Chapter 7
”Karis!” Mia squealed with excitement.
I held the keys up, allowing them to dangle between our eyes. ”It”s mine,” the words came out just above a whisper as if I couldn”t quite believe them myself. This dream of owning my own bakery had always felt so far away. I never felt ready to reach for it, and if I”m being brutally honest with myself, I still didn”t feel ready.
What if I failed? What if my vision for the interior turned out childish or tacky? What if I couldn”t create new treats to keep customers happy? The number of ”what ifs” flying through my brain right now was astounding. On the other hand, the excitement coursing through my veins was thrilling. It was an interesting juxtaposition, two competing emotions battling for purchase in my mind.
”It”s yours!” My best friend echoed much louder than I had initially stated it. ”What do we need to do first? I know you already have a list going,” Mia chuckled before wrapping me in a warm embrace.
I took a minute to just relish in her joy and confidence, allowing it to seep into me and give me the boost I desperately needed. Of course, I had a list. My life revolved around lists, and Mia used to poke fun at me during our high school years. I made a pro and con list for every school I got acceptance letters from, weighing my options thoroughly. This major life decision was no different.
”I first need to go do a walk-through and take inventory of the damage. I already called a guy named Liam, who owns a construction and restoration company. He”s agreed to help me fix anything that needs to be repaired as well as upgrade the flooring, cabinets, and countertops. I planned to do the interior design myself to save some money, and I just want to ensure it turned out exactly how I envisioned it,” I let out a dramatic sigh. There was so much to do.
”Whoa. One step at a time, K. I would happily help once you get to the design and decorating. It”s going to be amazing!”
The bell above the front door jingled as someone entered Hansons. Mia squeezed my shoulders again before rounding the bookshelf and heading towards the door.
”You again?” The snarky remark that fell from Mia”s lips caught me off guard. She didn’t usually talk to anyone, let alone customers, that way. Curious about who drew out this side of her, I followed the way Mia had gone until I stopped a few feet behind her. She was currently having what looked to be a stand-off with a guy. If my memory was correct, that guy was Brock Landon. Man, those Landon boys grew up to be devastatingly handsome.
Brock was a little shorter than Brant, but only by a little. They both had the same broad shoulders and muscular form. They differed in their hair and skin tone. While Brant was more tan with dark brown hair, Brock had lighter skin with dirty blonde hair that looked like he”d gone a few months without a haircut. It gave him this surfer dude look that went well with his personality.
”Hey, Brown Eyes,” Brock”s lips twitched as if he was fighting a smile.
”I told you not to call me that. I have a name,” Mia huffed, placing her hands on her hips.
”Hey, Karis. I heard you were back. It”s been a while, how are you?” Brock turned his gaze to me.
Mia grumbled, something about me not getting a stupid nickname under her breath. Either Brock didn”t hear her, or he chose to ignore her. My guess was the latter.
”Hi, Brock. Yeah, I”m back,” I smiled. ”I”m doing good. How are you?”
If looks could kill, I”d be dead on the spot. Mia was not having any part in this exchange, and I couldn”t wait to press her for information after Brock left.
”I”m good. Thanks for asking. It”s so nice to have a genuine conversation where someone ask how I”m doing,” he placed a hand over his chest in a dramatic manner while shooting a smirk in Mia”s direction.
“Oh geez, give me a break,” Mia rolled her eyes before stomping toward the checkout counter. ”Just get your book of the week so we can get this over with.”
There has got to be more going on that I was unaware of. The pang of guilt hit me right in the chest. I’d been gone for so long, I didn’t even know what was happening with my best friend. I should have made more of an effort to come home or at least keep in touch with people back here. But I was determined to make up for all the time lost.
”Is she always this lovely, or is it just with me?” Brock stage whispered as he sauntered by.
”I think it”s just you,” I responded with a chuckle, walking to meet Mia behind the counter.
”Don”t encourage him!” Mia screeched while swiping her arm out to hit me as soon as I was within reach.
”Ow! Hey! What was that for?” I feigned innocence, even though I knew exactly what her reason was.
”Couldn”t you tell by the tone of my voice I didn”t want him here? Then you have to go making small talk with the big lug,” Mia was now whisper yelling at me as if Brock couldn”t hear her. The bookstore was otherwise empty, so I was sure he could make out our conversation from his position in the stacks.
”Sorry. I was just being polite to a paying customer. What”s the deal with you two anyways?” I nudged her shoulder with mine.
”No deal. There is no deal. I don”t know what you’re talking about,” she blew out a breath before turning her gaze from where Brock was standing to meet my eyes. ”He comes in here at least once a week and just annoys me. I think Brock does it to be funny or because he thinks it”s some big joke. I bet you he doesn”t even read the books he buys. I mean, what guy do you know that reads a book a week?”
”I don”t know, maybe he gets really bored working as a firefighter in a small town. I bet he has plenty of downtime to read books,” I snickered, enjoying this conversation more than I should. I had missed this, talking about guys and sharing everything that happened in our day-to-day lives.
”True, I bet he is a slacker and makes his guys do all the work,” Mia huffed.
We must have been so caught up in our speculation we didn”t hear Brock”s footsteps approach. He cleared his throat, causing Mia and I to nearly jump out of our skin.
”I”ll take this one,” he slid a mystery novel across the counter toward Mia.
He stood patiently without saying anything while Mia rang him up and bagged his book. His fingers grazed hers when he grabbed the bag, causing Mia”s eyes to shoot up to his. He leaned forward slightly before saying, ”I”d be happy to show you what a day at the firehouse looks like for a slacking fire lieutenant.”
Mia yanked her hand back and rolled her eyes. Brock turned on his heel and sauntered out the front door without looking back.
“Wow…That was something,” I laughed.
”That was nothing, and we aren”t talking about it anymore. Let”s go see your store. I’ll put the sign up and take an early lunch,” Mia bustled around the store, grabbing her things before placing a closed sign on the front door and slipping outside. Once we were both on the sidewalk, she locked up, and we headed down Main Street to the storefront that was now mine.
One of the things I loved about the location was its proximity to Hansons. Mia and I could pop in and see each other often. I paused to take it all in as we approached the front door. This was all mine. That thought excited and terrified me, but one way or another, I would be successful. I would put in all the hard work required and leave the rest up to God.
As I fumbled with the old keys, the anticipation of unlocking the door to my dream bakery flooded my senses. The building stood there, looking a bit weathered in an area of thriving businesses. The once vibrant paint on its exterior now flaked off, revealing the stories of the years gone by.
Beside me, Mia bounced on her toes with excitement, her eyes scanning the worn facade. ”Karis, can you believe this is finally happening? Your bakery is going to bring life back to this place!”
I smiled, the key finally turning with a satisfying click. Pushing the heavy door open, a waft of dust and stale air greeted us. Sunlight filtered through the dust particles, casting a warm glow on the worn wooden floor.
”I didn”t expect the tables and chairs to still be here. I wonder if they are still stable? We could refinish them to save money instead of buying all new furniture,” Mia”s eyes were wide with wonder, her voice hopeful.
I surveyed the space, imagining the aroma of freshly baked goods filling the air.
”I think that”s a great idea. I also want to build a floor-to-ceiling bookcase on the back wall, with comfy chairs for my customers to snuggle up with a book and read while they enjoy my coffee and treats,” just voicing my vision out loud took away some of the fear I”d been experiencing since signing the papers.
Mia nodded in approval, her enthusiasm matching mine. ”Oh! I love that idea! I have to say, you”ve got the vision, Karis. This place is going to be the talk of the town.”
I chuckled as we continued discussing layout and design. The dusty windows seemed to sparkle with the promise of a new beginning, and the creaking floorboards beneath our feet echoed the excitement of what was to come.
”What”s the damage, Liam? Give it to me straight,” I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and waited for his professional opinion.
We’d spent the last few hours walking the bakery, taking notes, while I shared my vision for this space. Liam was a man of few words, apparently. He spent most of his time responding in grunts and head nods. But this was the moment of truth. Liam was about to make or break my dreams. Okay, that may be a little dramatic, but I was kind of freaking out.
”It”s not bad. I recommend updating the electrical since the building was built a while ago, and then the fact that it sat vacant for months doesn”t help. The kitchen has water damage, and the roof needs some patching,” Liam shook his head before turning his gaze to me. ”I”d say a few months, and you should be able to open.”
I blew out a long breath. A flood of relief washed over me as I replayed his words, mentally praising the Lord. This was better than expected.
”You are my favorite person right now, Liam!” I flung my arms around his neck, catching him by surprise. He politely patted me on the back, grunting in response. I drew back, letting him go so I didn”t make him any more uncomfortable than he already was.
”We can start tomorrow if that works for you,” he said, walking toward the front door.
”That works! Thank you again!” As soon as Liam left and the door closed behind him, I let out the girliest squeal, dancing in a circle with my hands in the air.
”Good news?” The gruff voice from the front door startled me. I flung my body around, letting out a small yelp of surprise.
My hand flew to my chest as my heart took off like a racehorse. ”Brant! You scared the heck out of me! What are you doing sneaking up on a girl like that?” I willed my heart to return to its normal pace and tried to catch my breath.
“Sorry, ma’am,” his Tennessee accent bled through his words. At least he had the decency to look sheepish as if realizing his mistake. ”I saw Liam leave and figured you were in here. Wanted to check on the progress.”
”Oh, yeah, Liam”s company is helping with the restoration. He said they’re going to start tomorrow, and it should only take a few months to fix everything up. Once his crew is done I get to design and decorate it,” the giddy feeling coursing through me had yet to wear off and I hoped it never would.
”That”s great. Excited to see what you do with the place,” Brant gave me a soft smile, making my heart kick into high gear again. That smile caused a dimple to pop in one of his cheeks, making his face take on a new level of handsome.
“Thanks,” I felt my cheeks flush, and I could only hope they weren”t giving away how much his smile and kind words affected me.
”Sheriff, you there?” Brant”s walkie squawked from where it sat on his shoulder, clipped to his uniform.
The sound broke our trance, causing me to jolt back and busy myself by walking around the room. What was that? Did we just have a moment? I shook my head focusing on the display case that was in dire need of some TLC.
”Go ahead,” Brant responded from behind me.
”We need you over at the General Store. Got a situation with a possible shoplifting in progress.”
”Copy. I”m a few blocks away,” Brant blew out a long breath that had me turning to meet his gaze. ”Gotta go,” he jutted his thumb over his shoulder.
”Right. Duty calls,” I laughed, trying to eliminate the sudden tension surrounding us.
Brant didn”t say anything more. He just gave me a tight smile and a curt nod before stomping out the front door. I leaned against the grimy display case and tried to make sense of the last few minutes.