Page 88 of Tricked in October
“Please don’t leave yet. There’s more I’d like to discuss.” Her mama followed after her.
Kelsey whipped around to face her mama, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. “Mama, I’m happy you want to get help. And…I guess it doesn’t matter the reason. I just want you to get better.”
“Thank you.”
“But as much as I’d like to take a trip down memory lane with you, I can’t right now. My plate is full.”
“That was part of what I wanted to discuss.”
Kelsey’s brows pinched together.
“Since I’ll be checking into a rehab facility in Denver, I’m going to need someone to run this place while I’m gone.”
“What about Cheryl?”
“You know I love Cheryl, she’s a fantastic assistant. But she’s not management material. Not like you are.”
The compliment warmed and expanded in Kelsey’s chest. But hadn’t she just told her mama her plate was too full right now? She was currently fighting for her restaurant. Fighting for her children’s legacy. Fighting for her job.
“I appreciate it, Mama, but I just don’t have the time.”
“I was thinking, since you won’t be working at O’Henry’s anymore, maybe you’d consider managing the bakery.”
“You actually think I’m going to lose the bar?”
“I mean, love bug, you told me yourself you can’t afford to recover from the relapse in payments.”
“But I’m still trying. I haven’t given up. Even if everyone else has.” Kelsey unlatched Charlotte from her highchair. “C’mon, kids, clean up your mess. We need to go.”
“But I haven’t eaten my cookie yet,” Zach whined.
“Take it with you,” Kelsey muttered.
“Hey, if you’ve come up with a way to save it, by all means, I’m for it. You know I’ll support you. I was just trying to help,” her mama said.
Kelsey propped Charlotte on her hip and stared at her mama through glossy eyes. “You want to help? Why not offer to back me up at the restaurant? Use the investment on the bakery to put toward O’Henry’s.”
Her mama blinked at her, folding her lips in between her teeth.
June tugged at her grans hand. “Bye, Gran. Thanks for the yummy treats.”
“Bye, bye, sweets. Anytime.” Her mama hugged and kissed the children quickly before finally making eye contact with Kelsey who was waiting for a response. Any response.
She’d never even wanted to ask her mama for help. Risking the bakery was a last resort. It was the only thing her mama had going for her. But she was desperate. This was DEFCON 5. This was it.
“Mama, you know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t believe in the bar.”
“It’s not that,” her mama said, glancing at her feet. “The bakery is barely staying afloat.”
An ache throbbed in her throat at the lie, at the betrayal. Kelsey knew the bakery was in good enough financial status for her mama to take on another loan to help her. And yet, she’d lied to her. Why was her mama lying?
“You know I would help if I could.”
Tears stung at the corners of her eyes. She blinked to urge them from forming. Swallowing the lump of disappointment, she nodded and encouraged her children toward the door.
“I know,” she finally managed to say.
“Please say you’ll at least keep an open mind about managing the bakery?” her mama said.
