Patty shook her head. “I like where we were going with the pet thing. Get a stand-in. A hairless one.”
“A fish?” Kelly mocked the idea.
“Not the same,” Patty said. “I’ve got it. Men are pigs anyway. Just get one of those cute little micro pigs.”
“Those are so cute!” all of her friends had enthused. And Sara had one up on her phone in less than ten seconds. “Look! So cute.”
“Not all men are pigs,” their newlywed friend, Vicki, had defended.
“Says the newlywed,” Kelly teased. “How is Mr. Perfect anyway?”
“Perfect. Not a pig, but those pigs are adorable, like a little Yorkie, only they don’t shed and bark. They have a teacup pig farm over in Boot Creek. It’s not that far. I’ll drive!” And before she knew it, Vicki had called and made an appointment, and all of them had piled back in her Range Rover and headed to the Teensy Weensy Pig Farm an hour away.
That night Kelly had arrived home with a good dose of girlfriend advice, a perfect mani/pedi in “It’s Raining Men” even if it was a little brighter color than she’d normally wear, and had replaced Andrew with a pink-and-black spotted teacup piglet named Gray. “G.R.A.Y.” An acronym for Good Riddance Andrew York, aptly named by Patty who, with five small children, had an acronym for everything, as she talked in code around them.
Gray weighed less than a can of soda and literally fit into a teacup the day she brought him home. That was seven years ago though, and now Gray was nearly a foot tall and schlepping around a whopping thirty-eight pounds. She loved that silly pig. He’d been there for her through the good and the bad times without fail.
Leaving Gray behind for the competition wasn’t going to be easy. On the other hand, getting out of town while Andrew York was around was a bonus.
“Sara, you can’t do everything while I’m gone.”
“Why not?” Sara pulled her hand up on her hip. “You covered me for two weeks when I went to Alaska with Dalton.”
“That’s completely different.”
“No, it’s not. You can’t tell anyone where you’re going, and the more people you have covering things, the more lies you have to cover. No offense, but you’re the worst liar I know.”
That was true. “I’ll make this up to you. I promise.”
“Just win!” Sara untied her apron and hung it on the peg outside of the office. “Besides, this is the best advertising you could get for The Cake Factory. And they’re paying you to do it. It’s a win-win for everyone. The whole town will benefit.”
Making Bailey’s Fork an attractive town to live and work in was important to her. She was proudest of the jobs she’d brought to the community. “I hope I’m not in over my head. You know most of those contestants have fancy culinary degrees and have worked for swanky resorts like the Four Seasons. I’m just a hometown girl who likes to bake.” She let out a breath. “It’s not about the money. I want to prove myself. It would be validation. I’m tired of apologizing for having learned to bake at my grandma’s and daddy’s hip.”
“And you shouldn’t. You should be proud of that, and trust me, there’s not one single customer who gives two toots about some cooking degree. You’re an amazing baker with original recipes and more God-given talent than those fancy pastry chefs have ever learned. Don’t you freak out on me.” Sara placed her hands on Kelly’s shoulders. “Repeat after me. ‘I’ve got this.’”
“I’ve got this.” Kelly straightened her shoulders. “I’ve been hoping for this chance my whole adult life. I’ve totally got this.”
“That’s my pal.” Sara held the clipboard in the air. Right now it read,
Take care of Gray
Stay at Kelly’s
Cover Kelly’s shifts starting the 7th
“Can you approve payroll for me while I’m gone too?”
“No problem.” Sara added it to the list. “I’m putting this in your top drawer. Just add to the list when you think of anything, and I’ll divvy up the to-dos and get them done. No worries. Please promise me you’ll just concentrate on this amazing opportunity. It’s going to be the best Valentine’s Day ever. I know it.”
“At least I don’t have to worry about people talking about me not having a date at the Valentine’s Day steak dinner again this year. How am I going to come up with an excuse that will fool my parents?” Kelly had a feeling that might be harder than the competition. “I’m going to have to find a quiet spot to brainstorm on this one.”
The chimes clanked against the front door, followed by a friendly, “Yoo-hoo!”
Kelly followed the voice out to the counter. “Dawn?” It was just one surprise after another today. There was no doubt in her mind that Dawn had been playing matchmaker with that huge order for Andrew’s surprise party. She wondered what she was up to now. “Hey there. What brings you back twice in one week?”
“I just wanted to stop in and personally thank you for those amazing desserts. They made the party.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed them.”
“I really hope we can spend more time together again. It’s just been too long. I let life get busy, and I regret us not maintaining our friendship. I hope you’ll forgive me,” Dawn said.
“Forgive you? I let myself get busy too,” Kelly said. “It works both ways.”
“She works too much,” Sara butted in. “I’m always telling her that.”
“You still have your horse, don’t you?” Dawn folded her arms across her chest.
“Absolutely. Don’t ride her near as much as I should, though.”
“I’m going horseback riding this afternoon. You should come,” Dawn said with enthusiasm. “Nothing long, just a quiet ride through the old creek trail. It’s as good as yoga, but a lot less sweating. Better scenery too.”
Sara nudged Kelly.
