Page 24 of Batter Up!

“No… I haven’t even looked at my phone. Why?”

Autumn pulled out her phone and said, “Listen to these comments, and there are pictures to go with them!” She showed me a picture of the Raptor’s team surrounding the cake I had sent them. There were several comments underneath from players that Autumn read out loud, “So thoughtful….. Thank you!.... We’re stopping by Batter Up! for sure…… Best Cake Ever….. Blue cake is now my favorite……. If you’re headed to The Raptors game, make sure to stop and get a cupcake on the way over!...... They even have peanut-free and celiac disease friendly items that taste amazing!”

“What?! Oh my gosh! They didn’t have to do that!” I was not expecting that and couldn’t believe it. Talk about free press! “I’m so excited they loved it! Wow!” I was suddenly feeling a little dizzy from the shock and all the late nights and early mornings getting ready for today. “I have to sit down. I’m overwhelmed.”

“Are you okay?” Pen asked, speaking for the first time since Autumn and Nate came into the bakery.

“I don’t know. I’m feeling really lightheaded.”

“Have you eaten today?” Pen asked.

I nodded, “Yeah, but not very much. I have some peanut butter crackers in my purse. That sounds good right now.”

Pen nodded and went to the back of the bakery, where my office and a small break room were. She came back with the crackers and handed them to me.

“Thanks,” I replied, and after a few bites, I was already feeling better.

“Well, if you’re okay, we’ll be heading out for lunch before going to the game. I guess you won’t be able to make it, will you?” Autumn asked.

“Not today,” I said with regret, “but I’ll make a game one of these days, hopefully sooner rather than later. I obviously love baseball.”

“My parents have season tickets, so if you ever want awesome seats, just let us know,” Nate offered. “Save me some pretzel cupcakes, will you?”

I gave him a nod to let him know I’d save his favorite cupcakes. “Thank you, guys. For everything!” I said and gave them both a hug. They went out the door, and I checked the time. It was now only a half an hour before opening time. I sat down to finish my crackers while Pen did a few last-minute things to get ready. As she was opening the rolls of change into the cash drawer, I sighed. “I’m sorry I’m not much help right now.”

“Molly, just relax. This is your baby, and you need to be at one hundred percent. Are you feeling okay?

I nodded, “I’m actually feeling a lot better now. Are we ready to open?”

Penelope smiled at me with a huge smile, “We’re ready. You do the honors, boss.”

I felt a surge of energy as I walked over to the door and turned the sign over to say OPEN. We had done all our preparations, and we were ready to go. “Hi, everyone, welcome to Batter Up!”

I took my place behind the counter, and Penelope smiled from the cash register.

“I’d like a raptor cupcake and a sprinkle cupcake for my sister,” said a little boy with a raptor on his t-shirt. His little sister was eyeing the sprinkle cupcakes and jumping up and down, making her two blonde braids bounce.

“Oh, do you like the baseball Raptors?” I asked the little boy.

“No. I like the really real dinosaur raptors,” he said very matter-of-factly.

I had to laugh as I boxed up their cupcakes.

“I’ll take two apple fritters, too,” their mom said.

I thanked her and handed the boxes to Pen.

Three hours later, the line was finally coming to an end, my cases were getting very low, and the tip jar was overflowing. It was a great feeling. “I need to refill these,” I told Penelope.

“Let me do that. You’re the face of the bakery,” she offered.

“Thank you. Definitely grab more cupcakes and mini cakes. The blueberry bread loaves are very popular, too.”

“I’m not going to tell you I’m going to grab a blueberry loaf for myself while I’m back there.”

“I’m not going to mind!” I said with a laugh.

I heard the bell above the door and turned around. All the breath wooshed from my lungs. He was here! Stone was in my bakery! He was wearing a Raptors jersey and had a Raptors baseball cap on his head, as well as black athletic shorts. His hair was longer than I remembered, but it had been several weeks since I had seen him.

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