Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
F ish wiped his brow. His hand came away damp with sweat. He looked down at the new calluses that had formed from the nonstop work in the bakery of the past forty-eight hours. He had poured his heart and soul into finishing the construction, ensuring that every nail and screw was perfect for Jules. The walls gleamed with fresh paint, the new counters shone under the soft lighting, and the ovens stood ready to bake the first batch of pastries.
Thanks to all his hard work, the bakery was set to open ahead of schedule. Despite all this, a gnawing guilt lingered in his heart.
He couldn't shake the memory of Jules collapsing on the hike. Every time he closed his eyes, he was reminded of the fear that had gripped him when she became unresponsive. When he'd put that ring on her finger, he had vowed to protect her, and yet he had failed. The guilt was a heavy burden, one he couldn't easily cast aside.
The blare of an ambulance sounded outside the open door of the bakery. It brought to Fish's mind carrying Jules into the Emergency Room. That vision was his new nightmare. Instead of seeing the fall of his fellow soldier in his last mission, he saw Jules' body laid out on a gurney as he handed the love of his life off to another man. That scene played in his mind on a relentless loop.
Handing his wife over to Amari was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do, but he'd done it. And he'd do it again if it meant saving her life.
He would stand back. He would step aside and let someone else take control. Even if it went against every instinct he had. Because in that moment, the best way to protect her was to hand her over to someone who knew what to do. Someone who could save her.
Stepping in front of people who were in his care was just a part of who he was. It wasn’t something he could change about himself, nor did he want to. He was a trained warrior, a protector, and that instinct ran deep. It was in his nature to stand between the people he loved and danger, to take the hit if it meant keeping them safe.
Sometimes, protecting meant letting go. It meant trusting someone else to step in, even if it tore him apart inside. Fish knew that he would always do whatever it took to keep Jules safe, even if it meant stepping aside. Because in the end, it wasn’t about his pride or his need to be the one who saved her. It was about her—her life, her safety, her well-being.
And if that meant handing her over to another man, to her ex-boyfriend, he would do it. He would do it a thousand times over because nothing mattered more to him than her.
Amari had the finesse and the smarts to actually care for her in the way she needed. Fish could still see the confident, assured way Amari had taken charge, his medical training evident in every movement. It had been a relief but also a bitter pill to swallow, realizing that he had to step aside.
Fish wasn't fool enough to think that Jules needed that kind of care all of the time. He knew his wife was a strong woman, capable of handling so much on her own. She'd needed Amari's attention for a moment, but any competent doctor would do. What she needed from Fish was different. She needed his unwavering support, his strength, his ability to clear the path ahead for her.
And so he hadn't gone back to the hospital because he didn't trust himself to not interfere with Amari's care while Jules needed it. He would continue to be her snowplow, removing obstacles, making sure her path was as smooth as possible. He would be the one she could lean on, the one who would stand by her through thick and thin. He was her partner, her husband, the one who would always be there to support her dreams and shield her from harm.
A knock at the bakery door pulled him from his thoughts. Fish turned to see a man he recognized from around town. Jacqui had pointed him out in the restaurant as a mover and shaker, but Jules had been in the vicinity, so Fish hadn't paid much attention. But now Fish was part business owner, and this man was in a business suit, so he figured he should at least make a good impression.
Fish wiped his hands on a towel and walked over, opening the door. "We're not open yet."
The man stepped inside, extending his hand as though he didn't even consider he wouldn't be welcomed. "I’m Mark Anderson. I buy local recipes to sell to grocery stores and chain restaurants. I tried some of Ms. Chou's pastries at the community picnic, and I was very impressed."
That didn't surprise Fish. There hadn't been a single pastry or baked good remaining by the time the event was over. He supposed Mr. Anderson was here to book them for a catering event. But he did need to correct Mr. Anderson on one account.
"It's Mrs. Pike."
The man grinned, inclining his head at the correction. "I’d like to discuss purchasing a number of Mrs. Pike's recipes for sale in grocery stores. First local, and potentially national."
Fish blinked, momentarily taken aback. He'd never paid much attention to the corporate side of the food business. However, he knew that a deal like this could be huge for Jules.
Letting the door shut behind them, Fish welcomed Mr. Anderson inside. As he listened to the man lay out the potential deal, Fish’s mind started to piece together the possibilities. This could take a lot of weight off Jules' shoulders. It would remove many of the obstacles that stressed her out, allowing her to focus on what she loved most—creating and baking for the community.
She wouldn't need to use her inheritance money. This would be money she earned on her own, through her own means and creativity. As a woman who prided herself on her independence, Fish knew that Jules would jump at the idea.
He realized that as part owner, he had the authority to make this decision. He could secure the deal and ensure that Jules wouldn't have to work herself to exhaustion. She could have the time to take care of herself, to enjoy life without the constant pressure of running the bakery.
Fish felt a spark of hope. Maybe this was how he could truly protect Jules by removing the burdens that weighed her down. He struck out his hand and made the deal to clear the path ahead for his wife.