Page 14 of A Cup of Autumn
“I’m so lucky to have Mandy. And you will be too when you hire more people.”
“Brecken has other siblings, right? Think I can hire one of them?”
“Unfortunately, the next oldest is only thirteen. You’ll have to wait a couple of years.”
Raine laughed. “Waiting has been the story of my life.”
Waiting for Emmett to make up his mind about a long-distance relationship. Waiting to find out if they would survive as a couple living hours away from each other. Waiting for the right employees to cross her path.
Raine was tired of it.
Taryn picked up her drink. She added a lid to the cup. “I must get back to the bakery. It’s bread baking time.”
As Raine worked on the steamer, the scent from the sweet vanilla mixture made her mouth water. The consequence of skipping breakfast.
She added frothed milk to the top. Two dollops of whipped cream went on next. She set the cup on the counter. “Savannah.”
Eight-year-old Savannah Baxter skipped toward the counter without a care in the world. The slumped shoulders of her mother, Robin, told another story.
The woman’s designer clothes hadn’t changed, but the mother of two no longer wore perfectly applied makeup. Her pale complexion, sunken eyes, and messy bun spoke volumes about her soon-to-be ex-husband’s money and legal problems and the for-sale sign hanging in the front yard of their mansion.
“I fell at recess. Cut myself. There was so much blood. Got stitches.” Savannah raised her chin to show them off. “Mommy said I got a treat on the way back to school.”
“You were brave.” Robin touched her daughter’s thin shoulder. “You deserve something special.”
Savannah picked up the cup and sipped. “Yummy.”
“I hope you heal quickly.” A few weeks, maybe a month, had passed since either had come into the shop or been out and about in town. “I hope the steamer helps you feel better.”
Raine didn’t believe in guilt by association. Robin was a friend, who’d been married to a jerk. Okay, she’d stood by Nick when he’d shown his true colors nearly seven years ago with his treatment of his so-called best friend Brandt Winslow. But after Nick tried to ruin Lawson’s Bakery and Callie and Brandt’s wedding, Robin had filed for divorce in July.
Raine had silently applauded the stay-at-home mom of two. She poured Robin a cup of the house blend, added a teaspoon of sugar, and a dash of cream, and placed it on the counter. “This coffee’s for you, Robin.”
Robin jolted to a stop. Her lips parted but no words came out. The whites of her eyes, however, reddened.
She picked up the coffee and sipped. An almost rapturous expression formed on her face. “Th-thanks.”
The two walked away.
“Robin.” The name sprung from Raine’s lips like the spring runoff over Silver Falls. Something had compelled her to call out, but she didn’t know what. Robin stopped and turned. “Yes?”
The uncertainty in the one word nearly broke Raine’s heart. She hated to think how Robin might have been treated by Nick over the years…or lately. “If you hear of anyone looking for a job, could you please tell them I’m hiring?”
Something flashed in Robin’s eyes.
Dare it be interest?
“I might know someone.” Robin wet her lips. “What kind of experience are you looking for?”
“The ability to learn, a desire for hours, and patience would come in handy during the busy times, but that’s not a requirement.”
Robin half laughed. “Setting the bar high, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
Robin glanced at Savannah who wore a milk-foam mustache. “Thanks for telling me about the position. I’ll keep it in mind.”
For herself or someone else?
