Page 66 of Baking it Merry

Ugh…me and my big mouth…

“I’ve designed a couple of houses—just a handful—and I loved all the details and figuring out a design that was for a specific person.Designing family homes where I know the kids like movies or basketball and designing spaces just for them.Or knowing that a family has not only one set of parents living with them, but adult children and making sure everyone has their own space.It’s called Multi Gen living and I’m fascinated by it!”Pacing, he went on.“Then I look at something silly, like Daphne’s ridiculous gingerbread house, and I think of all the ways I can make it better and customize it to specifically fit her needs for the business.She needs more shelves and storage and room to move around.”

“Tristan, it’s not like she’s working in that space full time.This is a seasonal thing.”

“That doesn’t mean it can’t be better, Dad.It would definitely have to be portable—something that can be assembled and disassembled—and yet be fully functional.And she can’t be the only small business owner who needs a space like that.Maybe not in the form of a gingerbread house, but…maybe something equally creative and ridiculous!”

A slow smile crossed his father’s face.“I don’t think I’ve seen you like this in a long time.”

“That’s because I haven’t felt like this in a long time.I spend so much time comparing myself to everyone else in the family and trying to keep up that I’m not enjoying my work anymore.”

“Comparison is the thief of joy.You shouldn’t put that kind of pressure on yourself.”

“I can’t help it,” he said, finally feeling like he could breathe.“I listen to the way you praise everyone for their accomplishments, and you never do that for me.”

“That’s not true…”

“It is,” he interrupted.“It is.I feel like I’m killing myself to get a damn building here in downtown because everyone else has a building in their city, and when the plans got postponed again, I had to ask myself why I was so upset.”His hands dropped to his side.“It’s because I dreaded telling you.”

Dan slowly got to his feet.“Then I’m sorry,” he said gruffly.“I didn’t realize all the pressure I was putting on you by simply not telling you what a great job you’re doing.Maybe if I had, you wouldn’t be working so hard to threaten innocent small business owners.”

“Oh, good Lord…I didn’t threaten anyone, Dad!Haven’t you been listening?Honestly, I feel like no one’s listening to me!”Just then, his phone rang and he practically dove to get it.“It’s Steve from IT,” he said before looking up at his father.

“Hopefully he’s calling to give you good news.Go ahead.Answer it.”

Nodding, he did just that.“Hey, Steve.What did you find?”

“I wish I had better news for you, Tristan.It’s not good.”

Bah-freaking-humbug.

Twelve

Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” hit differently when your heart was broken.

All of her favorite Christmas songs hit differently this year.

She was miserable and lost all of her holiday spirit.If anything, she just wished it was January first so she could be done with the whole darn thing.Never in her life had she been so miserable.Nothing cheered her up—not her baking or her Christmas decorations or her favorite songs.Basically, she was numb and just going through the motions to survive until the new year.

And once that time came, Daphne vowed to throw herself fully into her web design business and put the dream of owning a bakery behind her.She wasn’t cut out for it.If she couldn’t even handle her little seasonal shop, how was she supposed to handle a major business?

“Merry Christmas.I’m a loser,” she mumbled as she finished setting up her display for the day.Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, so today was going to be a long day.She had a ton of orders back at her rental kitchen that her mother was going to bring over after three today.Most of the orders were going to be picked up as people were leaving for the holidays, and there just wasn’t enough space here in her booth to have them all.She’d given everyone pickup times so there wouldn’t be any confusion.

People were arriving for work, and it wasn’t long before her line formed.For the first time in over a week, she was dressed festively.Her red sweatshirt with reindeer on it used to always make her smile, and she’d typically wear it with her Santa hat.But today, she put a red bow in her hair and did her best to smile and thank everyone for their business.

“Hey, Daphne,” Faye said as she stepped up to the counter.“How are you doing?”

It was the same conversation they’d been having every day.Without ever asking, she always put a blueberry muffin in the box with whatever Faye was ordering.She couldn’t help herself.Tristan hadn’t come by to talk to her again, but she knew the small repairs on the gingerbread house were his doing.

Along with the white poinsettias that filled the space along with the red ones.

He was clearly respecting her wishes, but even seeing him from a distance every day broke her heart.

“Daphne?”

“Oh, sorry,” she said with a small laugh.“My mind wandered.I’m fine.How are you?Ready for Christmas?”

“I am!My kids are all getting in tonight.I’ll pick up the cookie platters around four.Will that still work?”

---