Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
PLEASE USE SEXUAL REFERENCES TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH YOU ENJOY OUR TREATS.
Blair
Kodi
Any new neighbor sightings? I’m waiting patiently for the text that you two are besties now.
Me
It’s never happening.
Kodi
It could if you left your house every once in a while.
Me
Who says I haven’t left my house?
Kodi
Blair…
Me
Kodi…
Kodi
Get the hell out of the house and explore your new town a bit .
I didn’t listen to Kodi.
I’ve spent the last week locked up at the house and loving every second. In my defense, I’m acclimating to the changing weather here. I spent one whole day unpacking and putting things where I want them. To my surprise, the kitchen was stocked with basics for me, which was enough to get me by for a few days. It’s been raining on and off the last couple of days since then, which made me want to do nothing but lounge on the couch with a romantic suspense book and Reginald. He most certainly hasn’t complained.
Aside from the rain, I didn’t want to leave because I still don’t have clothes that seem proper enough to wear around town.
Today, I’m exploring.
The sun is shining enough to take the chill out of the air.
It feels like a good day.
I settle on black dress pants, bootie heels, and the least fancy floral blouse and cover it with the lightweight cashmere sweater I find in my closet before making my way to the bathroom to refresh my hair. Pulling half of it back in a ponytail to keep it out of my face and letting the rest hang naturally because it’s too short to pull the whole thing up. My natural waves are loving that the air here doesn’t have a touch of humidity.
“Want to come with me, Reginald?” I ask in my puppy tone.
He barks in response.
“You have to be a good boy, though. I don’t know what places are pet-friendly. But I need some clothes and maybe a job.”
With a wag of his tail, he barks again. I smile before squatting down to pat his head.
Finding a job is probably the most important part of today’s mission. I don’t even know what’s going to be available in a town that seems like everything will be full of locals. But I firmly believe in the motto “If you don’t ask, the answer is no.”
Pulling out of my driveway for the first time since the day I moved in, nerves skate across my skin because I’m not sure I even remember how to get out of here.
I really should have asked Nan for a town map.
“We got this,” I say to Reginald. But it’s more for me.
Once I round the bend on my road, a beautiful mountain landscape comes into view, forcing me to slow down. I didn’t notice it on my drive in, but…wow. I remember dreaming of living in a place like this as a little girl, and now that it’s a reality, I’ll never take it for granted.
I don’t know how I lived in the city for so long.
Knowing this is what’s out there in the world.
My car jerks from a bump on the road. “Shit,” I mutter. It’s going to take some getting used to driving around here. These dirt roads that now have mud pockets all over them will destroy my car.
I should look into an SUV or truck.
I laugh. Me driving a truck. That’s a hysterical thought.
The heart of town comes into view, and I sigh in relief that I found it on my own. I take note of a few places I didn’t see the first day I arrived and send a silent thank you to the universe that there is an actual road in this part of town. It’s not pretty and calling it a road is even a stretch. But at least it’s not pure dirt.
Taking it all in, it reminds me of an old-town country movie. Park benches line the sidewalk with lamp posts every few feet. There are minimal parking spots lining the street, but it’s just enough for a town like this. This town is more than any fantasy I’ve had growing up living outside the city. It’s so tiny and quiet. I like the fact that no one here knows my story. I want to keep it that way for a while.
I turn onto the street called Main Street and immediately spot a general store called…General Store on one side of the road.
“Wow. So clever,” I say out loud with zero surprise in my voice.
Reginald barks next to me .
I turn my gaze to the other side of the road and spot a bar, a coffee shop, and a bakery.
Bingo .
All three buildings are connected, with the bar called Seven Stools sitting on the corner. I fight back a laugh when I notice the neon sign over the sign is an actual bar stool.
Interesting name for a bar.
The bakery called Batter Up sits directly next to it. It’s much brighter and more welcoming on the outside with two small windows covered in pale pink awnings and floral arrangements hanging on the ledges. I’m already in love with the place because baking has my heart. An adorable little outside sitting area is tucked between the buildings next to the bakery and the coffee shop called Cozy Cup.
It’s genius marketing how it’s set up.
A coffee shop on one side and a bakery on the other with a sitting area to enjoy a little something from each place? Chef’s kiss.
Parking my car, I realize there are three job options in front of me. If these don’t work, I can always try my hand at Barlow Ranch. I bet if they have any association with Nan, she will help me out.
I laugh at myself.
Could you imagine me working at a ranch?
At least I know I can still be funny. First, the truck thought, and now this.
As I stare at the quaint bakery, a wave of excitement washes over me. This is the dream I’ve always envisioned. The thought of combining my passion for baking with others while also earning a living from it feels like everything I have been searching for.
Cracking the passenger window of the car, I kiss the top of Reginald's head. “Stay here, buddy,”
Once I open the car door, a woman with long, copper-red hair spots me instantly .
“Hi. You’re the new girl in town,” she says without question.
I laugh. “What gave it away? The sports car in a town full of dirt roads?”
She looks from me to the car, covers her mouth with her hand, and snorts. The tiny woman snorts. “I mean, I wasn’t gonna say it. Is that your dog?” She points to my passenger seat, and Reginald barks.
“Yes.”
“What kind of dog is it?”
“He’s a corgi.” I turn to face him. “The best dog in the world.”
“Were you planning to come into the bakery?”
“I was, actually.” I face her again in confusion. “I don’t know what’s pet-friendly here or not, so I was going to leave him here.”
“Nonsense.” She rounds the car, opening the passenger side door and taking his leash in her hands.
People in this town are so bold but friendly about it.
“The whole town is pet friendly. If you ever want to go to Seven Stools for lunch, don’t let the owner tell you otherwise.”
“Are they mean?” I ask curiously.
I’m internally wondering if I need to cross that job opportunity off the list completely.
“He’s not mean, but he’s one of the few men in the world who can’t stand dogs. Please, don’t ask me why because I don’t even know. And I’ve known him my whole life. It’s a huge red flag I wanted to warn you about.”
She crouches down, lifting Reginald in her arms as if he’s a smaller dog and peppers kisses on his head. His little tail wagging back and forth tells me he’s pleased with this attention.
“Are you sure it’s okay if he comes in?” I ask. “He’s kind of fluffy for a food establishment.”
“We have the outdoor sitting area, silly. Which was my idea, don’t let anyone else convince you it wasn’t.”
Wait, is she …
“Do you own Batter Up?”
She nods, and a proud grin spreads across her lips. “You bet. I’m Lily, by the way. I’m sorry. I should have said that earlier. Come inside.”
I step inside after her, and as the door swings open, a warm wave of aromas hits me. The enticing scent of freshly baked goods fills the air, wrapping me in its embrace. My mouth waters at the rich, sweet smell of sugar and flour mingling together, creating an irresistible feeling that makes my heart race with joy. Not even the finest baked goods scented candle could ever compare to this.
“This is such a cute place you have here,” I say, looking around and taking it all in.
A single counter sits nestled between two enticing display shelves featuring an array of treats. Showcasing specialty cookies with vibrant icing, rich and moist crumb cakes, and irresistible mini muffins in various flavors.
“I’m sorry, I never got your name,” Lily says.
“I’m Blair. Blair Andrews.” I want to take back the words as soon as they leave my mouth as I use my full name yet again. But I doubt people in town would know who the mayor is in a city that’s states away. “And that little fluff ball in your arms is Reginald.”
“Nice to formally meet you both,” she says with a small nod before she rounds the counter to stand on the other side with Reginald still in her arms. “Can I interest you in something?”
“Everything looks amazing,” I say, scanning the cases displaying everything available for the day. Stopping my scan, and my eyes widen. “Is this a crumb cake?”
“Cinnamon swirl crumb cake,” Lily answers with a nod.
I lean down to get a closer look. “I’ve never mastered baking a crumb cake. It seems too easy, but I could never make it work and come out this good.”
“You bake?”
I nod. “It’s my favorite hobby. ”
“I knew we were destined to be friends.” Lily beams, putting Reginald down and letting him explore the place freely.
The word “friends” feels so foreign to me.
The same way everything here feels.
As I look at Lily, I'm speechless. She's nothing like the people I know in the city. Instead, she's warm and inviting, with seemingly no hidden agendas. In my past, friendships have often felt transactional, with people befriending me for their own gain. But with Lily, it's different. She's genuine.
“Do you know anywhere in town hiring?” I finally ask.
“I’m sure we can find you something,” Lily says, pulling a slice of crumb cake from the tray and placing it on a small paper plate for me. “Between my friend, Autumn, next door at Cozy Cup or the bar, we can find you something.”
“Thank you so much. That would be so helpful and really appreciated.”
“Here.” She pulls her phone from the back pocket of her jeans. “Put your number in here. I’ll shoot you a text message, so you have mine. I’ll talk to them this afternoon, and we can find something for you. Don’t worry. We take care of each other around here.”
Warmth fills me with her comment as she places her phone in my hand.
In just a short amount of time, Lily successfully makes this feel one step closer to this town being home. Making me feel like part of this community just days into moving here, despite not knowing a thing about me.
“Hey, Lily,” a female voice calls from the front door.
“Speak of the devil.” Lily grins. “Autumn, come meet my new friend, Blair. She just moved here and is looking for a job.”
Autumn offers me a welcoming smile, and I get the same friendly vibes from her as I did the moment I met Lily.
“Tell me you got this dressed up for a job interview and not just to explore the town.” Autumn laughs but covers her mouth quickly. “I’m sorry. That was rude. I tend to be a little blunt. ”
I can feel my cheeks turn crimson red.
Reginald takes that moment to let out a bark. As if he’s telling them “yes.”
Traitor.
“Well…”
“Oh, my dear sweet Blair,” Lily exaggerates. “Moved here from the city?”
I nod.
“Which one?” Lily asks.
“San Francisco.”
“Well, I’ll take you to the General Store and help you pick some stuff out,” Lily says with certainty.
“My sister is also mailing me some stuff,” I add.
“That will take forever with how our postal service works,” Autumn says, rolling her eyes. “At least let us take you to get some stuff to hold you over.”
I smile at both of them. It’s a genuine one that feels strange. I can’t remember the last time I felt like this. “I’d love that,” I say, finally taking a bite of the crumb cake. “Oh my lord. This is orgasmic.”
Lily extends her arm like a showcase display but looks at Autumn. “See, Autumn. This is the reaction I want from all our customers.”
“If you want that so much, put a sign on the door that says, ‘Please use sexual references to express how much you enjoy our treats’.”
“I just might,” Lily says confidently, with her hands on her hips and chin held high. “I take pride in my baking.”
“I know the feeling,” I jump into the conversation. “I mean, I don’t do it for money or business, but baking has kept me sane most of my life.”
“I might have to hire you before anyone else can.” Lily winks.
“Listen, I’ll be happy with whatever you can set me up with to get my feet on the ground here,” I say. “But if you gave me a choice, this bakery might be number one on my list.”
Lily waves a finger in the air like she’s drawing. “Noted.”
It feels like a good day today.
And it most definitely is.
Because I think I’ve made a friend.
Something I need if I want to survive here all alone.