Page 11 of Baking Spirits Bright

I make plenty of noise when I come through the back door.

"Is that you, Lyla?" He yells from the prep area.

"Yeah, me and the storm that's coming through the damn door with me," I yell back at him. "There's a mess in the hallway, especially once this all melts." I gesture to all the snow that's come in behind me.

He walks to the hallway, looking down at me. "I'll mop it up once it melts. That's going to be the easiest way to do it. It's crazy out there, huh?"

"Yeah, I wasn't sure I'd make it."

"Sliding all the way..." He sings, a smirk across his face.

It's not very often I look at Lincoln and think about how cute he is. He's always so serious, but right now he's got a smile on his face and dimples are evident in his cheeks. "Oh, you got jokes today?"

"Every once in a while I can make one. I know it's rare, and you don't believe it, but I'm human. I can crack jokes and appreciate the people around me. You're not used to it, I get it."

I tilt my head to the side. He looks different today. As if he doesn't have the stress on his shoulders that he had when he came to see me at Holly Jolly. "You don't look nearly as tired or stressed as you did the other day."

"Well yeah. I got you back, I gave my brother the cookies yesterday, and although there's a huge snowstorm outside, it's going to be a good day."

There's something about the way he says he got me back. "I didn't realize you missed me that much."

"I didn't realize it either," he answers. Stopping for a moment. His dark eyes get this faraway look, and I would give anything to know what he's thinking. "But we were always friendly before I took over. Dare I say we had fun?"

"We did..." I remember the long hours we would stand side by side. Me decorating, him mixing more batter to make cakes, and both of us talking about our big dreams. "At some point we lost that, Linc."

"We did." He nods. "Maybe it won't be so hard to get it back?"

The air between us becomes thick, and I don't remember his eyes ever having the dash of honey around the pupil. "I'm willing to give it a shot if you are."

"Alright."

We separate quickly about nothing more than business. "How much do you think I should prep?" I ask him, clearing my throat. "Do you really think we'll have a bunch of people in here today?"

He glances out into the lobby, looking out the bakery windows. It's coming down even harder than it was when we got here. "I don't know. It's getting crazy out there. I'm conflicted.Maybe we should go home? I mean, do you think anyone will be out and about?"

Coming up behind him, I look in the direction he is, seeing the swirling white out. "Oh my God, it wasn't this bad twenty minutes ago."

Right on cue, both of our phones go off. His is then followed by around four pings. Reaching over, I grab mine, while he pulls his out of his pocket.

Blizzard Warning for Sugar County

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN COLORADO HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD WARNING...FROM 6AM THURSDAY THROUGH 10PM FRIDAY.

LOCATIONS: SUGAR AND GOLD COUNTIES, INCLUDING SUGAR CREEK

HAZARD TYPES: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW

ACCUMULATIONS: HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, A TOTAL OF 18 INCHES ARE EXPECTED.

WINDS: 45-55 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 60

TEMPERATURES: IN THE LOWER 20S

VISIBILITY: QUARTER MILE OR LESS

TIMING: THE HEAVIEST SNOW AND STRONGEST WINDS ARE OCCURRING NOW THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT.

IMPACTS: BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL PRODUCE DANGEROUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. WINDCHILLS WILL RANGE FROM FIVE BELOW TO FIFTEEN BELOW ZERO WILL PRODUCE EXTREME COLD IMPACTS.

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