Chapter 3

THREE

WILLOW

“W illow.” Andy from Lakeside Pub rested his hand on the counter. “Good morning.”

He had this way too cheerful sound to his voice. “You’re a morning person, eh?” I laughed and placed the stollen bread in a pastry box.

“Well, to be fair, I woke up an hour ago.” He took a step back. “I shouldn’t tell you that, should I?”

I handed him the box. “You’re safe. Plus, I like my job.”

“Do you have a background in bread baking or pastries?” He set the box on the counter and pulled out his wallet.

“Oh, goodness, no.” I rang up his order. “Anika taught me everything I know. Um–” I pointed at the box– “two things. Do you want to pay for everything at the end of the month since you need them daily? And do you need one or two loaves?”

“That would be great if we could get a bill for everything.” He put his money back in his wallet. “Right now, we only need one loaf. That may change a week or two before Christmas.”

“Just let us know, and we’ll adjust your order.” The bell rang, and a woman walked into the bakery. “I’ll be right with you.”

Andy turned and smiled. “Mackinac, it’s been way too long.” Mack made an excited sound and hugged him.

“Andy.” She glanced my way and back at Andy. “What did you buy me?” She winked and tapped on the box.

“Freshly baked stollen bread.” He had the box close to his chest and moved away from her. “If you want this , you’ll need to order some Glühwein at the pub.”

“Oh, I see how you are.” She smiled and leaned her hip on the display case. “Maybe I’ll make that happen before the end of the month.”

“Bring Jenison and Holland, too.” Andy turned toward me. “Thank you, Willow.” He attempted to leave when Mack grabbed his bicep.

“Wait, I popped in to see Willow, but you might be interested.” Mack clapped her hands in excitement. “Molly mentioned you might want to help put up the Christmas decorations in the downtown area, Willow. Is that true?”

I thought about it yesterday when Molly and Anika mentioned it, but I haven’t considered it since. “Um, they told me about how you might need help.”

“It would be amazing if you—” she looked at Andy— “both could help. We’re short a few hands this year.”

I wasn’t against the opportunity, and working alongside Andy was intriguing. “What are the hours?” My day started at the bakery early; I was like a pumpkin at 7:00 every evening.

“This Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.” She clasped her hands together and held them against her chest. “Please say yes.”

“Sure.” I was off this weekend, which meant I would be sitting on the couch flipping through baking shows and cheesy romance movies. Getting out of the house sounded perfect.

“Really?” She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Andy, what about you?”

“I start work at 11:00 am on Saturday.” Mack’s face fell. “Julian might fill in for me, though.”

“Seriously.” She was still holding my hand and now grabbed his. “I’m so glad I caught you both at the same time.” She squeezed our hands and jumped up and down once. “It’s going to be so much fun.” It looked like she was floating toward the door; she seemed so happy.

“Mack, I do have a question for you.” I didn’t think about the decorating last night, but I woke up from a dream where I had rescued two kittens. I couldn’t get them out of my mind.

“Yes.” She leaned against the side of the door.

“Molly and Anika mentioned you run the rescue at Snuggle-In.”

“Are you about to tell me more good news?” Her face lit up.

“Um, I don’t know.” I laughed. “I’ve never had an animal, but I’m curious.” She threw her hand over her mouth, and her eyes went wide. “Oh, is that bad since I’ve never had one?”

“Bad.” She ran back to the counter and grabbed my hands. “No, it’s amazing.”

“Oh, so should I stop by Snuggle-In?”

“I’ll be there bright and early tomorrow morning. I would love to introduce you to some of our rescues.” She ran back to the front door. “Okay, this stop went way better than I anticipated. Now I need to get my booty back to the clinic.” She waved. “See you tomorrow, Willow. Bye, Andy.”

“Is she always that cheerful?” I was still watching Mack as she slid into the driver’s seat of her car.

“Pretty much.” Andy laughed and started to leave. “Now I need to know if you adopt an animal.”

I burst out laughing. “Okay, but I’m just visiting the animals.”

“That’s what they all say.” His hand was on the doorknob. “The last time I said those words, I came home with a dog.” He waved and left.

“Oh, good, Andy got his order.” Anika was just arriving for the day.

“He did, and Mackinac stopped in, too.”

“Oh, did she have an order?” Anika scowled as if she were thinking about all the orders.

“No, Molly hinted that I might be interested in helping decorate the downtown area.” I shook my head. “She roped Andy into the decorating, too.”

“Oh, she’s good.” Anika washed her hands and started to fiddle with the pastries. She moved them closer to the front of the case so customers could see them better.

“And…” I paused for dramatic effect. “I’m going to Snuggle-In to meet some of her rescues.”

“Ahhhh, are you?” She ran over and grabbed my hands. “Whoever ends up going home with you will be so lucky.”

“I’m just visiting. I didn’t say I was taking one home.”

“You will. Trust me.”

“I have no idea what I’m doing, so no, I won’t.” I laughed.

“Should we bet on this?” She wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

“What are you betting on?” Molly walked up front and leaned her hip on the counter. I updated her on the conversation. “Oh, I’m all in on this one. Bring photos tomorrow, too.”

“You both suck.” I let out an exasperated sigh and went to the back to prep some bread. I could hear them laughing as the door to the walk-in cooler closed behind me.

The thought of adopting a living creature scared the hell out of me.

Continuing to go home to an empty house every night was worse.