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"I'm so sorry. That's horrible. Was it an accident?"
Claire shook her head, swallowing around the lump forming in her throat. "He had a heart attack."
"I'm truly sorry," Abby said, sympathy in her eyes.
Claire tried to swallow again, but it hurt. "Thank you," she whispered.
Abby gave her a sad smile and patted her on the shoulder. "I'm truly sorry, Claire. If there's ever anything you need or you just want some company, please don't hesitate to let me know. Like I said, we really are like a family here. There are a few bad apples, but the majority of people truly are wonderful."
Grateful for Abby's easy empathy, Claire responded gently, "Thank you, Abby. That truly means a lot to me."
Abby nodded and patted her shoulder again. "Of course. I hope to see you around town and in our front yards too."
"Likewise."
"Welcome to ," Abby repeated with a warm smile, turning and heading back toward her house.
Claire continued on toward the town square, and the cute cafe she'd seen there. The sky was a bright blue, dotted with a few clouds and the sun was shining brightly. It was a gorgeous fall day. She had a feeling she'd love living here, if she could get settled and find a new routine. She knew she had to get back to her art and the hours she used to spend in her studio.
The sidewalk was mostly empty, just a few people heading in the opposite direction. As she got closer to the square, the street grew busier. Cars drove by and a few people walked along the street with her. Everyone either waved or smiled.
She soon approached Sweet Delights Bakery, instantly drawn in by the scents of warm vanilla and cinnamon. The jingle of the bell above the door sounded as she entered the bakery.
"Welcome to Sweet Delights!"
Claire stepped up to the counter. The woman behind it smiled brightly at her. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a loose bun and a streak of flour dusted her cheek. Claire's attention was instantly pulled from the woman to the case of baked goods where rows of delicious looking treats greeted her.
"Wow. Those look amazing," she said, her stomach growling loudly.
"Thank you! They should, considering we've been baking since early this morning." The woman chuckled and Claire's gaze returned to her face. "I'm Eva, the owner. What can I get for you today?"
Claire returned Eva's warm smile, instantly at ease and feeling welcomed in the new place. "Hi, I'm Claire. I just moved in down the street."
Eva's smile grew wider. "Oh, you must be in the old Wilson house with that gorgeous garden out front! It's such a beautiful house. I saw the for sale sign get taken down a few weeks ago and was hoping someone was moving in."
"That's the one. I love it." Claire began perusing the selection, taken in not just by the visual appeal of each beautifully crafted treat, but the obvious love and care that went into each and every creation. She selected a raspberry scone and a chocolate biscotti, drawn in by both their simplicity and uniqueness. "Can I add a cappuccino too? I just saw that you have coffee."
"You sure can! Just give me a minute, I'll have it right up. That'll be eight dollars and fifty-two cents." She turned and called over her shoulder towards the back of the bakery, "Michael, could we have a cappuccino out here please!"
Claire paid and stepped off to the side, taking in the decor of the cozy cafe. The walls were painted a soft yellow and the furniture was made of a beautiful stained oak. The tables were filled with an assortment of chairs and stools, ranging from antique to brand new. The floors were a matching wood with a few rugs scattered throughout.
"Right away!" replied a young man who emerged from the back room. Michael appeared to be in his mid-twenties, around a decade younger than both Eva and Claire. He moved with an easy grace, his lean body reminiscent of an athlete. Michael flashed them both a grin as he walked over, revealing two dimples and a set of shining white teeth.
Eva made the introductions. "Claire, this is my assistant and barista, Michael. Michael, this is our new neighbor, Claire."
Michael shook Claire's hand gently but firmly. "Pleasure to meet you, Claire. Welcome to Sweet Delights."
"It's very nice to meet you, too." Claire gave him a polite smile.
He disappeared into the back then returned a few minutes later with a mug and her treats. She'd chosen a seat by the window to be able to watch people while she enjoyed her breakfast. The rich aroma of espresso and steamed milk enveloped her. She sipped the drink carefully, making sure not to burn her tongue. The flavor was rich and creamy and perfectly balanced.
"Wow. That's fantastic. What kind of blend do you use?" she asked them.
Claire smiled at her, her cheeks turning pink. "We actually roast it ourselves. That's the River blend, which is our medium roast. I'm glad you like it."
Claire sipped her drink and nibbled at her treats. They were as good as they looked. The pastries were flaky and buttery and the perfect combination of sweet and tart. She'd found a new favorite place. Claire felt peace there and knew she'd be back for breakfast often.
Eva paused in her task of arranging scones in the glass display case and turned to face Claire. "So Claire, what brought you all the way to our little town?"
