Chapter 3 Josie
JOSIE
It was time for me to face the music.
The music, in this case, was visiting Magnolia Inn for the first time since my mother’s funeral. I purposely told my aunt I wouldn’t be there until the afternoon just so I could have some time to take it all back in.
Before my mother abruptly passed, I admittedly hadn’t visited nearly as much as I should. I was always trying to get her to come see me instead. I was convinced that I could get her to move to the city.
But she’d never leave Magnolia Inn. Neither would my aunt.
Walking around the grounds, I could understand.
It was gorgeous up here, and it hadn’t even hit fall yet.
In less than a month, the mountains would become the most vibrant fall colors one could ever imagine.
Hell, one can’t even quite imagine how incredible it looks.
Next to winter in the Adirondacks, fall was my favorite.
And I’d finally get to experience both again. Despite the circumstances, I was happy for that.
Once I had my fill of the grounds, I made my way inside. I wandered until I ran into my aunt, who was setting the main table for lunch.
“Josephine!” Aunt Vivian ran to me with her arms outstretched.
She’d always been the upbeat, high-energy sister, while my mom was more reserved. They liked to joke that I was a mixture of the two of them.
I braced myself for Viv’s embrace, thinking it would topple me over, but the moment her arms wrapped around me, I found myself relaxing. I needed it.
“Baby Girl, you are too tense! Is it that Killian boy? Is he still driving you nuts?”
Viv held me at arm’s length and looked me up and down. It had only been a few months since I saw her last, but it felt like a lot had changed. I could see wrinkles that weren’t there before. And her eyes just weren’t as bright as they used to be.
Losing my mom took just as much of a toll on her as it did me.
After all, they were twins. The Summers’ girls, as everyone called them.
Then I was added to the mix. Vivian helped raise me.
Apparently, my father had no interest in being a father, and my mom wasn’t about to force him. That was fine by me.
“I’m surviving.” I joked.
“Good. I wanted to offer you a room here, but we’ve been booked up for the fall and winter ever since…” She trailed off, but I knew what she was about to say.
When my mom passed, everyone who knew her or knew of the Inn had come to give us their well-wishes and condolences. Many of whom had booked stays to keep the place afloat.
Hence why Vivian drove a hard bargain to get me here.
Magnolia Inn needed no less than two Summers girls running it.
“Hey, it’s alright. I’m constantly looking for my own place, and Killian’s home isn’t too bad. It sounds like he spends a lot of his time out, and I’m good with that.”
“You know that boy won’t settle down? I don’t think he’s had a serious relationship, well, ever.”
“Yeah, because he’s too busy playing with hearts.”
My aunt laughed as she linked her arm in mine. “Let me show you the kitchen. A lot has changed since you were a kid helping your mom bake.”
“Well, I’m nervous and excited.”
“Josie, haven’t you been working in New York City bakeries for the last decade?”
“Yeah, but this place is different. I have to fill some very special shoes, and I don’t know if I can do that.”
Vivian stopped suddenly and turned me to face her. “You listen here, Josephine Lillian Summers. You are every bit as incredible as Lillian was. Hell, she gave you her name because she was so convinced you were. I wouldn’t even be surprised if you outshine her.”
I started to argue, but she shook her head.
“No, Josie. I mean it. Your mom always wanted you to take over for her. She knew from the moment she taught you how to make your first loaf of bread that you would be incredible. Sure, she was a little heartbroken that you didn’t stick around after school, but do you know just how proud of you she always was? ”
I shrugged.
“More than she would ever tell you. And trust me, I told her she needed to tell you more. But for some reason, she didn’t.
She sure told me, though. Every chance she got, she would brag about you.
Any time she got a compliment, she’d immediately go on a tangent about how her daughter is a New York City baker. ”
I didn’t realize I was so close to tears until the first one spilled over. Vivian pulled me into a hug, and we stood like that until both our tears dried. Thankfully, none of the guests were around, so we didn’t have to worry about being in their way or anything.
Then, we continued. Viv showed me everything that she knew about the kitchen, admittedly minimal knowledge, then turned me over to the sous chef, who had been desperately trying to keep up but just couldn’t.
Amber knew what she was doing. I could tell she did. But her eyes told me that she didn’t want to be the one in charge. She was only supposed to be part-time most of the year. Heading into our busiest time of year, she was petrified.
“I’m just so glad you’re here, Josie,” Amber blurted out after she finished showing me as much as she possibly could.
“You know, I am too,” I admitted, even surprising myself. I thought it’d be too difficult to even step into this kitchen again. There were countless memories wrapped up in these four walls.