Page 50 of Sweet Christmas Wish
Sarah waited, unable to speak.
“Hmm… I can see it, actually,” Michelle mused. “You two would be good together, especially because he’s so organized and you’re so…”
“Disorganized?”
“I was going to say ‘creative’, but sure,” Michelle replied with a laugh.
The tension in Sarah’s chest eased up some when she heard Michelle’s clear laugh ringing through the phone. Maybe this would be okay after all.
“So you’re not mad?”
“Why would I be mad?”
“Well, I mean, isn’t it girl code or something? Not to date an ex of your sister’s?”
Michelle laughed again. “That’s ridiculous. I admit, it caught me off guard when you first told me, but it actually makes a lot of sense to me. Will’s a good guy, and I know he’s good enough for my only sister. I have Kyle now and I’m really happy. I want you to be that happy too.”
Sarah released a sigh of relief even as excitement exploded in her stomach—she was now fully in the clear to pursue a relationship with Will. She didn’t have to worry about going behind Michelle’s back anymore, and it felt amazing to have everything aboveboard.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “That means a lot. I’ve been so worried to tell you.”
“Well, you don’t need to worry anymore. It’s fine, I promise. Now, what was this about Will helping at the bakery?”
“Oh my gosh, that’s been a whole debacle. Let me tell you about it.”
Sarah plunged into an explanation of the loan for the industrial oven coming due and how she didn’t have the funds to pay for it, how Will had stepped in with his idea to serve coffee and other drinks, and how they’d been working side by side at the bakery for about a week now.
“You’ve been carrying too much by yourself,” Michelle said when Sarah had finally finished. “I’m glad Will was there to help you figure out a plan. I’m just sorry me and Mom and Dad haven’t been around to help.”
“Hey, you’ve got your own lives. There’s no need to apologize.”
“I know, but I’m just sorry that you’re on your own over there.”
“I’m not on my own right now, so don’t worry about me,” Sarah said cheerfully. “Will’s been enormously helpful and the bakery is selling a ton. I don’t know what the total profits are right now, but I’m hopeful. Things are going well.”
“I’m glad, seriously. You’re doing a great job keeping Sweet Thing going all by yourself.”
“Thanks, sis. Now, you said your travel plans are worked out—when do you and Kyle arrive?”
“We should be there on Friday, barring any unforeseen disaster.”
“Don’t tempt fate,” Sarah warned. “Friday sounds great. Oh! I forgot to tell you—my friend Lacy, the one who inherited Nicholas Spielman’s mansion?”
“I remember her.”
“Right. So, she’s planning a get-together for everyone at the mansion.”
“Sounds like quite the welcome-home present,” Michelle replied with a chuckle.
“It’ll be amazing,” Sarah agreed. “Can’t wait for you to be back, Michelle.”
Sarah could feel Michelle smiling through the phone as Michelle replied, “Me too, sis. Me too.”
* * *
After the bakery had closed up shop on Wednesday, Will stayed late to count up the money they’d brought in that day and add it to the account tracker he’d been working on. After tallying up all of their credit card and cash sales, Will gave a low whistle. Sarah looked up from where she’d been wiping down the dining room tables and hurried over to him.
“What is it? Please tell me it’s good news.”
