Page 5 of Baking Spirits Bright

Closing my eyes, I let the tears that have gathered fall. Tonight I will drown in them. They will be a fucking sea of saltiness and the expulsion of all the feelings I've got flowing through my body. This is the most important part of it. I have to get these feelings out, because if I don't, they will strangle me, and I won't be able to change anything.

And now? It's time to change everything.

My body aches and my eyes are as scratchy as sandpaper as I lift the lids. I cried last night, for so long I wasn't sure I would ever stop, but I allowed myself the privilege of letting it all out. Now, I feel a little better, and my head is clearer than it was.

Although I asked Lincoln for time to decide, there really is no other option. If I want this roof over my head, small as it is, and food in my fridge, I have to say yes. At least now, maybe during the year I'll be able to do something else.

But for now, there is no other choice.

It feels like a piece of me is dying as I grab my phone and type out the last text message I ever wanted to send.

Me: I'll work for you. What time do you want me to be there, and when?

As I set the phone back down beside me, I let out the breath I've been holding and square my shoulders. I've been strong my entire life, and it looks as if I'm going to have to dig deep for a little more of that courage and tenacity.

CHAPTER FOUR

Lincoln

I'm not the type of man to cry, but I almost do when I get the text from Lyla that says she'll work for me. We are drowning the closer we get to Christmas, and I wasn't lying when I said she's the most talented person I've ever met.

"Shaw," I call out to my bakery manager, waving her over. "I talked to Lyla. She's going to start tomorrow."

"What did you promise her?" She raises her eyebrows. "I can't imagine she'd come back to work here after what happened before."

I am too, but one thing I've learned since purchasing this place, it's to never let anyone see me doubt myself or sweat. "She needs the work, and she knows I'll pay her." That’s the simplest way to put it without telling her that Lyla's bakery closed. She'll know it soon, anyway. This is a small town, and word travels fast.

"When should I plan on her being here? That way I can adjust the schedule. She can do the work of two people much better than they can."

Running my hand through my hair, I glance around at the flurry of activity here. They've been running around like this since Lyla left, because she was such a calming influence. "Planon her being here tomorrow, and keep the same people on the schedule. I want them to see how someone works who knows what they're doing, and doesn't get completely caught up in the stress of it all. Lyla has always had a calm head on her shoulders, and that's what we need."

She nods. "Sounds good. Just let me know what I need to do in order to get her onboarded."

"All her information should still be in the system. It's only been a year, and I know we keep it for a year and a half. Get her in, so that we'll be able to get her paid. I'm going to the office to make the order for this week."

Escaping to the office is just what I need. I'm conflicted about hiring Lyla back. In the days after she left, I'd told myself I wouldn't. That she'd used her one gift from me, but the longer she's been gone, the more I see I need her. We worked well together and had success because of it. It hasn't been as blatantly obvious for me as it has been for her, but I'm seeing it the closer we get to Christmas. I need her as much as she needs me.

When I get to the office, the phone is ringing. Glancing over at the caller ID, I groan loudly. It's my fucking brother, and he's just going to keep calling until I answer. "Hello?"

"I need a favor."

He always needs a favor, and it always involves me doing something I do not want to do. "What?"

"There's this woman I've been seeing."

It's always a woman. "What does that have to do with me?"

"If you'd shut up, I could tell you," he hurries, before I can cut him off again. "She has a kid who needs to bring some cookies and cupcakes for his class. I remember you saying you were going to get Lyla to come back. She's amazing at doing that type of shit. Think she'd do it?"

I roll my eyes, sighing heavily. "I think I could ask her if you agreed to fucking pay for it, Landon."

"When have I not paid for something you've done for me?"

We don't have enough time for me to list the amount of shit I've done for free. But I'm trying to turn over a new leaf this holiday season and not request that people who owe me actually pay me back. "I won't answer that question, but I have a few of my own. When do they need to be delivered? How many do you need? Do you have any idea about the theme?" I'm going to regret this. I know it with every ounce of my being.

"Would Wednesday be too soon? I'm gonna need fifty, and they'll need to be delivered to Sugar Creek Elementary."

"Son of a bitch, Landon. I'm already covered up, but I'll make this happen for you. Do you have a theme?"

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