Mom squeezed Kelly’s hand in her own and then kissed the top of it. “You will love again. Andrew York can be replaced. Good riddance to him for not knowing how special you are.”
Chapter Two
Seven Years Later
Five bright pink helium balloons bounced in the breeze next to the spiral boxwood topiaries at the entrance of The Cake Factory on the corner of Main and Elm.
When Kelly first opened The Cake Factory, the name had been sort of tongue-in-cheek. The old ribbon factory had sat empty for years after they’d consolidated operations in their facility up north. After months of letter writing, they’d finally agreed to let her lease the small front office space next to her parents’ cafe. She’d spent nearly every dime of her savings on the renovation to turn that dusty office into a sparkling and inviting bakery. It was only five hundred square feet and two ovens, with her baking everything herself… hardly a factory.
The following year she’d expanded and re-invested her profits into purchasing the whole factory building. The town had supported her wholeheartedly. They’d even extended tax incentives to help her refurbish that end of Main Street. Bringing jobs to the community and doing her part to sustain the economy in her hometown was her proudest accomplishment yet. Beautifying Main Street was just a bonus.
Now the two-story brick building hummed with activity day and night, and the smell of fresh baked goods permeated the air—living up to its name.
Inside, she’d decorated the customer-facing area with a combination of crisp pink-and-white stripes, offset with gray-and-white polka dots for a touch of whimsy.
The front door opened, and Missy walked in with her designer handbag swinging from her wrist. A punchy coral color, her purse matched her sweater set and shoes. “What’re we celebrating?”
“Our anniversary,” Kelly said. “Five years in business today.”
“Congratulations!” Missy owned the real estate company located up the block and was a faithful customer. “You know your goodies are my secret weapon.”
“You must have an Open House today,” Kelly said. “You’re in luck. We’re having an anniversary special. For every six goodies you buy, I’ll give you one free.”
“I like the sound of that.” Missy stared into the glass case. “I can pick from anything in the case? Even the cake pops?”
“Your choice.” Kelly didn’t rush her. They’d loaded the case with cupcakes, cookies, brownies and the ever-popular cake pops this morning. She’d been in business long enough to know not to rush her customers. The longer they ogled the goods, the more they left with.
Sara, dressed in The Cake Factory’s signature black-and-white tiny polka dot apron with black-and-gray striped sash and straps, stopped at the counter. “I’m getting ready to place the order for shipping supplies. Do you have anything to add?”
“Everything I need is already on the list. Thanks.”
When Kelly had opened the online business, she’d hired Sara to help with the storefront and manage the shipping department. She now handled the entire inventory and reordering of supplies too.
“Okay, I know what I want,” Missy announced.
Kelly turned back to the case and pulled on a pair of plastic gloves.
“I’m going with cookies this time. Two dozen.” Her bracelets jingled as she pointed out items. “I’ll do six each of the chocolate-filled butter cookies with chocolate sprinkles, the key lime spritzer cookies, oatmeal date, and chocolate chip.”
Kelly took out a large box and started stacking cookies with a pair of tongs, separating each flavor with a square of wax paper. “How about your free ones?”
“Can I have all four in the chocolate-filled butter cookies?”
“You sure can. Those are my favorite too.” Kelly sealed the box with a glossy pink-and-black label and rang up the purchase.
“You’d better throw in a red velvet cake pop for me. I can’t resist those.”
Kelly pulled one out of the case. “In the box?”
“Yes, or I’ll eat it before I get there.” Missy swiped her debit card. “Are you going to make those lemon blackberry cakes again anytime soon? I swear that was the best dessert I’ve had in my life. I thought I might order one for someone special on Valentine’s Day.”
“That cake is not the same with frozen berries. I’ve tried it a dozen ways, and it just doesn’t work.” Kelly handed Missy her receipt. “We usually have fully ripe berries mid-July to late August, so I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until summer for that. But I have some wonderful new cakes for Valentine’s Day you can sample.”
“I can’t wait. I’m in a hurry this morning, but I’ll definitely be back in tomorrow.”
“Excellent. See you then.”
A makeshift door chime made from vintage tin measuring spoons and baubles tinkled against the glass front of the white wooden framed door as Missy left.
Kelly rearranged the cookies in the case. By the end of the day, this would be empty. It always was. Rather than risk leftovers, she promised bakery fresh products until they were gone. Then she simply turned the open sign to closed for the day. It seemed to work, and if anyone really wanted to be sure they didn’t miss out, they ordered ahead; her team was great at ensuring those requests always got filled.
Customers came through the door at a steady pace all morning.
Sara had to go back to the bakery to fill an order of thirty cupcakes for a school class party. “It’s been a really good day,” she said to Kelly as she came back with the order. “We’re going to be sold out before one at this pace.”
“Sooner than that,” Bettie, who worked down at the library, said. “I’ll take the rest of the cookies and any stragglers you’ve got in the case. Miss Erma’s got a cold. She didn’t make the treats for this month’s book club meeting tonight.”
“Oh, no.” Kelly grabbed a box and started filling it. “I hope she’s feeling better soon. You’re in luck though, there’s a nice, random assortment of things left.”
“Thank goodness.” Bettie paid for her order and
