“Good morning,” Faye said, pulling the door closed behind her. “Phew! It’s a frosty one. And a bit icy out there, too.” She had a cane—it was hot pink and shiny—and she shook it at Charlie but in a friendly way. “Good thing I have my cane with me to keep me steady. Jake wouldn’t like that I had ventured out on my own in this, but he’s working a double shift again because one of the other firefighters called in sick, and a lady needs her treats. So, here I am.”
“Well, you have the first pick of them today,” Charlie said, going behind the counter and fetching a box. “Take a few extra on the house.”
“I insist on paying. And just two squares today, please. Best not to keep too many in the house because that fool dog of Jake’s always finds a way to eat them.” Charlie chuckled as she put lemon squares in a small box, adding one extra without Faye noticing, as well as two eclairs because she knew Jake had a soft spot for those. “There you go, Faye.”
Faye paid Charlie and took the box, but didn’t seem ready to leave. “You’re looking lovely, as always, but those bags under your eyes look like they’re packed for an international flight, and you seem a bit down.”
“Truth is, I’m not having the best day, Faye.”
“You really haven’t been yourself lately, have you?” For a moment, Charlie felt almost sure the jig was up; there was something so knowing in Faye’s tone and in her gaze. But the moment passed. “A lot on your mind, I suppose. I heard the rumor.”
“Which one?” Charlie smiled and rolled her eyes.
Faye chuckled. “Ah, yes. News does travel fast around this town. But the one I’m referring to is about a competing bakery moving in?”
“Right. According to Brett, that one’s more than just a rumor, and I won’t let it happen. I need to fight it. It’s important to my entire family, this bakery.”
“Well, of course it is!” Faye said. “And, it’s important to you, too. This bakery is your life. Right, Cass?” Again, something in her tone made Charlie feel exposed. For a moment, she thought about how freeing it would be to tell someone the truth. She was sure Faye wouldn’t judge her too harshly, if she could explain how and why it all started. But . . . what if she did? And what if Faye told Jake? Certainly, no matter how fond she was of Cass, her loyalty would be to her grandson. No, Charlie could not deal with that. Not yet.
“Yes, but I feel like I’m failing it, you know? Like, today should be busy. Right now the bakery should be packed. Makewell’s hasn’t even opened yet.” Charlie shrugged, feeling dejected and worried.
Faye put her box of squares down on the counter. “Oh, honey, you think the fact that no one has come in here yet today has anything to do with the Makewell’s rumor?”
“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the place this slow on a Monday morning. So far, you’re my only customer—and Sharon, but she didn’t buy anything.”
Faye grimaced. “Oh dear. Listen, Cassie. Sharon may have gotten a few people on her side, but trust me when I say no one will last past this morning. Mark my words.”
“On her side about . . . ?”
“Technology isn’t my strong suit, dear, so I’m not exactly sure what this means, but something about a livelier stream?”
Charlie nodded. “We started something new online yesterday, to make things a little more modern around here and get the bakery some exposure. But I messed up.”
“I didn’t see it, but from what I hear, some people think you were perhaps a bit harsh on that boy.”
Charlie thought back to her heated conversation with Brett. Realizing it had all taken place online, and that people had seen it, made her so embarrassed she could barely look at Faye. “I was. I feel awful.”
“Oh, don’t be too hard on yourself. It was about time he got the message. You’re a dear, Cassie, but you do need to stand up for yourself more. And it sounds like you did.”
“I guess I did.” Charlie gave Faye a weak smile.
“Please, don’t let it get to you like this. It’ll blow over, I’m sure of it. And if you want Sharon to be on your side, all you need to do is give her some of your sourdough starter. She’s trying to start a dog biscuit company or some such, and she’s been yapping all over town about how if she only had some of the famous Woodburn starter she’d be able to make the best biscuits in the world.”