Epilogue
Mikayla
Standing in the middle of Maisie’s new shop, Poppy & Plum, I marveled over how much had changed in the short time that I’d been away. There were decorations lining the shop along with pictures of sweet treats on the walls.
“I love it!” I clapped and twirled around. “It’s so cozy. And it smells delicious! When is the grand opening?”
I was pretty sure she told me already, but it slipped my mind.
“Next week! Can you even believe it?” Maisie took my hands and we jumped up and down celebrating. “It’s really happening!”
“And you’re going to run everything? All by yourself? Not that I don’t think your skills are epic, but it’s going to be a hit. You’re going to be crazy busy baking.”
She released my hands. “Mm. You know I’ve been so caught up in the logistics and the space that I didn’t think about it at all.
Obviously I’ve been doing all those things.
You’re right, Mickie. It was just me accepting payments when people picked stuff up.
Now that I’m on a larger scale, I’ll need someone.
” She fretted as if the idea overwhelmed her.
“Right, I was thinking about someone to handle the administrative stuff. Maybe invoicing and inventory? Or packing up orders? Little things so that you’re not working till midnight every day.”
“I’m not afraid of hard work, but I do plan on being here by four in the morning most days to bake.” Maisie looked defeated as she slumped into one of the chairs at the nearby table.
I joined her. “Hey, don’t get upset. What if I helped you? I don’t have that much experience with invoicing software, but I can learn. And I’ll be here with you.”
Her face brightened. “You’d do that? Really? Oh my goodness, Mickie. That’s like a dream come true. Even if it’s not that much money to start with? Not that I don’t want to pay you.”
“I’m currently unemployed. By some miracle my previous employer paid me out on the sick days I didn’t use and they extended my benefits. It was a blessing in disguise. I’d been there for so long, and I wasn’t a bad employee. I’ll be okay,” I assured her.
“Yes! Yes, please! This is a great idea. You don’t have to be here at four, we’ll work out the details. I’d feel so much better if someone else took on those tasks.”
“We’ll make it work. Just wait and see.” I glanced around again. “So…”
“So?” Maisie looked perplexed, likely wondering what topic I was about to delve into.
“Don’t be annoyed, okay? Sam told me you mentioned your crush. That you were pretty flustered,” I said carefully testing the waters. It wasn’t a secret, but she blushed as if it was.
“Everything about Rhett Lawson gets me flustered.”
Maisie had her eye on him for a while. That she’d trusted Sam with the information told me that she was falling harder. “Are you ever going to tell Rhett? I mean, you’ve been friends for years. He’s single, assertive, confident. And he looks at you like you mean the world to him.”
“I don’t know about all that, Mickie,” she said quietly.
“Take it from me, don’t let the opportunity pass. Or you’ll be sitting around a decade from now wondering what could have been.”
The silence stretched between us and she gave her head a shake like she was trying to dislodge her nerves.
“I’ll think about it, but right now I have a whole business to run. A whole town to feed!” Maisie grinned as if she’d succeeded in chasing away the bad feelings that had been clouding her brain.
I knew it wasn’t that simple, it never was when it came to relationships and matters of the heart, but I hoped she’d take that leap. Someone rapped on the front door startling me out of my thoughts. Sam was peeking in through the window. Maisie jumped up and let him inside.
“Hey, Sam,” she said, grinning at him. “Things are always working out, did you know that?”
“Heya, Maisie. Yes they are. I’m so happy to see you looking more relaxed than the last time I saw you.”
“Relaxed? Not really. But things are better,” she confirmed. “Mickie is going to take on some tasks around here. She’s got the time and offered to learn the skills.”
“That sounds like an excellent plan.” He swept his gaze to me.
I pushed my chair out and met them by the door. His reply wasn’t just because I’d taken on the task of learning new business skills. It wasn’t even spending more time with one of my best friends. It was another step toward cementing me back in Brighton Creek.
“Hi, handsome,” I whispered shyly.
“Hi, babygirl. Are you ready to go?”
“Yup. I’m all set.” Sam smiled at me, and all my insides turned to goo. I loved the way he loved me. One sweet smile filled me with warmth. I hugged him tightly knowing that I was finally back home where I’d belonged. Where I’d always belonged. Home with Sam.
The End
Grand opening? Check. Buttercream everywhere? Check. Maisie confessing her feelings to Rhett? Ha. Find out in Sugarplum Sweetheart.