Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

HANNAH

H annah stood in the middle of the bakery, worried that nothing was ever going to get done. Her hands on her hips, she surveyed the scene. The Northern Lights Festival was just two weeks away, and she was determined to have everything perfect for the grand opening. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the crisp winter air that slipped through the cracks in the old building, a building she had spent a lot of time and money painstakingly transforming.

The challenges had been numerous. The plumbing had been a nightmare, with pipes that seemed determined to freeze and burst at the slightest provocation. All of the old bakery equipment had needed to be discarded. Luckily most of it was metal, and she'd found a scrap metal yard that was willing to haul it off for free in order to recycle it. Even the old mixers had needed to be scrapped. If it hadn't been for the bakery in Mystic River selling her their pristine used equipment, the delay in getting things shipped to Kodiak would have meant there would have been no way to open on time.

And then there were the endless permits and inspections, each hurdle more frustrating than the last. But she had faced each one with determination, knowing that her dream was worth the effort. She was not going to let anything or anyone stand in her way.

Today, the bakery was a hive of activity. The shelves were being stocked with jars of organic homemade jams and preserves she'd been able to source locally. The display cases would remain empty. Right now, she was experimenting with her recipes and revising them to work in Alaska's frigid climate. She was using her ‘experiments' to attract people into the bakery, giving them away for free in return for an honest assessment. She was already attracting a group of regulars, including a number of hunky firemen. Hannah wiped a smudge of flour from her cheek, her heart swelling with pride as she looked around.

"Hey, Hannah, where do you want these?" called Melisandre, who had become a close friend. She was actually an arson investigator, but she had some time off and was helping out in exchange for baking lessons. Melisandre couldn't cook, but her fiancé, Tanner didn't seem to care. Melisandre was holding up a box of festive northern lights-themed decorations.

"Just put those in the back where the new counter is going to go." Hannah replied, pointing to an area of the kitchen where there was a small table adorned with twinkling fairy lights.

Hannah had opted to have an open kitchen so people could see her working. People were always intrigued with how things were made. Besides it meant when she was in the bakery alone, she could float between the kitchen and the front of the house seamlessly.

She moved to the counter, where a line of bread loaves waited to be scored and baked. She picked up her knife and got to work, the familiar rhythm of the task calming her nerves. Each slash was a reminder of how far she had come, from her first tentative steps into the bakery to this moment, on the cusp of her grand opening.

"How are we doing on the coffee station?" she asked, glancing over at Joe, who was doing a lot of her contracting work in exchange for a year's worth of free pastries for his climbing shop, Over the Top.

"Almost ready," Joe said, adjusting the fit of the stone countertop. "Just need to get this sucker to fit. I want it nice and tight."

Hannah nodded, pleased. The coffee station was crucial; she knew that a good cup of coffee would be a big draw, especially during the festival. She meant for the coffee to be her loss leader. She would only charge what was necessary to cover its cost.

She was gearing up for the Northern Lights Festival. According to Nicole, it brought in tourists and locals alike, all eager to celebrate under the dazzling aurora borealis. It was the perfect opportunity to introduce her bakery to the community at large, including the cruise ships.

The bell over the front door jingled as it opened, and Hannah looked up to see a delivery man struggling with a large box. "Where do you want this?" he grunted.

"Right here, please," Hannah said, directing him to a spot near the counter. She signed for the delivery and opened the box to reveal a stack of brand-new menus, their covers adorned with a beautiful illustration of the northern lights. She smiled, feeling a thrill of excitement. These little details would help set her bakery apart.

As the day wore on, Hannah faced one challenge after another. A shipment of flour arrived late, causing a brief panic in the kitchen. The electrical system decided to short out, plunging the bakery into darkness until an emergency call to the electrician fixed the problem. Through it all, Hannah remained focused, tackling each issue with determination.

Hannah was kneading dough when the bakery door jingled. She looked up, surprised to see Rick standing there, his usual gruff demeanor softened by an uncertain expression. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable.

"Rick," she said, wiping her hands on her apron. "What brings you here?"

He hesitated, his gaze flickering around the room before settling on her. "I wanted to apologize for the other day. I was out of line, and I feel bad about it. Thought maybe I could help out, if you need an extra pair of hands."

Hannah blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected this from Rick, of all people. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, and it made her wonder if perhaps she had misjudged him. "I appreciate that. I may have overreacted a bit myself. How about we both chalk it up to a bad day."

"That's awfully generous."

She grinned. "I know. There's a lot to do before the festival. I could use the help."

Rick chuckled as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Where do you want me to start?"

"How about helping me with the painting? I can get most of it myself, but having to get a ladder for the tall stuff really slows me down."

"I get that. Why don't you let me do the cutting in instead of using tape? That will also speed things along."

"Sounds great. Thanks."

They worked side by side, Rick sort of taking command and assigning her the easier tasks. She might have objected except for two things: he was a really good painter and knew what he was doing, and it was nice just to let somebody else take the lead for once. She realized after she'd moved up to Alaska that not once in her whole marriage had she not had to be in charge and run the show. Left to his own devices, Teddy would either take the easy way, pay someone else to do it for him, or just leave it undone, knowing ‘Hannah would do it.'

Rick was quick and showed a surprisingly deft touch with a paintbrush. As they worked, the silence between them gradually gave way to conversation.

"So, what made you want to open a bakery here in Kodiak?" Rick asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

Hannah smiled, recalling her journey. "I've always loved baking. It's my passion. And when my marriage ended…"

"I'm sorry."

She looked up at him surprised. "Why? I'm not. I suppose that sounds awful, doesn't it?"

"Was he a nice guy?"

"In retrospect? No. As part of the divorce settlement he got to claim half of everything I make in the next ten years from my graphic arts business."

Rick laughed. "So, you came to Alaska to open a bakery. Good for you."

She grinned. "We visited Kodiak on a cruise a couple of years ago…"

"Oh, please tell me he was the jackass that fell off the dock."

It was her turn to laugh. "One and the same. Anyway, I just fell in love with it, and when I heard there was a bakery for sale, I jumped at the opportunity."

Rick looked around. "You've done wonders with the place, but my guess is nobody told you how bad it was."

"Not even close, but with Nicole's help, introductions, connections, and the like, I think it's all going to be okay. Sometimes I think you have to get through the hard stuff to get to where you're supposed to be."

Rick stopped painting for a moment. "I agree with you wholeheartedly. Sometimes we have to get through something we never think we will, but when we're on the other side, you look back, knowing it was all worth it. But it takes guts to follow your dreams like that."

"Thanks," she said softly. "What about you? Have you always lived here?"

"No. I'm from the mainland originally, but I've been here longer than I lived there. Kodiak's my home. Been here longer than anywhere else."

They fell into a comfortable rhythm, the conversation flowing more easily now. Hannah found herself noticing little things about Rick she hadn't before—the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the way he focused intently on his tasks. There was a warmth to him that belied his tough exterior.

As the day wore on, they moved from painting walls to painting trim. Rick proved to be an excellent teacher. He even managed to make her laugh, his dry humor catching her off guard several times. For the first time in a long time, Hannah felt a sense of calm.

"Hey, Rick," she said, pausing to catch her breath. "Thanks for helping out today. I couldn't have done all this without you."

He shrugged, but she could see the hint of a smile on his lips. "Glad to help. And, again, I'm sorry for how I treated you. I shouldn't have dismissed what you were saying."

Hannah reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "Apology accepted. Let's put it behind us."

Rick looked down at her hand, then back at her, his expression softening. "Deal, but only if you let me buy you dinner."

"Deal, but only if we eat at the diner. That place of yours is addictive."

"With the addition of your baked goods, it's going to become even more so. I'm going to go with your suggestion and use your bread as well. We tried it for toast, and customers were raving. My waitresses were telling everyone when the bakery opened, they'd be able to buy their own. And that brioche bread as French toast? Oh my god, off the hook."

As they left the bakery, Hannah felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the hard day's work they'd put in. She had seen a different side of Rick today, a side that made all of her erotic systems come back online and the butterflies in her belly take flight. She knew if she told anyone what she was thinking, it would sound dippy, but it was true. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Rick than she had initially thought. And as the northern lights began to dance in the sky above, she couldn't help but feel that this just might be the beginning of something special.

The following morning, Hannah arrived at the bakery, the crisp winter air biting at her cheeks. Dinner last night had been so much fun. Tanner, Melisandre, Nicole, and Asher had all joined them. She realized she was building not just a business, but a life here in Kodiak.

She unlocked the door, her mind already racing through the list of tasks for the day. As she stepped inside, a pungent, unmistakable odor hit her—gas. Panic surged through her veins. She rushed through the bakery, covering her nose with her arm, her heart pounding. The first floor seemed fine, so she hurried towards the stairs, the smell growing stronger with each step. She felt lightheaded, but she pressed on, knowing she had to find the source before it was too late.

Halfway up the stairs, the dizziness became overwhelming. She stumbled, reaching for the railing, her vision blurring. She managed to make it to the top, but the gas was overpowering. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed, the world fading to black.

When she came to, she was outside in the snow, Rick's arms wrapped tightly around her. The cold air stung her lungs, and she gasped, struggling to focus.

"Rick?" she croaked, her voice weak.

His face was a mask of concern and anger. "What were you thinking, Hannah? You should have called for the Fire Department or me or help of some kind. At the very least, you should have gotten out of that building. You could have died in there!"

She winced at the sharpness in his tone but knew he was right. "I... I thought I could handle it."

Rick set her down gently, then turned back towards the bakery. "Stay here. I need to make sure it's safe."

Hannah watched, shivering, as Rick disappeared inside. Moments later, she saw him through the windows, moving quickly to turn off the gas and open the windows to air out the building. She hugged her knees to her chest, the reality of what had just happened sinking in.

A few minutes later, Rick emerged, his face pale and drawn. He knelt beside her, his eyes searching hers. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, tears stinging her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rick. I didn't mean to be so reckless. You should have called somebody, too."

"Probably, but the door into the alley had been open, and I could tell the gas was coming from upstairs." He sighed, running his hand through his hair, his anger seeming to melt away in a kind of weary relief. "I know. But you have to be more careful. You have a lot of friends here who don't want to lose you, not to mention your baked goods."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, and she looked up at him, seeing the depth of his concern. "Got it. No dying until I'm successful enough to have an assistant who can carry on." He shook his head, waggling his finger at her. She grasped it in her hand. "Seriously, thanks for saving my life."

Rick reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Just promise me you'll call for help next time, okay?"

Hannah managed a small smile, nodding. "Okay. I promise."

As they sat there in the snow, the bakery slowly airing out behind them, Hannah felt a newfound respect and gratitude for Rick. He hadn't called someone else, hadn't waited for someone else to do something; he'd just jumped in and done what needed doing. There was a lot about the owner of the Black Bear Diner to like… and maybe even something more.

And while the idea of that made her all warm and fuzzy, Hannah was certain she hadn't left the gas on. She was absolutely OCD about things like that. So how had it happened?