Pastries and Promises, page 3
Claire placed her feline companion on the floor, and stretched her tired limbs, her muscles protesting after hours spent standing hunched over her easel.
"Alright, alright. I know, you're hungry," Claire said, scooping up the cat. "Let's go find you something to eat."
Daisy meowed in response, rubbing her face against Claire's hand. Claire smiled at her cat and stroked her soft fur. "Actually, I'll make us both something to eat," Claire promised her cat, as they walked out of her art studio and toward the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen, Claire opened a can of food for Daisy, put it into her bowl, then frowned. "It's getting late. Maybe we should get take out." After a moment she shook her head. "We can make pasta faster than we could get take out, and I'm not even sure who would be able to deliver in such a small town." She walked into the kitchen and opened the pantry, surveying her options for pasta. Eventually she pulled out a jar of marinara sauce. It would be plain, but it would be good.
She filled a pot with water and set it on the stove to boil. While waiting for the water to heat up, Claire chopped some onions, garlic, and bell peppers and added them to the sauce she had sizzling in a pan beside the pasta water. Once the pasta was cooked, she drained it in a colander and mixed it with the sauce in a large bowl. Claire carried her meal outside and sat down at the small table on her back porch. The warm evening air was comforting. Daisy joined her, curling up at Claire's feet and basking in the last rays of daylight. She would get more done tomorrow, she vowed. It was enough that they had done the little that they had managed to today. She breathed deeply, letting the clean air fill her lungs. A slight breeze rustled the leaves in the nearby trees, causing them to sway gently.
"It's so beautiful here, isn't it, Daisy?" Claire asked her cat, who was still curled up at her feet. "What do you think of making breakfast at Sweet Delights a regular thing?" Her cat flicked her tail, largely ignoring her as she watched some birds. Shrugging, Claire kept eating. She hadn't seen much else to eat in the square. Maybe there were a few restaurants outside of the square, but it was nice to have a place to go within walking distance. "Yes, I think we'll do just that."
A few minutes later, Claire was finished. She rinsed off her dishes and left them in the sink. She would take care of them in the morning. It had been a long day.
"C'mon, let's get ready for bed, girl." She lifted Daisy and walked into the bedroom. "I'm sorry, but I've had enough for today." She gave Daisy a kiss on the top of her head before setting her on the bed. She went and grabbed her pajamas from her dresser and her favorite book from her nightstand. Once she had changed and climbed into bed, she opened her book and started to read.
Her mind began to wander though, and after only a few pages, she felt her eyes start to grow heavy. She yawned and stretched before closing her book.
"Good night, sweet girl," she whispered to Daisy, reaching out to stroke her fur. She turned off her bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness.
Chapter Six
Eva slid her key into the lock of her small, one-bedroom apartment with a weary sigh. She loved the bustle and chatter of customers at Sweet Delights during the day, and coming home to this empty space each night never failed to dampen Eva's spirits. If she could move into Sweet Delights full time, she would.
Pushing open the creaky door, she stepped into the dark, silent apartment. She flipped on the entryway light, illuminating the cozy yet lonely interior.
Dumping her keys and purse on the kitchen counter, Eva opened the fridge in search of something quick to eat. But nothing appealed to her appetite. She wasn't used to cooking for one. She would have grabbed some of the quiche Michael had made, but they had sold out of it quickly. He was definitely a genius when it came to savory foods.
Wandering into the living room, Eva contemplated pouring herself a glass of Malbec as she did most nights. But even the prospect of the velvety red wine easing her mind couldn't overcome the oppressive silence hanging over the apartment.
This place had never felt so empty before. But then again, she'd never been the only one living here. Not until Liz left. This had been their first place together, something they'd picked out and had both loved.
Apparently not enough though.
Eva sank down onto the couch, the weight of loneliness pressing down on her. How many nights had she and Liz curled up on this very couch, laughing over glasses of wine as they talked about their day or watched TV?
Before she could stop herself, Eva picked up her phone, fingers moving instinctively to Liz's number. She ached to hear the familiar voice that used to fill this void.
But just before calling her, Eva forced herself to stop. Liz had made her choice clear. Calling her now would only lead to more hurt. She would seem desperate, and like she was begging Liz to choose her. She was desperate and she would have begged, but it wouldn't have done any good. She'd already tried that.
Frustration boiled up to replace the momentary longing. She had trusted Liz with her heart for years. And it still devastated her to know that in the end, she was so easily replaced.
Standing abruptly, Eva grabbed her wallet and keys. She had to get out of this apartment tonight, even just for a little while. Being alone with her thoughts was dangerous, she knew from experience these past months.
Closing the front door behind her, Eva headed out into the evening - seeking light, air, anything to distract from the darkness Liz's betrayal had left lingering within these walls.
Eva walked briskly, no destination in mind other than away from the empty apartment and its suffocating silence. The summer evening air was balmy, carrying the scent of grill smoke and fresh cut grass.
When she came upon a local Chinese restaurant, Eva decided to treat herself to takeout. But waiting alone for her order to be ready, she regretted the decision. Watching families and couples laugh over shared meals intensified her isolation.
Eva hurried home, containers of kung pao tofu and fried rice in hand. At least she could distract herself with mindless TV while she ate. She browsed through channels before settling on an innocuous sitcom.
But the laughing soundtrack grated on her nerves. Everything in this apartment reminded Eva of what she had lost.
After forcing down a few more bites, Eva abandoned her half-eaten dinner on the coffee table. The undeserved sense of betrayal still simmered under the surface months later.
Eva knew looking at old photos would only stoke the embers. But masochistic curiosity drew her to Liz's social media that night. She scrolled through images of Liz beaming next to the woman who had stolen her happiness. Something in Eva fractured all over again.
Exhausted by the emotional turmoil, Eva retreated to the cold, empty bed. Tomorrow she would focus on her true sanctuary - the bakery. Tonight she just needed to sleep and stop obsessing over her ex.
Chapter Seven
Claire awoke before the sun had fully risen. The moon still shone brightly in the sky, but the first traces of light were giving definition to the edges of objects around her. She was looking forward to breakfast at Sweet Delights again, and exploring more of the town. She was also looking forward to painting some more. She hadn't wanted to paint this much in weeks. She could feel David there with her, quietly giving his approval with a slight nod as she worked.
She padded softly into the kitchen with Daisy in her arms, the old hardwood floor creaking slightly under her slippered feet. The familiar ritual of making coffee was soothing, and she needed that sense of comfort this morning. She had dreamt of David. Of his smile. Of his laugh. He would have loved the cottage. He would have gone for walks all the time, exploring the little town. He’d talked about leash training Daisy someday. Now she wished he would have gotten that chance.
It had been good to see him again, even if it had just been a dream. She missed him, missed talking about him. His family had never really approved of them being together. And her friends had been vocal about their apprehension as well. She’d been twenty-two and he had been almost forty. But they’d had ten years together. Ten perfect, wonderful years.
She would have rather it had been a lifetime.
Now she found herself alone in a place she barely knew, trying to remember what life had been like before David had become such an integral part of her existence. As she moved to fill the coffee maker with water, Claire thought of all the mornings they had spent curled up on the couch together, cups of coffee warming their hands as they talked, laughed and planned for the day ahead. Those memories flooded her with bittersweet comfort. The familiar motions and aromas of brewing coffee calmed her troubled mind, though she knew it would take time to adjust to this new stage in her life without David by her side.
She opened the cabinet where she kept the coffee tin and scooped some grounds into the filter. With a flick of the switch, the gurgling and hissing noises began that signaled the water was heating up. While she waited for the coffee to brew, Claire opened another cabinet and retrieved her favorite mug. It was a simple round ceramic mug with bluebirds painted on the side in primary colors, handmade by an artisan. David had given it to her only a few months before he passed away. Holding the mug now brought her bittersweet comfort, a reminder of his memory and their life together.
She wondered how long everything would continue to remind her of him, his scent still lingering in the air like a ghost. The sound of his laughter haunted her, ringing through the halls and echoing in her mind. And then, swiftly, she realized that even though it hurt to remember him, she didn't want to let go of the memories either. She clung to them like a lifeline because as long as she held those memories close to her chest, it was as if he were still there with her, alive and well.
As the coffee brewed, Claire leaned against the counter and watched the sun rise over the garden. It was a beautiful view from her new home. She wondered how many people had gazed at that same sunrise throughout the years, and felt a sudden kinship with those nameless strangers. She was a part of their history, and they were a part of hers.
Claire poured herself a steaming cup of coffee and sipped slowly, savoring the rich, earthy flavor. The coffee and quiet moments to herself had given her the boost of determination she needed to make the most of her time. First, she would walk to the bakery down the street for a pastry and a chance to explore the new neighborhood. Then, she would find a sunny spot in the yard to sit for a while with Daisy, listening to the birds and enjoying the fresh air. And in the afternoon, after a simple lunch, she would go to her art studio and paint. It was a perfect plan for a day when she didn't need to get anything done but simply enjoy herself.
Claire stepped out onto the back porch, relishing the warmth of the morning sunshine on her face. She settled into an old wooden chair that groaned slightly as she sat down. Daisy wandered outside and immediately jumped into her lap. She curled up over Claire's thighs and began to purr softly as Claire started petting her.
She continued to pet Daisy with one hand as she sipped her coffee with the other, enjoying the stillness of the early morning. The sun had just risen over the trees in yard, its warm glow bathing Claire and Daisy in a peaceful light. A light breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming roses.
Claire savored the last few sips of her coffee, letting the warm mug cradle her hands as she enjoyed the rumblings of the neighborhood coming to life around her. Shutters clattered open, car doors closed in driveways, and the muffled sounds of people chatting and moving about filtered through the still morning air.
A few early birds flitted between branches as the sunlight crept higher, dappling the garden below with shifting patterns of light and shadow. Claire watched a squirrel dart across the lawn, pausing to sniff inquisitively at a fallen pine cone before scurrying up the trunk of a maple tree in a neighboring yard.
When the final drop of coffee was gone, Claire retreated inside. She set the mug in the sink and made her way down the hall to the bedroom. In the bathroom, she turned on the shower and let the warm water heat up while stripping off her clothes.
Steam soon filled the room as Claire stepped into the water, sighing contentedly as the water fell over tired muscles. She lathered shampoo into her hair, working up a rich foam that smelled of lemon and ginger.
After rinsing the remaining soap from her body, Claire reluctantly shut off the water. She toweled herself dry and got dressed in fresh clothes, feeling renewed. Making her way to the kitchen, Claire smiled to herself. Maybe she and Daisy could make a new life here together.
"Bye Daisy," she said, giving her cat a kiss as she lay on the arm of the couch, soaking in the morning sunshine. "I'll be back soon."
Claire had barely made it outside when a car unexpectedly turned into her driveway. She paused and looked over in surprise as a beat-up old blue sedan came to a stop. The driver's side door opened and her sister, Julia, stepped out, a huge smile on her face.
She immediately made her way over to give Julia a big hug hello. Julia wrapped her arms around Claire in return. "What are you doing here?" Claire asked, still beaming at Julia.
"I wanted to come see the new place," Julia replied. "I hope you don't mind some company."
Claire shook her head vehemently. "I love that you're here. Thank you for coming to visit me. Let's go to breakfast. I found the cutest bakery yesterday."
Julia grinned, linking her arm through Claire's as they walked towards the bakery. "Lead the way," she said. "And tell me all about this new place of yours. Do you like it here?"
Claire smiled and nodded. "It's growing on me," she said. "It's still weird being in a new town, but I'm excited to explore. And I love the house. It's old, but it has character. It reminds me of the houses we used to draw as kids, you know? Like it has secrets hidden behind every door."
Julia chuckled. "I know what you mean. And I'm glad to hear you're settling in. It's important to have a place to call home, especially after David. Honestly I'm surprised you settled here after leaving Boston, since it's so different here, but I am very glad to have you much closer now."
They arrived at the bakery and Claire led the way inside. The sweet, yeasty smell of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air, making Claire's mouth water. They pushed through the glass-fronted door and into the bakery. The wooden floor creaked under their feet as they approached the display case which seemed to hold enough pastries and loaves of bread to feed a small village for a month.
"It's good to see you again, Claire," Michael said. "Eva's making cookies for an order, I'm sure she'll miss seeing you this morning."
Julia looked curiously between them. "It's good to see you making new friends so quickly," she playfully teased her sister.
Claire smiled at her. "Michael, this is my little sister Julia. Please tell Eva hello for me."
"I certainly will." He rang them up. "You two enjoy your breakfast. Would you like some tea as well?"
"Yes please," Claire answered for both of them. Julia nodded as well.
"I'll have it right out to you two. Take a seat wherever you like."
They found a small table by the window, allowing them to watch as the town slowly came to life outside. Claire tore into her croissant, enjoying the flaky layers and buttery taste. Julia nibbled on her cinnamon roll, savoring the sweetness and warmth of the pastry.
"So how did things end up with Steven?" Claire asked her. Julia hadn't mentioned him lately, so she assumed something had happened, but it had been hard to think about more than David for a while now. She had definitely not been the best sister lately, though she knew Julia understood.
Julia sighed heavily. "It was like he disappeared off the face of the earth. I tried to contact him but it was like he had blocked me out completely."
Claire shook her head sympathetically. "That's really rough. People can be so inconsiderate sometimes."
"I swear, all guys are the same," Julia said with a huff. "They just want one thing and then they disappear without any explanation."
Claire chuckled, swirling her tea around in its cup. "Not all guys are like that," she said. "You just need to find someone who's worth your time."
Julia rolled her eyes. "Easier said than done," she said. "I'm starting to think I'm going to be single forever."
Claire reached across the table and took Julia's hand. "Don't be silly," she said. "You're amazing. Anyone would be lucky to have you."
Julia smiled at her sister. "Thanks, Claire.”
As Claire took a bite of her croissant, Eva emerged wearing an apron dusted with flour. "Hi Claire, Michael told me you and your sister were here." Eva said brightly, walking over to their table. Claire smiled at her.
"Hey Eva, how's it going?"
"I'm doing well, staying busy of course. I just wanted to come out and say hi, see how you're enjoying the croissant and cinnamon roll." Eva's eyes seemed to linger on Claire for a moment, her smile widening. Claire felt a flush of confusion at the attention.
"They’re delicious," Julia replied with an easy grin.
"Wonderful!" Eva exclaimed. "Well, I should get back to work, but it was nice seeing you again, Claire, and good meeting you too, Julia." Her eyes met Claire's once more before she went to the back of the bakery.
Claire blinked, unsure of what had just transpired. She shook off the peculiar feeling as she took another bite of her pastry. Eva was just being friendly, she told herself. Still, something in the tone of Eva's voice and the way she had looked at Claire gave her an odd feeling that she couldn't quite pin down.
Claire shrugged off the strange feeling persistently nagging at her after Eva's visit. It was just her imagination.
Julia seemed to think differently. "I think someone has a little crush on you," she said in a teasing singsong voice.
