3. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Eve
Before I know it, it's the night before I leave for Strawberry Falls.
The door bell jingles one last time, signaling the departure of our final customer.
Audrey and I move in tandem, flipping the sign on the door to 'Closed' and starting our end-of-day routine. The sweep of the broom, the wipe of the counters—it's a dance we've done a thousand times. But today, each motion is tinged with the sorrow of goodbye.
The comforting embrace of the shop wraps around us. The aroma of coffee beans and my lemon squares linger in the air. I’m afraid to leave, and yet... I know I must.
Audrey wipes down the espresso machine, her movements deft and sure. This coffee shop is more than simply wood and glass. In the past year, it has been my refuge, my healing place.
"Remember when we used to fight over who got to lick the spoon?" I ask.
"Of course." Audrey chuckles. "You always claimed it was your 'baker's right', even though I'm older."
"Seniority doesn't count in the kitchen."
"Is that so?" She arches an eyebrow and laughter dances between us.
With each wiped surface and tidied corner, I feel the distance to Strawberry Falls shrink. It's as if with every swept floorboard, I'm brushing away the layers of fear and doubt that have kept me from facing my past.
"Hey." Audrey catches my eye. "You're doing a brave thing, going back."
"Doesn't feel brave." The admission slips out, my guard momentarily down.
"Bravery isn't about being fearless, Eve. It's about moving forward despite the fear."
"Sounds like something Mom would say."
"Mom was a wise woman. Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"Open your heart, Sis. To the town, to the memories, and—" She trails off, but I hear the unspoken words. 'To Jimmy.'
My heart skips, but I nod. "I promise."
"Good." Audrey claps her hands together, businesslike once more. "Now, let's get back to work."
We finish the cleaning in companionable silence, each lost in our own thoughts. As we step outside, the crisp evening air bites at my cheeks.
"Ready?" Audrey asks, locking the door.
"As I'll ever be." I glance back once more at The Daily Grind.
I tuck the last of my sweaters into the worn suitcase. Audrey's guest room surrounds me with its quilted comfort. The walls, once strangers, now hold fragments of my year-long stay—the gentle curve of the armchair, the stack of well-thumbed novels on the nightstand, the muted tones of the throw rug that has warmed my feet.
"Need help?" Audrey's voice carries in from the doorway.
I shake my head. "I've got it, but thank you." I force a smile, though my chest tightens at the thought of leaving this haven.
We step outside into the crisp morning air. Snowflakes dance around us, settling gently on my lashes.
"Here goes nothing," I murmur.
"Everything," she corrects softly, her smile bright against the winter backdrop. "Here goes everything, Eve."
Audrey opens the trunk, and together, we stow my belongings. She grabs me into one last long hug.
"Ella's made arrangements for you to stay at Evergreen Inn?" she asks as she wipes tears from her eyes and closes the trunk.
"Yes, everything’s all set. And you’ll be there for the grand opening?"
"I'd cross the oceans to be there with you."
"Good. Well, this is it. I love you, Sis."
"I love you too."
"Strawberry Falls, here I come." I shift into drive as I blow a kiss to Audrey.
The streets of Maplewood slip by, each turn revealing another memory of my year-long refuge. As I approach the town limits, my grip on the steering wheel tightens. The 'Now Leaving Maplewood' sign looms ahead, a harbinger of the journey to come.
I slow down, allowing myself one final moment of hesitation. The past year flashes through my mind—quiet evenings with Audrey, the comforting routine of The Daily Grind.
But Ella needs me. The new bakery needs me. And I probably need this too.
While I breathe in deeply, I press down on the accelerator. A mix of excitement and trepidation washes over me. "One step at a time," I remind myself.
The familiar route to Strawberry Falls stretches before me, each mile carrying me closer to confronting my past and, hopefully, rediscovering my future. Whatever awaits me in Strawberry Falls—be it healing or heartache—I'm finally ready to face it.
With one final peek in the rearview mirror at the retreating lights of Maplewood, I turn my attention to the road ahead. Strawberry Falls, with all its memories and promises, is waiting.