Chapter Seventeen
MARIGOLD
We’re coming up on day six and I am exhausted. I had no idea how much I would look forward to that one day off when I established the bakery. I know I need to look for more help. And now that Cakeology is becoming a household name, I’m hoping to find someone that will fit the mold with Logan and myself.
I am days away from the Baylor's anniversary party but I still have my own shop to maintain. Cakes, cupcakes, cream puffs and all the other magical treats need to be prepped. My time has been consumed by Maddox and the shop, and Logan is watching me closely. He’s got lots he wants to say, I can see it, but I just can't stop the train I'm on.
It’s nearing nine at night and we've been here since six this morning. I cannot keep him a minute longer so I send Logan home.
“I’m not leaving you to fill all these orders.”
“It's fine. You need to rest. I’ve been working you to death and we’re going to need to be on task for tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, but you've been here too. Please just go home and we’ll work double time tomorrow.”
“Logan, go. I have another hour of work and then I'm out of here too. It’s fine.” He lingers, wondering whether to leave me or not. But finally he succumbs to my pushing him out the door and he goes.
I look at the clock. Let me get another hour in and then I’ll get out of here for the night. Even five hours is better than nothing before I’m back here again.
I make the last batch of twenty four cupcakes and pop them in the oven. There are cream puffs to be filled which I can do tomorrow but the two tiered cakes are waiting to be iced. I pull more icing from the fridge, grab the cake and sit at the counter.
“Keep going, Marigold. Just one more hour, then you can crash.”
I talk to myself trying to keep myself awake. I begin to ice the cake and end up getting the dropsies. “Some baker you are, too tired to even hold the spatula.” Grabbing the closest towel, I wipe up the area around me and toss it back behind me, hoping I hit the sink but not caring in the least right now.
My eyes start to close on their own. I’m physically fighting myself to stay awake.
“Okay. Five minutes.” I lay my head on my arm on the counter. “The timer will wake me when the cupcakes are done.”
I allow myself a quick cat nap convincing myself the few minutes will actually do me good.
“Goldie! Marigold! Where are you?”
I hear someone yelling but I can’t open my eyes. Why can’t I just catch a few minutes? I inhale deeply and immediately begin to cough. Opening my eyes, I feel confused. Am I dreaming? There’s fog everywhere. But it’s warm. I cough again when I hear my name called.
Pushing from the counter, I see Maddox running toward me. And then I see flames rising through the smoke.
“Oh my god!” I jump from my stool but wobble on my feet. I cough again, my eyes are burning from the smoke.
“Marigold!” Maddox scoops me up just in time and hurriedly leaves the kitchen, rushing for the front door.
“My shop!” I cry out but I can't fight his hold. I can’t stop coughing.
Hitting the cool night air, I gasp, trying to catch my breath. I barely make out a small crowd gathering and firetrucks scream to a stop in the street. Guys jump out hauling the water hoses into the shop.
“No! They're going to ruin it!”
“Marigold!” Maddox yells it with force as I’m placed on a stretcher. Another person begins poking at me, holding my wrist and placing a mask over my face.
“Deep breaths, Ms. James. Slowly.” I lazily drag my eyes from Maddox to the other man and do what he says, my lungs not squeezing as tight as they did a moment ago.
“I don’t give a shit if that place burns to the ground right now. What were you doing here so late? Why were you here alone? Marigold, if you can’t schedule your time without killing yourself, I’m going to do it for you.” His questions are fired at me. His hands waving in the air. I’ve never seen him so irate.
I close my eyes again, trying to breathe but my anxiety is peaking and my heart races. I try to talk yet all I do is cough.
“Don’t speak, Ms. James. Just breathe and try to relax.”
I need to correct Maddox. Why is he yelling at me like this? He’s not my keeper and doesn't get to tell me what to do.
I shake my head, and lift the mask from my mouth.
“Don’t, Maddox. Don’t say that–”
“Don’t say that?!” he screams incredulously at me. “I should have shut this place down upon first inspection. That fucking alarm rings all hours of the day and night except the one time we need it to. I don't have time to babysit the building, Marigold.”
His eyes are as red as the flames. I hear glass breaking and I whimper.
“My shop…”
“Your shop! That’s all you're worried about? You could have died in there. Then what? What would I do then?”
“I didn’t though?—”
“You’re selling this place. It’s a fucking hazard.”
My body locks up tight at his words. Is he serious right now? “Stop telling me what to do.”
He looks stunned. Then laughs a strange laugh. “Telling you what to do. That’s what you’re hearing right now?” He smooths his hand over his face. “I heard you when you asked if there was room in my heart for something other than fire. Maybe I should ask the same? Is there room for something other than baking?”
“Marigold! Oh my god! What happened? I never should have left!” Logan comes running over and then he lets out a scream. “Cakeology!”
Tears roll from my eyes. I can’t even look at the shop. I can’t look at Maddox. So I look at Logan who’s horrified eyes tell me everything I need to know.
I’m going to have to leave Love Beach.