Page 35 of Dreaming About Forever

Caroline pointed to the door leading back out to the street. “I have one more strand of garland to hang on the front. Can you do it?”

Jordan turned to Alicia and said, “I’ll be right back.”

“The ladder is by the door!” Caroline called after him. As soon as her voice faded, she caught sight of Alicia and gasped. “Oh my cinnamon rolls! It’s you!”

Despite Caroline’s shouts, Alicia’s smile broadened. “It’s me.”

Caroline bounced on her toes. “Jordan said you were coming, but I can’t believe you’re really here! In The Cakery! In Redemption Ridge!”

“Calm down, sweetheart,” Vicci said. “You’re going to alert the whole town.”

Caroline covered her mouth, muffling her words. “Am I not supposed to tell?”

Vicci placed a calming hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Maybe just don’t broadcast it. She wants to have a relaxing visit, and that won’t happen if she can’t go anywhere without causing a scene.”

Caroline nodded. “Right. Right. Sorry about that.” She let out a long exhale and stuck her hand out. “I’m Caroline Taylor.”

“Alicia Carver. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Caroline said in a cutesy voice. “I’m a huge fan.”

“She is. We tried to get tickets to your shows around here a few times, but they always sold out so fast,” Vicci said.

“Denver is on my tour schedule for next year. I’ll send you tickets,” Alicia said.

Caroline’s eyes widened. “You’re pulling my sweet tooth. No way!”

Alicia chuckled at Caroline’s sugary figure of speech. “Yes way.”

“That’s awesome. I can’t believe it,” Caroline said.

Jordan walked back into the bakery, drawing Alicia’s full attention. It was crazy how her chest warmed at the sight of him.

“All done. I see you met Alicia.”

“I did, and she said she’d get us tickets to her Denver show next year!” Caroline gushed.

Jordan’s brows lowered. “You’re not–”

“She didn’t ask. I offered,” Alicia explained. “It’s the least I can do for making me feel so welcome here.”

Jordan stared at her for a heartbeat before nodding once. “That’s nice of you.”

She shrugged. “Glad I could do something for y’all after all you’re doing for me.”

Caroline reached for a stack of colorful scraps of paper on the checkout counter. “I have to finish putting the wishes on the angel tree, and I’ll get those macarons for you, Mom.”

“What’s an angel tree?” Alicia asked.

Caroline pointed to an artificial tree in the front corner of the shop. “Kids who might not get much for Christmas come by and write what they want on an angel. People can get an angel and fulfill the Christmas wish.”

“I’ll take some of those,” Jordan said, holding out a hand to his sister.

“Me too,” Vicci said. “I didn’t know they were ready yet.”

“I’d like some,” Alicia added.

“This is great. We can go shopping together,” Vicci said.

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