Page 15 of Whisk Me Away

I had ten minutes before I needed to unlock the front door, so I rushed to the small bathroom at the back of the kitchen to clean the flour off my face and ensure my hair wasn’t a complete disaster. After freshening up, I hurried to the door leading to the front of the bakery, pausing to inhale a long, deep breath. “I can do this,” I exhaled. Lord, help me. I sent up a breath prayer, steeled my nerves, and pushed through the door.

The sight out front stopped me in my tracks. There was a line outside the door of the bakery. My bakery. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this many people would show up on my opening day. Shaking my head and ungluing my feet, I rushed to the door and unlocked it, flipping the cute, little sign on the door to open.

The aroma of freshly baked pastries and breads filled the air, mingling with the sound of chatter and laughter from the bustling crowd outside. I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as I stepped behind the counter, ready to share my passion for baking with my favorite little town.

From the moment I unlocked the doors, it was a whirlwind of activity. The line of eager customers seemed to stretch endlessly, snaking out onto the sidewalk as word spread of the grand opening. I greeted each person with a warm smile and a heartfelt thank you, overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from this amazing town.

As trays of golden chocolate croissants, decadent cinnamon rolls, and flaky pastries flew off the shelves, I found myself in a rhythm, moving with purpose behind the counter. The hours blurred together as I worked tirelessly to keep up with the demand, fueled by adrenaline and the sheer joy of seeing my creations bring delight to others.

Despite the chaos, there was a sense of satisfaction knowing I was making my dreams come true. But along with that satisfaction was a tiny flicker of anxiety. I was going to need to hire some help if the Whisk Me Away was going to continue to be this busy.

There was a small lull in customers that allowed me to walk to the back and catch my breath. It was lunchtime, and while this place was filled with delicious treats, I hadn't eaten yet today. I would need something if I was going to make it through this day. I was searching for my phone in my bag when a loud knock came from the steel back door. Startled by the sound, I shoved my phone into my pocket and walked around the prep table to unlock the door. Mia's smiling face popped through as soon as I pushed it open.

"I come bearing sustenance,” she was practically dancing with excitement.

"You are a lifesaver!" I tugged her arm, pulling her through the door before locking it behind her. "What did you bring me?" I clapped my hands in front of me, showing my excitement.

"Only your favorite," Mia said with a smirk, holding a take-out bag from Sunny's diner.

"Monte Cristo?" I squealed.

"You got it,” she smiled while I snatched the bag from her outstretched hand.

"Easy Killer! Don't want to ruin that beautiful sandwich before you can get the chance to scarf it down,” Mia said with a laugh. "How did it go this morning? I was walking into Hansons earlier, and there was a line out the door!" The sheer excitement on Mia's face was one of the things I loved most about her.

I had experienced a few one-sided friendships where they didn't get excited when I succeeded, but Mia wasn't one of them. She had this unique ability to hold so much joy for me even when her life wasn't going exactly to plan. She never saw me or our friendship as something to compete with. She had always been my biggest cheerleader, and I made sure I returned the favor. I honestly believed that was part of why we had stayed such close friends for as long as we had.

Looking back to our friendship reminded me of a memory from Freshman year of high school that always brought a warm smile to my face. It was a time of uncertainty, navigating the halls of a new school and trying to find our place among peers. Making the JV cheer squad was a dream come true for me, and the excitement was palpable. But Mia's genuine happiness for me despite her own circumstances made that moment even more special.

I remembered the tryouts vividly—the nerves, the anticipation, and the overwhelming sense of relief when I saw my name on the list. Mia's beaming face stood out among the crowd as I celebrated with my newfound teammates. Despite her own disappointment in not making the squad, she was the first to congratulate me. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

In the days that followed, Mia's persistent support never wavered. She cheered just as loudly from the sidelines during our games, and her encouragement lifted my spirits during practice. Looking back, I realize how rare and precious her selflessness was. Instead of letting envy or resentment cloud our friendship, Mia celebrated my success wholeheartedly. That spoke volumes about her character and the depth of our bond. Mia's friendship had always been a source of strength for me, and that moment in high school solidified our connection in a way I'd always cherish.

We spent that whole summer working on her form and stunts, so she would be with me on the team when tryouts came for the following year. She truly was the best friend a girl could have.

I brought myself back from the past to answer Mia’s question. “Honestly, I was blown away. It had been pure madness from the moment I opened the door this morning until about ten minutes ago. The best kind of chaos, but chaos nonetheless,” I smiled to myself as I recounted my frenzied morning.

"Karis! I’m so happy for you! I knew that would be the case because, honestly, who could resist your delicious treats? They are heavenly,” Mia sighed dreamily.

I hid my chuckle with a cough. "Would you like to grab something from the display case? I think there are still a few Orange-Cranberry scones left,” I waggled my eyebrows at her, knowing they were her favorite.

"You've been holding out on me, Thompson?" Mia laughed as she pushed through the swinging door leading to the front of the bakery.

With a few moments to myself, I inhaled my Monte Cristo sandwich while sending up silent prayers of thanks and praise. If it weren't for God and His provision, I wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't have the confidence or ability to follow the dreams He'd placed on my heart. Life wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, but I would continue to walk in the knowledge that He was with me in the challenging seasons and the joyous ones.

As I finished my sandwich, my mind drifted to Mom and Dad. They came in earlier this morning to support me and grab a treat to-go. Mom was spending less and less time out in public just because the treatments were destroying her immune system, and the last thing she needed was to get sick. I told her she didn't need to come in today, that I knew she supported me and was proud of me, but she insisted. Dad took the morning off and brought her in.

A loud commotion from the front pulled me from my thoughts. I wiped my mouth on a napkin before rushing to the door to see if Mia was okay.

"Mia! Are you alright?" I rushed out just before swinging the door open.

When I got through the door, it took all my effort to hold the laugh bubbling up. Mia was standing with her hands on her hips, covered in what looked to be coffee. The spill on the floor and the empty coffee cup confirmed my suspicions. Mia was wearing dark wash jeans with bright white sneakers and a white tee with the Hansons logo on the front, all of which were now covered in a deep caramel color. As my gaze made its way up to her face, I saw she was glaring daggers at a guilty-looking Brock.

I was so caught up in piecing together what had happened out here that I failed to notice Brant and Brooks standing with Brock until I heard the deep rasp of Brant's voice.

“Hey," my eyes shot to his as I took in his appearance. He was dressed in his deep, blue uniform, pulled tight across his chest and biceps. His badge and gun were clipped to his belt. He stood with his thumbs tucked into the vest at his shoulders, his feet planted in a wide stance. His brown hair was tousled in an effortless way that made him look too good to be real. His caramel eyes that held flecks of gold bore into mine when I realized I hadn't said one word since I walked out here.

"Uh… hi,” I squeaked.Real great Karis. What’s wrong with you?

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