Page 1 of My Lumberjack Valentine

1

ROSALIE

It’s beena busy day at Peak Sweets. For the first time since I opened this morning, I finally have the store to myself, and I take the opportunity to organize the candy shelves, straightening up the colorful packets and stacking boxes of chocolates with care.

“That’s better,” I mutter to myself, taking a step back to admire my work.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, everything needs to be perfect. It’s the busiest time of year for my little candy store, and right now, I need customers more than ever. Keeping this place afloat by myself hasn’t been easy. After pouring everything I have into Peak Sweets, I’ve barely managed to break even the past couple of years. But I’m not giving up. I need to make it work, and something tells me this is going to be my year. If I can knock it out of the park this Valentine’s Day and get the town talking about my candy, maybe I can turn a profit for the first year ever. It’s a pretty modest goal, but it would mean everything to me.

The store is already decked out for the big day. I spent yesterday draping fairy lights, flowers, and red paper hearts from every surface, and the customers seem to love it. Thepeople of Hope Peak are suckers for Valentine’s Day, and even though I’ve been single my whole life, the romantic spirit is contagious.

When five o’clock rolls around, I wave goodbye to my last customer and flip the old-fashioned sign to “closed”, grinning to myself. I haven’t done the math yet, but I’m already certain this was the best day of the year so far—I sold more candy than I can count, and a little thrill of excitement zips through me. Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. Most of the time, actually. But days like this make it all worth it.

I’m doing it. I’m running my own business.

With a spring in my step, I head into the back to grab a few extra chocolate boxes for tomorrow when I hear the front door swing open.

“Sorry, we’re closed!” I call.

There’s no reply, but I don’t hear the customer leave. Frowning, I leave the backroom and see my landlord standing by the door, waiting for me with her arms crossed. Melissa is the definition of no-nonsense—a sharp businesswoman who owns several properties around Hope Peak. She always looks immaculate in her black pant suits, her shiny hair brushing her shoulders almost too perfectly. But today, she looks different. Ruffled. There are bags under her eyes, and her mascara is smudged. I feel my stomach drop as I look at her.

Crap, did I forget to pay my rent?

I’m sure I paid…I’m almost certain…

“Hi, Melissa,” I say, trying to sound like I’m pleased to see her.

“Rosalie.” She nods curtly. “I’m glad you’re still here. There’s something we need to discuss.”

My heart squeezes unpleasantly at her ominous words.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

Melissa sighs, refusing to meet my gaze. “I’m sorry, Rosalie, but I need to sell this building. My circumstances have changed and…well, to be frank, I need the money.”

I stare at her numbly, unable to speak.

“You’re welcome to buy it from me,” she continues. “I know this is a shock, and I’m happy to give you first dibs.”

Cold sweat pricks the back of my neck, and I swallow hard, already dreading the answer to my next question.

“What’s the asking price?”

When Melissa says the number, it’s like a punch to the gut. I can’t afford it. Not even close. Heck, not even if she took a zero off the end. Bile rises in my throat, panic buzzing through me as I realize what this means.

I’m going to lose this place.

“And…this is definite?” I ask weakly. “I can’t persuade you?—”

“No.” Melissa’s voice is firm, but there’s pity in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Rosalie. I need you out of here by the end of the month.”

It feels like I’ve stepped into a bad dream. The world seems to spin, the brightly colored candy whirling around me until I feel sick.

This can’t be happening.

I put my heart and soul into this place. It’s been nothing but challenges and setbacks since day one, but lately, I really started to hit my stride. This year was going to be different…and now it’s all over. I can’t afford to rent any other premises around Hope Peak; I can’t afford to move the business and start building it from scratch.

But it’s not just the candy store. The cozy little studio apartment upstairs has been my home for years. Melissa’s decision means I’m going to lose my business and my home all at once.

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