Pastries and Promises, page 2
Claire shook her head, swallowing around the lump forming in her throat. "He had a heart attack."
"I'm truly sorry," Abby said, sympathy in her eyes.
Claire tried to swallow again, but it hurt. "Thank you," she whispered.
Abby gave her a sad smile and patted her on the shoulder. "I'm truly sorry, Claire. If there's ever anything you need or you just want some company, please don't hesitate to let me know. Like I said, we really are like a family here. There are a few bad apples, but the majority of people truly are wonderful."
Grateful for Abby's easy empathy, Claire responded gently, "Thank you, Abby. That truly means a lot to me."
Abby nodded and patted her shoulder again. "Of course. I hope to see you around town and in our front yards too."
"Likewise."
"Welcome to ," Abby repeated with a warm smile, turning and heading back toward her house.
Claire continued on toward the town square, and the cute cafe she'd seen there. The sky was a bright blue, dotted with a few clouds and the sun was shining brightly. It was a gorgeous fall day. She had a feeling she'd love living here, if she could get settled and find a new routine. She knew she had to get back to her art and the hours she used to spend in her studio.
The sidewalk was mostly empty, just a few people heading in the opposite direction. As she got closer to the square, the street grew busier. Cars drove by and a few people walked along the street with her. Everyone either waved or smiled.
She soon approached Sweet Delights Bakery, instantly drawn in by the scents of warm vanilla and cinnamon. The jingle of the bell above the door sounded as she entered the bakery.
"Welcome to Sweet Delights!"
Claire stepped up to the counter. The woman behind it smiled brightly at her. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a loose bun and a streak of flour dusted her cheek. Claire's attention was instantly pulled from the woman to the case of baked goods where rows of delicious looking treats greeted her.
"Wow. Those look amazing," she said, her stomach growling loudly.
"Thank you! They should, considering we've been baking since early this morning." The woman chuckled and Claire's gaze returned to her face. "I'm Eva, the owner. What can I get for you today?"
Claire returned Eva's warm smile, instantly at ease and feeling welcomed in the new place. "Hi, I'm Claire. I just moved in down the street."
Eva's smile grew wider. "Oh, you must be in the old Wilson house with that gorgeous garden out front! It's such a beautiful house. I saw the for sale sign get taken down a few weeks ago and was hoping someone was moving in."
"That's the one. I love it." Claire began perusing the selection, taken in not just by the visual appeal of each beautifully crafted treat, but the obvious love and care that went into each and every creation. She selected a raspberry scone and a chocolate biscotti, drawn in by both their simplicity and uniqueness. "Can I add a cappuccino too? I just saw that you have coffee."
"You sure can! Just give me a minute, I'll have it right up. That'll be eight dollars and fifty-two cents." She turned and called over her shoulder towards the back of the bakery, "Michael, could we have a cappuccino out here please!"
Claire paid and stepped off to the side, taking in the decor of the cozy cafe. The walls were painted a soft yellow and the furniture was made of a beautiful stained oak. The tables were filled with an assortment of chairs and stools, ranging from antique to brand new. The floors were a matching wood with a few rugs scattered throughout.
"Right away!" replied a young man who emerged from the back room. Michael appeared to be in his mid-twenties, around a decade younger than both Eva and Claire. He moved with an easy grace, his lean body reminiscent of an athlete. Michael flashed them both a grin as he walked over, revealing two dimples and a set of shining white teeth.
Eva made the introductions. "Claire, this is my assistant and barista, Michael. Michael, this is our new neighbor, Claire."
Michael shook Claire's hand gently but firmly. "Pleasure to meet you, Claire. Welcome to Sweet Delights."
"It's very nice to meet you, too." Claire gave him a polite smile.
He disappeared into the back then returned a few minutes later with a mug and her treats. She'd chosen a seat by the window to be able to watch people while she enjoyed her breakfast. The rich aroma of espresso and steamed milk enveloped her. She sipped the drink carefully, making sure not to burn her tongue. The flavor was rich and creamy and perfectly balanced.
"Wow. That's fantastic. What kind of blend do you use?" she asked them.
Claire smiled at her, her cheeks turning pink. "We actually roast it ourselves. That's the River blend, which is our medium roast. I'm glad you like it."
Claire sipped her drink and nibbled at her treats. They were as good as they looked. The pastries were flaky and buttery and the perfect combination of sweet and tart. She'd found a new favorite place. Claire felt peace there and knew she'd be back for breakfast often.
Eva paused in her task of arranging scones in the glass display case and turned to face Claire. "So Claire, what brought you all the way to our little town?"
Claire took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "After my husband, David, passed away recently, I needed a change," Claire began, speaking softly. "I needed a fresh start somewhere new."
Eva's expression changed, sympathy evident in her eyes. "I'm sorry. You've been through a lot. I'm glad you chose our town. It's a great place."
"Thank you, Eva."
"I hope you don't mind me asking, and I'm truly not trying to be nosy," Eva said, a hint of pink spreading across her cheeks, "but we don't usually get many newcomers unless they're just passing through. So I was wondering, what do you do?"
She met Eva's kind gaze and said softly, "I'm an artist." Claire's voice carried a hint of wistfulness as she continued, "Though it's been a while since I've felt inspired enough to paint. Maybe this fresh start and new surroundings will help reignite that spark. It would be nice to find my muse again."
"I hope you do," Eva replied warmly. "I'd love to see some of your work sometime."
Claire felt her cheeks grow warm at Eva's genuine interest. She replied shyly, "When I start painting again, I'll have to take some pictures to show you."
Eva's friendly smile grew wider as she said, "I'd like that."
Claire savored the last bites of her pastries and took a final sip of the luxuriously rich cappuccino Michael had crafted for her. She sighed contentedly. Standing up, Claire turned to Eva and Michael with a smile. "Thank you both so much for the delicious treats and for your kind welcome," she said warmly. "I know I'll be back again soon."
Eva beamed at her. "Please do come again, Claire. And let me know if there's ever anything at all I can do for you."
Michael echoed Eva's sentiments. "It was lovely meeting you, Claire. I hope you'll consider Sweet Delights your new home away from home!"
With a final wave goodbye, Claire stepped back out onto the cobblestone street, already looking forward to her next visit.
Chapter Four
The bakery door chimed as the last morning customer left with a bag of pastries. Eva waved goodbye before moving to start clearing empty mugs and plates from the tables. They'd been packed with customers and she was definitely feeling how busy they'd been. Not that she didn't love the support, but she was looking forward to the chance to sit and take a break for a moment.
As she wiped crumbs into her hand, her thoughts kept straying back to Claire. "It's just because she's new in town and you don't meet that many new people." Eva gave herself a little shake as she continued cleaning. She was being ridiculous. Claire was just another friendly new customer.
Eva finished cleaning the last table and sat down behind the counter with a soft sigh.
Michael came up beside her, handing her an iced coffee. He had one for himself as well. "So...Claire was pretty."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Don't you start. Just because a pretty new woman comes into our cafe..."
"Eva, we haven't had anyone new move here in nearly a year. I'm not saying marry her. I'm just saying it's nice that you have someone new to look at. Maybe she has a cute brother."
"You're ridiculous," Eva said, rolling her eyes even as she smiled. "She was really pretty though, right?"
Michael nodded. "And she's an artist. Maybe she's bi. Maybe you can just check her out when she comes back for breakfast soon." He gave her a playful nudge.
"Maybe. Now, can we talk about something besides my nonexistent love life?"
"What do you want to talk about then?"
Eva took a sip of her iced coffee. "We could talk about yours."
"Mine is in even more trouble than yours," Michael said with a laugh. His expression turned thoughtful. "In all seriousness though, it's nice to see you noticing women again after what Liz put you through."
At the mention of her ex, Eva's mood soured. Liz's betrayal still stung, even after all these months. Eva had truly believed they were soulmates. She looked down at her hands. "I can't just sit around and mope forever. But I'm still not sure I'm ready for a relationship yet. And besides, I only just met Claire. I'm sure I'm imagining whatever spark I think I felt." Even as she said it though, Eva found herself hoping she would see Claire again soon. There was just something about her.
Michael held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, no judgments here! I just think it'd be nice if you put yourself out there again, even if it's just as being friends with a beautiful woman. You deserve to be happy and outside of our friendship, you've closed yourself off to pretty much everyone else. I know most of your friends were also her friends and they left in the break up, so maybe being friends with Claire wouldn't be a bad thing."
Eva sighed, turning to glance out the bakery window at the passersby on the sidewalk. "After what Liz did...it's hard to trust anyone new," Eva admitted quietly. "We were together for years. I thought she was my soulmate until..."
Her voice trailed off, but Michael knew the painful story well. He came over and gave Eva's shoulder a supportive squeeze.
"Liz made her choice, and it wasn't you. I know that hurts, but don't let it close you off forever," he said gently. "Take a chance if it feels right."
Eva gave him a half-smile, wishing it was that easy to move on. "We'll see," she replied neutrally. "For now, I should probably focus on replenishing the baked goods before the lunch crowd comes in."
Michael nodded, knowing not to push the issue. "Is there anything I can do to give you a hand before the lunch crowd comes in?"
Eva considered for a moment. "Well, since we have some time, maybe you could whip up one of your amazing quiches? The spinach and goat cheese one is always a hit. I can slice up the fresh fruit from the market to have as a side."
Michael's face lit up at the suggestion. "You got it! One spinach goat cheese quiche coming right up." He headed to the kitchen, tying on an apron.
"Oh, and Michael?" Eva added. "Thank you. For listening earlier."
He gave her a warm smile. "Of course, that's what friends are for. I just want you to be happy. Besides, you've listened to every single one of my terrible break ups."
She returned the smile gratefully. Though her love life was complicated, at least she had the unwavering support of her best friend.
Eva prepared the fruit salad as Michael gathered ingredients for the quiche. She would stay up front for now to handle any customers while he worked his magic in the kitchen.
After washing and slicing the strawberries, Eva moved on to the watermelon and cantaloupe. She added a touch of lime juice and honey to brighten the flavors. It was going to be delicious. As she worked, Eva's thoughts kept drifting back to Claire. She'd been so kind and had seemed so interested in Sweet Delights. She definitely looked forward to seeing her again.
"Earth to Eva! Come in, Eva." Michael's teasing voice interrupted her train of thought.
She blinked up at him. "Sorry. What were you saying?"
"I was asking if we had any fresh thyme. I was thinking it would be nice with the spinach and cheese."
"I think so." With the fruit salad done, she stretched before getting up to put it in the fridge. It took a few moments to find the fresh thyme, but when she did she handed it to Michael then cleaned up the mess she had made earlier.
"What were you thinking about?" Michael asked. "You looked lost in thought."
Eva blushed. "Claire." She sighed. "I don't know why I'm letting myself think about her."
Michael gave her a gentle smile. "Because you liked talking to her and she's pretty and she seems sweet. You can't stop thinking about her because you're curious. There's nothing wrong with being curious, Eva."
Eva shrugged, not wanting to get into it with him. She glanced at the clock. They had about an hour before the lunch crowd would be in. She went over and sat behind the register, ready to ring customers up when they came in. Michael returned to his cooking, humming to himself as he worked. He was the best assistant she could have ever hoped for, and more importantly, her best friend.
Soon the bell over the door rang again and a woman came in. The lunch rush was starting a little early today. At least more customers would be a good distraction for her.
The next few hours flew by in a flurry of activity. The lunch crowd was bigger than usual, and the line for pastries didn't die down until almost an hour past the lunch rush.
Eva took a moment to breathe as the afternoon lull set in. Her feet ached and her stomach was rumbling.
Michael appeared a moment later with the last slice of quiche. "Here, saved this for you," he said, handing it over. He'd even warmed it up for her.
"Thanks. You're a lifesaver." She dug in gratefully.
"I figured you hadn't had a chance to eat yet. I made a fresh pot of coffee if you want some too."
"That would be amazing."
Michael poured her a mug and added cream and sugar just the way she liked. Eva sighed blissfully and ate her meal in the back while Michael handled the cafe.
Chapter Five
Claire walked the short distance home from the bustling town bookstore, two new books cradled gently in her arms. Eager to learn more about her new surroundings, she had selected a history of the town as well as a guide to the local wildlife.
Once inside the cottage, Claire settled into her worn but comfortable reading chaise with a contented sigh. Daisy leaped into her lap and made herself comfortable. Claire stroked Daisy's silky fur as she said softly, "I got coffee today at this lovely little place on the square, pretty girl. I think we're going to like it here after all."
Claire opened the cover of the history book and began reading about the founding of the town in the early 1800s. Names and dates swirled through her mind along with descriptions of the first shops and villages springing up along the main street. Claire imagined the town square in those long ago days, donning different facades but still possessing the atmosphere of peace that had drawn Claire here now, two centuries later.
After several pages, Claire's attention drifted to the window. She set the book aside, her fingers caressing the soft fur on the top of Daisy's head. The sun was starting to sink below the horizon. Daisy began to purr softly, enjoying her place on Claire's lap. Claire smiled, taking comfort in these simple pleasures.
Claire thought of Eva and the cheerful atmosphere of Sweet Delights. Perhaps visiting the cafe regularly would help fill some of the void David had left in her heart. She read the history of the town for almost 2 hours, becoming so immersed in the tales of the town's early pioneers and growth that her eyes began to droop and her focus started to wane. She closed the book with a sigh and stood up from her cozy chair, deciding a short break and a cup of coffee were in order before resuming her reading.
She walked into the small kitchen of her new cottage and started the coffee maker. Claire gazed out the kitchen window at the stately old maple tree in her small backyard as she waited for the machine to heat up. She wondered how many years that tree had stood watch over this very cottage and property. How many seasons had it witnessed pass by throughout the town's long history?
As the coffee machine started to drip out her coffee, the rich aroma filled the air, waking Claire's senses and lifting her spirits ever so slightly. The coffee pot beeped, signaling it had finished brewing. Claire poured the steaming liquid into her mug, filling it almost to the brim. She added a splash of creamer before capping the container and returning it to the fridge. Claire considered simply returning to her worn reading chair and losing herself once more in the pages of her book. But the lure of her art studio proved too strong to resist.
The spare bedroom that now served as Claire's art studio was cluttered with half-opened moving boxes and covered easels. Art supplies spilled from cabinets and drawers, while canvases leaned haphazardly against the walls. Yet amongst the chaos, Claire felt a sense of peace wash over her. Here, surrounded by the smells of paint and turpentine, she knew she could not stay away from her brushes and canvases for long.
In between sips of coffee, Claire began to unpack her art supplies, carefully placing each brush and palette on her workbench as if tending to a delicate garden. Her fingers trailed over her favorite set of oil paints, and she couldn't help but smile.
Finally, Claire pulled the dusty drop cloth off her easel, revealing the half-finished painting beneath. She'd nearly completed her study of the old oak tree in her backyard, the branches now beginning to burst forth in the first leaves of spring. "Alright, it's time to make some magic happen," Claire whispered to herself, rolling up her sleeves and picking up a brush. She dipped it into the swirling colors on her palette, feeling the familiar thrill of anticipation course through her veins. With each stroke, she poured her thoughts and emotions onto the canvas, allowing herself to get lost in the world of color and form. It wasn't her best work, she could admit that to herself, but she was painting again for the first time in weeks and that was what was most important to her.
Claire became so absorbed in her painting that she lost track of time. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since visiting the bakery hours before. Daisy wandered into the studio meowing for attention. Claire put down her paintbrush and lifted her cat, cuddling her close and kissing the top of her soft furry head. Daisy purred loudly, nuzzling Claire's face and making her smile.
