she clapped her hands twice. “Okay, what about Friday?”
“I wanted to know what the plan is for the hot chocolate booth,” I explained. “I heard we are adding two cookies. Mel and I think we should do sugar cookies that are gluten-free and nut-free for the allergens and then our signature chocolate chip for the second choice. The cake samples will have to be gluten. I’ll need the off season to perfect it for gluten-free.”
“Sounds like an excellent plan to me. I was thinking gingerbread, but that might be too time consuming?” Ivy asked and Mel and I both nodded in unison.
“There would be no way we could produce that many cookies if we can’t keep it simple,” Mel said firmly.
“I shudder at the thought,” I said to reinforce Mel’s opinion.
Ivy held up her hands. “I hear you. I don’t have my head in the sand about the work it will take. Indie, you’re the bakery manager, so I trust you and Mel to get the job done.”
“And then you want me to work the hut?” I asked, taking out my calendar.
