Page 8 of Trusting Her Bear

“The guys wanted to make progress quickly before you got here. The kitchen isn’t done yet. The appliances are on order and should be here next week.”

Logan comes back in with some of my bags in his arms, moving directly toward the kitchen. “I’m impressed. It’s just as I pictured.”

“You like the colors? I know you usually go for darker shades.”

“It’s perfect.” I lean forward and touch my forehead to hers. “You did it. You are living your dream.”

“I want you to live yours, too.”

“I will,” I promise. I sit back just as Logan passes again. “He’s going to have the car emptied before I can help.”

“Let him.” She bites her lip. “He’s been worried,” she whispers.

“Why?” I frown.

“He knew being here would be a challenge for you. He wants you to be comfortable.”

I watch his progress when he walks by. “Despite my reaction, I am doing okay.” She looks at me disbelievingly. “Truly. This is something I have to do. Seeing a place I couldn’t leave fast enough was a shock, but it will ease. I want this to be home.”

“I believe in you. If it gets to be too much, don’t be afraid to tell me.”

“I won’t.”

“It’s done,” Logan says, walking over.

“Do you want to see the apartment?” Breeane asks.

“Of course.” I shake off the blanket. “Stop,” I say as Logan moves to pick me up again. “I appreciate it, but I have to walk there myself.”

He backs off. “I’m here if you need me.”

I stand slowly, grateful my legs hold me. The tremble is minimal. Breeane leads the way, and Logan stays close behind me. We pass through the gutted kitchen, past a small office beyond that, and up a flight of stairs.

“It’s all yours,” Breeane says with a flourish when she opens the door.

I love the bakery because it’s bright and cheery, but the apartment is more my style. We walk into a living room and kitchen combo. A comfortable-looking, deep brown couch faces a large window, a television set under it. Two end tables are on either side of the sofa.

The kitchen is small, with black appliances and dark brown cupboards that match the couch perfectly. There is a small table against the wall next to the door.

“I love it.” I run my hand over the small island that divides the area in half.

“Wait until you see the bedroom,” Breeane gushes, walking backward and wiggling her fingers. “Come.”

I laugh and follow. The bedroom is large. She removed the wall between the two bedrooms that used to be here, making one space. A queen-sized bed is at the center, decorated in blacks and greys. An armoire, made of the same wood as the cupboards, is against the wall on the right. Two side tables are on either side of the bed, and a chair is in the corner next to a small bookshelf.

Breeane knows how much I enjoy reading, and Logan put the box that holds my books in front of it.

“What do you think?” Breeane asks, her hands intertwined under her chin.

“You did too much.”

“This isn’t even the best part.” She walks to another door to my right. “This is.”

I step into the walk-in closet. It is the same colors. Shelves line the wall on either side. Space to hang everything up above them.

“Breeane—” I start.

“No. You deserve a nice place. You are going to be handling the entire business side of the bakery. I want you to be happy here.”

---