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Everyone agreed. Genevieve would draw up the papers and file them at the courthouse as needed. I signed the lease.
Jerry’s associates at the business consultancy he worked at devised a re-launch marketing plan for the bakery that got the word out around the neighborhood to all the office buildings and the residences that The Baker’s Dozen and More was back.
The first day the new place was open went great. Amy was busy non-stop. Alex kept the shop’s display cases full. We sold out of a lot of items quite early, and lots of others later in the morning.
Life was good.
Leighton
Life was good. Samantha’s life had settled. She had healed. Her stalker was gone. She was looking forward to a new start with the bakery—with both Alex and Amy.
Our families knew each other and got along well.
She was part of my life. But …
I was finding it hard to focus at work. Luckily, my well-chosen team was on top of things and brought me, the business, our clients, and our innovations through the holiday season and into the New Year. It was all smooth and fairly trouble-free.
The year ended dramatically more prosperous than the prior year (which had also been terrific). Substantial bonuses to all my staff were the least I could do. And I did it. What was the point of all this money if it sat in a bank account? Money needed to move! So I moved a chunk of the profits to my staff.
I would not be one ofthosebosses. I knew how much it cost to live in this metro area and its nearby suburbs. I had a good idea how much putting kids through school and college would cost some of my staff who were parents. With my numberspeople, I made sure everyone earned more than just a living salary. The company offered a robust health insurance plan, a serious retirement plan, and an affordable group life insurance—whatever occurred to us, or whatever an employee might ask about that made sense. I did my best by everyone to the degree I could.
I thought back to my lottery win. I thought about money in general. Was I nonchalant (as Samantha had observed?) about money because I had a lot of it? Over a billion dollars now?
I didn't have much money before starting my business. For my early inventions, I often thought it was just luck. Plus without the support of my associates, my staff, my family? I wouldn’t have made it nearly where I was now.
I had enough money (more than) to take care of my family. No doubt about it, I was a lucky stiff!
No, I was pretty sure my attitude toward money had not changed my whole life. Except that I had plenty to share now. And sharing was on my mind.
But something else was more urgently on my mind than my charitable ideas.
Although Samantha was back to her busy schedule, we kept our bakery kitchen breakfast dates every morning at opening.
She sent me off after each of them with a couple of smoothies—part of our new normal.
As time went on, I was determined to take good care of my health. I saw what neglect had done to me—and how it affected my family and Samantha when I ignored it.
I saw how the unforeseen injuries affected my beautiful lady, and how helpless I’d felt to do anything for her.
Samantha!
I grinned with anticipation. This afternoon I was taking her to our current favorite Italian Bistro down the avenue.
We strolled down the avenue, her tote on my shoulder, arms around each other’s waists.
We settled in. Chatted happily with the Bistro owner.
The owner knew Samantha was a baker. I suspected that would end up in some business for her eventually, but I didn't get involved.
She ordered a glass of wine and I got my bottle of San Peregrino. I took her hand.
I gazed into her bright hazel eyes, “Hey, beautiful.”
She saw that dreamy look in my eyes, “Hey, handsome. You’ve got some mad scientist idea in your head.”
I pretended shock, “Am I that transparent? How’m I gonna have any secrets if you always, always read my mind? How ‘bout I’m just a man in love with his girlfriend?”
She nodded, “Uh-huh. Nice try, Iron Man,” laughing at me.
