Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 94585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“Really?” Hot tears spilled over my cheeks. I didn't want to leave the bakery. No way. I wanted to stay and work with Grams. I just wanted the assurance that my dad wasn't going to sweep back in and take it all away. Not that he could considering that pesky warrant, but it was more the uncertainty.
I hadn't expected this. I'd wanted it, but Grams had been so reserved…
She nudged the papers closer to me. “I should have said something earlier, but I wanted these first. So it wasn't another promise. I wanted to show you this is real.”
“And all I have to do is sign them, and we're partners in Sweetheart Bakery?” It seemed too good to be true.
“Read them first, but yes. If that's what you want.”
“It is, it really is, but Grams, what about the money?”
“The money you gave your father?” I nodded. “We're writing that off as a bad investment and moving on. Your heart was in the right place. But let's agree, no major withdrawals unless we both sign off.”
I swallowed hard, blinking back my tears. “That sounds like a good idea. I'm going to read these now.”
I did have that date to get to, but I couldn't bring myself to do this later. Grams and I would both feel better once these papers were signed and we could put all of this behind us. Grams rose to finish wiping down the last worktable except the spot where we were sitting. I sent Royal a quick text telling him I was running a few minutes late and got to reading.
The partnership agreement was straightforward and exactly as Grams had described. When I was done reading, I looked up to see Grams hovering. I wanted to sign for me because this was what I wanted most for my career, more than anything else. And I wanted to sign if doing so would take that hesitant look off Grams' face. I wanted my teasing, loving, slightly crazy, hippie Grandmother back. Not this worried shell of herself.
“As soon as I sign this, we're partners?”
“Harvey has to file it for us, but basically, yes. Daisy, is this what you want? Are you sure? If you wanted to follow J.T. and go to culinary school—”
“I don't. I want to stay here and run Sweetheart with you. I want to add that outside seating, maybe next summer, and try pop-up lunches. I want this, Grams.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I want this too. I don't know what I was thinking with—”
I shot up a hand. “Stop apologizing. I know how persuasive he is. Do I need to remind you about the money? If you're giving me a free pass on that, you can give yourself one for falling for his crap. We were both dumb, and we won't be dumb again.”
I dropped my hand and braced it against the papers, holding them still to sign on the last page with a flourish. Shoving the papers in front of her, I handed her the pen. “Your turn, partner.”
With a watery smile, Grams leaned over and signed. When she was done, she wrapped her arms around me, rocking me back and forth. “You are my baby. From the moment you were born you were mine, and you always will be. Now, go home to Royal and get ready for your date. I have that tart you made all boxed up and ready to go.”
“I love you, Grams, no matter what.”
“I know you do, Daisy girl. But not as much as I love you. Now get out of here.”
I wasn't going to argue with my grandmother. One more tight hug and I bolted for the door, checking my phone to see if I still had time for a quick shower. I had a date to get ready for.
Epilogue: Part Two
royal
Daisy was floating on air when she got home from work, her grin lighting her whole face. Good thing. I needed her in a good mood tonight. I had plans for us, and a smiling Daisy was a good start.
“What happened?”
“I'll tell you in a minute, just have to change first.”
She was in and out of the shower in a flash and so tempting in her flannel bathrobe I thought about changing my plans and dragging her off to bed right then.
Not going to happen.
Hope and Savannah would kill me after they'd pitched in to make tonight happen.
“So, where are we going?” Daisy asked, still smiling.
“You'll figure it out.” I smiled back, absurdly happy just to have her here, living in my space, waking up with me and falling asleep in my arms. The past few weeks had been better than any dream. Daisy's parents had wreaked havoc, but they were long gone. Vanessa was in jail, J.T. was on the mend, Daisy was back at the bakery, and we hadn't had an incident at The Inn since the day Vanessa was arrested.