Page 80 of Don't Leave Me

“What if no one comes today?” She peers up at me with big blue eyes full of so much vulnerability.

“Baby…” I cup her cheeks and shake my head. “There’s a line around the block already.”

“What!” She spins around so fast she almost falls and I have to grab her waist to keep her upright.

But that doesn’t stop her. She races to the door and presses her face against the glass.

“Peck, there are so many people out there!”

“Exactly, so let’s get the doors open and these people served!”

We haven’t hired any employees for the bakery yet. We wanted to make sure everything went smoothly for the opening, then focus on employees. For right now, Emma and Bella are helping us out. They seem to really enjoy working with Sophia, but I shouldn’t have expected anything less. They grew up together and have been best friends since birth.

“You know, if you work shirtless, we could get more customers.” Emma smirks from her place at the register.

“That’s not happening. Sorry, sweetheart. Total OSHA violation.” I roll my eyes as I take the register next to her. Bella and Sophia will serve people as Emma and I ring them up.

Addi and Wes exit the kitchen with big trays of cookies, followed by Cody, Jax, Charlie, and Wyatt. I wish Carter could be here for her aunt’s big day, but she’s at home with someone from Mulberry Lane watching her. They’re each helping for opening day and I couldn’t be more thankful for that right now. I have a feeling we’re going to sell out quickly.

Sophia stares at me and when I smile and nod my head, she flips the sign from closed to open and unlocks the front door. There’s cheering coming from the people waiting in line and it makes my heart swell with pride for my wife. She’s worked her butt off to make her dream become reality.

“Welcome to Mulberry Lane Bakery!” She shouts and there’s even more cheers.

She quickly takes her place behind the counter and asks the first person what they’d like.

“How did you hear about us?” I ask as I ring them up.

“Oh! I follow Wyatt Everson on social media and he said his sister was opening a bakery. I kinda hoped he’d be here… Wait… are you Wyatt Everson?” She cocks her head to the side and examines me.

“No, I'm not.” I chuckle. This happens more often than you’d expect, especially with Sophia looking so much like Charlie.

Neither of us look exactly like Charlie and Wyatt. We get double takes a lot, but most people don’t approach us. We don’t mind. We just happily tell them we aren’t the star couple and move on with our day.

“I'm here!” Wyatt pops out from behind the counter and the woman squeals. He poses for a picture and signs her bakery box.

Charlie had the great idea of only letting Cody, Jax, and Wyatt sign bakery boxes for fans and not jerseys or anything else. Thatway when people post pictures on social media, the bakery gets even more attention.

“Make sure you post the pictures online and tag the bakery and me in them.” He flashes the woman a big smile as she waves and walks out of the bakery. “You should talk to Owen and see if he’ll let you sell at the stadium.”

“That’s a good idea. If you think he’ll hear her out.”

“He’ll totally hear her out, but his decision will be made after he tastes the goods.” A large man arches a brow at Wyatt, making him chuckle.

“I didn’t know you were coming today, Owen.” Sophia’s smile stretches even further.

“How could I miss this, Little Robinson?”

“It’s Mrs. Pecker now.” She lifts her left hand and wiggles her fingers.

“I heard that, but I didn’t believe it until now. I expected you to marry a hockey player.”

“Not a baseball player?” She smirks.

“Nah, I think my players stay away from the last name Robinson. They’re afraid of how Wyatt might react. But give me a call next week. I'm sure we can work out something for you to have a place at the stadium, or you can give me bakery items and we can sell them at one of the stands for you.”

Owen hands me a business card and I happily tuck it under the cash register for safe keeping. After he pays for his things, he quickly leaves the bakery. This place is packed and there’s really no room for anyone to stand around.

Wes is at the door, only allowing a few people in at a time. I didn’t think that would be necessary, but he was right. There’s going to be a line all day. It’s easier to not have people stuffed in here, but so many people are sitting down to eat their bakery items or talking to people after they order.

---