Chapter 29
29
T he scent of freshly baked cookies filled the air as I carefully pulled a tray out of the industrial oven. The bakery bustled with activity on the other side of the kitchen door, even more so now that Connor and I had officially partnered in business.
Well, and partnered in dating, too.
That last fact was the one that made me smile.
I glanced out the swinging door through the packed front of the bakery, past the plate glass and across the street to see how busy Connor’s shop was, too. Our broad arc of lights and decorations sailed over the traffic on the street, connecting my bakery to The Sweet Shoppe. The new structure, instantly a hit with townspeople and tourists alike, glowed warmly in the late afternoon darkness and cast a festive glow over the heart of Jingle Junction.
We had decided to stay open a bit later on the weekends, offering new treats and services to our customers. While Connor focused on the soda counter and ice cream, he left the coffee to me, knowing it was my specialty. He’d even moved his shiny new coffee machine onto my premises, and I absolutely loved it!
Our partnership had become the talk of the town, and we even started sharing marketing efforts. It wasn’t long before other businesses in Jingle Junction began to inquire about creating their own partnerships and building more of the lighted archways. Both Dad and Joy seemed delighted by how our collaboration sparked new ideas and enthusiasm in the community.
The front door’s overhead bell chimed, and I looked up to see Mrs. Thompson walking in with a broad smile. “Ivy, do you have any more of those Angus cookies? My grandchildren can’t get enough of them. They’re so cute!”
“Coming right up, Mrs. Thompson.” I reached into the display case for a batch of the cookies featuring our mutual mascot, Angus. Each cookie had been decorated with a heart, a nod to the time the Scotty had cheerfully destroyed the wedding cake decorations.
Funny how he’d also been the reason everything worked out, too.
“These are just wonderful,” Mrs. Thompson said, handing me a few bills. “You’ve really outdone yourself.”
“Thank you,” I said, beaming. “I’m glad they’re such a hit.”
The demand for my wedding cakes had skyrocketed since Junie’s rave reviews on social media had blown up. Even more than I’d expected, too. With a multitude of orders coming in from the city now, I had to hire more staff to keep up with wedding cake demand. The social media attention had been overwhelming, but in the best possible way. My two new staff were fitting in very well, and Connor and I had agreed to share Gracie back and forth depending on who needed her most, something she seemed to love.
All in all, the changes over the last little while, to both my business and my personal life, have been exhilarating and a bit daunting. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Connor popped in for a quick visit, his face lighting up when he saw me. “Hello, lovely lass. How’s everything going over here?”
“Busy as always,” I said with a grin. “And you?”
He looked around the bustling bakery, pride evident in his eyes. “Same. I’m so glad we did this. The whole town seems to be buzzing with excitement.”
“Absolutely,” I agreed. “And speaking of excitement, have you seen how many new light archways are going up? It’s amazing to see how our partnership is inspiring everyone.”
Connor chuckled. “Yes. Your father and Joy have been talking nonstop about it. It’s really bringing the community together.”
As we chatted, a young couple entered the bakery, looking around with wide eyes. “We saw your wedding cakes online,” the woman said, approaching the counter. “We’re getting married in a few months and would love for you to make our cake.”
“I’d be honored,” I said, pulling out my notebook to jot down their details. “Let’s set up a consultation to discuss what you’re looking for.”
After they left, Connor turned to me with a playful smile. “Looks like you’re in high demand.”
“Thanks to you and our little mascot,” I teased, pointing to the Angus cookies.
He laughed, shaking his head. “We make a pretty good team, don’t we?”
“We do,” I agreed, feeling a warm sense of contentment.
As the evening wore on and the last of the customers left, I flipped the “Open” sign to “Closed” and began tidying up. Connor stayed to help, and when the bakery was clean and ready for the next day, we stood outside, admiring the glow of the lights that connected our shops.
“This is just the beginning,” Connor said, his voice filled with promise.
Slipping the key into the bakery’s front door, I double-checked to make sure it was locked securely. As I turned back around to face Connor, Angus darted for my feet, tangling himself in my path. I felt myself falling, but before I hit the ground, Connor caught me and chuckled.
“There you go, Ivy Bell,” he said, chocolate brown eyes full of laughter and promise. “Falling for me all over again.”
I giggled, but stopped when Connor pulled me close and kissed me. Even Angus got in on the action as he yipped and excitedly pawed at my legs.
“I think you have it all wrong, Connor MacDowell,” I said, my arms still wrapped around his neck. “I think you’re the one who fell for me.”
Connor grinned. “Wanna place a bet on that, lass?”
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