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The first time I’d tried, Nathan had made me pay, and I’d learned there wasn’t anything to do but run. And so I had. For the first time since I’d left, I hoped that I could have a life. If I could push past that fear.
I didn’t see Lucas that evening, and I was opening Deja Brew alone for the first time in the morning, so I went to bed early.
Garnet Bend was a different place in the early morning. The vast quiet of Montana that was already everywhere seemed greater when the sun was peeking over the horizon and painting the mountains gold. There was a hush in the air, like the world was still holding its breath, and I liked it enough that it made me want to wake up early more often.
There was a bouquet of flowers by the door of the bakery, and a small box. They must be for Lena, since I didn’t usually work mornings. I hoped they were from Jude. The bouquet was all black roses, but Lena was a sweet little oddball, and frankly, black roses wouldn’t be out of left field for her.
I left them on her desk in the office and started the process of opening the shop without thinking more about them. The morning rush passed quickly and easily, and like it had when I’d worked at the Sandia Bean. People were starting to recognize me, and I was starting to remember people’s orders.
Shortly before Lena was supposed to arrive, the phone rang in the office, and I picked it up. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s me.” Lena sounded out of breath. “I broke down on the way and Grace is picking me up. I’ll be a little behind.”
I laughed. This was the first time it had happened to me, but apparently this was a regular occurrence with Lena. She drove a classic car that had been on its last legs ten years ago, but she loved it and kept driving it even though it seemed like it was dead set on stranding her. “Okay, that’s fine. I’ll see you soon.”
She burst into the store a half hour later like a whirlwind, Grace close on her heels. “I’m here, I’m here. Sorry.”
“It’s been pretty quiet. But are you okay?”
“I’m fine. No big deal.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “You need a new car, Lena.”
“Bessie does her best.”
I hid my grin as best I could. “You named your car Bessie?”
“A name that’s as old as time itself? Seems appropriate,” Grace muttered.
“Hush, or you’re not getting any coffee.”
I poured Grace a cup and slipped it to her across the counter before Lena could make good on her threat. There was no one in the shop, so Grace and I followed her into the kitchen.
“I have about two hundred cookies to make today. Tonight. Whatever. The senior center ordered chocolate chip for their party tomorrow. Though I don’t know why on earth they need two hundred cookies. There aren’t close to that many people. But that’s fine, I’ll take the money.”
“Lena,” I said, interrupting her rant. “Do you know you’re still talking out loud?”
Looking up, she froze. “I was, wasn’t I? Guess I’m more frazzled than I realized.”
“Just tell me what to do, and I’ll help,” Grace said.
I nodded. “And obviously you can boss me around, boss.”
“I need a second. I’m going to look at the order again to make sure I’m remembering it right before I jump into doing something and realize that I’ve totally spaced.” She disappeared into the office. “Evie, what’s with the flowers?”
“Oh.” I’d forgotten about them. “They were in front of the door this morning. Someone left them for you.” I looked at Grace. “Black roses.”
“Really?” She made a face. “Lena hates roses.”
I didn’t know that. There was a hitch in my chest but I pushed it down. It was fine. There was nothing wrong. Someone was playing a joke. A prank. Or we’d sold a bad pastry. It wasn’t him. It wasn’t.
Lena peeked her head out of the door. “But the card in them is addressed to you.”
My stomach plummeted through the floor, and all the blood drained from my face. I grabbed the edge of the worktable to make sure I didn’t hit the floor.
No.
It wasn’t possible.
