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Eva glanced at the clock, estimating she had just under twenty minutes before the timer would go off. Then the cupcakes would need to cool completely before they could be iced. It was plenty of time to whip up icing and wash the pastry case displays.
As she prepared buttercream in a rainbow swirl, Eva made a mental note to do something extra nice for Michael soon - maybe surprise him with a day off or homemade dinner. She truly didn't know what she'd do without him handling the daily operations by her side.
The timer on the oven went off and Eva grabbed her oven mitts, carefully removing the trays of perfectly baked rainbow cupcakes. She set them on the counter to cool before frosting.
As the cupcakes cooled, Eva quickly washed the pastry case displays, removing any crumbs and smudges. She wanted the treats and pastries to look as fresh and appealing as possible for customers.
Soon the cupcakes were ready for decoration. Eva started by swirling vanilla buttercream over each one using a piping bag. Next came the fun part - decorating them with sprinkles.
Eva smiled as she worked, her heart light. She alternated adding rainbow sprinkles and edible glitter to create a whimsical, festive look. Eva stepped back admiring her handiwork - no two cupcakes looked exactly the same thanks to the rainbow batter peeking through.
After placing the iced cupcakes neatly into a box for easy transport, Eva cleaned up her frosting tools just as Michael ducked his head into the kitchen.
"All good back here?" he asked. "The morning rush is finally slowing down."
"Yep, all done with the birthday order," Eva said. "Do you want to see how the birthday order turned out before I pack it up?"
"Yes, please!" Michael said, coming closer.
Eva carefully carried the cupcake box over to the counter and lifted the lid.
"They are so cute!"
Eva laughed. "Why don't you take a break now that things are a little calmer?"
"Sounds good. I'm starving." Michael headed toward the back.
"We have some muffins that didn't sell from yesterday if you want some," she called after him.
Michael grabbed two on his way to the back room. "Thanks!"
Eva put the order aside and headed up to the front. The line of customers had finally disappeared. He'd been a saint to handle them all on his own. Some days she thought they needed another set of hands, especially for the busy morning rush, but finding someone who fit in with their vibe in such a small, conservative town had been difficult. They made it work, as they had for years, but she knew the rush could be overwhelming for them both.
Chapter Two
The morning sun crept through the thin curtains, casting the bedroom in a warm glow. Claire blinked awake, the haze of sleep receding as she turned to the empty space beside her. Just four months ago, David would have been there, his laughter bright as he pulled her close. Her heart ached thinking about him. Now at thirty-two, she was alone, and a widow when a heart attack had taken David from her. Claire released a shaky breath as the memories came rushing back. Memories of a future they should have shared, of years they had planned out.
All taken in an instant. She wiped her tears and sat up in bed, turning her face to the sunshine. "Time for a fresh start," Claire murmured, slowly swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Her feet met the chilled floorboards, sending a shiver through her.
Claire stood and walked to the window, peering out. Her eyes traced the line of the street outside, watching the cars pass, and the people walking down the sidewalk. Willow Cove was a quaint little New England town, the kind seen in post cards and Hallmark movies. Online it had looked peaceful, the kind that she desperately needed. The cottage she had purchased held that same welcoming charm, and she was doing her best to settle into the unfamiliar town while being surrounded by the things she had David had gathered for their life together.
Despite her lingering grief, this new home offered hope that she could heal with his memory always close by. "Good morning, Daisy," Claire said gently to the petite gray cat curled up on the windowsill. As usual, she was basking in the morning sunshine. She had quickly found her favorite spot in the small cottage. Daisy slowly lifted her furry head, swiveling one yellow-green eye in Claire's direction before twitching the tip of her tail in acknowledgment and returning her focus to watching the small flock of goldfinches on the bird feeder in the front yard.
Claire padded down the worn hardwood hallway in gray socks. She marveled at the cottage's charm, so unlike their townhouse in New York which had been large and often felt sterile. The cottage had faded paint and old wood floors. It had seen a century of life. She was glad to be among its history and warmth.
Stepping into the narrow kitchen, she filled the kettle. The song of morning birds floated in through the open window. David would have loved it here. She pulled down his favorite mug and held it in her hands as she waited for the kettle to boil. A little hot tea would help her wake up.
A few minutes later Claire softly smiled to herself as she sipped her steaming cup of chamomile tea and gazed out at the wild garden out front. "David would have eventually loved this little house," she said to Daisy who hadn't moved from her spot on the couch, "although it probably would not have been his first choice." David had always preferred a more modern, sleek aesthetic. He'd loved marble and steel. The townhouse had been so empty without him. Just as sterile as the hospital room had been as she'd held his hand one last time.
Claire took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She'd left the city, their memories, and the house behind. It was a new start, but a painful one.
"I think we are going to be okay here," Claire said, taking another sip of tea. Daisy flicked an ear in her direction but didn't move.
"You have the right idea. Let's just chill this morning," Claire told the cat. "I guess that means I'm having a lazy day," she chuckled.
She finished her tea and went to kiss Daisy on her forehead. "You're a good girl. Be good while I go get ready."
She was still unpacking most of her things after a few weeks of living in her new home, but her essentials were ready.
