“I love it. The scenery is beautiful, there’s always something going on, and people are friendly.” Outside of business.
“Except?”
“Pardon me?” Rosaleen peered up from the éclair she’d placed just so to catch the best of the studio lighting.
“You hesitated.”
“Many of the fellow business owners have been standoffish. Not rude, just ...” She shrugged.
“It’ll pass. This town has been dragged into the present kicking and screaming. It’s a tough job balancing history and tradition with more modern ideals and upgrades. I think some of them see every new place as a potential threat to their way of life.”
“I’m not a strip club,” Rosaleen murmured.
Nicole snickered. “And they’ll realize that soon enough.”
“Sixty seconds to air,” a voice called.
“All right, here we go.” Nicole smiled. “We’re back with Rosaleen Plath, owner of For Cake’s Sake. She’s brought some tasty treats into the studio, and I’m the lucky lady who gets to sample them.”
The interview passed in a blur of nerves, and what she prayed were clever answers. Thanking them again for having her, she invited them to enjoy the baked goods. Waving, she joined her mother who was waiting on the other side of the studio.
“You did a great job, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She smiled.
“I’ve been waiting for this day for years. I knew one day I would watch my baby open her own bakery. You’ve worked so hard for this. Make sure you enjoy it.”
Her mother’s unwavering faith helped soothe her grand opening jitters. “I’ll try. I’m worried about everything going smoothly.”
“Just take it one minute at a time,” her mother said as she fell into step beside her. “That’s all we can really do. I know you. All the i’s have been dotted, and t’s have been crossed. The rest is going along with what life hands you.”
“If only it were so simple.” They reached her black sedan, and Rosaleen unlocked the car with her key fob. “I’ve bet everything on this, Mom. What if I fail?”
“Honey, don’t even put that into the universe.”
“You’re right. Once I’m there, and in the thick of it, I’ll be too busy to worry. At least that’s the plan.” Entering the car, they buckled up, and she turned over the engine.
“Besides, I get to meet all the friends you’ve made while you were here.”
Her gut churned. There would be another first happening today—meeting the parents. Though neither mother would know their children were dating it made her nervous. She’d told her mother all about her new friend. The perceptive woman had pinned her with a look that stripped her bare but remained silent on the subject.
“Yes, you will.”
“Especially the one you’re closest to. What’s his name again? Alex? Albert?”
The teasing lilt made her scowl. “Alaric,” Rosaleen said softly. You think you’re so clever, Mom.
“Right. Alaric. I’m very much looking forward to meeting him.”
Crap. The shark’s caught the scent of blood in the water. I’m going to have to work extra hard to put her off the smell.
“I have to thank him for taking such good care of my baby.”
“Mom,” she warned.
“What? I’m grateful. It’s not easy moving to a new place and starting over from scratch.”
Listening to her mother continue, she allowed the familiar treatment to lull her into a temporary sense of ease.