“What are you making?” I ask.
“A help wanted sign. I’m serious about getting us some help. I think, even if you aren’t going, that it would be beneficial. Take some of the stress off the both of us. I need a break just as much as you do, so I think this is the right move forward that will get us to that point. This way we already have everything in place.”
“Okay,” I agree, and watch as she makes a little sign, then takes it out front and places it in the window. Word spread fast in our small town, because by the time we close, I already had three girls stop in with resumes, interested in the part-time job. Maybe this is going to be easier than I expected.
* * *
“Hey, sweetheart,”my dad greets when I walk into the living room of my childhood home.
“Hi, Dad,” I greet him back, bending to kiss his cheek. “How’s Mom today?” I ask, taking a seat on the couch.
“She’s good, just taking her normal afternoon nap. What brings you by?”
“I just needed someone to talk some business things out with,” I tell him honestly. I’ve always had a very open relationship with my parents, especially when it comes to the bakery. Whenever I haven’t been sure about something, I come talk it out with my dad.
“Tell me all about it,” he says, pushing back in his seat to let me have the floor, so to speak. I give him the run down, the investment offer from Nathan, the suggestions from Lacey, how we’ve already had a response to the job opening. I lay everything out for him, including how much I want to make something work so that I can go see Nathan and see what this is between the two of us. I realize that it might not be anything long-term, but I’m also not willing to let it go just yet. I’ve secretly waited this long for this man to come back into my life, I’m not going to let him just walk back out.
“I do think hiring some help is a good idea, and it doesn’t hurt to have Rita help out now and again. I’m on the fence about the investment but can see the allure to taking it. New equipment would definitely help, and probably reduce not only your utilities because they’re so much more efficient, but also reduce your repairs budget since things are less likely to break. But Nathan has only been back in your life for a couple weeks, are you willing to let him come in and take a percentage of your business like that? I’m not saying he’s a conman, the very opposite, actually, but you’ve worked hard since taking it over to make it successful. I’d hate for that to be screwed up. What if you were to move forward with the extra help, go take that vacation you deserve, and put his offer on the back burner for six months. If things are still going well, then, and you still want to upgrade things, take him up on his investment offer at that point.”
“Hmm.” I think over my dad’s sound advice. “I kind of like that idea. It is the best of both worlds. Gives me time to think things over without diving in headfirst. I can do some detailed research on what brands would be best to replace the existing equipment with, before jumping into purchasing the items.”
“That’s my girl,” Dad says.
With the business items taken care of, I relax and just visit with my dad. Mom wakes from her nap and he moves her to join us in the living room. I don’t often bother her with the business side of the bakery, as it just upsets her that she’s not a part of it anymore, but I fill her in on the PG parts of my week with Nathan and how I’m trying to get things in order to go visit him.
By the time I make it home, I’ve got a pep in my step. My aunt being willing to help out is one of the biggest hurdles, not everyone can bake to my standards, but I know she can, and trust that between her and Lacey, my bakery won’t burn down if I take a vacation for a few days.
13
Nathan
Like I’ve doneevery day this week, I leave the office at five. Rose has adjusted to my new schedule, but I also think she’s figured out that I also tend to come back down to the office after I’ve had my time to talk to Harper each evening. I’m not a fan of the three-hour time difference, but I can’t do anything about it.
“Night, Nathan, don’t put in too many hours tonight,” she scolds me.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I tell her, smiling as I walk down the hall.
My phone is ringing before I even make it into my apartment. I slide my finger across the screen, answering the FaceTime call as I pull my tie off and toss it onto the barstool.
“Hey, babe,” I greet, smiling at Harper through the camera. I can tell she’s excited about something, she’s practically bouncing out of her shoes. She has her iPad propped up on the kitchen counter and I can see she’s mixing something as she stands there.
“Hi! Guess what?” she asks.
“What? It must be something good for how excited you are,” I add.
“We hired two girls today!” she exclaims.
“Really!?” I ask, excited about what this means for the chances of her coming to see me.
“Yep, so, you know what that means?” she asks, setting down the bowl and getting closer to the camera.
“You’re ready to come warm my bed for a week?” I ask, quirking an eyebrow at her.
“Yep,” she agrees quickly.
“Really?!” I ask, my excitement getting the best of me. “When can I send the jet to pick you up? I’ll send it tonight, if you want.”
“Slow your horses. I need to do a few training sessions. I was thinking that maybe I could come out sometime late next week, maybe fly out Thursday after we close and then return the following Sunday.”