Page 1 of Luke: The Bears

The trouble with fresh starts, Valley had decided while spending the day packing up her converted garage apartment, was that they came with an awful lot of goodbyes.

Still, she had a plan.

A very good one, actually, if she did say so herself.

Her boss Margaret, owner of Margie’s Bakery, had offered to pay Valley’s relocation expenses, cover her first month’s rent, and give her a pay raise if she came with her. The storefront in Mill Creek had come to the end of a ten-year lease and the rent had jumped by enough that Margie thought it was better to look for a cheaper location elsewhere.

Valley had never lived anywhere but her parents’ farm on the outskirts of Mill Creek. When she’d graduated high school and taken baking and decorating classes, she’d wanted some freedom and independence and her dad had converted the garage into a great apartment for her. She was on her own. Sort of.

But leaving with Margie meant an independence that Valley had never really had before.

No more running across the yard to raid her mom’s stash of colorful scarves to tie her hair back, or have her dad come to her rescue if her car broke down or she needed something fixed.

No more stopping by the old barn where her mom packed orders for her Wild Sage Studio jewelry business.

Or hanging out in the workshop where her dad turned curbside furniture into treasures for Old Soul Furniture.

No more rescue dogs underfoot, wanting belly rubs and extra treats.

She’d be well and truly on her own.

The bakery moving had seemed like some kind of cosmic sign that Valley should move on. Her parents – Sage and Bodhi – had lovingly supported her, although she knew they would prefer she stay close.

Leaving was everything that Valley needed. Mill Creek was a classic small town in the middle of nowhere, bordered by a river and a creek, and if she didn’t leave with Margie, she’d be without a job until she found something else.

So why, as she grabbed the packing tape and closed a box of winter clothes up with a quick swipe, did her chest get tight every time she got closer to being finished?

A knock echoed.

“Come in,” Valley called.

The door opened and Eisley, her best friend and former coworker, stepped inside with two iced coffees.

Valley straightened and clocked Eisley’s determined expression. “Whatever it is, no.”

“Oh, come on!” Eisley said. She joined Valley and handed over an iced coffee. “I brought you a sweet, caffeinated treat.”

“Sounds like a bribe. What are you up to?”

“Nothing.”

“Your face says otherwise.”

“This is just my regular face!”

Valley took a sip of the vanilla cold foam iced latte and gave her bestie a soft glare.

Eisley seemed to purposely ignore the look. “You’ve packed up a lot.”

The efficiency-style, one-room apartment had a Murphy bed, a big closet, a kitchenette, and a full bathroom with extra closet space. Valley had still managed to stuff it full.

“I’m leaving next Friday.”

“I know.”

Eisley had been the counter girl at Margie’s. They’d been high school besties, and when they’d ended up working together, Valley had figured they’d always be together. Find their forever guys, have families, maybe even live near each other. Even though Eisley’s family wasn’t in the area, she didn’t want to relocate. She’d lined up a job at Petals & Pine, the flower shop in Mill Creek.

Eisley was staying.