Page 90 of I'll Carry You

Bunny squinted, then she exchanged a look with Travis. “Did you know this?”

Travis nodded.

Bunny smacked his forearm lightly. “And you didn’t tell your own grandmother?” She shook her head as though disappointed. She looked back at Jen. “All right. Well. Tell me when you start taking orders.” She slid out of her booth as though she was going back to work.

“Wait—what does that mean?” Jen scrambled out of her booth. “Are you mad at me?”

Bunny scanned her face, and then a slow smile spread on her features. “Silly me.” She pulled Jen into her arms for a strong hug. “I tell you, the Christmas season has my brain upside down. Mad at you? Are you nuts?” Then she laughed. “Well, considering I’ve been in this business for so long, you are a little nuts to want to do it, too. But that’s not the point. The point is it will be a relief to outsource all our baking to someone I trust. Then maybe I can finally start cutting back on hours here.”

Outsource her baking?“You’re going to sell my products here?” Jen blinked, trying to wrap her head around what Bunny was saying.

“Of course. And don’t worry, I’ll still give you credit.” She dipped her chin and pointed out the window. “You should get Lindsay to help you talk to Peter. He’d probably be interested in throwing some of your products on his dessert menu, too. And in the Depot.”

She winked, then caressed Jen’s cheek gently. “I’m proud of you, kiddo. Never taught anyone with as much talent as you. You go get them.” Then she turned and shuffled back toward the counter.

Jen watched her go, her lips parted, mouth hanging half-open. “Told you you’d be fine,” Travis said behind her.

She turned and gave him a warm smile. “Thanks for being here anyway.” She reached for Colby. “Hey, bud, want to go for a walk? I have something I want you to see.”

Colby abandoned his crumbs, jumping onto the seat of the bench excitedly. “Is it a toy?”

She grabbed a napkin and wiped off his face, then she quickly cleared up the table as best she could. Travis shooed her away, though. “No. It’s better than a toy.” Putting him down, she took his hand. She waved goodbye to Travis, then hurried outside with Colby. Despite the frosty December air, a potent force propelled her forward, and she broke into a jog up the sidewalk. Colby laughed, trying to keep up with her.

They stopped in front of the hardware store. Digging into her purse, she found her keys and then looked for the key her father had given her. She slipped the key into the lock, picking at the peeling navy blue paint on the door frame. “What is it?” Colby asked.

“Just look.” She pushed the door open. “This used to be your great-grandfather’s store. A long, long time ago.”

Colby looked wary, hanging back by the door. “Like yesterday?”

Jen chuckled. “No, a little longer than that.” She squeezed his hand reassuringly.

The inside of the hardware store was cold and dark. Uninviting. Plastic lined some walls, and the smell of dust was strong.

This place was going to take a ton of work.

“Does he still live here?” Colby asked, looking a little worried.

“Hey, where’s my favorite nephew?” Dan’s voice came from behind them, startling Jen. She gave a slight jump, then turned, releasing a relieved breath.

“Uncle Danny!” Whatever fear Colby had felt moments before seemed to vanish as he whirled around and leaped into Dan’s arms with childish excitement.

Jen gave him a taut smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I doubt Warren would be glad to hear you have favorites. What are you doing here?”

“All my nieces and nephews are my favorite when I’m with them.” Dan winked at her. “I was just down the street. Saw you two stop here.” He shook his head at the decrepit interior. “I’ve had to chase some squatters out of here before. You probably shouldn’t go in there alone.” He set Colby down.

“I just wanted to show Colby the place. Did Dad tell you about his proposal for me?”

Dan shifted, rubbing his clean-shaven jaw. “He did. Can’t wait to see what you do with the place.” He tilted his head, a troubled look on his face. “Feel like walking to the playground? There’s something I wanted to mention to you.”

Jen nodded and locked up, pushing away the disappointment she felt at not showing Colby the space. But Dan was probably right. It might be better to wait to show him the building when it was less scary. But she’d felt so enthusiastic after her conversation with Bunny, and losing that feeling was heartbreaking.

The playground wasn’t too far away. When one of the oldest buildings in town had burned to the ground a few years earlier, the lot it had been on had been converted into a community space. With a playground for kids and gardens with plenty of seating, it was especially popular in summer. As they drew closer, Colby broke out in a run toward it.

Jen watched him climb up a ladder. “What’s up?” she asked Dan, not taking her eyes off Colby.

Dan grimaced. “You’re going to be mad at me. But you’re my sister, and I’ve messed up a lot with you. And I want us to trust each other like we used to.”

She crossed her arms and raised both brows. “Uh...what is it?”

---