Chapter 3
HOLLY
I’m in the zone through the early morning rush, restraining myself from poking my head out to check if Leta needs me several times. I do peek to see a few of the shop regulars enjoying their treats and grin to myself.
This is what made me fall in love with baking.
I taught myself how to do it by learning from online cooking videos.
It was a way to entertain my younger siblings after school until our parents got home.
The first time I watched my sister and brother’s eyes light up as they enjoyed what I made, I was hooked.
My passion has become a dream career for me at twenty-six.
It’s not even 10 a.m. by the time I’m finishing the final dozen cookies in the order. Pride fills me, making me shake my generous ass with a bit more vigor while I victory dance before the last set.
With my height on the shorter than average side, my curvy hips tend to meet obstacles before the rest of me does. I’m so into grooving that I bump right into a rolling cart and nearly topple a tray of Mrs. Claus’ tits. Thankfully, I save it before any fall.
“Close call,” I say with a relieved chuckle. “Can’t have my pretties going to waste.”
“What are you doing back here?”
I jump at my brother’s voice, endangering the rescued tray once more by almost knocking it over. “Shit!”
How long has Leo been standing in the back doorway? Definitely long enough to witness the near-miss with the cart.
Embarrassment heats my cheeks. The worst thing in the world is looking supremely uncool in front of your baby brother.
“Oh god. Pretend you didn’t see any of that,” I say.
“I didn’t see that,” he agrees. “But you may never live it down once I tell Hazel.”
“Thanks,” I reply sardonically.
Good thing our middle sister is usually on my side.
Although, the two of them occasionally team up to tease me.
If she does, I’ll store the slight away for the perfect moment to dish out some sisterly payback.
As siblings, we go to bat to protect one another from anything.
But we’re the only ones that are allowed to bust each other’s chops. It’s a unique form of family love.
“I’ll just tell her you made it up since you don’t have video proof. You scared the hell out of me,” I chide.
“You were the one not paying attention to your surroundings.”
He shrugs and swipes one of the glazed gingerbread muffins from a cooling rack. Those are supposed to replenish the counter once the first batch runs out. I give him a flat look that fades quickly once I see his dark blue eyes close with joy at the first bite.
He’s not supposed to eat all my stock, but one muffin won’t hurt. I’m betting he didn’t eat breakfast before he left campus at the college he attends nearby. Knowing him, he rolled out of bed with just enough time to spare for a shower.
One of the reasons I gave him a job was to keep an eye on him to make sure he stays out of trouble, after all. He might be twenty now, but as his oldest sister I’m always going to feel like he’s a little kid. It’s up to me to take care of him.
It’s just the two of us in Mayfield. Our parents live in our small hometown in Vermont a few hours away, and our sister is the only one they have near them in Candlewood. I should call Hazel to check in on how they’re doing. I haven’t talked to Mom in a couple of days.
Guilt pangs briefly in my chest. It’s the same invisible weight I always suffer for moving here permanently instead of returning home after earning my degree.
Mayfield was supposed to be a temporary home while I went to college here, but I ended up loving it so much I didn’t want to leave.
Landing the perfect opportunity to open my bakery sealed the deal.
“You made it in on time today. Good job.” I ruffle Leo’s reddish-blond hair, smirking when he knocks my hand away with a grumble. Sibling balance restored. “Go sit down and finish your muffin. Do you want something to drink?”
“I’m good.” He parks on a stool and scrolls on his phone while I put the finishing touches on the cookie order.
When I’m done, I finally take a seat for the first time since I came down to the bakery before dawn from my apartment above the shop. I could melt right on the spot from how quickly all my energy seeps from me. I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I slowed down.
Wincing, I roll my neck and rub the stiffness in my lower back from leaning over for so long. If I had any spare time for a spa day, I would love some pampering for once.
I jump to my feet when Leo starts bagging the Mrs. Claus cookies. “Don’t forget to tie the bows. I put the ribbon over by the—”
“Okay, okay, okay. I get it. You’ve told me a hundred times, so you don’t have to overexplain it again,” he says.
“Sorry.” I frown. “Thanks for doing that.”
He nods. I prep a stack of sheer blush pastry bags and grab the spool of ribbon for him anyway to make his task easier.
As I’m checking the batches to see which ones are ready to be packaged, my phone buzzes with a call in my apron pocket. A photo of my best friend tossing confetti at the bakery launch fills the screen, drawing a smile from me.
“Those two tables are ready. These ones need more time to set,” I tell Leo.
I wait for his acknowledgement before leaving through the back door. On my way out to the alley, I answer the call.
“Hi, sorry. I’m at work. What’s up?”
“Oh, I know,” Layla says in a matter-of-fact tone. “You at work is completely normal. It would be more shocking if you weren’t working.”
I hum, playing with the bow in my hair and bracing for another rehash of her trying to get me to take more than five minutes to rest. She’s been texting me every day to see what my schedule would be this weekend.
“I don’t mind being so busy,” I say. “The extra business is great. Winter makes people want all the sweet, tasty treats. I like knowing things I’ve baked are being shared at all the holiday parties and special moments of the season.”
She clicks her tongue. “That’s exactly why I’m calling.
When was the last time you took a vacation?
” I start to answer, but she cuts me off.
“Ah, ah! Janelle’s bachelorette doesn’t count.
You were the one who planned the entire thing, and you barely took the time to enjoy yourself during the whole trip. And that was two years ago.”
“Okay. You win.” I bite my lip. “I don’t remember the last time I actually took a vacation.”
She pauses. “Who are you and what have you done with my workaholic best friend? You never admit it.”
A chuckle huffs out of me. “So you’re giving up?”
“Hardly. That makes it way easier to convince you to take some time off. Let’s do a girls’ weekend. We’ll go to the cabin. It’ll be so much fun.” She grows more animated by the second.
The Adler’s cabin holds so many good memories of trips I’ve taken with Layla and her family.
Nostalgia wraps around me like a warm hug.
The fresh Vermont mountain air is so peaceful and relaxing.
Winter is my favorite time to be there when everything is gorgeous and magical, cloaked in snow.
I’ve loved spending time there when her family has invited mine to join them to spend New Year’s.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to deny I need a break. Glancing through the window in the door at my brother packing efficiently, I wonder why I’m always so quick to do everything on my own.
“Come on, Hols. You need it,” Layla says gently. “Hell, you deserve it more than anyone. You’re always taking care of everything. Let me do something nice for you for once. The bakery will be fine if you take a long weekend.”
“I am ahead on my custom orders. But I don’t know…”
One of the stray cats Marjorie feeds meows as she trots to me. She rubs against my leg and I crouch to pet her. She trills happily, purring as she rubs her cheek against my palm for more attention.
The to-do list constantly living in my head runs through the things that need my attention. I close my eyes with a sigh, but it’s still there. It always is.
“I’m worried about you burning out. You’ve been saying you’re so tired lately.”
“I hear you,” I murmur, entranced by how therapeutic petting the cat’s soft fur is.
“So say yes,” Layla urges. “It’s been forever since we hung out, and we promised ourselves we wouldn’t turn into the type of friends who never have time to see each other.”
I only consider it for a beat longer before giving in. I do want to see her after spending the last year so focused on running the bakery I adore more than anything.
Leaving someone else in charge of the business I’m so proud of is nerve-racking, but I’ve earned a short break. If it's only for the weekend, Leo can handle things.
“You’re right. Let’s do it. Girls’ weekend.”
“You’re in?” she gushes.
“I’m in.”
Layla’s squeal of excitement makes me laugh. It’s infectious, making me bounce with my own eagerness.
A weight I wasn’t aware of lifts from my shoulders at the idea of a charming cabin getaway.