She pointed with careful little fingers. “Pink… there. Then green… no—light gween. And the buh-tuh-fly… on the edge.”
Miss Loreen followed every direction like Ivy was the boss, placing petals and rosettes just so, letting her choose every detail.
I blinked hard.
This tiny girl—my girl—who’d spent the morning crying over spilled water, was now orchestrating cake art like she’d been born to do it. She didn’t want to eat it. Never even asked to. Just wanted to make it beautiful.
When they finished, Miss Loreen stepped back with a grin. “I think we’ve got a budding baker on our hands.”
I ran a hand down my face, choking on the emotion rising in my chest. “Thank you,” I said roughly. “For letting her… for this.”
“She’s got an eye.” Miss Loreen looked at Ivy like she was something rare and special. “You let her chase that light. Wherever it takes her.”
Ivy’s face glowed, and she held her hands clasped in front of her like she’d just conducted a symphony.
“She can do whatever makes her happy,” I said softly. “That’s all I care about.”
The doorbell chimed, a brightting-tingthat bounced around the warm air. It was funny that all the shops in Bristlecone Springs had the same chime. Miss Loreen glanced up, then leaned down toward Ivy.
“Want to help me serve the customer, sugarplum?”
Ivy’s eyes lit up like the sunrise. She looked at me, hesitating, thumb ghosting near her mouth.
I gave her a soft nod. “Go ahead, Bug. You’ve got this.”
She slipped her tiny hand into Miss Loreen’s, and together they made their way back to the front. I followed a few steps behind, brushing my hands down my jeans.
Shit.
Standing in the doorway, his eyes scanning the bakery with a frown, was Matty.
My whole body stilled.
Reflexively, instinctively—protectively—my first thought was to shield Ivy.
Not because I was ashamed of her. God, never.
But because Matty could be cruel.
Sharp-tongued and quick to wound when cornered.
And the last thing I could handle was him turning that edge on my little girl.
Ivy stood proudly beside the display case, waiting for her moment. She didn’t know heartbreak when she saw it. She didn’t know bitterness disguised as beauty. She just saw a man walk in and smiled. I would have whisked her away, but seeing her looking so confident made me pause.
“Hi!” She waved with all five fingers.
Matty’s steps faltered. He looked at her like he wasn’t sure if he should run. If he walked out because of her, he wasn’t the man I fell in love with. The man who still had my whole heart.
Miss Loreen nudged Ivy gently. “Go on, sweetheart. What do we say?”
“Wuh-welcome to Dough Re Mi!” Ivy sang beautifully. “Can… can I help y-you?”
Matty didn’t smile. But he didn’t scowl either. He took a deep breath and approached the counter. “You sure can.” His voice was soft, like it was pulled out of him. I hadn’t heard that softness in a long time.
He looked at me, eyes scanning my face like they were searching for something he’d lost.
I didn’t speak.
