Page 72 of Catching Dreams

“Hey, Ty, you just passed the motel,” I said as he wasn’t slowing down.

“Just so you know, I had nothing to do with this, and I actually just found out when I was pulling the car around while you were getting discharged.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Well, you know how you helped Ivan get the money to go back home and see Camilia?”

“Yeah. But it wasn’t just me. The whole community helped.”

“Right there. That’s exactly what happened. The whole community helped.”

“I’m confused,” I said as I looked up and gasped. Tyler pulled the Expedition to a stop in front of Cupcake Curveball. It looked exactly as it had before the tornado, complete with the red and white awning and the writing on the front window about every dessert being a homerun. The biggest shock was the “Now Open” sign on the door.

“What? How is it open?” I exclaimed.

“Let’s go see,” Ty said as he climbed out of the SUV and opened the door to take Olivia’s car seat out on his side. I opened my door and carefully got out of the car.

“Hey, Sis! Let me help you!” Dominic was suddenly at my side, gave me a hug, and then got Hazel’s car seat out for me.

“Was this all you?” I asked, looking over and seeing that Emma’s Little Sluggers Daycare sign was already hanging up next door. After the word Daycare was a little baseball player swinging a bat. It was adorable! There was a sign on the front door saying they were now accepting enrollment for students and applications for part-time workers.

“Not all me,” Dom said with a huge grin. “Welcome home, Molls.”

I followed my brother into Cupcake Curveball and couldn’t believe my eyes. It looked exactly the same on the inside, too. Even the Tiger Pennants hung on the walls, but there were also pennants for the Lightning, the Storm, the Coyotes, and even Landon’s team, the Jaguars. I also noticed that reprints of the pictures Meadow had taken the day I found out I was pregnant and the day I thought Tyler didn’t recognize me were hanging back on the wall. There were also new pictures on the wall of regular customers, the Tiger players, and other candid shots of people in the bakery. I loved it!

“Welcome to Cupcake Curveball! What can we get you today?” Penelope said from the other side of the counter. The bakery cases were filled with cupcakes, muffins, cookies, scones, and other treats.

“Oh, Pen!” I said with tears in my eyes. “How?”

“Janel came in and did a lot of baking. Cash’s sister, Robyn, also applied for a job here and loves baking, too. She’s a great people person and will be a great help to me until you come back full-time.”

“This is amazing! I can’t believe it!”

Penelope laughed. “Believe it, Molly. We’ve been back home and open for two days now, and it’s going great.”

“I am so happy! That is such great news!”

“Come on, lady! Order already, or move to the back of the line,” Cooper said from behind me.

I shook my head but turned around and hugged him. I knew he had a lot to do with the bakery being finished earlier than expected. I walked around the counter and gave Penelope a huge hug, too.

“Does she like it?” I heard Camden ask from one of the booths.

“Was she surprised?” Peyton asked.

“Hi!” Nico signed with a wave.

“Did you three help with this surprise?” I pointed at them and asked Mack, who was leaning against the booth the kids were sitting in, how to sign surprise.

“Touch your pointer fingers to your thumbs, right at your eyes. Then pop them open like you are really surprised,” Mack said with a huge smile.

Nico nodded enthusiastically and brushed his hand up and out from his chest a few times.

“He wants to know if you’re happy?” Mack explained.

I nodded my head and repeated the sign back to him before giving Mack a huge hug.

“Ok, kids. Now, you can pick out any one item from the bakery. Thank you for waiting patiently,” he said and signed it at the same time.

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