His strong arms captured me, and he sat, holding me on his lap and letting me tuck my nose into his neck. “It honestly didn’t hit me how bad my leg had gotten until she asked me about the Strawberry Festival,” I said, my voice tiny. “Last year, I could do it all, and this year, I can’t do any of it.”
“That’s not true,” Hay-Hay said from where she sat by Brady. “I know you’ll have everything ready for those girls down to the most minute detail. What you have to learn to do is work smarter, not harder. You’re the business manager, not the grunt work. Turn your mindset around to that, and you’ll be a lot happier.”
“That’s our mindset,” Brady said. “We utilize everyone’s talents now where they are most effective. We don’t need you sitting behind a table taking money for cupcakes. We need you sitting behind the desk planning the marketing campaigns, doing the interviews, organizing the sales, managing the employees, and doing the books. I think that’s enough, don’t you? I know how hard Haylee works, but she doesn’t wear that many hats every day.”
I wiped my eyes and nodded. “It’s just...I guess I feel sad because I always look forward to Strawberry Fest. Maybe not all the work involved with it, but the atmosphere. I feel like it’s just another thing this shitshow has stolen from me.”
Bishop kissed my temple and wiped another tear from my face. “We can go and enjoy the atmosphere without you killing yourself with all the work. I bet I even know someone who would love to experience Strawberry Fest for the first time.”
“You?” I asked chuckling. “I didn’t even think about this being your first year.”
“It’s true. I’m a Strawberry Fest virgin, but I was thinking of someone else.” He held up his phone, and I read a text on the screen.
I sat up instantly. “What? Athena is coming to visit?”
He nodded with a huge grin on his face. “She called me when we were in the garage. She’s flying home for a visit tomorrow!”
I threw my arms around him and squeezed him tight. “I’m so happy for you. I know you’ve missed her.”
He nodded his head over my shoulder before he leaned back. “I have, and I can’t wait for you to meet her. Will you stay here with Haylee and Brady tonight? I have to drive to St. Paul to pick her up early tomorrow morning from the airport. You’ve been through so much today. I’m not going to make you get up at the crack of dawn to go with me.”
I grasped his face in my hands. “Let’s go now. Let’s go. Let’s just go. We’ll get a room and be there in the morning when her flight arrives.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Haylee said, standing up. “A little getaway will do you a world of good right now. We’ll man the bakery, and when you get back tomorrow, spend the day with Athena. We’ll see you on Wednesday.”
Bishop kissed my cheek before he handed me my crutches. “Let’s do it. We’ll take a little time out from life to just be with each other.”
I stood and hugged Haylee, whispering thank you in her ear. She squeezed me tighter, and I knew, no matter what, I was going to be okay.
“ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE okay with this?” I asked Amber when she sat back down on the bed.
She leaned back on the pillow and smiled. “Bishop, I already told you thirty times that I am. I want to meet Athena. I’m thrilled she’s coming home for a visit.”
“I know, but you’re so busy with the bakery that I hate to ask you to take more time away.” I strolled over and set a bottle of water on the nightstand for her. I had helped her to the bathroom after she woke up from a long sleep, and now I hoped to snuggle up with her and sleep until morning.
“You heard what Haylee said. It will be fine, and when I head in to help them, you can catch up with Athena.”
I was surprised to get the phone call from Athena saying she was flying in to see me tomorrow. I suspected she was homesick, but whatever the case, she assured me she was okay, healthy, and just wanted to see me for a few days before she went to Illinois. She knew I got married, so I was sure that was part of it, too. She had to check out dad’s new wife to decide if she approved.
“I’m having a security system installed tomorrow while we’re gone,” I said to change the subject.
“Why? It’s Lake Pendle. I can’t remember the last time there was a burglary there.”
“The system I bought has weather monitoring and will alert us immediately of any storm warnings or watches. Also, if you fall when you’re alone, you can use voice commands to get help. I planned to install a system before fall, so I just moved it up on the timeline a little bit. A security system is smart, and the one I bought will give me peace of mind when you’re there alone.”
She tipped her head to the side, her hand coming up to stroke my beard. “You found a system that warns of bad weather and acts like Life Alert?”
I turned my head and kissed her palm tenderly. “Peace of mind for you when we’re home. You’ll never be taken by surprise if we’re sleeping, either. It’s like a weather radio on steroids.”
She laughed, and the sound was sleepy and relaxed. “I guess you plan on keeping me around for a while.”
“I was thinking forever,” I whispered, kissing her lips. “And ever, and ever. I want to be known as the
