Chapter1
Kacey Williams watched as her sister wrung her hands and glanced around the counter at the Morningside Bakery. “So, what am I forgetting?” Danielle Donahue asked, blowing out a puff of air and examining the cash register before turning toward Kacey. “You know how to work the register, right?”
“Yes, Dani. Don’t you remember last summer when I came for a week and helped you out? I also know that the price list is right there.” Kacey pointed to the laminated list beside the register while working to keep exasperation out of her tone.
After all, her older sister and her family were going through a tough time, and the last thing she needed was sarcasm from Kacey. Instead, she would do her best to support her.
Dani frowned. “Sorry. I’m just so stressed out. Without my part-time help, I would have had to close in the afternoons if you hadn’t come back home to Splendid Lake and offered to help me. Travis’s mother can only watch Kelly in the mornings, so I would have had to bring her here in the afternoon. And how could I possibly run a bakery with a four-year-old running around?”
Kacey rubbed her older sister’s shoulder. “You know I’d do anything for you, Travis, and the girls. I’m just glad I’m teleworking right now, so I can be here to help you. I don’t know how long it’ll be before I find someone to split the rent with me in Charlotte, but I’ll stay as long as I can.”
Dani sniffed and cleared her throat. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I’ve put my heart and soul into this place. When Travis got laid off, I never imagined it would take this long for him to find another job. I can’t believe it’s been almost four months. We’ve nearly run through our savings. Plus, we’ve borrowed money from Travis’s parents, but I have no idea how we’ll ever pay them back.”
“Didn’t you say he has an interview today?”
“Yes, but none of the interviews have worked out so far. I’m trying to stay positive, but I don’t know what we’re going to do. The bakery isn’t enough to keep us afloat.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” Kacey gave her sister’s shoulder another squeeze. “Now that we’re in November, you’re going to have plenty of orders for Thanksgiving desserts and even more for Christmas parties. It’s going to get busier.” She smiled. “Soon you’re going to be complaining that I’m not a good enough baker to help you with the orders. I’m sure one of the interviews will work out for Travis soon. In fact, one of these companies might offer him a job on the spot. In the meantime, I’m here for you.”
“You’re the best.” Dani picked up a napkin from the counter and wiped at the tears flooding her pale-blue eyes. “I know I have to be strong, but sometimes it’s all I can do to keep it together.”
“I have the bakery under control. You go pick up Kelly. I’m sure all these shelves will be empty before I close at six.” She gestured toward the glass-front case filled with delicious-looking and smelling treats—a variety of cupcakes, pies, cakes, tarts, and breads.
“Thank you.” Dani untied her bright-blue apron and removed her matching baseball cap with the Morningside Bakery logo from her long, light-brown hair. She stepped into the back of the bakery, where a line of ovens, a sink, a large table, and lines of cabinets made up the kitchen. Beyond it was Dani’s office, a walk-in freezer, a stockroom, and a restroom.
“Oh, and please don’t forget that Riley is going to walk from school to the community center next door for the children’s choir practice.” Dani placed her apron and hat on the counter.
Kacey leaned on the doorway. “You’re letting her walk from the school to downtown with her friends?”
“It’s only a few blocks, and she’ll be with a big group of kids. Their practice ends at six. She knows to come here after.” She gathered up her purse and pulled out her keys, which jingled in her hand. “Do you mind giving her friend Colleen a ride home? She only lives a block away from me.”
“Of course I don’t mind. I remember where she lives. They’re starting practices now for the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival?”
“That’s right.”
“Halloween was only a few days ago. Isn’t it a little early?”
“Not really. The festival is only a little over a month away, and they’re practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Today is the first session.” Dani glanced at the clock on the wall above the industrial-size refrigerator. “Oh no. I have to run. Peggy will be late for work if I don’t hurry. Thanks a million, baby sis. See you later!” With a wave of her hand she rushed out the back door to her waiting Honda Odyssey.
Kacey waved and then returned to the front of the bakery. She glanced around the store, taking in the sea of wooden tables and chairs where customers liked to enjoy their pastries and the photos of all kinds of goodies that adorned the baby-blue walls.
The bakery sat in the heart of downtown Splendid Lake on Main Street. The quaint little downtown shopping area was one of the many reasons she loved her hometown, even though she had chosen to stay in Charlotte after college.
Dani had always dreamed of owning a bakery on Main Street since she and Kacey had both grown up enjoying the town’s seasonal festivals and loved visiting the little stores there.
Moving to the window, Kacey looked out toward the stores that had been the backdrop of her childhood memories. The Christmas Shop was open year-round, and there was the Warner—Splendid Lake’s single-screen movie theater—the Flower Shoppe, the Coffee Bean, and Scoops, the local ice cream parlor. The town’s longtime family restaurant, the Splendid Kitchen, was known for its delicious and versatile menu. Like all the shops, it was owned and operated by local residents. The town hall, library, fire station, and police station all encircled the town square.
She hugged her chest as memories of the times she’d spent downtown with her family flooded her mind. They had attended all the seasonal festivals together. She recalled sitting on her father’s shoulders while watching the Fourth of July Parade and holding his hand and singing “Jingle Bells” during the Christmas Tree Lighting.
Her chest ached with missing him. A massive heart attack had stolen him from their family sixteen years ago when Kacey was ten and Dani was sixteen. Their lives were never the same.
Kacey turned her attention back to the bakery. After spotting a few crumbs on the floor, she grabbed a dustpan and broom and began sweeping the dining area.
She was so proud of her older sister when she made her lifelong dream come true and opened the bakery six years ago. For as long as Kacey could remember, Dani had always loved to bake. She recalled the hours Dani spent in the kitchen with their mother—baking cakes, cookies, breads, brownies, and pies. Although Dani frequently invited Kacey to join them in the kitchen, Kacey was more interested in drawing and playing with her dolls than creating delectable masterpieces. But baking seemed to be in Dani’s blood, stamped on her DNA.
After high school, Dani went to work at a bakery located a few towns away from Splendid Lake where she learned everything she needed to know about opening her own bakery in her hometown. And Dani’s bakery had been a success despite her family’s recent financial troubles when her husband was laid off from his IT job at a nearby bank. Kacey hoped she could help her sister keep that dream going for many more years.
The bell above the door chimed, and Kacey looked up as a middle-aged couple came in, both dressed in heavy parkas and stocking caps and bringing with them a gust of crisp early November air.
