by Sophie Kaye
Hailey let go of her.
“He loves you Hailey.” She gently took both of Hailey's arms. “It was all a misunderstanding.”
“Are you sure?”
Amanda smiled at her. “Trust me, I saw how hard he worked to get you your dream opening. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be headed over there to set things up?”
Hailey glanced at her watch.
“Shoot. I didn't realize it was so late.”
“You go on ahead.”
“But Sage?”
“I'll take care of Sage until Myra is done here. And I'm sure Jessica will help.”
“Thank you.” Hailey gave her another quick hug before she hurried off.
∞∞∞
Five minutes before the door opened Hailey was pacing the kitchen, wiping her palms on her apron. She had been dreaming of this moment her whole life, never thought it would come true. And now it was here. In just a few minutes she'd be opening her bakery and selling the cakes and breads she had made. If anyone showed up. She made sure the coffee makers were set for a second brewing if needed and took the full pots.
With a deep breath she backed out of the kitchen and placed to coffee pots on the heaters. Milk and cream were right next to them and coffee mugs were stacked on a tray right beside them. Myra would be along to help her any minute, but before then people could take their own coffee if she was too busy to do it for them.
With another deep breath she turned towards the door. And stopped. People were lined up all along the window. A smile spread across her face as Gunther waved at her through the window in the door. He was front and center.
Hailey hurried over to unlock the door.
“Welcome.” She smiled.
“I wanted to be your first customer tonight,” Gunther said. “I still remember when I opened the hair salon, how nervous I was that first day. But as soon as I opened the door, old man Williams was standing there. He barely had any hair. But that didn't matter, he said. He made it a point to visit all the new establishments as soon as they opened to make sure they at least had one customer on their first day. He's dead now, but I've taken over the tradition.” Gunther smiled at her.
“And every time he tells that story forcing the rest of us to wait in the cold for a while longer,” Herb said shaking his head.
Gunther moved on inside with a glare at his friend.
“Yes, it’s apparently become part of the tradition to annoy us.” Gary took Hailey's hand and bowed over it. “I congratulate you on your new establishment.”
“Thank you.” Hailey moved over to stand behind the counter. “Now, what can I get you?”
From her first sale to Gunther until the crowds thinned out a few hours later, Hailey didn't have much time to think. Many of the townspeople saw this as a chance to meet her so she ended up answering the same questions about herself and Sage over and over.
Myra showed up with Sage and nobody seemed to mind that she reenacted her sheep role at all the tables. When Sage showed signs of getting cranky, Jessica offered to help out so Myra could take Sage home and put her to bed.
Hailey's heart felt about ready to explode when Jessica took Myra's apron. The whole town seemed determined to make her bakery a success.
By the end of the evening the display case was almost empty and the coffee had been drunk. Hailey could finally sit down and rest her feet.
“I'd say that was a pretty successful opening, Jessica said and sat down next to her.
“Thank you so much for helping out. I had no idea so many people would show up.”
Jessica waved a hand. “What are friends for.”
“I still can't believe everyone showed up.”
“I think you lured them in with the cookies at the pageant.”
The bell by the door sounded and they both looked up. Sam stood there. Looking handsome in his suit and coat.
“I think you can take it from here,” Jessica said. “Congratulations on a successful opening.”
She grabbed her bag and jacket and nodded at Sam as she left.
Sam closed the door after her and put his hands in his pockets. He shuffled from one foot to the other as Hailey got up.
“Hi,” she said.
“I was wondering if you had any more cookies.” He looked up at her.
“Sure, I made loads.” Hailey didn't move. “Why did you finish the bakery?”
He cleared his throat. “It might have started as a fling. And then I found out about Sage and I got scared.”
Their eyes met.
“OK,” Hailey said.
“But the thing is, I need you to know it's become so much more.”
“More than a fling?” Hailey's voice was hoarse.
Sam took a step towards her. “I'm falling in love with you.” He smiled. “And with Sage.”
Hailey tried to hide a smile. “Really?”
“Yes, you and your clipboards and all your planning. When I told you I couldn't finish the bakery on time it almost killed me to see how sad you got.”
“It was just a silly dream.”
He stepped up to her and grabbed her hand. “Don't say that. It meant something to you. It wasn't silly to you, so it was never silly to me.”
Their eyes met.
Hailey blushed and stepped ever so slightly closer.
“You're the one, Hailey. I see that so clearly. When you told me it was over, my life shattered. I can't imagine a future without you, and Sage.” He smiled, showing off his dimples.
“Oh, Sam.”
Hailey put her hands on his chest and let them slide up around his neck as he pulled her closer. His hands landed on her lower back, holding her tight, promising to keep her safe. Their lips met and Hailey sank into his arms, ready to give love another chance.
Chapter eight
Hailey
Hailey smiled at Myra and Sage sitting on the floor, opening presents. Sage was still in her pyjamas, too excited to see what Santa had brought to go get dressed. Myra handed Sage a box to open and reached under the tree.
“What's this?” She studied a gift. “For me?”
Hailey nodded. “Just a little extra thank you for letting us live here and for taking care of Sage.”
“You didn't have to do that.” Myra got up and hugged Hailey. “You're family. You always take care of family.”
“Just open it and tell me what you think.”
Myra carefully undid the bow and put the ribbon aside. She unwrapped the little box and opened it.
“Hailey, it's perfect.” She took out the charmbracelet and studied the pendants. “Oh, there's a rolling pin. And a sheep.” Myra laughed. “This is perfect. Thank you, Hailey.”
Myra hugged Hailey again.
“Open,” Sage demanded from the floor.
“What did you get?” Hailey knelt down. “Is that from aunt Myra?”
“Doll.” Sage held out the box with a doll inside.
“It's almost as big as you.” Hailey said and opened the box. “Here you go.”
Sage took the doll and studied her. “Seep,” she said and hugged her.
“It's a doll, Sage.” Myra sat down on the sofa, struggling to close the bracelet.
“Seep,” Sage said and held the doll under one arm as she reached out for the next gift.
“Here.” Hailey stood up to help Myra with the bracelet.
The doorbell rang.
“I'll get it.” Hailey made sure the bracelet was properly fastened and headed for the door.
“Merry Christmas.” Sam was standing outside with an enormous gift.
“Sam.” Hailey's stomach jumped.. “Merry Christmas.”
“I don't want to intrude...” He hesitated.
“Come in.” Hailey stepped back. “We're just opening presents and then we we're going to have hot cocoa and sandwiches.”
“Sounds like I'm just in time.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and hauled the gift inside.
“Sam.” Myra smiled at him. “Merry Chri
stmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Hailey helped him with his coat.
“I brought gifts.” He held up the large box and a couple of smaller ones.
“Open.” Sage held out hand for the presents, the other hand was still holding the doll.
“Here you go.” Sam knelt down and put the large gift in front of her. “This is for you,” he handed a smaller present to Hailey. “And for you.” He handed Myra a gift bag.
“You didn't have to do that.” Hailey said.
“You're staying for hot chocolate, right?” Myra said as she opened her gift. “Oh, it's an elephant. Did you make it?” She looked slightly confused and held up a wooden elephant standing on a platform.
“Yes, it's a cellphone holder,” Sam said.
“Ooh, I see.” Myra's face lit up. “It's beautiful.” She walked over to the hallway table where she kept her phone and put it to rest against the elephants head. “This is so much better. Thank you.”
“Open.” Sage was pulling at the paper on the big box.
“Here. I'll help.” Sam sat down on the floor and started tearing off the paper.
“Seep,” Sage said and held out the doll.
“Is that so,” Sam said. “I thought that was a doll.”
“Seep.” Sage sat back and watched him remove the box.
Hailey gasped. Inside the box was a beautifully carved wooden cradle.
“Seep bed.” Sage said and crawled over.
“Yup.” Sam held out a hand to steady Sage as she stood up. “It's a bed for Seep.”
“Sleepy.” Sage placed the doll in the cradle.
“Sam, it's beautiful.” Hailey said.
Sam got up and put a hand on her cheek.
Hailey flustered. “Did you make it?”
Sam nodded. “I need you to know I'm committed to this relationship.”
Hailey inhaled. His hand was warm and gentle. His lips were moving closer.
Myra cleared her throat.
Sam took half a step backwards. Hailey smiled and looked down. She was still holding her present.
“I guess it's my turn to open.” She unwrapped the box and opened the lid. A laugh escaped her.
“It's a clipboard.” She smiled up at Sam.
The clipboard was a dark wood that showed the natural grain of the tree. In the bottom right corner the words “Hailey's Bakery” were engraved.
“It has a stand in the back.” Sam showed her a piece that folded out. “I thought you could have recipes there when you bake, maybe?” He bit his lip.
“It's perfect” Hailey reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“Well.” Myra stood up. “I think that's enough presents for now. I'll prepare the hot chocolate.”
“I'll help,” Hailey said.
“I guess that means I get to play with Seep.” Sam winked.
Hailey stood in the kitchen and looked out over the scene in the living room. Sam was a natural with Sage. Helping her dress the doll in one of the dresses she had gotten. He placed her gently, according to Sage's instructions, in the crib and helped Sage tuck her in.
“I think he might be a keeper,” Myra said quietly.
“I think he might be.” Hailey couldn't stop smiling. It was the perfect Christmas.
The End
Sign up to receive news about upcoming books at: subscribepage.com/bellrom
To contact the author please visit bellfrey.wordpress.com
In the next book, Jessica has an accident that lends her incapable of working at the diner. Find out what temporary job she gets as her leg heals, and who she meets in the process.
