Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

Gabby

I t's been a crazy day. I haven't had a moment to pause let alone eat lunch, when the doorbell rings again. "I'll be right out there." I try to keep the stress out of my voice, but it's there, hanging around, ready to let loose if this person is a dick. I've had enough.

"Hey, it's just me," Colt calls out loud enough for me to hear. "I've got the glass to fix the window. Is it okay if I go ahead and get started on that?"

I come out from the back, offering him a large smile. Happy that he's here, and he's going to get the damage fixed. The window being out has changed the entire look of the interior of the bakery. "Yes please, it's so dark in here without that window. I've been so busy all day, I need to run to the restroom. If anyone comes in, will you let them know that I'll be back in a few minutes?"

"Yeah, no problem. I don't know how you do it without help."

It's becoming harder and harder. Back when I first started, I wasn't busy all the time, I didn't have wholesale orders, and I was easily able to handle it all by myself. Over the past year, it's becoming pretty apparent that I won't be able to be doing this much longer. "I don't know either, but it's obvious it's going to have to change."

I rush to the bathroom, and thankfully take a seat. I sigh heavily, so fucking tired, that I want to cry. But I do what I always have. I pull myself together and go back out there after using the restroom and washing my hands. "Did I miss anyone?"

"Nope." He gives me a smile. "But I'm almost done putting this window in."

He's taken the board off, and he's pushing the frame in. I missed that view. From Get Baked, I can look out over the entirety of downtown Broken Falls. It's what pushed me to rent this place, even though I couldn't afford it at the time. I guess I didn't realize how spectacular it was, or how much I loved it until I lost it. "Thank you for doing this."

"It's no problem. I called Barrett and told him I'd take care of it when it came in so you wouldn't have to wait."

I can just imagine how annoyed he was by that. "I'm sure he took that sitting down, huh?"

He chuckles. "There were a lot of words, and most of them was grumbling about how I was doing something he wanted to do. I reminded him that this is my job, and he has one too, which means he wouldn't be able to come over here until he'd finished his day job."

"I'm glad you did that; it's been so dark in here since it got boarded up and it's an eyesore. So many thought I was closed, because they couldn't see inside." I put my hands on my hips as I watch him. "I really appreciate this."

A young woman walking along, does a double-take as he continues to put the window in, and then enters the shop. "Welcome to Get Baked," I give her a smile. "We do sweets, sandwiches, and specialty drinks. Have a look around, or ask me if you want something specific."

She's young, and the way she holds her fingers over her mouth speaks of someone who has some insecurities about speaking in public. "I was actually wondering if maybe you're hiring?" The words are spoken so softly I almost can't hear her.

It's interesting she asks, since I was just thinking about it while almost crying in the bathroom. "Maybe. Do you have experience?"

She nods slowly. "I come from a big family and I was in charge of making food for them. I did all the desserts, sandwiches, and birthday cakes. I haven't been trained, but I can do a lot, and I'm used to doing it for a large group of people."

"How large are we talking?" I get the feeling she's trying to tell me, without actually telling me.

"My family had twenty-two people in the home."

Holy shit. That's sometimes my morning rush. Is this kid for real? "How old are you?" I question, needing to make sure she's of age.

"Twenty. I know I look younger than that, but I'm of age. I have a license and I can provide my social security card. I'm an adult, I promise."

There's something about this situation that feels right, as if both of us were supposed to be here in this moment. "How about this? Meet me here tomorrow morning at five am. We'll go through my prep, and you can work the front. If you do well and we agree on an hourly rate of pay, the job is yours. I can't give you benefits. Not yet."

"I'm not expecting them. I'll be here at five. Do I come to the front or the back?"

The back would not be safe for her. "The front. I'll be watching for ya. What's your name? I'm Gabby."

"Valentina. I'll see you then."

When I go up to my apartment that night, I take in the quiet, and I realize I need to be honest with myself. I want Barrett to be right here with me. I've been okay since we broke up, healing and learning how to be in my own company, but now I remember what it's like to be with him. I made the mistake of dancing with him again, of watching his lips spread across his face in a smile. I want that again, and quietly I vow I'm going to have it. Next time I see Barrett, I'm going to put these thoughts and feelings into words. Ones I haven't spoken in a very long time.

The next morning, I don't exactly expect Valentina to show up, but when there's a knock at the front door, I rush up and let her in. She's got her hair pulled back, and an apron over her arm. "Good morning." I give her a smile. "I wasn't sure if you'd actually show up or not."

She shakes her head. "I need a job, and this is something I can do."

Looking around, I don't notice a car. "Did you walk?" This early in the morning, it's not exactly the safest place, although Broken Falls doesn't have a huge amount of crime.

"I'm staying at the hotel down the road." She pushes her glasses further up the bridge of her nose. "It wasn't that far of a walk."

My heart goes out to this girl. "That's a mile and a half, honey. C'mon in. I usually eat breakfast before I get started. Have you eaten anything yet?"

She shakes her head, and I wonder how long it's been since she's had a meal. "I would appreciate that."

"I make a mean breakfast burrito and home fries. Does that sound good to you?"

Her stomach growls and I want to shake the people who should be taking care of her. She may be an adult, but she seems to be pretty quiet, and mostly sheltered. "Sounds amazing. Thank you."

"No problem. Let's get a good meal, and get some work done."