“She only knows you're Andrew’s younger sister. The girls talk about you all the time. I think it annoys her, so I haven’t stopped them. I’m sorry if that upsets you.” His apology was sincere, and I wished we were anywhere else so I could forgive him in our own special way.
“What are you two talking about over here? Nate? Want a beer?” Andrew leaned on the island across from us, blocking my view of Mom cooking.
“Just chatting about her shop. The girls got to pick their favorite ideas from Alex’s stack. And, yeah, I’d love a beer. Thanks.”
Andrew slipped out to the garage and grabbed a beer for Nate, calling out that I had one too many cakes in our parents’ other fridge. I was testing new recipes any chance I could. Mom’s was the easiest place to store all of them. I was starting to feel bad though, because other than a bite or two, most of them were going to waste. I’d been taking what I could to the coffee shop in town, and they agreed to let customers know when and where they could get one in the fall. The business cards I ordered were still in transit—another project Aspen knocked out of the park.
I’d been fumbling with a name ever since I started this journey. The restaurants and eateries in Ashfield had such unique names. I wanted my shop to stand out with them. Names like Eat or Be Easterly, a tie into my last name, and For Cake’s Sake were a couple of my favorites. Then, just before I began filing paperwork to solidify the business, the perfect name came to me. I wasn’t even sure it made sense, but it was an ode to both things I loved: food and dance.
Show-Stopping Sweets.
Aspen took the name and ran with it, creating the most unique logo and website.
Things were moving along, and I couldn’t have been more excited. I just needed to get started on replacing some of the appliances so I could store my own cakes there. And the kitchen desperately needed new ovens.
Autumn and Colton strolled into the house a few minutes later, hand in hand. They were so in love it was almost sickening. Not because they were gross, but because I never thought I’d have that for myself. I was so envious.
I stole a glance at Nate, who was seated in the living room with Andrew and my dad. He looked so relaxed with my family. It was a shame the small fissure in my heart cracked further every time we were together. I was too stubborn to be the one to break our agreement, no matter how much my heart broke. Because Nate was slinking his way into it every time he was in my bed.
Rory joined us next, and as Mom finished up with dinner, my sisters and I congregated in the kitchen while the men sat in the living room. It’s what happened every family dinner. The only change was that perched on the knees of my father were Molly and Eloise. They invaded the men’s zone and left us girls. Those little adorable traitors.
Rory and Autumn were asking me all sorts of questions about the shop and what ideas I had for it. Normally, I’d have my binder with me, but I decided to leave it at the shop today.
“The apartment is really nice. It’s a lot bigger than the one over the bar. And… I finally gave my notice. Randy is no longer my boss.”
“How did he take it?” Autumn asked, pulling off a chunk of freshly baked bread I brought over.
“He wasn’t thrilled. I mean, I’d been there for like five years. But he did wish me well and said he knew I was going to be a success. It was nice.”
“So, you still think you’ll open in September?”
“That’s the plan, but maybe even sooner. Some of the items that were on backorder either came in stock or I found at a scratch and dent warehouse. No one’s going to see them but me and maybe another employee.”
“Oh, you’re going to hire someone?” Sadie, Colton’s half-sister, asked around a mouthful of bread. Her cheeks were puffed out, reminding me of a chipmunk. A year ago, when Colton found out about her, we immediately adopted her as one of our own.
“I was thinking about it.”
“I’d be interested, if you think you could work around my school schedule.”
“Sure.”
Mom called out for everyone to get to the table, and I told Sadie we could work out a time to discuss it more. It would be nice to have someone I knew and trusted working with me. And Sadie was sweet with a great work ethic. She was currently taking classes at the University of Tennessee and getting her master’s degree, but she planned on taking the slow route like I did.
They extended the dining table with the center leaf. It was usually reserved for the meals when the farm hands joined the entire family. Since Autumn and Colton came home and the additional spots were needed for Sadie, Nate, Molly, and Eloise, it just made sense to leave it in place. Despite the extra piece of wood, the chairs still brushed against each other. It was a tight fit, but I knew my mother wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d have to talk to my sisters about getting my parents a new, larger table for Christmas. I assumed Autumn and Colton planned on adding grandkids at some point.
Everyone shuffled around the table. Somehow, I lucked out with Nate on my left side. Rory was seated to my right. The twins were nestled on either side of Andrew. It was adorable how much they loved my big, grumpy brother. One of the pictures they drew at my shop was of them with Andrew under a big rainbow.
Mom sat out the dishes of pasta and sauce, and Dad carried my bread to the table. Once he sat down and took his helping, the bowls started their rotation around the table. As usual, there were no leftovers at an Easterly dinner. Not a morsel remained in the bowls. I don’t know how my mom knew exactly how much to cook for everyone, but no one complained about having too little or too much.
“I have tiramisu for dessert. A Betsy special.” Mom grabbed the empty bowls and carried them to the kitchen. The stack of dessert plates were passed out by the time she got back.
“Oh! I brought a new dessert wine. I want to offer it at the bed-and-breakfast. You guys can be my guinea pigs.” Autumn scooted her chair back, and Colton did his best to help her slip by. When she was free from the wooden confines, she leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, babe.”
Nate and I quickly glanced at each other and rolled our eyes.
“Daddy kisses Miss Alex, too. On the mouth,” Molly said, scrunching her nose in the process.
“Yeah. He’s her one true love, so it’s okay.” Eloise made it a point to add in that detail as she peered around Andrew and stared at her sister.
