Chapter 8
The sun was settingas I left work for the day. I unlocked my bike and started pedaling toward my apartment. Long shadows stretched across the quiet, tree-lined streets. With a population of seventeen thousand, Serenity Falls was a community where generations of families put down roots and neighbors shared a spirit of camaraderie.
The soft hum of my bike’s wheels was a stark contrast to the tumultuous whirl of thoughts inside my head. Lucia’s harsh words made my heart pinch, and I knew I couldn’t keep lying to Bishop.
How had I allowed myself to drift so far from my own moral compass?
Only because my savings was dwindling fast and I needed this job more than ever.
The familiar scenery unfolded along my usual route: the old red-bricked library with its tall spire came into view, followed by a cozy cafe with a flower-filled terrace, a Bed Breakfast with its white picket fence and bright yellow flowers, and the waterfall that gave our town its name.
The waterfall was my favorite spot in town, with shimmering blue water tumbling down a rocky embankment. Mist from the falls gathered around the base, and the occasional splash of jumping fish created ripples in the pond below. My feet pressed down on the brakes, and I paused, gazing at the natural wonder before me. Its tranquility was a fleeting escape from the guilt that troubled my conscience.
Continuing on my way, I locked up my bike outside my apartment building and made a silent vow to keep my secret closely guarded from everyone at the bakery, at least until I had caught up on my rent and bills.
When I entered our apartment, Mochi greeted me with a pink bow adorning her head, making her look even more adorable than usual. I crouched to give her a good scritch on the head and she licked my cheek.
In the living room, Bree was practicing the violin, her brows knitted in fierce concentration, as if personally offended by any note that dared to sound less than perfect. She was in her usual practice stance: a rigid back and her nose slightly upturned. She called it ‘playing with proper posture,’ while I called it, ‘snob violinist mode.’ But Bree had this knack for pulling at the heartstrings with the strings of her violin, performing melodies that could make you grin stupidly, or feel a lump in your throat out of nowhere.
“Hi, sis! How was your day?” Bree lowered her instrument and bow.
I groaned, collapsing onto the couch. “Lucia is getting more suspicious.”
“Ohhh, not good.” Bree frowned.
“I can’t risk losing my job. Or being distracted…” Just thinking about Bishop’s dark, mesmerizing eyes made my stomach quiver.
“You need to be careful.”
I sprung up from the couch. “I have an idea. I’m going to create a new pet treat recipe and see if Bishop will let me sell them at the bakery. I’ll see what I can come up with that might help attract more pet-owning customers.”
“I’m not trying any, so don’t even ask.” Bree lifted her violin and started practicing again.
I dashed into the kitchen, and Mochi scurried behind me. I rummaged through the drawers until I found our grandma’s recipe book. Flipping through the worn pages, I searched for inspiration. She had loved creating healthy treats for her four dogs and I wanted to do the same, but on a larger scale.
“Mochi,” I announced, “you’re my official taste-tester.”
I gathered various nutritious ingredients from the shelves—whole wheat flour, peanut butter, and a dash of honey, making sure the peanut butter didn’t contain xylitol, a sweetener that could be toxic to dogs. Then I set to work, mixing, kneading, and shaping the dough into cute dog-shaped bones. I slid the tray into the oven, then sat down at the table. While I waited, I read recipes in Grandma’s book.
The timer dinged, and I stood up.
“Ready to try the first batch, Mochi?” I took the tray from the oven and inspected the baked goodies. “These don’t look half-bad.”
Mochi wagged her tail and circled around my legs. Once the biscuits had cooled, I let her take it from my fingers, watching her closely as she took a bite.
“If you like it, then others might, too.”
Mochi devoured the biscuit in seconds and looked up at me.
“Yes! Okay, one more,” I said, giving her another biscuit.
While she crunched on her second treat, a surge of accomplishment flowed through me.
“Who knows, Mochi? I might have a knack for baking, after all.”
I packed the remaining biscuits into an airtight container and placed them on the kitchen counter. Snapping the lid shut, my thoughts drifted to Bishop. He was closeminded about trying new things, but maybe this small success could pave the way for me to tell him the truth and continue working alongside him.
Although being a master baker at pet treats wasn’t only about impressing him professionally. Every stolen glance, every brief touch, had sown seeds of hope that our relationship could blossom into something deeper than friendship. And that meant, someday, I’d have to tell him the whole truth.
With a pat on Mochi’s fluffy head, I turned off the kitchen lights and went into the living room. “Bree! Mochi loved them.”
“That’s cool.” Bree placed her violin into its case and took a seat on the sofa.
“To celebrate, wanna watch a baking show?” I sank down beside her and snuggled up with my sister.
She switched on the TV and as we lost ourselves in the drama unfolding on the screen, I kept stealing glances at the container of pet treats on the counter. A curious sort of satisfaction bubbled in my chest. I wasn’t such a bad baker after all. Not only had I not burned down the kitchen, but I’d also made biscuits that were yummy, at least by Mochi’s standards. I wondered if my culinary aptitude had found its secret ingredient—determination.
I glanced at Bree, engrossed in another episode of a reality baking competition that we’d become obsessed with.
“Kenzi?” she said tentatively. “I know money is tight, so I was thinking I could try performing on a street corner or giving other kids violin lessons.”
Considering it, I hesitated—she was only thirteen. Even with the relative safety of Serenity Falls, the idea made me uneasy. Not to mention, without a car, transportation would be a hurdle. And while hosting the lessons at our place was a possibility, I wasn’t sure our neighbors would appreciate the sound of beginner violinists.
I squeezed her hand. “I love that you want to help, but it’s my responsibility to take care of you. Besides, I’ve got a job now, so we’re going to be fine, and I’ll keep looking for design opportunities.”
We went back to watching the screen.
Mochi pranced into the room with an eager yap. She took a flying leap onto the sofa, narrowly missing my lap in her quest for the perfect snuggle spot.
“Someone’s feeling left out.”
“Can you blame her?” Bree cooed, reaching out to pet Mochi’s silky fur. “She just wants to be part of the love.”
Mochi nestled between us and fixed her dark stare on the TV.
I petted my dog. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a pint-sized judge.”
“You should pay attention to the show,” Bree teased, nudging me with her elbow. “You might learn a thing or two, sis.”
“Hey!” I protested, feigning offense. “I’ll be an expert baker in no time and I won’t need to read the directions from a box anymore.” I gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
“I have something to tell you…” Bree pulled out a crisp white envelope from her pocket and held it out to me. “I got an acceptance letter from the music conservatory.”
“That’s amazing!” I gasped, taking the letter to inspect it closer. No denying the official seal and neatly typed words that confirmed her acceptance. Pride welled up within me, but at the same time, a heaviness spread from my chest to my stomach.
Her face shone with happy eagerness. “Isn’t it great?” Bree gushed, fidgeting in her seat as if she couldn’t contain her joy.
I forced a smile. “Absolutely.”
Tuition for the conservatory wouldn’t be cheap, and even with financial aid, we’d still need to cover other expenses. My shaky career at Doughy Desires suddenly seemed much more precarious.
Bree’s smile faded, her bright eyes clouding with worry. “I know the tuition...it’s massive. More than we can handle right now.”
“It is, Bree,” I murmured, pressing the acceptance letter between our hands. “But you’re incredibly talented, and this is your dream. We’ll find a way. We always do.”
Bree blinked back tears, nodding. “I just...I don’t want to be another burden.”
“You’re not a burden,” I assured her, pulling her into a hug. “This is a chance of a lifetime for you.”
My lips curled inward, trying to work out a solution in my head. Bree didn’t deserve to have her dreams crushed just because we were barely surviving from paycheck-to-paycheck right now. We could always count on each other, and I couldn’t let her down.
Mochi released an enthusiastic bark.
“Mochi’s excited about your acceptance, too.”
Bree laughed, shaking her head at our energetic furball. A deep-seated affection swirled within me, a blend of fondness and love for my sister.
I took a deep breath, turning to Bree. “I promise we’ll make this work, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help you get there.”
“Thanks, Kenzi.” Tears brightened her eyes. “I couldn’t ask for a better sister.”
And as Mochi continued to frolic around us, I promised myself that I’d find a way for Bree to achieve her dreams.